Question:
Mercury Retrograde starts tomorrow and lasts until the end of the month. Tonight I heard that it is not a good time to sign contracts, send in applications, etc, and its overall not a good time for communication. I am/was planning on sending out letters and my resume within the next week because I am looking for a summer internship. I have put this off long enough already and know waiting until March will be too late. (Early bird gets the worm). But what I heard made me worried that the retrograde will effect the results. I need to get these letters written, sent out. I need them off my chest and out of my control (they cause me a lot of anxiety and stress. I know once I get them out it will be up to fate, for I have done my part).
Response:
Well, let's back it up for the non-astro folks in the crowd. When a planet is "retrograde" it appears to be moving backward in the sky from our vantage point on Earth. Now, the planets do NOT actually back up; but because we are here on Earth and it appears that they are moving backward, it is a period for retracing and revisting karma.
Have you ever been sitting at a stoplight in your car and you feel like your car is drifting backward and you slam on the brake and realize you weren't moving at all -- it was the motion of the car next to you that made it appear that way? Okay -- that's retrograde.
So as the planet appears to move backward, it retraces its steps in the astrology wheel. And yes, Mercury Retrograde typically amps up the Mercury energy to the point that it causes problems with Mercury-related things. Mercury rules communication; electricity and electronics; short journeys; and even siblings (because they are usually the first people we learn to communicate with). It is typically not a great time to begin things -- it's better for "re" things -- as in review, rethink, re-examine, etc. It's definitely NOT the time to purchase any electrical things, cars, etc.; but hey, sometimes you just have to. So, you know this and take extra precautions to work with the energy.
NOW -- that said, I think you need to go ahead and send out these letters. Was your resume already prepared? The letters? If so, that may ease the symptoms. If not -- then you be extra-crazy-special-careful. Proofread a ridiculous number of times; have other people proofread for you. Double-triple-quadruple check the details; the addresses; the zip codes; that the envelopes seal properly; that you have the correct postage! Set yourself up for success.
Make sure your letter and resume information are crystal, CRYSTAL clear. Have several people look things over and make sure you are communicating well. If you would feel better say a little prayer over them before you mail them or use the blessing mudra (right hand pointer finger extended, center finger bent and perched right at the bottom edge of the pointer fingernail).
Then, go ahead and send those letters! AND . . . look up the next retrograde and put it in your planner.
I wrote a little blog about Mercury Rx a few years ago . . . it's brief, check it out:
http://uttarayogastudio.blogspot.com/2010/12/mercury-retrograde.html.
Finally -- let go of your anxiety, your stress; visualize yourself busy working this Summer at the most amazing internship EVER. See it; feel it; trust.
Good luck!
Blessings,
Jill
