Mercury retrograde: time to prepare

Mercury goes retrograde on Friday and will be so for three weeks until 12th September. Unless you were born when Mercury was retrograde, it may be a challenging time.

The influence of this particular cycle will be strong and is beginning to be felt already as, for me certainly, the technology around me is starting to wobble and behave unpredictably. It Is all about practicalities and pragmatism, literally oiling the wheels and ensuring that everything mechanical or electrical is in good working order, for the retrograde periods in 2010 are about earth energy.

So it is you may feel very "human" over the coming three weeks, dealing with issues to do with the physical world around you. You may find misunderstandings arising with people in your life, and little bumps and irritations may come up out of nowhere. You may find minor problems and distractions more prevalent than usual, and that serenity is more elusive.

With a few days to go, now is the time to prepare for it. I suggest you aim to keep your life as simple and as smooth as possible between now and the middle of September. Try to plan ahead and be methodical in making your arrangements - don't leave things to the last minute. It will help if you can find a little quiet time for yourself at the beginning of every day to centre and ground yourself and to remind yourself of your spiritual connections. If you are planning to buy a new computer or other electronic equipment, do it this week or leave it until the retrograde cycle is ended unless you have no other option.

Above all, if you are tested by Mercury, then recognise what is happening and smile. Accept it, deal with it, and then move on, knowing all is well.