Mercury starts his 3 weeks backwards trip through the first half of Leo; stationing at 12 Leo on 15th July and going right back to 1 Leo on 8th August. This means that he will teeter around any planets you have in early Leo.

The first group to be affected will be the 1940s generation as it will touch your natal Pluto, bringing some intense communications and the need to stand your ground. Those born in the late 40s will also have Saturn with Pluto creating the need to put your words into some kind of form or structure. It could also bring to light something hidden for years.

Those born in the 50s will have Mercury going over natal Uranus, bringing the need to get creative and inventive in your thinking.

When Mercury goes over the major players in the astrological lexicon i.e. Pluto/Uranus/Saturn it generally indicates that this is the time to listen to the messages that are coming up for you and maybe even taking notice this time.

For all the rest, Mercury changing direction like this is usually a good time to clean out your files, get rid of all those emails that clog up your system (note to self: just do it!), contact people whom you may have overlooked in the flurry of our times. Old friends may even contact you – it’s a two way flow, you know!

Traditionally it is suggested that buying things should be put off when Mercury changes direction – such as the new car, computer even telephone. However, I bought my first Apple computer under such a transit of Mercury and it set me on the Apple path that I’ve followed for the last twenty years and it was all fine. Although I was aware that Mercury was retrograde at the time, they made me an offer I couldn’t pass on. I was unaware that Steve Jobs himself was born under such a Mercury and that somehow seemed to make it all OK.

I find that when Mercury changes to go backwards – and indeed even the week before – things get fiddly and have to be redone. Messages go astray, emails disappear into the ether, people make arrangements and get the dates mixed up. Irritating though not life threatening.

The Wimbledon Final and the Olympics

The thrilling final between our local lad Andy Murray and the superb Roger Federer was played out under an interesting chart, although I didn’t know that. I opted not to put the chart up until after the match because I wanted to feel part of the innocent viewing audience. At times like this non-attachment to the outcome goes out of the window, I’m afraid.

So, Federer won – and here’s why: The chart for the opening of the match set at 2pm BST 8th July London had exalted Saturn exactly on the Ascendant in Libra. Saturn represents old people – yes, I know he’s only 30, but in tennis terms, that’s old.

The Moon was Void, meaning it made no more aspects until it changed sign. Traditionally this means “nothing will come of the matter” – but nothing for whom? I always read it that the person scoring the first victory will not win the match. And indeed Andy did win the first set very convincingly.

Mars ruled Andy Murray, in early Libra indicated that he was the younger party. Mars was receiving a debilitating aspect from Neptune that leaked his energy away – and produced all those tears from him.

I was glad that I sat in ignorance during the match as it was a terrific challenge for them – and me, desperate to take a sneak look and managing to resist.

Which brings me to the Olympics – the Opening Ceremony is being held under a Void Moon as well. So, according to my rules, those who win their heats may not win the medals. We’ll have to see.

Olympic Mercury is also retrograde, creating travel chaos around London and mistakes with tickets. There could be errors in the computer systems totting up the scores. Sounds like fun. I shall watch from my sofa.

Data: Olympic Opening Ceremony: 27th July 2012 at 7:30 PM BST London

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Most of my regular readers will know that I love finding historical threads operating in our present skies that echo the questions of then coming into the now. And here’s another one:

I was listening to a programme on BBC Radio 4 called “The Long View” in which the journalist does the same thing (without my astrological take). He was looking at the Crimean War in the 1850s when Britain, France and the Ottoman Empire (Turkey)went to war against Russia over their behaviour in the Holy Land. This was followed in the late 1870s when there were atrocities by the Russians towards the Turks in Bulgaria. This brought up the subsequent possibility of the UK taking on Russia again. This was hotly debated in government at the time by Gladstone and Disraeli that we should take up the Turkish cause against Russia or not. It was decided that no action against Russia should be taken.

My ears pricked up as I listened to the story unfolding – as I saw the situation in Syria being mirrored here. So, I went to my trusty astrological programmes and found that the Crimean War was fought under a Uranus/Pluto conjunction in the mid 1850s and in the 1870s, they were in square, as they are now. What a mirror the Universe is – and yet we have to ask – what is being expected of us at this time that could help the Syrians, if indeed anything? A big question.

