people so busy make me feel dizzy

Here's a little bit about Mercury Retrograde.

Mercury turned Retrograde for the second time this year on Memorial Day and will not return to forward motion until June 19th. The first MR of 2008 happened during late January and the better part of February (in the Fixed Air sign of Aquarius).

Even if you don't know jack about Astrology, you've probably heard about Mercury Retrograde. You know, it's when all the machines break down and plans go topsy turvy, when there are missed connections and fender benders galore. And yes, all of those things can be true - but there's a little more to it than that.

In Astrology, Mercury is known as the Messenger, and represents communication and transportation. Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo and has everything to do with our day to day habits and schedules and anything mundane, like dayjobs and bills and banking. It's assumed that things that have to do with communication (the internet and cellphones and day to day conversations) and/or transportation will be all backwards while the planet that rules them is backwards. This is why we expect the fender benders, the missed flights and misunderstandings. But Astrology can be all about putting meanings to things, even when they're turning out backwards.

Mercury Retrograde happens three to four times a year. Astronomically, it refers to the apparent motion of the planet Mercury when it slows down a bit in relation to our Sun and seems to travel backward for a period of about 3 weeks. Astrologically, it's all about us paying more attention: taking more time to double check things, revising and rethinking plans we've already made, and taking some time out from the busy busy of the day to day. It's the time to move along with whatever happens and rise above the small stuff (the disrupted plans, the fender benders).

There are positive things that happen during Mercury Retrograde as well, although we don't hear about those as much. It can often be a time of running into or hearing from old friends and acquaintances, finding things we thought were long lost, and returning to projects and ideas we'd long since abandoned. The days when Mercury is Retrograde are fit for cleaning out closets, working on scrapbooks, and catching up with people you haven't spoken to in ages.

Right now Mercury is retrograding in its home base of Gemini, the Mutable Air sign. Thus it will affect Geminis the most, as well as the other Mutable signs (Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces) and the other Air signs (Libra and Aquarius). Since Gemini rules communication, basic education, and local travel, you can generally look for upsets or developments in these areas. But the house where Gemini falls in your chart will tell you the most about where to expect the Retrograde to affect you personally.

Here are some (*very*) general examples:

If the cusp of Gemini falls in your First House (ie. if you are Gemini Rising), this Mercury Retrograde could affect your appearance or general circumstances.
If the cusp of Gemini falls in your Second House, this Mercury Retrograde could affect your money or possessions.
If the cusp of Gemini falls in your Third House, this Mercury Retrograde could bring misunderstandings or travel delays.
If the cusp of Gemini falls in your Fourth House, this Mercury Retrograde could affect your home life or family relationships.

If the cusp of Gemini falls in your Fifth House, this Mercury Retrograde could affect your children, or anything you don on an extracurricular basis.
If the cusp of Gemini falls in your Sixth House, this Mercury Retrograde could affect your job.
If the cusp of Gemini falls in your Seventh House, this Mercury Retrograde could affect your relationship.
If the cusp of Gemini falls in your Eighth House, it could affect you on a more psychological level, or it could affect any resources you currently share with other people.

If the cusp of Gemini falls in your Ninth House, this Mercury Retrograde could affect any International travel plans, or you could find yourself revising your beliefs and ideals.
If the cusp of Gemini falls in your Tenth House, this Mercury Retrograde could affect your career plans or your reputation.
If the cusp of Gemini falls in your Eleventh House, this Mercury Retrograde could affect your friendships or anything you do with a group.
If the cusp of Gemini falls in your Twelfth House, this Mercury Retrograde could affect your dreams and memories.

It's important to remember that these developments, while probably not anticipated, are not necessarily negative. For instance, a person with Gemini on the 8th House could find out about an inheritance they never knew they'd be receiving, or a person with Gemini on the 6th House could finally get a promotion at work that they'd inquired about months ago. Even if things do seem to go all wrong, chances are they're still going for the best. For instance the person with Gemini on the 6th house could be unexpectedly let go from their current job only to find something much better this summer that they'd never even dreamed of. Astrology has a way of working that way, and things usually make perfect sense in retrospect.

One last thing: Lots of Astrologers would caution you agains signing contracts, purchasing any kind of big deal equipment or machinery, taking jobs or even going on first dates while Mercury is Retrograde. And while there's a little bit of truth to that, there are certain things that just can't be avoided - no matter what's going on with Mercury. So, while it's good to put off any major decisions until after the Summer Solstice, go ahead and sign what you must, take that new job, and by all means go out on that first date. Just don't get attached to anything, and be ready for whatever change must come.

The last Mercury Retrograde of the 2008 happens in Libra during the last half of September and the first half of October. Libra is an Air sign, just like Aquarius and Gemini, which makes me think that Mercury 08 is all about revising the way we communicate with other people. Only time will tell.