Like with all cosmic events, even if Mercury has 3 retrograde periods a year, this one in particular, the last of this year, is not equal to any other. We already know that since this small planet takes 88 days to go around the Sun, 3 or 4 times a year, it aligns itself with the Earth, and from our vantage point it looks as if it turns back on itself, for a period of 3 weeks. Such motion is measured and is what we call the retrograde of Mercury. This particular time, it stations retrograde and begins its apparent backward motion at 2º of Scorpio on October 4 and goes back to the 16º of Libra, where it was on September 14th, therefore from that day until October 4, is what we call its pre-shadow period, which in many cases marks the beginning of the whole cycle. On October 11th re-enters Libra, and on that day, Venus, Libra’s and Taurus ruler,opposes Uranus in Aries. This retrograde cycle as all the others, incline us, to RE-structure, RE-think, Re-view, different situations of our lives, especially those that most concerns us at the time. The House of your birthchart where this retrograde occurs, will indicate to you the situation to meditate on. A good question in these cases is: “Is this what I really want?”, “How do I resolve this, to finish it in the best possible way?” The Solar eclipse or new moon of October 23, three days before Mercury stations direct once again, is in 0 – 2 degrees of Scorpio, where Mercury first stationes retrograde. Where is this degree placed in your chart? If you have planets in those degrees, what aspects do they make? and with what other area of your chart it connects to? All these are issues to consider if you want to understand what this retrograde of Mercury may bring to your life. This cycle starts with the Sun in conjunction to Venus, in opposition to Uranus, and therefore, in square to Pluto, issues of how to feel free within a relationship, without breaking it, it is a possibility, the desire to escape from a relationship, it is another way of living this influence. Mars conjunct to Pholus, trines Jupiter and Lilith in Leo and Eris and Uranus in Aries, therefore this aspect also speaks of the possibility of freeing ourselves from a situation or a relationship which has fulfilled its purpose and it doesn’t not help us grow any longer. The lesson that nothing is forever, seems to be described by the Sun-Pluto square. Moon in Aquarius also forms a Trine to the Sun-Venus conjunction in Libra, which also speaks of the possibility of sorting things out in a more diplomatic manner, without too much emotional upheaval. The Moon Node in conjunction to Pallas in Libra, emphasizes the desire to solve the problems of personal relationships and regain the freedom within or outside of it. Chiron in square to Mars, is a particularly painful combination, as sometimes is necessary to express oneself firmly to achieve what one wants, and this aspect, confronts us with the inability to do so. In this case it is extremely important to find the reason why we are in the situation that we are, rather than feel we are victims of this. Someone said: “Things don’t happen TO us, they happen FOR us”. See what planets you have around 2° degrees of Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius or Leo and have a look at what part of you, needs more observation and more contemplation. Mercury returns from a Water sign to an Air sign, simply looking from this vantage point, the message is clear. Perhaps what we need is to analyze the situation more mentally and rationally and less emotionally. If we removed emotions from the equation, would we see it in the same manner? Libra also teaches us to put ourselves in the place of the other, rather than judge them. Scorpio wants revenge and Libra wants to be fair be both parties. Ponder about this.
