Mercury -- the Messenger God in mythology and the ruler of transportation and communication turns retrograde in Aquarius on January 11. This is the first of the four Mercury retrogrades happening in 2009 and lasts till January 31 or February 1 (depending upon your time zone), when he halts and begins his return to direct motion through the zodiac
Mercury is the planet that rules all forms of communication and any time a planet turns retrograde it is time to review. So, when Mercury turns around and goes back through territory it's already traversed, it is time for you, too, to travel back. Don't try to institute plans for the future. Instead see if you can lay the groundwork to provide a secure foundation. Mercury's current placement in Aquarius makes this a wonderful time to break away from old habits and ideas.
Mercury will move back into Capricorn on January 21 in its retrograde motion creating disruptions or breakdowns in communications and administrative details. Since this sign also signifies ambitions, it might see us trying to push through own agendas and gain status or rise in life. Jupiter, the Sun, and Mars will also all cross Mercury as he moves along his backwards path, and those days could prove to be significant.
Mercury conjuncts Jupiter on January 19 -- this might be a time for reflections, and old friends can come back into our lives. On January 20, Inauguration Day in the United States, the Sun will conjunct Mercury in the first degrees of Aquarius. The new President is sure to have some very important messages for us on how he is going to clean up the mess left for him from the past and with Aquarius involved, he may have some new and unique ideas.
Retrograde Mercury conjuncts Mars in Capricorn on January 27, and Venus will be sending them some positive energy at the same time. The Solar eclipse of January 26 formed by the Sun and Moon will definitely make us ready for some changes.
So how will this Mercury retrograde period affect each one of us? It all depends on how Mercury is positioned in our natal charts. Mercury will transit from 8 degrees Aquarius to 22 degrees Capricorn. First look at which House or Houses in your chart that Mercury will be traveling through. You will probably find that the areas in your life that these Houses cover will be put on hold, and you will probably show little progress.
If you have any planets that are placed within these degrees, and it is likely that you may have some changes forced upon you or you may be presented with opportunities disguised as problems.
