Astrologically Speaking

Mercury 2004-05

General

Most astrology and horoscope columns bring the Mercury Retrograde period into our attention at four month intervals. We read the warnings as what not to do and are advised to postpone important communication and purchase decisions to a later date. People are offered jobs during these periods, they do buy cars and computers and life goes on. With the jobs that start under these circumstances there tend to be lots of changes along the way, and there can be potential job losses with sometimes flimsy reasons. Equipment with wiring, just about everything these days, there tend to be more problems and the 'machine' spends more time getting repaired. Typically it is best to avoid these headaches. Some things work well under these conditions and others never amount to much.

Mercury Periods, Dates, Timelines and Stations:

Mercury in Virgo July 25 -September 28 with a return to Leo from August 24 to September 10, 2004
o Retrograde August 9, 2004 at 18:32 PDT - 8° Virgo 46'
o Direct September 2, 2004 at 7:09 PDT - 25° Leo 45'

What to Avoid

In a nutshell: Signing contracts, entering into partnerships, and buying equipment with wiring

Quick Advise: So think twice and say once and even then stick to tones and words that cannot be misconstrued.

Next Retrograde time-line:
August 9, 2004 - September 2, 2004 - Earth and Fire

Mercury spends extra time in discerning, discriminating and detail-oriented sign of Virgo. The challenging period officially launches August 9, however, as soon as Mercury enters the sign he plans to move backward in, the little glitches begin. My computer is going topless in the heat wave to keep the hard drive from over heating. It is of nuisance value. It forced me to open the sucker and remove dust! Virgo is a meticulous sign, so start cleaning the corners now and take care of MAINTENANCE of appliances, computers and sort out both computer and paper files so you can find them after the period is over.

Late in August Mercury travels back into the sign of Leo - (read about fire), he left that sign back on July 25. So, think back about what you were trying to accomplish July 20-25 that did not work to your liking. Hey, now that issue, chore or whatever it was is back for you take another whack at it. When we move back from earth for fire, metaphysically we are looking at inspiration. But we can also be looking at literal fires - in case you don't recall those late July dates mark the many forest fires raging in British Columbia and the scorching weather and heat wave. Should the weather have temporarily cooled off mid-August (not likely with these planetary alignments) we are in for an Indian Summer, if it didn't we are in for the longest summer on record.

This particular period is great for writers, teachers, researchers and anyone reviewing plans, budgets, etc. It may be tedious but we are more able to cope with those details and the repetition. Virgo is productive (I should really capitalize that word) - and with Mercury of chores, tasks and routines in this sign for two months with a brief Leo break in the middle - we will be busy. School schedules should be pretty organized this Autumn, not like last year when so many changes had to be made. August might be a good time also to grab deals on those standard school supplies.

So, go with the flow - fighting it is counterproductive - and we now must remain productive! This is the last extended earth period for Mercury for a longest while - the next one takes place in December 2009 to be more precise.

So we avoid the things and actions that do not fair that well when Mercury is retrograde - about 10 weeks a year. During these periods make sure that you:

- Make a copy of your data - paper or disk
- Keep receipts together somewhere safe
- Opt for extended warranty for purchases which come with wiring
- Be prepared for delays with payments, correspondence
- Keep Virus Protection current - they seem to increase in quantity during retrograde periods
- Be prepared to clarify your words more than once
- Don't trust rumours and do not feed them

After the final cycle in Earth the Mercury cycles switch into the element of fire for 2005-06
Mercury in Sagittarius November 4, 2004 - January 9, 2005
o Retrograde November 30, 2004 at 4:17 PST - 26° Sagittarius 43'
o Direct December 19, 2004 at 22:28 PST - 10° Sagittarius 27'

Mercury in Aries March 4, 2005 - 17:34 PST - May 12, 2005
o Retrograde March 19, 2005 at 16:14 PST - 14°Aries 06'
o Direct at 1° Aries 45' April 11, 2005 23:46

