Daisy asked me a pertinent question regarding terminology for planetary retrograde periods. She wanted to know if there were express terms for the different stages of retrograde motion. Planets appear to rise in the east and set in the west. When a planet appears to move backward, its motion is termed “retrograde.” When it moves forward in relation to expected motion, it is termed “prograde,” although I have yet to hear anyone commonly use that term.

Looking at an ephemeris you can see that the planet slows its apparent motion before it is marked RX, officially retrograde. When the planet reaches its most backward point and appears to stand still, that point is termed the “direct station.” It is stationary, poised to move directly. That entire period from slowing to the point of forward motion is called the “retrograde period.” The area of the zodiac that is covered by the entire retrograde, its furthest backward motion back to its starting point, is called the “shadow period.” Even though a planet is apparently moving forward again, it is not considered to be past the effect of the retrograde energy until it passes the point where its motion slowed.

With Mercury retrograde approaching this month we are already in the shadow period. Even though Mercury is still direct it will pass back over the point where it now travels. Energetically, we will revisit the position we are experiencing now.

As many of us prepare for the holiday shopping season this energy becomes problematic for purchasing gifts which are Mercury-related, communication devices, electronics, etc. It’s also a bad time to schedule elective surgeries. Sure it’s not the best time to purchase or schedule these things. The chances something will need to be re-addressed are much higher than average. That doesn’t mean avoid them at all costs or something horrible will happen. It just means it skews the odds negatively. It just means it’s not the best time to do this. But what if you “have to”? What if your computer goes down and they tell you it will cost as much to fix it as it will to buy new? What if you really need that computer and waiting for direct motion will cost you as well? What if you cut off a finger and blood is spurting everywhere?

Recently on the boards there was a discussion of rape, avoiding rape, and culpability: Actions Have Consequences (Controversial). Morality aside, we all know it’s a bad idea to walk down a dark alley at midnight dressed in lyrcra with our boobs hanging out. For whatever reason you have to know that it increases your odds of that alley-walk turning out badly. It’s not a moral issue, it’s a statistical issue. So you wouldn’t do that, right? But what if your friend is deep in that alley calling out for help. Do you go in dressed like a hoochie now? With Mercury retrograde you have to make decisions based on the odds. You don’t walk down that alley unless you have a damned compelling reason to. Just as every less than perfect choice does not result in a rape, not every computer purchase during Mercury retrograde results in a device that goes tits up in a month.

Just do the best you can with the information that you have and then try not to sweat it too much. Our minds tend to hold on to memories of how things turned out badly. We rarely think about the times we risked much and it turned out well, which happens a great deal more often than does the outcome that we fear.

Are you taking Mercury retrograde into account in your holiday shopping this year?