Bugaloo with trickster Mercury

Even gods & planets need to rest
Wikipedia

As if the upcoming US Presidential election doesn't feel stressful enough, thanks to the hyperactive and hyper-phobic media, the communication planet, Mercury goes stationary retrograde on November 6, 2012.  And to further complicate the situation, Jupiter transiting in its opposite sign Sagittarius, although the orb is too wide to form an opposition between Mercury and Jupiter.  Okay, for those of you not familiar with a Mercury retrograde, let's back up a bit (pun intended).

When the planet Mercury gets too far ahead of the transiting Sun (3 times a year), the planet appears to travel backwards, when in fact, it is the earth's rotation that causes this illusion.  Mercury isn't actually traveling backwards, even if I see a driver pulling out of a driveway onto a busy street, when I think of this astrological event.  If you speak to a fear-based astrologer, they will warn you about all the things that could go wrong with mail getting lost, computers crashing, cars ending up at the mechanics, and miscommunication all around.  Those things could happen, but you could also take a mini-vacation for three weeks, meditate more, detach from all drama, get in touch with old friends, edit papers or books, or write a research paper.

When Mercury seemingly goes retrograde, it's actually asking us to backup, go over plans instead of implementing or launching them, make sure the virus protection on the computer is working, to get a check up for your car if you have one and to practice clear communication.  And please do not get caught up in cheap drama during the next three weeks, especially not with the debacle or flying circus we call an election in the US.  Instead, take time to read favorite books, watch favorite movies, and meet with those friends you haven't seen in a few months or even years.



Joan Crawford in peril over Mercury RX

I'm going to backup even further to when I first learned about Mercury retrograde.  When I was in my 20s, my friends and I dabbled in astrology and feared Mercury retrograde as if it were the Black Plague.  We called each other on the phone in peril, wringing our hands, and worrying that whatever guy we dated at the time would break up with us, or we would lose our job, or our cars would break down.  Darn that Mercury retrograde!

We failed to see the trickster humor and with Mercury, even when it's direct, the joke is always on us.  I realize that we have little to laugh about with this upcoming US election, but I will give you a few tips so that you stay calm and centered during the process.

• Do not try to control or manipulate events, situations, or other people
• Detach from whatever outcome happens knowing that you're in Divine hands
• Do not exaggerate circumstances or engage in cheap drama
• Meditate, meditate, meditate
• Watch videos of spiritual authors or read their books
• Watch comedy movies, not thrillers (yeah like thrillers are going to stop you from thinking paranoid thoughts)
• Do not engage in negative or doomsday conversations
• Stop worrying about prophecies since you have no control over them anyways
• Read trickster stories (Native Americans have many) so you can get a handle on Mercury
• Stop watching television news (these days that's equivalent to joining the melodrama club)
• Dance to drums or drum CDs
• Go for a long walk
• Spend less time on social networks unless you have something positive to contribute

You'll be fine. I'll be fine.  Mercury retrograde my actually cough up information you need before you vote in the election so pay attention to details.  Read all candidate and legislation issues on the ballots carefully and then re-read before voting.  This is where the trickster comes into play, especially for people with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.  Go slow during this time, this is not a rat race and I doubt you want to make it to the finish line anyway.  Fill your heart with joy and laughter.  Namaste

Thanks to Astrologer Mark Ortman for inspiring me to write this post on Mercury.