Mercury Retrograde on August 2, 2011

Mercury Retrograde on August 2, 2011

Mercury, the wise communicator and common con artist, will send communications, travel, appointments, mail and the Internet into snarls and a spin on August 2, 2011! This retrograde mode will last until August 26, 2011. The planet is described to be in retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac.

The key issue during this phase is going to be one of focus. Mercury’s retro phase tends to bring unforeseen changes and blockages, but the frustration that many of us experience during these periods is often due to our own inability to change along with change, so to speak. So, in short, one needs to be extremely focused on oneself and actions. Unresolved issues from the past tend to push themselves forward. Moreover, these experiences reveal flaws in our internal organisation as well as our external planning, which can make us feel inadequate. Some people actually prosper under a retrograde Mercury, especially if Mercury is retrograde but otherwise well-aspected in their birth charts. It is also a time when matters begun under a previous retro period will come to fruition or completion.

Mercury retrograde, like any cosmic aspect, affects people differently, depending on where it hits their personal charts. When Mercury is retrograde, everyone becomes more introspective; we tend to think about issues and concerns that relate to the sign involved. With Mercury retrograde in Virgo, people with this sign prominent in their charts will be especially prone to such introspection. During this phase people will tend to become critical, penetrating and somewhat suspicious, yet thoughtful and diplomatic. One would want to know secrets of other people. This phase awakens the inclination to be miserly, cruel, mean and unkind. The pragmatic, material world will take a priority. This phase can stimulate skin issues or problems and psoriasis due to nervous tension and stress. Too much worry will upset your digestion. All areas of communication will be affected during this time, especially in matters related to teaching, healing, professional advice, workplace relationships, the military, and communications connected with such matters. This period brings travel issues, mail mishaps and missed appointments of all kinds. Documents can go missing. Be sure to carry a diary and refer to it!