MERCURY RETROGRADE APRIL 17TH

Mercury will retrograde April 17th until the end of the day May 11th. Traditionally in astrology, this is not the time to enter into contracts, have a book published or start new projects because of the backward motion of this planet (it actually is an illusion of going backward).

I don't get overly excited about a retrograde unless it is your ruler or you are engaging in a Mercury ruled project. Most planets retrograde except for the Sun. Currently Saturn is retrograde affecting Capricorn and Pluto is retrograde affecting Scorpio. So Mercury retrogrades most affect Gemini and Virgo. They are Mercury ruled. This also applies to people with prominent Gemini or Mercury in their chart.

Since Mercury rules communication during this time, prepare yourself for miscommunication. As it is in the sign of Aries, which rules the 1st House of Yourself, the area to watch is any physical diagnosis. This is a likely time for that kind of mistake. Aries is also the ruler of Mars so it can be a time in which you find yourself in an disagreement with someone that will be resolved at the end of the cycle.

Also look to the houses in your chart where Virgo and Gemini are on the cusps (for free charts go to http://www.thephysicbubble.com Lesson No. 1 in Issue No. 1 but you must know the time of your birth for this information) and look to where your Mercury is placed natally. These are also areas that might give you a clue as to what to expect.

Other things ruled by Mercury are cars, short trips, computers, phones, newspapers, writing and publishing.

Even things already begun may have to be put on hold. But as soon as the retrograde is over, the problem will resolve. So not to worry. One area you might want to avoid if possible is surgery. This is not considered the best time for something as serious as that since you might have to re-do it.

Things to do on a retrograde are anything that has the prefix re such as repair, renovate, restructure, research and rethink. This is an excellent time to prepare for a future project. And if you go on a vacation at this time, you just might return there in the future. So whatever it is you do, make sure you are willing to do it again. Sometimes people from your past will return in this period. Things you thought were over, if they are ever going to, will revive -- such as relationships with friends or lovers.

So good things can come out of this time. It's not all bad news. And, again, Virgo and Gemini are the most affected.