Mercury, ruler of Gemini and Virgo, and currently in the Sign of Cancer, will be retrograde from June 15 – July 9.  HOWEVER, the affects of the planet slowing down are already in place.  I started noticing it in my own life and in the lives of others as early as June 1st.  Hence the airplane / flight craziness of yesterday!!!

Although some internet astrology sites only report the “official” dates that Mercury is backwards, it is important to note that it’s effects begin ahead of the start date and beyond the finish date.  On either side of these two dates Mercury is it’s MOST ERRATIC.  This is when it starts changing speeds and then stops for a bit altogether, otherwise known as “stationary”.  

As mentioned earlier, Mercury started causing trouble as soon as we got into June but as of today, June 9, it is really slowing.  So for all intents and purposes, we may as well consider the retrograde period from today, June 9 – July 14.

For those not familiar with Mercury retrograde, it is an astrological aspect that occurs every 12 weeks for a three-and-a-half week period. In effect, when any planet retrogrades, it settles down for a nap. Mercury rules information, communication, commerce, contracts, transportation, shipping, and all moving parts in machines, which is why things tend to go bonkers when Mercury is out of phase. People are not thinking clearly, conditions are greatly in flux, and later we have to backtrack to correct errors in judgment we made while Mercury was retrograde.

During this period, we become forgetful or we misunderstand what is said to us. Doctors are more prone to make the wrong diagnosis, transit and Post Office strikes are common, appliances and communication devices start malfunctioning, and items shipped have a higher-than-usual propensity for breakage - if they arrive at all. Redo's are par for the course. Installing computer software proves to be a nightmare too, so wait mid-to-late July to do that. Stores run out of stock or sell you something damaged. This is just a quick overview of Mercury retrograde, but you get the idea.

It is unwise during a Mercury Retrograde to initiate anything new.  This would include signing contracts, large ticket item purchases (especially cars), launching of new projects, or looking for a job.  (If you've already interviewed and accepted a new job ahead of this but start it during the Mercury Retrograde, you're probably okay.) 

Keep your expectations in check even with anyone new that you may meet.  They may well be great people but their entrance during a Mercury Retrograde indicates that the relationship, regardless of its type, may well not work out as you expected or intended.  The key to remember is START NOTHING NEW DURING A MERCURY RETROGRADE.  Follow up on things already in progress is fine.  But even then, don’t launch a new segment of that project now.

Again, don't be too quick to jump on that turnaround date, July 9. Mercury exerts its worst, most hectic, wayward energy on the start and end dates of its retrograde period - on those "bookend dates" - so do not plan on jumping into action instantly on the day Mercury turns direct (in this case, the evening of July 9). Instead, wait for a few more days – July 14.

One thing that Mercury retrograde happens to be GOOD at doing is fulfilling promises from the past.  This transit also tends to bring in communications from those of our past. Old flames may make a reappearance which may be great, or not!

Communication and thoughts are moving backwards.

This is a time that if someone tells you that they did not get your email, voice mail, or text that you should give them the benefit of the doubt.  It’s likely that they really did not receive it.

This is a good time to do research, reassess your personal and professional progress, to reevaluate your plans.  Notice the RE- theme of Mercury Retrograde.

Try to give yourself more time than usual in commuting or any traveling at all.  And try very hard to accept that we will all be experiencing all sorts of little delays and inconveniences over the next few weeks.  The best thing to do is sit back, relax and flow with it.  Life will be back to its fast pace before you know it.

Of course, life goes on regardless of the transits and some things just cannot be avoided.  To whatever extent possible, avoid as much of the aforementioned pitfalls as you can and those that you cannot avoid just keep an eye on, double check and hope for the best.

Hang in there.  If you keep a good sense of humor sometimes periods of Mercury Retrograde can be a nice, relaxing break from an otherwise hectic and speedy existence.  And you could hear from someone you really would like to be back in communication with too!

One last noteworthy item, once Mercury is officially retrograde, we will have 4 planets in retrograde status.  On June 23rd, Uranus will retrograde, bringing that number up to FIVE - Jupiter, Neptune, Pluto, Mercury and Uranus!  HALF of the galaxy will be in retrograde motion thus throwing us all into a state of rethinking much and possibly completely changing plans that we had already made.  I do not fully know what to expect with FIVE planets in retrograde.  But I do know it will have some sort of impact on us that will be less than subtle.  This should be interesting…………