Mercury Retrograde September 2009

The planet of communication Mercury will be moving in reverse again this month, from September 7 to 29. This retrograde period is going to put extra stress on relationships! Mercury goes retrograde in the partnership-focused sign of Libra, so be prepared for some romantic rockiness. You may find yourself doubting the role a partner or love interest plays in your life when Mercury enters critical Virgo and forms an intense angle with dark Pluto on September 17, but remember to hold off on making big decisions in any area of your life before Mercury turns direct at the end of the month. Read on to find out how your zodiac sign can prepare for Mercury's complications:

Aries (March 21 - April 19): For someone who tends to rush headlong into and out of everything, this is going to be an interesting month. Mercury is on a mission to prove just how bad an idea it is to make sudden, clean breaks with people. Mercury will move back through your 7th House of Partnership, causing a matter of contention between you and a partner from your family, work or love life to re-emerge after you thought it was over and done with. Later on you can re-vamp your schedule to make more time for love. It's an excellent time to evaluate what really matters to acquire the love and companionship you need.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20): Rumor has it you like predictability, so you'll need to pay extra-close attention to your schedule while Mercury's playing its tricks. Crossed wires on meeting times, work hours and scheduled breaks could plague you unless you're prepared to re-group on the spur of the moment. The trick is to be meticulous but flexible about your schedule. Revert back to a diet or exercise program you tried before, this time it might stick. Then, make a plan to play so you don't feel cheated or deprived.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20): You just love being the social butterfly, but with Mercury playing tricks in your 5th House of Fun, you could find it's not as easy as usual. Write down the places and times you're scheduled to meet with friends and dates. Also, someone you went out with before or a party pal you haven't heard from in ages could look you up. When Mercury tucks into your 4th House of Home Life, expect a family issue to re-emerge, no matter how much you had hoped to bury it forever. Being lenient with your friends and family will go a long way toward avoiding misunderstandings.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22): You could find Mercury's tricks to be particularly vexing, because the beginning of the retrograde period will affect your home and family life. This doesn't have to be bad. It only means you'll have to find something that has been swept under the carpet and bring it back out into the open where it can be fixed. After the middle of the month, communications, automobiles and electronic equipment will be especially hard to handle. Make sure your stuff is properly connected, you're saying what you mean and your cars and computers are well maintained, and you'll have at least a little protection.

Leo (July 23 - August 22): Mercury is going to test that glowing confidence you normally exude, so stay on your toes. Not only will machines of all kinds be on the fritz, you could also develop a severe case of foot-in-mouth disorder. Unless you're ultra careful about the words you choose, statements you'd rather not be quoted on could spew out. Money could become a problem later in the month, if you're not meticulous about counting every penny. Be strong. Take time before the retrograde period to tend to machinery, then think and think once more before you speak. More attention to budgetary detail could reveal a past mistake that works out in your favor.

Virgo (August 23 - September 22): Mercury is the planet that rules your sign, but when retrogrades come, that's bad news and good news. You depend on this mighty planet's order and efficiency, and that's why you'll be especially upset when Mercury messes with your money. Don't worry, if you go through the books with a fine-toothed comb, you could also find there's someone who owes you a tidy sum. Your personal image will be the next focus of Mercury's mischief. Look back at the image you projected to an important person in your life, and think of how you can re-design your approach to make a better impression.

Libra (September 23 - October 22): You're always getting ready for your close up, and now the time has come. This Mercury Retrograde will be all about you! While you might feel confused and bewildered much of the time, you'll be focused on your process. From the way you express yourself to what you're wearing when you make your most poignant presentations, you'll think and re-think each and every statement you make. This self-absorption could go deeper when Mercury dunks back into your 12th House of Contemplation. Revive an idea you stopped short of acting on in the past, on second examination, you might realize it's well worth the hard work required.

Scorpio (October 23 - November 21): You're actually going to love this Mercury Retrograde, Scorpio, at least most of it. As it works its way backwards through your 12th House of Contemplation, the planet of thoughts and words will give you as much time as you want to indulge in your innermost musings. If anyone dares ask why you're being so secretive, you can use retrograde as an excuse. Just don't buy into these ideas you're coming up with until October arrives. The tail-end of this retrograde period is going to create confusion around groups, or allow you to get a second chance with an organization that can further professional ambitions.

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21): You love to gather bunches of people together, and this Mercury Retrograde period will bring your attention to your tribal spirit as it slides backwards through your 11th House of Community Consciousness. It's an ideal time for gatherings such as reunions, but not so great for new connections. You might have the strange sensation that you're spinning your wheels. If you have to bring people together, you'll need to pay extra attention to every detail, so get the kind of help you'll need. The last part of the retro period will bring back a job opportunity or a high-visibility assignment you might have forgotten about.

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19): You won't mind reviewing the things you've done well in the past and pointing out reasons why you deserve a raise and/or accolades. With Mercury Retrograde in your 10th House of Status and Authority, though, the higher-ups could begin to make even less sense than usual. Double-check the directions they give you, lest you wind up making major mistakes or creating time-consuming do-overs. You might take an opportunity to go back and check the facts, or even do research or take training when the retrograde goes back into your 9th House of Knowledge after September 16. In the best sense, you can enjoy re-discovering facts with a "back to school" attitude.

Aquarius (January 20 - February 18): If you're planning to travel during this Mercury Retrograde period, plan for possible delays that could disrupt your trip. If you're staying put, a long-forgotten moral or ethical issue could return to pester you. Go back to correct a mistake, make an apology or right a wrong that had been done when a project went through in haste. Relief could come later in the month when Mercury seeps into your 8th House of Intimate Relationships and Sharing. Someone from your past could come back to try it one more time for old times' sake, or you and your forever lover might rekindle that "we just met" passion that drives you wild.

Pisces (February 19 - March 20): You're going to love this Mercury Retrograde, because the communication-oriented planet will travel backward through your 8th House of Intimacy as well as your 7th House of Partnerships. Your tendency to wait until the very last second to make a commitment can often lead to the need for second chances. This time, take a good long look at your partners and take stock of your deepest feelings. You have plenty of time to take action, but don't be squeamish. The "third time" might never come. Already in a relationship? Now you can re-visit prickly issues that stand between you, clear the air and go to dinner together.