What's Up?
Mercury Retrograde
August 20 - September 12, 2010

Indications for each Sun Sign
during the Mercury Retrograde Period

Aries
Conversations with coworkers or employees become emphasized. Miscommunications arise at the work place, especially in the areas of priorities and scheduling. It's the petty details that drive you crazy in your attempt to create order out of a multitude of unrelated information. Lots of list making and even with all that analyzing, there is difficulty putting your ideas into practice. Simple tasks have to be repeated over and over. A good time to review all your daily routines.

Taurus
Children and/or immature adults bend your ear with their ideas. Discussions are playful in nature and, because you do most of the listening, you are considered deep. Misunderstandings occur even in the most relaxed of atmospheres. Be clear about what you hear and say, especially if there is a risk involved. Communications regarding speculative ventures and investments are particularly prone to error. A good time to review your creative projects.

Gemini
Information regarding parental influence and your early childhood holds profound knowledge. Your sensitivity to unspoken nuances in conversations with family members generates subjective responses that will have to be addressed in order to avoid misunderstandings. Gaining clarity about your emotional foundations and family relationships has a far-reaching impact on your future. A good time to review your family history or current domestic situation.

Cancer
Remedial studies, neighborhood activities, travels about town and brief communications, especially with siblings or peers, are emphasized during this period. Lost messages, misdirected phone calls, letters sent to or received by the wrong person, computer errors, commuting delays and transportation glitches are among the many things that seem to go awry. You must be prepared to adapt. A good time for research to write an article or pamphlet for future publication.

Leo
Your personal resources, values and self-worth become popular topics of discussion; misinformation about any of which is a problem requiring special scrutiny. Mistaken information can adversely affect your bank balance. Delay the desire to shop 'til you drop or purchase items by mail, phone or on-line. Items bought now will likely be returned. A good time to review your budget, reassess your assets and plan for future purchases.

Virgo
Conversations seem to focus on your personality during this period, in particular how you express yourself and your desire to be of service. You have to repeat and explain yourself continually. It's so easy for you to be misunderstood that it's probably best for you to remain silent. Be as clear as you can when communicating who you are to others. A good time to review how you appear to others and make plans for improving or restyling your personal presentation.

Libra
Psychic impressions contain information to be studied. Keep an idea book and put everything down that comes to you, but keep your plans secret. Speaking of secrets, expect to hear everyone else's as you are an excellent listener during this period. You will be prey to unfounded fears and anxieties, so make an extra effort to determine what's real and what's not. A good time to review your spirituality and belief system.

Scorpio
Social groups, clubs and organizations are a source of information. Contact with friends and supporters can help to sort out your confusion about your personal financial security. Listen to their advice but don't allow them to influence your decisions out of a sense of loyalty. Be careful about making commitments that could be misunderstood. A good time to review career benefits as well as your hopes, wishes and dreams for the future.

Sagittarius
You'll need a lot of patience during this period because everything you say seems to be up for criticism. You feel urged to go public with some information even though your better judgment says to wait. As long as you've checked and double-checked the information, everything should be okay. This is especially true if you have presented the same information in the past. A good time to review your career goals and how you present yourself in public.

Capricorn
Philosophy, religion and foreign studies contribute valuable information. Communicate with teachers, mentors and in-laws for advice, but in the end keep your own counsel. Be aware of saying things that could be misinterpreted. In fact, it's best to keep your opinions to yourself during this period. Go over all documents signed by others with a fine-toothed comb. A good time to study alone and review all plans in formation.

Aquarius
Hidden information becomes revealed, usually accompanied by a crisis. Conversations can be misleading and you might inadvertently betray a confidence. Be especially careful when filing tax forms and filling out insurance claims. Difficulties lie in the simplest of details. Important papers get mislaid, but you could also find papers that were lost in the past. A good time to review insurance policies, your will and all joint holdings.

Pisces
Communications with doctors, accountants and attorneys as well as with your significant other have extra importance during this period. Take the time to restate what has been said to be sure that there are no misunderstandings. Papers signed will have to be re-signed. Let someone else prepare the contracts, but read them over yourself at least twice. Encourage your mate to talk and listen carefully to what they have to say. A good time to review partnership agreements.

The Astronomy or what it is... The phenomenon known as Mercury Retrograde occurs three times each year when, for about three weeks, Mercury travels in reverse motion against the backdrop of stars. Of course, it doesn't really move backwards, but only appears to do so from our point of view here on Earth. Emerging from the far side of the Sun, it becomes an evening "star" seen low in the western sky after sunset and steadily reaches its maximum distance from the Sun (greatest elongation). It slows in its forward motion until it appears to stand still and then change direction. Continuing in its orbit, we see it approach the Sun, disappear while it crosses in front of the Sun, then reappear as a morning "star" heralding the dawn. As Mercury approaches its greatest elongation in the morning sky, it slows in its backward motion, stands still, then resumes its forward course. All of the planets have a retrograde period, although not as frequently as does Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun. It is during the retrograde period that the planet in question is at perigee, or nearest the Earth. The Astrology or what it means... While Mercury is retrograde, familiar channels of communications become tangled and confused. Expect delays and changes in plans. Use this time for researching and problem-solving. This is a great time to rewrite and edit, rework an old project or successfully repeat a task. Reevaluate and reconsider, but hold final decisions and approvals until Mercury goes direct. The tendency is to initialize or finalize projects prematurely. The contents of verbal or written contracts and plans made now may later seem inadequate or unclear. This is not a good time to buy on the spur of the moment without investigation. This is also not a good time to purchase electronic equipment or cars. Major purchases may be reduced in price after the retrograde period and you can save money by waiting. Major repairs or surgery performed now may be incomplete or plagued by unexpected repercussions. Double-check and reconfirm every detail. Typed or written errors are easily overlooked, paperwork mislaid, appointments forgotten. Let your sense of humor overcome the challenge of unexpected adjustments.