So there's this astrological thing called Mercury Retrograde that invades our lives usually three times a year for about three weeks at a time or sometimes four times a year like in 2003.

Supposedly, all the planets in our solar system go retrograde, but I've yet to hear about Earth going retrograde (if anyone knows what Earth in retro does, let me know). Mercury, Venus and Jupiter always seem to have the most noticeable effect on our daily lives. Mercury mainly affects communication and travel, at least that's what most sources have to say, but we know differently! Mercury in retrograde in fact effects every minute detail leaving nothing to spare. Communication may be wacky, but so is the ability to walk without losing your balance, electronic equipment fritzes out, the short line you got into all the sudden becomes the long line and the simple becomes the most complicated thing you've ever laid eyes on! Mercury can sometimes just make you want to hide out for three weeks! Of course I am over-exaggerating some, Mercury doesn't always seem to get everyone the same way every time. So you do have odds (unknown odds of course) of blowing through a MR without even knowing it.

If a three week MR falls into the same time frame as your Sun Sign dates, then you may be effected more-so than than others of a different sign.

Old Information about 2003: This first phase of 2003 that falls between Jan. 2nd and Jan. 24th appears to effect both Capricorn and Aquarius. From the people I know and being a Capricorn myself, MR really does hit the Sun Sign's its in harder than others. I have included a list of things that can happen or are intensified during MR below. But before we get to the ABC's of MR I want to share some of my experiences with this influence. My experience includes only the Jan.2- Jan.24, 2003 phase so you can see how much can happen in only a few short days. All events took place between Jan.2 and Jan.9, being a Capricorn Sun Sign in a MR Capricorn Phase.

2003: In only 7 days I am ready to sleep through the rest of Mercury Retrograde to avoid the overly annoying and frustrating mini-dramas that have been plaguing my life. Both an Aquarius friend and I got pulled over in the last week. Neither of us got tickets (I was not even speeding) but both of us had the hassle of getting pulled over. We all know how fun that can be. I stupidly decided to hook up a new VCR, do you know how easy they make tv hook ups these days? It's not that hard, yet it took me over two hours because every time I did this or that, it did not do what it was supposed to. When I finally finished I was a crazed sweaty person taunting the VCR because I had finally beaten it's wily ways. My trusty vacuum cleaner starting smoking at me on the 9th, and my same friend had the same thing happen to her on the same day. My television and computer have been overly fussy. If I reboot my computer one more time I'll scream!

Then there is the communication factor. I have had to call my health insurance company, my internet provider, PayPal.Com, UPS, and a myriad of other companies I deal with all in one week. Usually we can get by with maybe one or two service related calls a month. I've had to call almost all the service companies I know and wait on hold, be transferred to multiple departments, get disconnected, and then finally still not get what I called about taken care of! I even tried to order something on-line from a company I've used before. It was such a simple order totaling about $22. After I filled in all my information it took me to the checkout and submit page and I noticed the shipping total was $16.95 bringing my $22 order to $40. I searched around because that just could not be right, who would charge such insane shipping on a small lightweight item. Sure enough the shipping was actually only $6.95. But no matter what I did I could not get the checkout page to verify that. So I had to call the company and go over the problem with the customer service rep. A simple 5 minute order turned into a half an hour ordeal! And that's just how Mercury pokes and prods at you.

I have talked to more supervisors of more companies and had more complaints in one week then I usually do in a year. I've had to reload programs on my computer, download and re-download programs, and save all my work every minute in case my computer decides to freeze up again! (I actually wrote most of this article then lost it) I have shown up to 3 different nation-wide chain stores to shop right as they are locking the doors for some weird holiday special hours. Hello! The holidays are over! I've had clients telling me all week the wacky annoying things that are happening to them. And I have noticed that the worst cases are those that are either a Capricorn or Aquarius.

Now I've noticed the effects of MR in my life before, but I do not ever recall such an intense annoyance as this one has been. Each MR is different based on the Sun Sign(s) it falls under. But from what I can tell, all MR are influences to watch out for and stock up on candles and books in case the power goes out.

Now do not be fooled by my seemingly annoyed perspective. I do have a great sense of humor about all these harmless events. Being able to laugh at what occurs under MR is the best medicine for making it through sane.

Note: After reviewing this article that I wrote four years ago, I'd like to make a comment.  Holy hell was I whiny!  I'm much more into manifesting and overcoming such things like Mercury Retrograde these days and thinking positive thoughts even when the negative puts up a fight. [updated: 1.24.07]

 
+Communication: Any form; personal, business, phone, email
+Travel: Flying, driving, walking; if you're moving it counts!
+Documentation: Signed contracts, purchases with contracts-homes & cars
+Electronics: If it plugs into a electrical socket, watch out
+Thoughts: People become more introspective & consider their life, past &     present (this is the one where people decide to rekindle relationships, then when MR is over, the change their mind again)