Today we enter the period before Mercury Retrograde known as the "shadow." Maybe astrologer Roxanna Muise named this period thinking that the Retrograde casts its shadow before it so that we can have a glimpse of what is to come. This is when Mercury moves forward over the range of degrees through which it will soon backtrack. After it's done with its backward journey, it comes forward through these degrees again in an exiting shadow. Each planet does such a zigzag dance, perhaps giving rise to the notion that "things happen in threes."

Actions we take or circumstances that arise during the pre-Retrograde shadow are often connected to developments later during the Retrograde period and the exiting shadow. As the planet moves through the back-up range three times, it makes repeated links to other planets, and it can link to planets in your birth chart in a series of threes, as well. You can use the influences of these repeats in a three-step process to achieve goals.

Mercury enters its shadow January 13, turning Retrograde January 28. February 18, it returns to Direct motion, leaving the shadow range March 10. It zigzags back and forth between 8 and 23 degrees of Aquarius. If you have any planets in that range in your birth chart, their indications are sparked three times. Try bringing out their best qualities over the next six weeks. On February 6, there is a New Moon that's an Eclipse. That usually indicates a big new beginning, but with Mercury Retrograde and Mars just getting going forward, what's new may be a return to what's old or a revival of something abandoned but now on a new footing. Be careful that you take smart steps instead of leaping without looking. Instincts are strong now and can also be a good guide.

As you can see if you have Janet's Plan-its (or my free download 2008 On a Page) Mercury slows to an apparent stop to turn Retrograde January 28. Mars is slowing to return to Direct motion January 30 after being Retrograde since November 15. It looks like the end of the month isn't a time to expect things to happen quickly. We'll all need a lot of patience then!

At the time both these planets are motionless (called "stationary"), they are approximately a third of the sky apart (called "trine"). Mercury is at 23 degrees of the air sign Aquarius and Mars is at 24 degrees of the air sign Gemini. Their interaction indicates a time when it's important that we re-think a situation before we take action. Pay attention and stay grounded lest you find your feet in your mouth. Air signs are famous for flitting from one thought to another, so try to slow down and finish thoughts and sentences or you'll have a hard time communicating effectively.

Though these two planets come close to being exactly a third of the sky apart, they don't actually achieve it because Mercury is heading down in degrees from 23 while Mars is heading up from 24. The "close but not quite" connection (called "refranated") spells frustration, something most of us are likely to experience at the end of January. Be gentle with yourself and others and that should make things go more smoothly for you.

The ad that said "think different" bothered me because it was an adjective used incorrectly as an adverb. But English is slaughtered daily; don't get me started about that! The important point is that Mercury does make three exact visits to two other heavenly bodies in the coming weeks and we won't be thinking normally! As noted above, as it moves back and forth in Aquarius, Mercury passes by Chiron and Neptune, both of which are slowly working their way through Aquarius over the course of many years. These two are related to healing and in the sign of the New Age, they indicate alternative healing modalities. This winter should be a good time for trying something different for your health, or if you're a practitioner of non mainstream healing arts, you will probably have your hands full. Mercury rules hands, by the way, and if you've ever thought that you have healing hands and hadn't pursued trying them out, perhaps now is the time to begin a course of study. Chiron is also an indicator of "thinking outside the box" while Aquarius brings sudden insights, so maybe you'll have a "eureka" moment.

Mercury passes Chiron on January 17, February 7 and March 4 between 14 and 18 degrees of Aquarius. It passes Neptune January 23, February 2 and March 9 at 21 to 22 degrees of Aquarius. Anyone who has chart components in this neighborhood of the zodiac is likely to be particularly inventive or drawn to express individuality strongly. That's the upside. The downside could be confusion, hypersensitivity or susceptibility to respiratory infections. People may be more intuitive around these times and receive messages through dreams. This is an appropriate time to reconnect with old friends or associates or to re-join a group.

There's always something positive we can do with any planetary position or combination. With Mercury Retrograde in Aquarius, try studying metaphysics or meditation, or learn something in the technical or electronic arena, even if it's only how to program your DVD recorder. If you want to find out what Mercury, Neptune and Chiron are up to in YOUR chart and how you can eke something positive out of the coming period, why don't you set up a session with me?