How to Survive Mercury Retrograde in 2016

Mercury will go retrograde 4 times in 2016, giving us plenty of opportunities for life to spin out of control.

The term "Mercury Retrograde" refers to the phenomenon in which planet Mercury moves "backward," scrambling the areas of life it governs, including communication, contracts and agreements, important documents, technology and computer codes, transportation, shipping, and travel.

In explaining Mercury's so-called "backward" movement, Susan Miller of AstrologyZone.com explains it well:

Because Mercury is the planet situated closest to the Sun, its orbit is much shorter than Earth's. About three or four times a year, Mercury speeds past Earth, and that is when we experience a Mercury retrograde period. If you were in a car and another car passed you, you could tell it was going faster than you. But if it slowed down and you then passed it, it would appear that that car was actually going backward. Then when the other car speeds up and passes you again, it kicks up all the dust in the road. As Mercury speeds by, it is like a train flying past, creating a powerful, turbulent gust of 'wind' in its wake. The turbulence and disruption Mercury creates when it retrogrades can affect what we feel on Earth in our everyday lives.

Mercury goes retrograde 4 times in the year 2016: January 5 starting in Aquarius to January 25 ending in Capricorn, April 28 - May 22 in Taurus, August 30 - September 22 in Virgo, and December 19 starting in Capricorn to January 8, 2017, ending in Sagittarius.

It's important to remember that during a Mercury retrograde period, nothing will be settled for the future and nailing down a plan is nearly impossible. Any decision made is subject to change, either right after Mercury turns direct or much later.

Retrograde periods aren't ideal times to launch new projects, sign contracts, or enter into new agreements. The atmosphere is fluid and changeable, no matter what you're told or led to believe.

Computers, appliances, and other machines and electronics also tend to malfunction during periods of Mercury retrograde. Be sure to back up your computer in advance, install new software, etc. before Mercury retrogrades. Otherwise, wait until after Mercury turns direct, and then proceed.

If you're planning to make a big purchase on a car, computer, or jewelry, do so before or after a retrograde period. Making the purchase during this time will cause you to regret making said purchase.

Expect problems in the area of real estate, as well. If buying or selling a house while Mercury is retrograde, expect problems, errors, delays, and setbacks to arise.

In terms of travel, Mercury retrograde periods are actually a great time to get away to escape the hustle and bustle of life going awry. During a retrograde phase, your hometown or a favorite destination from your childhood is perfect to visit. However, if you're traveling a far distance, bring a backup form of direction to your GPS (maps - remember those?).

When it's all said and done, think of Mercury retrograde as a signal that life is changing direction. Something big is cooking behind the scenes. The only problem is that, while everything looks the same and unchanging from the outside, it's what you cannot see that's about to change that makes a retrograde phase difficult and often painful.