Mercury is now stationary retrograde at 23 degrees in Aquarius. This means it is preparing to go retrograde, on Monday, January 28 through February 19th. I always like Astrologer Carol Rushman's descriptions of stationary retrograde Mercury. "When Mercury stations in Aquarius or the 11th house, there can be flashes of brilliance. Clever, innovative ideas can be conceived. Articulation can be witty. Because Mercury is exalted in Aquarius, the energy is expressed in a very positive way. This is a great time to teach or write." It is stationary retrograde until it moves backward, or 'retrograde,' one degree on February 1st.
Retrograde Mercury is the traditional screwer up of appointments, phone calls, communication, computers and cars. It is best to avoid signing contracts or making important decisions during this time, unless absolutely necessary. It's not an ideal time to start new relationships or jobs, and no one should marry. It is the time to 're-view' decisions, papers, ideas, and reorganize things and ideas, (even closets) and prepare for the future when it goes direct on February 19th. But don't expect things to get back to normal right away. Mercury will be stationary retrograde again at 8 degrees in Aquarius, moving forward on the 23rd of February. It won't be until March 9th that we are back at the point we are today with the same energy.
The people who will be most effect by this retrograde mercury are people with prominent Gemini or Virgo planets in there chart, as these planets rule Mercury. Aquarians will be effected by this retrograde, as will anyone else who has planets that aspect Mercury at 21-23 degrees. We will all be effected to some degree, experiencing things like mechanical breakdowns, slowdowns of all types and people changing their minds.Many times, things that have been started can be put on hold until Mercury moves forward again.
In general, Retrograde mercury will effect the following Sun signs in the following ways:
Aires- 11th house includes hopes and wishes, groups and organizations, friends.
Taurus-10th house- Career, priorities, reputation, the house of the Father
Gemini-9th house-Travel and travel plans, legal and medical matters, education and educational institutions, foreign people and things, publishing, Internet driven technologies and companies
Cancer-8th house Other people's money, money, change and transformation, taxes, mortgages, insurance, sex, death, inheritance, joint finances, secrets, mysteries
Leo-7th house- Open enemies, court situations, partners, both personal and professional, marriage, partnerships
Virgo-6th house Work, health matters, service to others, pets
Libra-5th house Children, friends, love affairs and matters of the heart, entertainment, creativity
Scorpio-4th house The foundation, home, the end of the matter, or beginnings, family and family matters
Sagittarius-3rd house-Communications, the mind, mental activity, trips, brothers and sisters. in-laws and immediate family members
Capricorn-2ond house-Money, earnings, self worth
Aquarius-1st house-The house of the self, events of a personal nature, personal expression
Pisces-12th house of things that are secret and hidden, the subconscious mind, hospitals and institutionalization, depression
The highest use of retrograde meercury is reflection, re-organization, and reviewing current life patterns and projects. It is not the time to charge aheead at the same pace as usual. That time will resume in about 3 weeks..