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Last week I mentioned that I am studying an I Ching Course with Hilary Barrett – her website is www.onlineclarity.co.uk and information about the book can be found on this site  www.IChingReadings.com.

I completely forgot to show you her book that accompanies the course – although it is available as a stand alone book for more knowledgeable practitioners. It is entitled “I Ching Walking Your Path Creating Your Future”. It is beautifully presented and designed and somehow conveys an image of great delicacy. The illustrations are stunning, to be honest. The 64 Hexagrams within and the how to chapter that opens the book are clear and illuminating. It’s available from Amazon and all good booksellers.

Cosmic Influences – Your Grown-up Astrology Pages for Mercury

NB – The readings below can either be read from your Sun Sign – ie your birthday – or your Ascendant sign, which is calculated from your time of birth. You could try also reading it from your Moon Sign, as Hindu astrologers suggest.

Don’t know your Moon Sign? Get your FREE Sun/Moon combination reading and discover how your emotions impact with your ambitions to create your unique life path. Just email me your birth date, time and place and I’ll email it back to you FREE!!!

Aries : 21st March – 20th April: a good month to get all your creative projects edited, repainted, rewritten, etc, so that when ME changes direction you’re good to go. A love affair may get revived, but while it’s exciting for a few weeks, it may not be a runner in the longer term.

Taurus: 19th April – 20th May: not a good month to have home repairs or decorations as you will be tearing your hair out with the standards of the work being done. You may have an overlooked bill landing on your welcome mat that could challenge your bank account for a while.

Gemini: 20th May – 20th June: A month of taking short trips out and about as long as you factor in the possible delays on the motorways that ME can bring. A long lost cousin may get in touch. Plans made at work a month ago may go through irritating changes and have you tearing your hair out.

Cancer: 21st June – 22nd July – this is a good time to go through all your financial affairs and put them in order. Don’t make any large purchases for the home as you may not like them when ME changes direction. A sibling may ask for help with some scheme that looks good on the surface, but may not in the long run.

Leo: 22nd July – 22nd August – you are challenged by too many things happening at once right now. Meditation would be a good idea to help relax you. A friend might offer a nice trip away that enables you to take a good look at how your life is panning out. Do nothing until ME changes direction though.

Virgo: 22nd August – 22nd September – this is not the time to be leaping about – take it easy and learn to relax. Work will still be there when ME changes direction, however your attitudes towards it may have gone through a real sea change over these few weeks. Parents may unexpectedly decide to meddle in your affairs.

Libra: 22nd September – 23rd October – friendships and long term projects may go through readjustments, just when you thought you had it all under control. Those closest to you may change their minds about something you were relying on. Just wait until ME changes direction and their minds.

Scorpio 23rd October – 21st November – career may be needing some in-depth research. a A good month to going through the things that are meaningful for you and those that no longer serve. De-cluttering could be the name of the game during this time. Just put them in a box until after ME changes direction, just to be on the safe side.

Sagittarius 21st November – 21st December – you may find that you are yearning to take a journey that you let slip by many years ago. If you do decide to travel make sure you pick up your tickets physically, as they can get lost in the post. And when ME changes direction the desire to go my just fizzle out.

Capricorn 21st December -19th January – this is the time to take charge of your joint finances. Do you want to make a large purchase? Just wait until ME changes direction before you sign on the dotted line, just to be on the safe side. You may find that an ailment you thought long gone returns. It won’t last though, so stop worrying.

Aquarius 20th January – 19th February – you may find that people you thought long gone out of your life return and offer an interesting future. Just wait until ME changes direction before you commit to anything long term. A business partner may surprise you with a creative idea that could move things along – again wait.

Pisces 19th February – 20th March – this is a good month to do all the office paperwork, so that you have a handle on where everything is. A colleague may not turn up and leave you with a work load you could well do without. This is a good time to take a course that will teach you some well needed basic skills.