Retrograde and Direct Motion Wikipedia
The energies begin now so plan for it, especially with reality changing so unpredictability. Expect the unexpected and be careful what you do and say. Don't make major decisions - you'll change your mind, especially as this is the time of the year relationships end. Mercury is the God of Transportation and Communication so apply where needed.
In Astrology when planets are in their period of retrograde motion as seen from Earth, it is considered to be a time of the negative traits and a general duration of the inauspicious qualities of that planet. For example, when Mercury is in retrograde, it is considered to be a time of problems with interaction, travel and even the simple basic workings of things. It is also thought that the general averse aspects of a retrograde planetary motion carry over into the lives of the people born under them as a part of their lifetime astrological chart.
Mercury MESSENGER 2011
The MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) probe is a 485-kilogram (1067 pound) robotic American space probe in orbit around the planet Mercury. It was launched by NASA in August 2004 to study the chemical composition, geology, and the magnetic field of Mercury. It became the second mission to reach Mercury successfully. MESSENGER is the first spacecraft to orbit the planet Mercury. Its instruments performed well on a complex series of flybys of Earth (once), Venus (twice), and Mercury itself (three times). These allowed the craft to be slowed relative to Mercury with minimal fuel.
MESSENGER successfully entered Mercury orbit on March 18, 2011.
The craft's science instruments were reactivated March 24, 2011.
Its formal science data collection mission begins April 4, 2011. (4.4.4)
