Oh no, Mercury retrograde—not again! During this period we may fear dilemmas connected with travel, communication, electronics, large purchases, etc., but what most don’t realize is that it’s actually part of a larger astrological pattern that can help “reconnect” every individual to the cosmic rhythm of his or her life.

Many people familiar with the term “Mercury Retrograde” understand that the planet Mercury appears to stop in its tracks and to begin to move backwards in the sky approximately three times a year for about three weeks each time. The next Mercury retrograde cycle occurs from August 3 to August 26, 2011.

Eighty percent of the time Mercury moves forward in the sky, concerning itself with the functional, productive, and conscious side of life. Its mission in everyone’s natal (or birth) chart involves the conscious processing of symbols (language, etc.) through the mind’s ability to interpret abstract data into concrete ideas.

“When Mercury is direct…the mind operates on a very functional level,” explains Erin Sullivan in her brilliant book Retrograde Planets, Traversing the Inner Landscape. “There is little time for introspection, and energy is expanded in productive action. Our contemplative side is virtually on hold. This is a natural rhythm.”

Mercury Retrograde Enhances Creative Shift from Left Brain to Right Brain
The reason astrologers tell you that Mercury retrograde periods are a time to engage in all of the “re’s”—i.e., to re-do, re-think, re-organize, re-process, re-evaluate, re-view, etc.—is because we’re being given the opportunity to take information collected consciously and to process it unconsciously.

The retrograde period can lead to the “apparently spontaneous emergence of the so-called brilliant idea,” notes Sullivan. Though this is not always the case, these periods represent the opportunity to disengage from the intellect precisely so that information can shift from the left brain to the right brain and holistically emerge as a fully blossomed discovery or creation.

“In the course of retrograde cycles our perceptions often shift drastically as we contact information in new ways and process it unconsciously,” Sullivan writes. “Mercury oversees the creative process which occurs spontaneously when one is trying to evolve an idea or a plan. In doing so, one employs both the conscious and the unconscious mind simultaneously; while creating the structure of the idea on a conscious level, the unconscious is processing the information in a non-linear fashion. “

How Do We Connect to the Cosmic Rhythm?
Mercury’s direct movement enables us to learn objectively by paying attention, while its retrograde period helps us to integrate what we learn into our awareness. This can be boiled down to the difference between knowing something empirically and understanding it on a soul level.

The gift of true understanding results when we “listen” to our emerging awareness and allow ourselves to learn.

“The disastrous idea that everything comes to the human psyche from outside and that we are born a tabula rasa* is responsible for the erroneous belief that under normal circumstances the individual is in perfect order,” said Carl Jung.

Processing symbolic information gives one the capacity to better identify what has emerged through the transformation from objective information into a deeper, more subjective meaning at end of the retrograde cycle.

“When to consider and reconsider ideas, projects, relationships, and lifestyle, according to one’s own unique timing is the greater purpose of Mercury retrograde,” according to Sullivan.

Mercury Retrograde Cycles: How Do I Co-Create My Future?
Mercury retrogrades every four months for approximately twenty-two days each time and, as it does so, it moves through different elements for a period of approximately two-plus years. The messages of these different elemental cycles—fire, water, air, and earth—constitute our marching orders to pay attention to where concentration and introspection are most necessary in our lives.

In December 2010, the Mercury retrograde cycle shifted from earth into fire. Mercury retrograde through the fire signs—Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius—constitutes a two-plus year period when the benefit of “going deep” manifests on the level of testing your ability to “respond to life with spontaneous energy,” and to “be more creative with your decisions to change,” according to Erin Sullivan.

In August 2011 the final Mercury retrograde cycle for the year will occur in the sign of Leo. It continues its sojourn through the fire signs until February 2013, when the cycle will shift into the water element for approximately the next two years, and its message will change.

While everyone on the planet will experience Mercury retrograde in the fire element at the same time, each individual’s focus on its true meaning lies in the house through which it retrogrades. The incorporation and refinement of those lessons occurs through the houses ruled by fire signs in your individual chart.

During this cycle through the fire signs, you may experience a creative “block” that ultimately results in new creativity, an illness may motivate you to become more physically fit, or a crisis may force you to decide whether or not to respond with your usual pattern (anger and resistance?), or propel you to develop a new perspective.

Regardless of how it manifests, one thing is certain: “The revision of creative focus in your life over the next couple of years can drastically alter your future direction…in a way more appropriate to the new emerging you,” predicts Sullivan. “And,” she advises, “for your own sake, find ways to relax and enjoy life’s pleasures!”

