Spiritual Forum

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  mikal haley January 12, 2010 at 5:06pm

  At 02:39 UT (Universal Time) Saturday, December 26th, 2009, Mercury the wise communicator and universal trickster turns retrograde at 21°46' Capricorn, in the sign of the Sea-Goat, sending communications, travel, appointments, mail and the www into a general snarlup! The retro period begins some days before the actual turning point (as Mercury slows) and lasts for three weeks or so, until Jan. 15, 2010, when the Winged Messenger
  reaches his direct station. At this time he halts and begins his return to direct motion through the zodiac.
  
  Everything finally straightens out on February 4, as he passes the point where he first turned retrograde. Mercury normally turns retrograde three times a year, but this year he turns tail four times, which is unusual. The effects of each period differ, according to the sign in which it happens (see box for Retrograde Periods in 2010).
  
  A planet is described as retrograde when it appears to be moving backwards through the zodiac. According to modern science, this traditional concept arises in the illusory planetary motion created by the orbital rotation of the earth with relation to other planets in our solar system. Planets are never actually retrograde or stationary, they just seem that way due to this cosmic shadow-play. Click here for more on the science of retrograde planetary motion.
  
  Retrograde periods, although often problematic for us earthlings, are not particularly uncommon. Each planet retrogrades, except the Sun and Moon. Although a powerful astrological influence, Mercury is quite a small planet that travels at a relatively fast speed through the zodiac. Despite being the closest planet in our solar system to the Sun, he is not always in the same sign as the Sun. This time, Mercury turns retrograde in Capricorn (ambition; loyalty) while the Sun is in Capricorn, but the Sun moves into Aquarius (original; unorthodox) on Jan. 20 while Merc, having just turned direct, is still in Capricorn; however, Mercury soon speeds up, heading back to join the Sun in Aquarius on Feb. 10.
  Go to Top Fated Events
  
  As a rule, retrograde planets mark a period of seemingly inevitable or fated events that relate to their sphere of influence. Unresolved issues from the past tend to rear their heads. Retro phases present us with a series of events over which we seem to have little or no conscious control, relating especially to the sign in which the retrogradation occurs. For example, last time, Mercury retrograde in Libra (relationships; tastes; harmony) awakened quite different sets of circumstances from those generated when he retrograded into Virgo (analysis; critical ability).
  
  A retrograde period is best seen as a cycle, beginning when a planet begins to slow to a halt before travelling backwards through the zodiac, and ending when it returns to the point where it first paused. However, during the cycle, a planet's energy is most powerful (and more likely to generate critical events of universal importance) when the planet makes a station: appearing motionless in the sky.
  
  These stationary periods occur near the beginning of the cycle (when the planet first halts as it prepares to move backwards) and midway through the cycle when the retrograde planet slows to a stop before moving forward again. The direct station (when the planet halts before moving forward again) is the most powerful and can be used for maximum benefit.
  Go to Top Mercury Shadow Phases
  
  Many astrologers consider that the "Mercury Shadow" begins between two and three weeks before the actual retro station; so the "shadow phase" begins on December 9, when Mercury passes the point of direct station for the first time in this cycle. This view has some justification, but I am more inclined to think that the really noticeable peculiarities begin when Mercury slows significantly, a few days before the retro station.
  
  This period of "Mercury Shadow" extends to the Return date, something under three weeks after the direct station. Bear this in mind, because experience shows that the effects of the retro period are still marked during the shadow phase. Some of the most characteristic annoyances often occur just after Mercury makes the direct station, while he is crawling forward before picking up speed.
  Go to Top What does Mercury affect?
  
  In general, Mercury rules thinking and perception, processing and disseminating information and all means of communication, commerce, education and transportation. By extension, Mercury rules people who work in these areas, especially those who work with their minds or their wits: writers and orators, commentators and critics, gossips and spin doctors, teachers, travellers, tricksters and thieves.
  
  Mercury retrograde gives rise to personal misunderstandings; flawed, disrupted, or delayed communications, negotiations and trade; glitches and breakdowns with phones, computers, cars, buses, and trains. And all of these problems usually arise because some crucial piece of information, or component, has gone astray or awry.
  
  It is not exactly wise to make important decisions while Mercury is retrograde, since it is likely that such decisions will be clouded by misinformation, poor communication and careless thinking. Mercury is all about mental clarity and the power of the mind, so when Mercury is retrograde these intellectual characteristics tend to be less acute than usual, as the critical faculties are dimmed. Make sure you pay attention to the small print!
  
  
  (i cut and pasted this because i have to do personal research...)
  
  here's the link
  
  http://www.astrologycom.com/mercret.html
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    mikal haley > mikal haley January 15, 2010 at 9:51pm

    Aim point RA: 18h 23m 41s Dec: −20°24'10"
    Fri 2010 Jan 15 21:49 UTC
    
    
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      mikal haley > mikal haley January 15, 2010 at 9:52pm

      compare to:
      
      
      http://www.astrologycom.com/mercret.html
      
      
      
      aquarian astrology
      will HINGE upon
      
      corrections for sidereal vs tropical reckoning.
      
      that 23-odd degrees
      will be found to account for A GREAT DEAL
      when people begin to compare their tropical birth charts to the actual skies
      (and why would we not?)
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        mikal haley > mikal haley January 15, 2010 at 9:53pm

        YourSky
        Virtual Telescope:
        
        
        http://www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky/#Telescope

        

        Your Sky

        Your Sky