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MERCURY IN RETROGRADE

Have you heard the term Mercury in Retrograde?  Maybe not if you're a logical thinker, but certainly if you're into astrology.  This is sci-tech day for this blog site, so why am I posting on something that is in the same pot with seances, snake oil, Heaven and Donald Trump?

Well, for one, Mercury does go into retrograde with Planet Earth.  This is a scientific fact.  Watch this short explanation.  It would take me too many words to cover this subject.  But if you somehow got lost in that lesson, here is a longer version with Neil deGrasse Tyson.

One of my favorite topics, even on science day, deals with excoriating Donald Trump.  I sometimes treat astrology in this manner.  Carl Sagan had a baloney detection kit.  

All goes back to Mercury, the Roman god of commerce and patron of circulation.  Some history.

When I heard the term Mercury in Retrograde, and how this phenomenon is taken seriously by those who believe in astrology, I thought, who really believes in this stuff.  

  • Well, one poll taken last year shows that 27% of Americans do.  
    • In a way, this is for the younger generation, for 37% of adults under 30 say they believe in it, and only 16% of those 65 and older do.  
    • 31% of Catholics, 22% of Jewish and 10% atheists.
    • More women than men.
    • Less belief with more education.
    • Some blame Taylor Swift for all the recent activity.
But there are other surveys, and one provided by Tylt shows that 70% of millennials believe in their horoscopes and find them helpful.  In particular, these millennials change their lifestyle to survive Mercury in Retrograde.  One third of them only date someone whose zodiac sign is compatible with theirs.  Interesting that these who believe, also tend to lean in the direction of witchcraft and away from traditional religions.

Wait, wait, now, who are Millennials?  

  • Born between 1981 and 1996, or those who are from 27 to 42.
  • As opposed to Gen Z, who are now from 11 to 28.
  • Another poll shows that they about equally follow astrology, 62% Gen Z and 63% Millennial.
  • How can these surveys differ so much from the one at the top?
  • Yet another poll, but this one taken six years ago, shows much lower numbers.  But I guess it is possible for a generation to change that much in this period.
  • Do you get the sense that this general subject matter is difficult to survey?
  • My personal sense is that the older one gets, the wiser they become, and shed beliefs like astrology.  But I can't find any proof of this viewpoint.
  • The actual dates as to who is who varies by source.  Here is one showing all the generations

So anyway, I know people who do take Mercury in Retrograde quite seriously, and in a sense, they feel their survival is at stake.  Not of the life-or-death kind, but more how to anticipate and cope with what is coming during this trying period.  

  • This latest MinR, as I said earlier, started on April 21 and just ended on Sunday, May 14.
  • However, while today is May 17, the past few days have also been somewhat stressful, for there is another phase called Mercury Retroshade, which affects the next (and prior) few days.  Not as serious, but still a concern and therefore fretful.
  • Two more MinRs this year.
    • August 23 to September 14.
    • December 13 into January, 2024.
    • Yikes, this holiday period will no doubt be tension-ridden for many.
  • What do you do when Mercury is in Retrograde?  As more and more people will have short fuses and could miscommunicate:
    • Remain flexible, patient and understanding.
    • Allow extra time for travel.
    • Avoid signing onto any new contracts.
    • Sit back and review your life.
    • Reflect, reflect, reflect.
    • Delay, delay, delay...until Mercury is direct again.
    • You can also find links to just about anything, as for example, MinR adversely affects financial gain.
    • Of course, what you will actually do depends on your Zodiac sign:  Mercury Retrograde and Zodiac Signs.

  • Add citrus to your routine. ... 
  • Breathe in some lavender. ... 
  • Journal your feelings. ... 
  • Acknowledge the past. ... 
  • Try a hint of mint. ... 
  • Connect with your inner child. ... 
  • Light some candles. ... 
  • Technology cleanse with crystals.
  • Declutter your home.

    • I could end this all right here.  But I add, what about Mars in Retrograde?  Yup, astrology also provides a similar survival guide.  Thankfully, this happens only every 26 months, but has a period of two and a half months. The next Mars in Retrograde is from 7:02 PM on 24 July 2024 to September 22 at 5:15AM, Eastern Time.  Daylight time??  And there are others, all the way up to Pluto, but I'll stop at Jupiter, which is once a year and begins on September 4 and ends on December 30.  This is a time for self-reflection and philosophizing.  

    -

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