Something weird is in the air. Have you noticed it? Nothing seems to be going right. Important e-mails have been bounced. Your laptop or cell phone has gone kaput. Your love life seems to have taken a turn for the worst. You may have even been dumped. That thing you've been avoiding? Well, it's come back to haunt you, hasn't it?
Blame it on Mercury in retrograde. It began August 20 and will continue its terrible reign until September 12th.
In astrology, the planet Mercury represents the mythological messenger and rules over all things having to do with communication. And when it goes into retrograde (a three-week period that happens four times a year when the planet appears to slow down, stop, and move backwards) you can be sure to expect chaos, delays and confusion on all fronts.
Don't worry. Everything will be OK. And besides, it isn't all bad. There's a time and place for everything in life, and that includes Mercury's retrograde phase. About.com provides four good rules of thumb for coping during this time period (take a time-out and deal with things from your past, be non-committal and avoid making set plans, repeat and review everything, reflect on your soul), but we wonder: how does this translate into your love life?
Unfortunately, be prepared for a few curve balls to be thrown your way, as what was committed to, promised, expected or planned will surely go awry during a retrograde period. Below are some pointers for navigating this difficult time period no matter what love stage you are currently in.
Single: There is no better time to be single. Take this time to reflect on who you are and get in touch with your feelings, goals and aspirations. What's your life plan, and what do you need to do or change to get things going? Reflect, don't act. Mercury in retrograde is a period where you should be looking back—not forward. Do not go on a first date. You just aren't yourself and will have difficulty communicating clearly. What's more, you may have ghosts of relationships past on your mind. One or two of them might even reappear in your life. If they do, now's a good time to reconcile and move on. Hold off on any new romance until Mercury goes direct on September 12th.
It's Complicated: For whatever this means to you, make sure to wait until this period is over to make up, break up or otherwise decide on a new direction in your relationship. If things have yet to be defined, hold off on the WUWU (What's Up With Us) talk. Never fear if things have taken a turn for the worst, at the end of the month the two of you could pick up just where things left off. Until then, it's better to just let things be and go with the flow. In addition, Mercury's reversal provides for a wonderful opportunity to correct past mistakes and should be a time where you work to correct problematic relationship habits.
Taken: No matter if you've been dating for a few months or a few years, you may find yourself questioning your commitment to or interest in your sweetie, and communication snafus will be sure to cause arguments. Be patient. If things "get weird," blame it on Mercury and forget about it. While waiting for things to simmer down, revisit some of your old haunts and good memories as a couple, which will help keep things in perspective.
Engaged: Now is not the time to set a date or finalize any important plans, as they will probably end up having to be changed. If you do have to go forward signing the contract for that fabulous wedding singer, or placing a deposit on your nuptial venue, make sure to go over everything with a fine-toothed comb. This will save you both time and money in the long haul.
Married: Unlike other love stages, those who are married will find this Mercurial phase can actually strengthen a relationship. Because this period is characterized by a deepening in appreciation for the good old things, and since you already know each other and don't need to worry about making a bad impression, just sit back in silence and enjoy each other's company. Now is the perfect time to renew your vows or take a second honeymoon.
Starting Over: If you are in the middle of a divorce, take time to make sure the terms of your split are crystal clear. You don't want to bungle any important legal issues, and if you are not paying attention your divorce can take longer than expected to be finalized. Bitter about how things turned out? Now's the time to bury the proverbial hatchet and release deep resentments for good. It's also a good time to set about reorganizing your life without your partner. Take all reminders of your ex to a thrift shop or re-gift them to friends.
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