Mercury is definitely retrograde

[IChing]

July 23- August 30

Ever fantasize about ditching your cell phone for
atime-out from the grind? Well you're in luck,
becauseon July 22, at 11pm EST, Mercury turns
retrograde.Sure, 'lucky' isn't this event's most
common descriptor --but the power to use the next
three weeksto regroup rests squarely in your hands.

Mercury turns retrograde about three times a year,
creating a planetary optical illusion -- its movement,
relative to Earth's, seems to stop and then move
backward. As a result,the messenger planet's famous
wings are temporarily clipped. Let's not sugarcoat it:
This isn't the time to sign any thing important, kick
off a new relationship or expect a last-minute birthday
card to make it to Aunt Sue. Until Mercury turns direct
(just before midnight ESTon August 15), its signature
domains, communication and travel,will be riddled with
annoyances. (Conserve your patience, becauseMercury's
concentrated energy can be particularly difficult
around thetime it turns direct. Things will settle
down completelyby August 30, when the planet passes
its pre-retrogradeposition.)

So what is Mercury retrograde good for? When in doubt,
refer to the 'RE' rule;those two letters are the key
to getting the most from this admittedly tricky period.
Retreat from the frenetic nature of modern
communication. Repair and reconfirm (reservations or
messages, that is). Left things unresolved with an ex?
Resolve them! Writing that groundbreaking novel?
Re edit it! Embrace this forced reprieve from life's
hectic pace to tend to anything you've neglected.
'Retreat' isn't synonymous with'isolation.' This retrograde occurs with Mercury in Leo;
not surprisingly, the Lion's known for pride,
confidence and creativity-- areas you'll want to keep
an eye on now. Don't abandon details in favor of
big-picture schemes,and keep bravado in check before
opening your mouth!(If Leo's prominent in your chart
-- particularly asyour Sun, Moon or rising sign -- be
doubly careful.) On the other hand, retrograde Mercury
in Leo can facilitate the closer examination of recent
events. Re visit the details of any experience that
you've accepted unthinkingly,and you just might gain a
new understanding of how to handle it.

May the next few weeks bring you all the introspection
you crave!
--------------------------------------------------------------------
from a friend

[robertarctor]

1. Too bad Jethro Mussolini didn't consult an astrologer ...

... before he sent that bullying idiot John Bolton to the United Nations today.

[IChing]

2. Think about it, the senate cannot talk to the president as a body

that's mercury retrograde.

[jumptheshadow]

3. What does it mean?

What is the outlook for the next year when your birthday falls on a day when Mercury is retrograde?

[IChing]

4. Some people are effected more than others on mecury retrograde

It depends on the strength or weakness of mercury and the relationship it has in your chart.

Usually communications are fucked up,
mine are affected by this occurrence.
i've also noticed that others are effected by it, who don't believe in astrology.

I really haven't looked at astrology since early-july but knew that something was happening
around my birthday, yes I am on the cusp, I asked someone if mercury was retro and they sent me that letter. It was 2 weeks late.