The Queen’s Chronicles: BLESSINGS FOR A SMOOTH MERCURY IN RETROGR

Mercury, the planet of communication enters its three
times a year retrograde stage on May 6, 2009 and will remain
in a backward momentum, as it were, until May 30, 2009.

Mercury in retrograde has a very bad rap. I should know.
As a Virgo (which is ruled by Mercury) I am usually affected
quite profoundly. But over the years I have learned a thing
or two about how to survive in one piece, and how to use
this potentially frustrating phase in a fruitful manner.

When Mercury is moving direct, our minds tend to work on a
functional/forward level. Our actions match our intentions. Our
energy is invested in more assertive decision-making and action
with less emphasis on retrospection and reflection.

However, we are constantly picking up on unconscious intuitive
information, which will surface -- if we let it -- during the
retrograde cycle. And this is a very good thing. We need time to
rest and assimilation all the information that we are bombarded
with in our techno, multitasking world. A time for our inner wisdom
to manifest and guide us to reorganize, rethink, reevaluate, redo,
and reboot. This is a crucial and healthy part of the organic, natural
flow of life.

The clock and dollar orientation that our culture calls *the real
world* is comprised of schedules, deadlines, and to do lists,
which don't often accommodate a cycle of introspective reflection
and reevaluation. This is why this period can be so brutal for some of
us -- especially those of us with determined steely goals and agendas.

Mercury, as most of us know, tends to play havoc with the smooth
functioning of the technology upon which we depend for our
achievements and communication. It also tends to mix up face to face
communications and the best laid plans of wo/men. The results are
interruptions, snafus, misunderstandings, and mix-ups which interfere
with the simplest of projects.

During Mercury in Retrograde, we will need more caution, more
care, and a pinch more elbow grease to get things done. This is
not a good time to launch or initiate new projects. In trying to do so,
we will be pushing off, symbolically, just when the tide is going out,
and it will be more of a struggle to make headway with our plans. It
is far better to wait until the current is moving with us.

The degree to which we hold onto our need to keep to our schedules,
agendas, and plans often equates to the degree in which we find
ourselves going bonkers during this time. When we doggedly hold on
to our logical, rational structures, we court the *Trickster* element
of Mercury, which will fool and frustrate us to no end.

Now is the time that we must surrender our forward leaning push and
embrace the lessons of letting go. We must not underestimate the
degree to which our psyche can resist change. The abdication of our
will/ego to a deeper function of consciousness can be quite a challenge
as the retrograde cycle continues. But there is great reward if we
manage to do so.

This period is a great time to clear our minds. To go back and
complete unfinished projects. To work on reconciling old issues. To
tune into our dreams and unconscious thoughts. To listen to our
inner wisdom. To open to new ways of thinking and perceiving.

So rather than pushing against the cosmic current, let's take a
three week break from our hectic, breakneck speedy ways and
allow ourselves to slow down. To summon up and sort out the
past. To be in the moment. And to savor the NOW.

It can't hurt!

Best blessings of sanity,

XxQMD