Mercury in Leo June 27 - September 4, 2005
o Retrograde July 22, 2005 at 20:00 PST - 20°Leo 26'
o Direct at 8° Leo 48' August 15, 2005 20:51 PST

The Antics of Mercury

Mercury has distinct travel plans and I also have a listing of the retrograde periods on this site as well as articles for the Earth 2003-04 and Air cycles 2001-02. In a nutshell Mercury typically spends three weeks breezing through a sign. He is the information gatherer, broadcaster and our travel agent. Every year, however, Mercury spends approx. 60 days travelling through three signs in the same element. In 2003 the element was Earth as it is this year. In 2004 during the retrograde period Mercury travels back into the previous sign in the element of Fire. So a secondary element is added to our analysis of this phenomenon. Let's keep in mind that in 2005 and 2006 Mercury will spend 400 days in the Element of Fire out of 730 days. Very quickly, earth is practical application of effort with the mindset of making things functional. Fire is inspired, heated, fast thinking and acting energy with the intent of get light up that proverbial fire in our belly or under our sitting bones. The extended length of his stay in an element is quite impressive and highly effective (think about a house guest that stays and stays).

Mercury is the planet of communication, merchandising and travel. Misunderstandings are the big theme during the retrograde periods (listed above). We don't explain things properly or use a poor choice of words. Things are blown out of proportion, and little details are analyzed for flaws. Little casual comments such as "Where did you get your haircut?" travel through the air and the other party hears "Why did you let them ruin your hair?" A few other choice comments are exchanged and before we know it, we have a long-standing friendship on the verge of falling apart. The statements: "the cheque is in the mail", "I didn't get your message" and "I put it on your desk" echo hollow when there is no visible proof. So think twice and say once and even then stick to tones and words that cannot be misconstrued. Travel plans are subject to change, disruptions and the direct flights become hop scotch across the country or globe.

The retrograde periods (from retrograde to direct - see complete listing) are time periods when we experience communication, travel and information break downs. We get ahead of ourselves just prior to the period and then get to play catch up and explain what we really meant with our words.

During these time we should avoid signing contracts, purchasing any equipment with wiring and think twice say it once. If you do purchase equipment, vehicles, computers, etc. then do get the extended warranty, you'll be glad you did. Incidentally, I stock up with fuses for our old-fashioned power panel - save having to run to the store when the fuse blows.

What this period is great for ...

The key prefix for Mercury retrograde periods listed above is RE. That is redo, revise, revamp, and reconnect as well as all action words that can have the prefix added plus of course, my favourite, REPAIR. Mercury is also paperwork thus it is a great time to haul out that manuscript, proposal, the Last Will you have been meaning to deal with, and other documents and go over them with a fine toothed comb and polish these up. Naturally these should not be signed until Mercury is acting normal again; after the last date for each period.

The two month stay of Mercury in each sign has a stronger influence on our lives. This concept is introduced in a separate article - click here to read it. In a nutshell - 2003-04 are about rolling up our sleeves and taking care of practical issues in our lives. Sorting these things out so that we are ready to embrace the two Mercury in Fire years, when we have the opportunity to become inspired to pursue our dreams and higher goals. Click here for the Mercury Cycles listing.

Mercury Retrograde in Fire

November 30, 2004 - December 19, 2004 - Fire
March 19 - April 12, 2005 - Fire

Mercury spends 60 days in each of the three Fire during the next few years with a shift to water as the secondary element. Fire is the energy that fuels the Sun and ignites that flame of inspiration within us. It is creative energy and it regenerates us. Think of those big forest fires from last year, now the underbrush is gone and there is fresh, new vegetation for wild animals to graze on, and there are new regenerated forests springing up. Pine trees do not pollinate without the help of a fire, it is one of nature's ways to foster new growth. The same theme applies to fire in the astrological language - it is intended to inspire us to venture toward new things; in the case of Mercury new ways of thinking, organizing and tackling our mundane and not so mundane chores.

Click here for the Mercury Cycles listing.