Mercury Retrograde and 2 Eclipses - A November to Remember

Written by: Janet (Sparrow) Moon
Published on: November 5, 2012
Category: Astrology

November 2012 is going to be a month to remember. Mercury's retrograde will begin on Election Day (US), November 6th. This may slow down the election turnout and possibly even affect the elections. Then on November 13th we're going to have a total Solar Eclipse in the passionate sign of Scorpio. This could bring total transformation for some of us. Mercury's retrograde will end (direct station) on Monday, November 26th, right after the US Thanksgiving holiday, with Mars crossing Pluto at the same time. We could be feeling frustrated, to say the least. Then we'll encounter a Lunar Eclipse on November 28th in Gemini, the sign of duplicity. Some of may jump to conclusions and make a decision they will regret.

In general, a Mercury Retrograde turns our minds and our thoughts to the past. Mercury is the ruler of the mind, communication, transportation, short trips, and neighbors. Often when Mercury is at his stations (the point of changing directions either backward or forward) things are most difficult. Expect travel delays and detours. There could also be internet and computer problems, so be sure to backup important documents and double check email and text transmissions. While Mercury is in retrograde, he can also bring old friends and ex-lovers back into our lives, and its a great time to catch up on old projects and clean out closets and storage areas. Mercury's retrograde is not a good time to start a new job or relationship. Anything begun during a Mercury Retrograde is likely not to work out in the long run.

This Mercury Retrograde in November will begin in the optimistic sign of Sagittarius and end in the charismatic sign of Scorpio. With Mercury beginning his retrograde in Sagittarius on Election Day, there will be a strong potential for mistakes and oversights with the election tallies. Some of the elections may even require a recount. Mercury was in retrograde during the Bush vs Gore Presidential election in 2000, and we all remember what happened then. Mercury will then back into Scorpio and cross between the Earth and the Sun, on November 17th, shortly after the Solar Eclipse. Scorpios are known to hold a grudge, and some will decide its payback time. There could be explosive behavior in our private lives and in our communities. Towards the end of Mercury's retrograde, around Thanksgiving, Mars will come to a conflict with Uranus and Pluto. Pluto, being the ruler of Scorpio, will intensify Mercury's transit, and the combination of planets could cause some explosive events. Mars and Pluto will be approaching the peak of their conflict on the day Mercury turns direct (direct station) on November 26th, two days before the Full Moon lunar eclipse. This could bring Mercury's retrograde to a personal level. Conflicts may be falling on us like the Leonid meteor shower. Try to keep your calendars open around this time.

On to the Eclipses... Eclipses bring changes, good and bad. Total eclipses carry more weight than partial, and in general, an eclipse has a power about ten times stronger than an average full or new moon. Most of us don't like change, therefore we curse the eclipses. Change is difficult and stressful, but without it, our lives would not progress. An example, many people have told me that when they got fired from their jobs, it was the best thing that ever happened to them. Even though at the time, they were so angry they could spit nails. Often relationships that are teetering on the brink of break-up will collapse under the influence of eclipses. Also people and pets, who are old or sick and ready to go, pass over around the time of eclipses. Most of us can feel the Eclipse energy coming weeks before the actual event. Its been my experience that people with an abundance of Cardinal qualities in their natal charts usually find themselves dealing with their "eclipse crisis" anywhere from 1 - 4 weeks before the actual eclipse. People with an abundance of Mutable qualities are more likely to find just a few days before and after the eclipse affect them more. And, people with an abundance of Fixed qualities in their natal charts usually have a delayed reaction to the eclipses even a couple of weeks after the actual eclipse.

Our New Moon Solar Eclipse, on November 13th at 5:17 PM ET (2:17 PM PT), will be a total eclipse. This eclipse will be viewable in the Southern Hemisphere including Australia, Antarctica, and extreme southern South America. Even if we can't see it, we're going to feel it. This eclipse will occur in Scorpio, and Scorpio is a passionate sign. Scorpians feel everything to the N'th degree. This could be a time for total regeneration, or it could be a time for retaliation. An amorous relationship could grow quickly from a simple smile, and a simple misunderstanding could easily escalate into an enraged boxing match. Neptune will also add a subtle flavor to this eclipse, so some of us may reach to our addictions to numb our feelings - not a good idea! Any attempt to anesthetize our feelings will likely lead us right down the rabbit hole, and we could end up with something like a drunk driving citation or worse. We may feel like life is putting extra demands upon us with this eclipse, but if we can tough it out, we will find that we are stronger and smarter in the outcome.

The Full Moon Lunar Eclipse on November 28th will be a penumbral eclipse in the sign of Gemini at 9:33 AM ET (6:33 AM PT). Geminis, this will be the last eclipse in your sign, finally! You will have about eight years before they roll back around to you. There will be five of the eight remaining major planets at an aspect to this eclipse adding imbalance and more tension to the recipe. Jupiter will be conjunct to the Moon, so even if you cannot view the eclipse, get out and take a look at the bright star next to the moon. Jupiter is the planet of expansion, so his energy will amplify the eclipse energy. A penumbral lunar eclipse is when the Moon passes through the edge, the fringe, of the Earth's shadow, and often is not visible to an untrained eye. They don't carry as much punch as a partial or a total lunar eclipse, but with all the other planetary activity going on around the same time, this full moon could actually stimulate the "lunatic" in all of us. Stupidity is a definite possibility, but those dealing with mental illness may find their symptoms "wig out," and get out of control. It would probably be a good idea for all of us to make sure all of our meds are refilled and ready.

Okay, now its time for the "nitty-gritty." How will these Eclipses and Mercury's Retrograde affect you? Get out your natal charts and pencil in the location of each eclipse and the path of Mercury's retrograde. The location of these events will determine which of your houses they will affect. Also check and see which of your houses begin in Scorpio and Gemini. The eclipses could also bring changes to the area of your life governed by these houses. If any of the eclipses conjunct a power point (ascendant, nadir, descendant, or mid-heaven), get ready for some big and abrupt changes. Next, look to see which of your houses Mercury will be traveling through during his retrograde to determine what areas of your life will be influenced. If Mercury's retrograde station or Mercury's direct station is conjunct any of your power points, there could be delays or difficulties in those areas of your life. Mercury's Retrograde will travel from 4 degrees 14 minutes Sagittarius through 18 degrees 31 minutes Scorpio. The Solar Eclipse will be at 21 degrees 57 minutes Scorpio, and the Lunar Eclipse will be at 6 degrees 40 minutes Gemini. If you're still not sure, with your natal chart in hand, contact your favorite astrologer. They will be able to give you the complete "low down."

Janet (Sparrow) Moon is a professional psychic and astrologer. You can visit her web site for more articles about upcoming events in astrology, and to read her daily astrology general tendencies forecast. (This article can be reprinted freely online, as long as the entire article and this bio are included.) www.sparrowmoon.com/