Hello? Is this thing ON?

Have you been having whacky communication lately?

Has your computer or phone gone awry?

Have you and your partner been a little off beat when communicating?

Or have projects at work or travel arrangements just not going as planned?

Well, guess what? You may be experiencing a phenomenon known as Mercury in Retrograde.

And it started on July 7th and will continue until July 31st.

I know some people may think it’s a little weird, and to that I say, “Weird is just thinking outside the box.”

So, on that note, please read on with an open mind.

So, what exactly is Mercury in Retrograde?

Three to four times a year and for about 3 weeks each time, the planet Mercury slows down in its orbit and appears to move backward in relation to the Earth. But Mercury retrograde is really an optical illusion, since no planet actually moves backward.

According to NASA[i], in normal motion, the stars and planets move in our night's sky in a west-to-east direction. This is called prograde motion.

Retrograde of any planet happens periodically, when the motion is temporarily switched to an east-to-west direction, before turning back to regular prograde motion.

So what does that mean for us here on Earth?

Well, as mentioned above, it could mean that your communication devices, including your computer, your phone or verbal communication can go awry. So, I have learned to back up my computer, read and re-read things before I post or send any communication, think a little longer before I speak, and remember to breathe, keep calm and have patience.

I have also learned that it is not always the best time to sign huge contracts or make big decisions. Details may be missed in communication of a huge deal and may cause a lot of headaches once the contract is signed. Or, the communication that you heard that helped you make a big decision was found to be incorrect or misunderstood. If you absolutely have to sign a big contract, make sure you read and re-read all the fine print. If you have to make a big decision in your life, maybe try to hold off. Again, remembering to breathe and have patience.

Mercury in retrograde can also affect travel, so you may want to double-check things before you are off jet-setting. If you are traveling by car, get your oil, radiator fluid and tire pressure checked. If you are traveling by trains, planes or public transportation, you may want to check your reservations or call ahead to ensure your trip is not delayed or cancelled.

On a more positive note, this is a time of reflection. So whether you believe that Mercury in retrograde can have an effect on you or not, you may want to take the upcoming weeks to review what has been going on in your life. Taking some time to reflect may help you gain some wisdom.

And remember… breathe, keep calm and have patience! Actually, this reminder is probably a good idea even during non-Mercury in retrograde times.

[i] http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question46.html