“Astrologers are agreed that the squiggles called a horoscope contain some sort of message to be decoded.”  Dennis ElwellIt’s my humble opinion that the general public sometimes reveres, often fears, frequently simplifies, but most often misunderstands astrology (also known as the horoscope or zodiac.)

Does it predict the future?  Can those strange symbols in your chart tell you if you need to get a divorce, move, find a new job or a new life?

 Let’s get one thing straight from the get-go.  There is your chart and then there is the astrologer.

Are all astrologers created equal? To answer that question all you need do is replace the word “astrologer” with another, like, say, “doctor,” or “teacher,” or—well, I think you get the picture.

There are astrologers who may be psychic, but most are not.  There are astrologers who are counselors, but most are not.  And, finally, there are astrologers who possess the ability to look at a chart, ask questions about how the chart’s energies actually manifest in your life, and to interpret not only how you used those energies in the past, but how you are using them now.

Then—and here is the key!—the astrologer intuitively interprets how the influences of the present and future shown in your chart can manifest in your particular, individual, one-of-a-kind life, and explains how harnessing these energies in a conscious way can allow you to move forward and live your life to its highest potential.

The Art of the Chart

“There is no better boat than a horoscope to help man cross over the sea of life.” Varaha Mihira

But should you live your life according to what some astrologer says, whether it’s about your life’s true mission, or about whether or not to get married, move, or take that new job?

This brings us into the discussion of “fate” vs. “free will.”  This is a short article, so let’s not go too deep…suffice it to say that any good astrologer is aware of the fact that choice, or “free will,” is always an option in how we deal with life’s trials and tribulations (not to mention its joyous and happy times!)

Because the art of “chart synthesis,” or putting together all of those pieces of your natal (or birth) chart that make up you as an individual–distinct from your mother, your father, brother or sister (yes, even twins!) or anyone else born on the same date, at the same time and location as you—is both formulaic (i.e., scientific) and intuitive, individual astrologers may provide differing advice.

It’s common knowledge in the psychiatric profession that people seek out therapists when they are in crisis.  Astrology is no different—people often seek out readings when they are at a crossroads, unsure which way to go, confused about why events have happened, and unable or unwilling to face the possibility of change.

Again, and this is key—as the astrologer fills in the rhyme and reason of these crossroads, these events, these seemingly random crises that may result in unwanted, unsolicited or hostile-seeming change, he or she does so with an intent to support their client and to provide insight and hope as the client navigates his or her way through and into the future.

 What Makes an Astrologer Good?

 “Since the astrologer cannot know how an aspect is manifesting until she or he talks to the client, it is imperative that astrologers take the time to know their clients and to provide interpretations that express an appropriate range of meanings.”  Glenn Perry

There are many excellent astrologers out there.  I studied at the feet of some, and have met many others in the course of my studies and travels.  In my opinion, the best ones by far are the ones who engage in the organic process of astrology. 

By that I mean they listen, they hear, they analyze, and they synthesize your chart as a living breathing entity—one with its own unique story and set of challenges and blessings. 

And through their uniquely intuitive “take” on your individual story (validated by your chart) they identify all of the potential possibilities and solutions inherent there, as well as in the particular dilemma to which you have come to them for help.

 Astrology is fluid, archetypal, metaphysical…and life, as we know, is about growth and change…so the two go together nicely, and the astrologer chosen to interpret and synthesize your chart is hopefully one who understands that.

 Often, when other avenues prove unsatisfactory, you may look to an astrologer’s chart reading for answers. But it is not an astrologer’s answers to specific questions that make a good astrologer.

Rather, a good astrologer is not only well-versed in the art of general chart interpretation, but also intuitively tuned-in to your specific, individual, living, breathing life story.

And in the course of exploring your chart and your life story, you may well get answers to questions you did not even think to ask! Answers that prove more inspiring, transformational and empowering than those which originally sent you for a reading in the first place.

So, as you go about your journey through this life time, remember that it is you who holds the cards, but it is the astrologer who can guide you to discover the highest and best use of the particular hand you were dealt at birth!

Sheri Horn Hasan of Karmic Evolution Astrology is a professional astrologer who practices intuitive, psychological & spiritual astrology.  Her mission is “to inspire, transform & empower through astrologic insight,” and her chart readings focus primarily on assisting people through transformational experiences by helping to guide them-using their own natal charts as the blueprint–to make decisions that enable them to move forward in their lives in the most positive way possible!

You may contact Sheri @ www.KarmicEvolution.com, info@KarmicEvolution.com, or (732)547-0852.

Welcome to my new Blog!