Okay, folks, buckle up! On Friday, November 16, at 8:33 p.m. ET, the trickster planet, Mercury, turns retrograde at 13 degrees Sagittarius. The good news is that it’s the last Mercury retro of 2018 and ends before the Christmas holidays – December 6. The bad news is that it’ll be in place during the busiest travel season – Thanksgiving- and when many of us start our holiday shopping.
Since Mercury rules travel, there probably will be snafus and delays at airports, on highways, with trains. The best way to deal with it to be flexible and go with the flow. That’s tough to do when you‘re eager to get somewhere for the holidays, but try to look at it in as positive a light as possible.
Mercury also rules communication, electronics, anything with moving parts. So if you’re planning on buying a computer, iPad, iPhone, any electronic gizmo – or a car – wait until several days after December 6. Otherwise, you may be in the return line on December 26. Since Mercury also rules contracts, it’s wise not to sign one during this period.
If you know the time you were born, take a look at your chart here and see where 13 degrees Sagittarius falls. That’s the area where you’ll feel the impact of the retro the most.
Another interesting bit about the 16th. Venus, which has been retro since October 5, will turn direct at 5:51 a.m. in Libra. So you can expect your love life and finances to straighten out now.
If the Florida recount isn’t completed by today, the 15th, then there may be more snafus surrounding the senate and governor races – Scott/Nelson and DeSantis/Gillum. Hopefully, it won’t be a deja vu of the 2000 election, when the recount went to the supreme court.
Are the stars playing along with silly season or silly season silly because of the stars *grin*
Thanks for the info. I was just wondering when the Mercury retrograde phenomenon became a ‘thing’, you know?
Great question. Thanks!
Two things I’d like to know:
1) What *exactly* causes all the chaos during Merc retrogrades?
2) How long have astrologists been aware of the phenomenon? i.e.- When was it first noted that everything goes to hell during these particular periods?
In astrology, a planet is most powerful when it’s moving forward in motion relative to earth. The definitions of the planets – their archetypes – determine what areas are affected during a retro. Every planet except the sun and moon turn retro at some time. Since Mercury rules communication, travel, moving parts, the conscious mind – among other things – those areas don’t function well. I’ve done all the DO NOTS during Merc retros – signs contracts, bought a car, traveled, submitted manuscripts – and always regretted it later.
As for how long, Dale, I don’t know. Probably not since ancient times since certain planets were still undiscovered. I’ll look into it!
Time to go into hiding…