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MERCURY RETROGRADE
Plus All Planet Retrograde Periods

2008

Below this explanation you will find a list of  Mercury  Retrograde periods for the current year, and for other planets' retrograde cycles.

The word retrograde applies, in astrology,  to the apparent backward motion thru the zodiac of a planet.    An old encyclopedia of   astrology describes this retrograde motion as "the effect of a slow-moving train as viewed from another train traveling parallel to it but at a more rapid rate, wherein the slower train appears to be moving backwards.  However, in the case of the celestial bodies it  is not a matter of  their actual speed of travel, but of the rate at which they change their angular relationship."*  

All the planets, except Sun and Moon, have these retrograde periods, but Mercury is most famous for them, probably because Mercury represents our very essential communication abilities. 

While people speak of  Mercury Retrograde periods that screw up computers and television sets, today's astrologers believe the mishaps happen in more personal realms (Uranus is the planet that rules television and computers).  Mercury rules communication, but more  informal communications, like writing, speaking, short shopping sprees and other erranding endeavors.  So, while Mercury is Retrograde, don't give that party,  be extra aware of what you say and what you interpret when chatting with or writing to friends, cut back on errands, expect that the check will be in the mail longer than usual.   Since the car is usually used for shopping and errands,  don't be surprised if the battery wire loosens or the fan belt snaps just when you have rush out for that one ingredient you forgot to buy.

The good things to do when Mercury is Retrograde: meditate, contemplate, edit the book/poem/song/essay you've been writing, clean house, talk to your pet, listen to music, paint, catch up on sleep! 

* Encyclopedia of Astrology, Nicholas deVore, Philosophical Library, 1947

  MERCURY RETROGRADE PERIODS 2008

January 28, 1:31 PM MST,  Retrograde at 23 degrees 53 minutes Aquarius.
(But the Rx effect, called the storm, slowing,, begins January 25.)

February 18, 7:58 PM MST,  Direct at 8 degrees 9 minutes Aquarius.
(The Rx effect, the storm, slowlasts through February 26.)

 May 26, 9:48 AM MDT,  Retrograde at
 21 degrees  32 minutes Gemini
(The Rx effect, the storm, slowing, begins May 18.)
June 19, 8:31 AM MDT,  Direct at 12 degrees 59 minutes Gemini
(The Rx effect,  the storm, still slow,  lasts through June 28.)

September 24, 1:17 AM  MDT,  Retrograde at  22 degrees 50 minutes Libra
(The Rx effect,  the storm, slowing, begins September 17.)
October
15, 2:06 PM MDT,  Direct at 7  degrees 34 minutes Libra.
(The Rx effect, the storm, still slow, lasts through Oct. 20.)


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Other Planetary Retrograde Periods 2008

The point and benefit of retrograde, reconnoiter, review, is to become aware of missed, and plan for corrective, actions

SATURNrx:
This is a time to review reality.  Are you succeeding or are you trapped?  If the latter, devise new endeavors from a more realistic perspective.
December 19, 2007, at 7:09 AM MST,
RETROGRADE at 8 degrees 34 minutes Virgo.
 
May 2, 2008, at 9:07 PM,  DIRECT at 1 degree 41 minutes Virgo.


December 31, 2008, at 11:08 AM, RETROGRADE at 21 degrees 46 minutes Virgo.
May 16, 2009, at 8:06 PM, 
DIRECT at 14 degrees 55 minutes Virgo.

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JUPITERrx
This is a time to review expansive moves you recently made or planned:  are they high hopes, or are they possible?
May 9, at 6:11 AM, RETROGRADE at 22 degrees 22 minutes Capricorn.
September 7, at 10:16 PM,  DIRECT at 12 degrees 32 minutes Capricorn.


URANUS
rx:
This is a time to review the risks you didn't take, and the ones you did:  are you independent enough, are you moving through life in your own rhythm or are you slowing down to suit someone else?  If you've been antsy, find a way to spend the energy.
June 26, at 6:01 PM,  RETROGRADE at 22  degrees 39 minutes Pisces 
November 27, at 9:09 AM
DIRECT at 18 degrees 44 minutes Pisces

PLUTOrx:
This is a time to review what you need to regenerate, let go of and move on to:  mutate now, enjoy the rush.
 
April 2, at 4:23 AM,  RETROGRADE at 1 degree 9 minutes Capricorn
September
9, at 9:14 PM, DIRECT at 28 degrees 30 minutes Sagittarius


NEPTUNErx:
This is a time to review dreams, see a movie for the second time, check whether  your choices have been based on illusion or true  intuition.
May 26, at 10:14 AM, 
RETROGRADE at 24 degrees 15 minutes Aquarius
November 2, at 12:38 AM, 
DIRECT at 21 degrees 28 minutes Aquarius


VENUSrx:
This is a time to review your love life, your creativity and basically those endeavors that bring you pleasure; which of course include having enough money to afford them.
No Retrogrades for Venus in 2008!


MARSrx:
This is a time to  pay attention to how you've been feeling physically, sexually and energetically, to review your interests and whether you're pursuing them; to contemplate the many ways you can channel your temper.
November 15, 2007, at 1:24 AM, RETROGRADE at 12 degrees 27 minutes Cancer
January 30, 2008, at 3:34 PM,
DIRECT at 24 degrees 05 minutes Gemini

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