Confessions of a renegade astrologer

The other day, I received an e-zine article from a prominent astrologer, announcing the arrival of Mercury Retrograde like it was the first sign of the apocalypse.

When I first learned of this recurring planetary event about twelve years ago when I began working at Phoenix Phyre Books in Encinitas, I was told that it was a time of great upheaval, particularly in the areas of life that pertain to communications, which is, basically just about everything.  Oh yeah, and it happens every 3-4 months!

What actually happens when Mercury, the planet governing communications goes retro?  Well, basically it slows down its orbit and appears to reverse and move backward.  Apparently all manner of havoc then proceeds to befall the citizens of Earth.  Unexplainable things happen to computers, phones, cars, air transportation, the list goes on. 

And God forbid you sign a contract during this time or buy communications equipment.  Forget major surgery, unless you have a death wish.  In fact, even a haircut is inadvisable.

I bought into it for a while, since everyone around me seemed to be running around screaming that the sky was falling.

But as soon as any given Mercury retro was over, I found myself wondering what, if anything, had been different about this time period.  Had anything truly fallen apart in an irreversible way?  No, not really. 

I was told that my finances would slow down, that arguments and misunderstandings would occur with greater frequency and intensity. Sometimes these things happened, sometimes they just appeared to happen.  I wondered how much of this was self-fulfilling prophecy.

After conducting my own series of informal Mercury retrograde experiments, I came to the conclusion that while a few snafus may well occur, not too much of the havoc that actually does happen during this period can’t be or doesn’t naturally get reversed.

Mercury is known as the Trickster.  It likes to play little practical jokes.  It particularly enjoys playing these in areas where people tend to harbor the most control-freakism. 

I think we like to explain things away.  Whether it be planetary movements, the news or even the weather, we want to have something to pin it on.

But what if the message of Mercury retro is to simply slow down a bit, look more carefully and mindfully at the things you communicate, purchase, sign, consume and participate in—and to take things, including yourself, much more lightly.  If we have fixed ideas about the way things should go, that’s where the Trickster will probably show up and concentrate its energies.  It’s certainly happened that way to me a time or two.  I think this is the primary reason that people experience this time as challenging.

I believe that the purpose of everything is growth.  Growth particularly happens when one is asking for a bigger life, purpose, career, relationship, or what have you.  If you have read this far, rest assured this includes you.  Expect growth during this time. 

As I have said before, when we ask for something bigger than we have ever had, oftentimes the manifestation is preceded by what appears to be great upheaval.  If we focus on the “crud” that’s (seemingly) happening, we fall back into the victim trap.  More crud comes up in response to our crud-focus.  If we keep our focus on the bigger picture, the crud naturally dissipates.  This is just basic Law of Attraction.

I did a couple of sessions the other day wherein I looked at planetary happenings in relation to the client’s chart and saw no adverse aspects coming from Mercury retro.  Go ahead and sign the contract, I said.

I have had my hair cut during Mercury retro.  I even bought a computer, the very one I’m typing this on.—I like to think I write more creatively on it than I do on my other one.  I have bought tickets for overseas travel and taken flight during Mercury retrograde periods.  And yes, I’ve screwed things up during these times and I’ve had to go back and apologize more than once. 

I’m always looking at my own chart and trying to interpret what I see there.  It’s much easier with other people’s charts.  Sometimes, there are precautions to take, other times, the coast is clear.   Yes, it helps to have one’s chart looked at regularly.  In my humble opinion, it helps much more to have it looked at by someone who doesn’t believe the sky is falling.  But that’s just me. 

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If I can be of service to you, please call me at (619) 275-1731.

And if you want to read more about Mercury Retrograde, please see my other article on this topic:  The Joys of Mercury Retrograde.

Jackleen Holton, Peace-of-Mind Specialist.

J