Mercury Retrograde, New Moon in Cancer, and Yes, I’m Really That Woo Woo

The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves…
~ William Shakespeare

A friend left me a voicemail this morning saying that she was “vibrating” [with energy] and she called me because, “You always know about these things.”  I knew what she meant – it’s because I follow astrology.  My return message?  “Of course you’re vibrating…we have a new moon today, and Mercury is still in retrograde.

To many people, when I write or say something like that, what they hear is, “Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…”  When it comes to these kinds of things, yes, it’s true, I am totally woo woo.  Do I think astrology explains everything?  I absolutely do not!  Do I think it has an effect on me?  I absolutely do!  It has proven so over and over and over again, and even “evidence girl,” as I like to call myself sometimes (What can I say?  I was raised by a lawyer), I can’t argue with the facts.

So let me explain what the heck I’m talking about.   Mercury was the God of Communication, and so when the planet Mercury goes retrograde (when it appears to be moving backwards in the sky – Google it), it is said to negatively affect transportation  and communication (your flight gets delayed, your hard drive crashes, your emails aren’t being received, your husband misunderstands what you said, etc).  If you don’t believe me, ask the Genius’ at the bar at the Apple Store…and no, I don’t mean people swilling scotch – that’s what the tekkies who fix your Apple products are called).  When Mercury goes Retrograde – for 3 weeks at a time, 3 times a year – more people are struggling with transportation and communication.  (By the way, it’s NOT a good time to buy any new electronics or sign contracts either.)

Think about it…in the last 3 weeks, have you had more difficulty than usual in your life with these kinds of things?  I can’t tell you how many of my Facebook friends have posted about losing cellphones, cars breaking down, not being able to receive/send texts…it’s like it’s an epidemic.  Some would chalk it up to coincidence…but is it?

The good news about a Mercury Retrograde is that it’s a really good time to clean up unfinished business…the divorce finally comes through; you finally get an offer on that job you applied for 6 months ago, etc.  It’s also a really great time to clean out old closets or do your deep emotional and/or spiritual work (attending a workshop, starting couples therapy, going on a silent meditation retreat, etc) as we tend to get greater clarity around this time.

The really good news about Mercury Retrograde is that it ends on July 1st.  We will be in its shadow for about a week after it goes direct, but the intensity of it will have shifted.

As if that weren’t enough, we have a new moon today – in Cancer, which is a planet of great sensitivity – think of a crab retreating into his shell when things get to be too much or too scary.  The good news about new moons, though, is that they’re ideal for setting new intentions.

So that brings us back to Shakespeare’s quote…I interpret what he’s saying as not using astrology to make excuses, but to take action when you need to. Even if you think what I’m talking about is way too woo woo for you, as it says in the Talmud, “…if not now, then when?”  Go ahead – create the business proposal; start writing that novel; muster your courage and ask her out…you never know what might come of it.  Even if you don’t have the energy to take the really big action today, start by letting yourself dream.  The way I figure it…what have a got to lose?