Retrogradation refers to the optical illusion that is created when an object that is moving fully forward appears to be going backward. (You may have noticed this on a train or on spokes of a bicycle or other wheel that is spinning at a fast rate.) The effect of retrograde motion of the planets is that we internally reflect on the growth that the prior forward motion has afforded us. Mercury retrograde is the most noticeable of all in our daily lives. It happens for a few weeks every few months. When it does, we can expect miscommunications, mechanical failures, and difficulties in wading through red-tape. If you can plan ahead, try not to make a major purchase while Mercury is retrograde, and don’t take anything for granted. Use the retrograde Mercury time to reflect upon the past, review and revise.