It happened in 2000 (remember those “hanging chads”?) and it happens again on Tuesday, November 6. Mercury goes “backward” on the day we vote. This is the planet of communication, travel, manual skills, fact gathering and analysis – things that have to do with being with people, places and things. When Retrograde, the possibilities for confusion, frustration, impatience are heightened. However, we can prepare ourselves so that fallout is reduced. We just need to be careful and pay attention. It can be done!

If you’ve waited until Election Day to vote in person, instead of using an “early voting” option, confirm your polling station, be ready to wait in line if need be – baby sitter, work skeds, water/bathroom breaks, don’t rush or get yourself flustered. Have the appropriate ID and any documentation required in your county, city, state to cast a ballot. Make the selections that you want – your vote counts (regardless of which direction Mercury is moving).

The Retrograde begins in Fire sign, Sagittarius. Sag is fun loving and forever optimistic. It’s about big dreams, big ideas and a general “Yes” attitude. During the next 3 weeks, the effervescence may dim a little, luck may seem harder to come by. Look before jumping into situations, do verbal filtering so that feelings aren’t stepped on. As always, where Mercury appears in the individual chart determines what part of life is most affected by the planet’s Retrograde motion, but regardless, being careful and mindful of pitfalls is a good thing for all of us.

Retrograde “re” suggestions– review, rewrite, rethink, etc – are not really for going backwards into the past but giving us time to make changes and re evaluations for the future.  If it’s important, re do it if needed.

*Final Mercury Retrograde for 2012:

November 6 – (6:04PM EST / 3:04 PM PST) until November 26- (5:48 PM EST / 2:48PM PST). Mercury backs into Scorpio on 11/14. It stops, goes Direct on 11/27 reaching Sagittarius again on 12/11/12