October's Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

Written by Moira x7776 

Mercury entered Scorpio on September 27^th, combining a sense of humor and a survivalist mind-set.  It turns retrograde for the third and final time this year on Saturday October 12th at Midnight.  You may have sensed this one coming; I have already lost my wireless network once this week, and there is no telling where on earth my car keys are hiding!

Or, you might simply wonder what all the fuss is about. What is Mercury Retrograde anyway? A Planetary Retrograde is actually an optical phenomenon caused by our view from Earth and the relative motion of planets circling the Sun.  From our home planet, the other planets periodically appear to stop their motion in the sky relative to the fixed stars; then they appear to reverse their direction, stop again, and then resume their normal course through the Zodiac.

Astrologically, a retrograde planet is symbolically retracing steps that have already been traveled. Some astrologers feel that the "Retrograde Shadow" begins approximately two to three weeks before the actual retrograde station. Frequently we will experience this through communication mishaps such as failed emails or drops calls on our cell phones. While this is the stuff that makes us groan, there is actually a greater benefit from this phase. Retrogrades give us the opportunity to retrace our steps, reassess situations, and sometimes embrace reconciliation.

The previous Mercury retrogrades of 2007 both occurred in water signs, the first , occurred February 13^th and was in Pisces, representing the hidden or personal self. The second retrograde period began June 15^th in the sign of Cancer, representing the home and our emotional self. You may remember computers crashing and checks getting lost during these periods. Verbal and written misunderstandings may have caused confusion.  

The third and final Mercury Retrograde of 2007 occurs in the sign of Scorpio. It begins on October 12^th, traces its steps back into amiable Libra on October 23^rd as the Sun enters Scorpio, and stations direct in Libra on November 1^st at 6:58PM.  Mercury rules communication, as well as logical thinking.  Scorpio indicates hidden power aligned with our goals. If we draw upon the energy of this cycle we will find that the gifts of Mercury retracing its steps though this fixed water sign will help us intuit and prepare for personal transformation.  We can use the Phoenix like energy of Scorpio to clear away that which no longer serves our highest good and prepare to build something new and wonderful.