Have you walked the Camino during mercury retrograde?

[audge]

OK, I know this may be a little out there for some, but I am serious. I am not a person who follows astrology normally, but in the past number of years, I have been aware of and experienced some of the challenges that come with Mercury retrograde. Some people are effected much more than others. This is an astrological pattern that happens three times a year for about 3 weeks. During this time, communication is challenged, technical equipment and computers break down more, travel is especially difficult very difficult and is often delayed,reservations cancelled, buying big purchases often go bad etc. Life is just more challenging. The good thing is that it is a great time for self reflection, re-evaluation, writing....
As the Camino is a combination of travel and self reflection,
I am wondering if anyone has had experiences good or bad with this while walking the Camino during Mercury retrograde?

 

[stevenjarvis]

OK, I know this may be a little out there for some, but I am serious. I am not a person who follows astrology normally, but in the past number of years, I have been aware of and experienced some of the challenges that come with Mercury retrograde. Some people are effected much more than others. This is an astrological pattern that happens three times a year for about 3 weeks. During this time, communication is challenged, technical equipment and computers break down more, travel is especially difficult very difficult and is often delayed,reservations cancelled, buying big purchases often go bad etc. Life is just more challenging. The good thing is that it is a great time for self reflection, re-evaluation, writing....
As the Camino is a combination of travel and self reflection,
I am wondering if anyone has had experiences good or bad with this while walking the Camino during Mercury retrograde?

Hi Audge, welcome to my world..... but I'm sure it's like this more than nine weeks a year, do you have the dates for this year and next ?

 

[whariwharangi]

I am not a person who follows astrology normally, but in the past number of years, I have been aware of and experienced some of the challenges that come with Mercury retrograde. [sic] During this time, communication is challenged, technical equipment and computers break down more, travel is especially difficult very difficult and is often delayed,reservations cancelled, buying big purchases often go bad etc. Life is just more challenging.

• What are the facts? Again and again and again — what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what "the stars foretell," avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the unguessable "verdict of history" — what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!

Robert Heinlein

Do you have any facts to back your assertions?

 

[Anniesantiago]

People look at Mercury retrograde as negative, but I look at it as positive.
It's like "Mercury in your face" and communication is VERY clear, my computers run perfectly, travel arrangements are perfectly smooth, etc.
You get what you concentrate on.
If you don't like what you're getting, change your focus.
That's my mantra.
Doesn't mean I always remember it quickly.. but sooner or later … and it's always true.
It's like the 17 second rule.
If you can hold a thought consistently for seventeen seconds, at that seventeen second point, another thought of the same vibrational frequency will join it.
Mercury retrograde?
I love it!
Hold that thought!

 

[newfydog]

I'm sure Shirley MacLaine addresses the topic somewhere. There is probably a way to use crystals or pyramids to counter-act the effect.

 

[alansykes]

I don't know if it's retrograding at the moment, or even quite what that means. But I have very much enjoyed seeing Mercury high in the eastern sky these last few weeks, vanishing into the gathering dawn as my camino progressed - on those days when I wasn't in freezing fog, that is. And Jupiter as well, and Venus in the evening twilight.

I doubt it had much to do with Mercury, but my mobile's gps, which I've never understood or been able to work out how to use, suddenly sprang to life when I was badly lost in fog in the meseta north of Segovia, and guided me to the next albergue just before night.

 

[whariwharangi]

I don't know if it's retrograding at the moment, or even quite what that means. But I have very much enjoyed seeing Mercury high in the eastern sky these last few weeks, vanishing into the gathering dawn as my camino progressed - on those days when I wasn't in freezing fog, that is. And Jupiter as well, and Venus in the evening twilight.

I doubt it had much to do with Mercury, but my mobile's gps, which I've never understood or been able to work out how to use, suddenly sprang to life when I was badly lost in fog in the meseta north of Segovia, and guided me to the next albergue just before night.

A full discussion of 'retrograde' as it pertains to celestial systems.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retrograde_motion

A discussion on apparent retrograde motion http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_retrograde_motion

Celestial phenomena of 'Mercury retrograde'.
http://www.mauiastronomyclub.org/blog/34-local-astronomy-news/59-mercury-in-retrograde

I'll leave the astrological interpretations and any proof they might care to provide with it to the astrologists among us.

 

[Tincatinker]

There are astrologists among us? Lock the doors before they let the pagans in...

 

[Deleted member 3000]

2013 Retrograde Dates
In 2013, Mercury will be retrograde from:
February 23–March 17
June 26–July 20
October 21–November 10

So, who walked during these time periods?

 

[mralisn]

Ah-ha! Thank you Falcon.

Immediately after reading the question of whether I walked, I had two thoughts, "What is Mercury Retrograde, and how do I know if I walked during it's time?" Now with your dates above, I can say I was on the Lycian Way for a few steps in June. Since I don't even own a cell phone or do anything else in the original post, I don't think my life was disrupted.

Well, there was that ONE time we ran out of wine…that is always a bad experience.

 

[Maggie97520]

I walked into and during the third retrograde period - couldn't have asked for a better pilgrimage! Everything ran smoothly. Flight, bus and train travel was perfect and the walk was great ... even when it wasn't. Fully planning on returning for another Camino next autumn, retrograde or not.

 

[ManyMiles2Go]

So, who walked during these time periods?

Did not walk during this time, but I do not follow astrology anyway. Came home before the third time period, and I did have this hollow feeling for a long time after we came home? Don't think it had anything to do with the Mercury retrograde though
We did walk on a Friday the 13th during our Camino, and didn't have any problems then either

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I walked into and during the third retrograde period - couldn't have asked for a better pilgrimage! Everything ran smoothly. Flight, bus and train travel was perfect and the walk was great ... even when it wasn't.

Are you trying to stretch my credulity? No effect from a small planet next to the huge sun when the apparent movement (not actual movement) is backward? I certainly would have expected disaster.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Well, looks like my last Camino was NOT during Mercury Retrograde. Maybe that's why it felt so "off?"
I wore holes in my 17 second rule.
I had to use Compeed on it just to hold it together…

Seriously, I do follow astrology to a point, and sorry for making fun.
I just had a "different" year last year, and I didn't walk during Mercury retrograde.
It was a good question and the answers are enlightening.

 

[hecate105]

(Lock the doors before they let the pagans in... )
We're in, We're in!!!
As a taurean I am quite used to taking retrograde steps...

 

[LTfit]

This is the first time that I hear of this phenomenon but I can safely report that I was a hospitalera during the third retrograde, celebrated by birthday and started my Camino without any untoward events.

 

[dougfitz]

So, who walked during these time periods?

I walked in the so-called retrograde in Apr-May 2010, and didn't observe anything unusual. Most communications difficulties were readily explained by my poor Spanish, and my mobile worked. I will bow to those of you who appear to have identified some causality in what my simple mind has previously considered mere coincidence!

Regards

 

[Tincatinker]

Ah Doug, remember what Auric Goldfinger nearly said; "once is happenstance, twice is coincidence, three times is destiny"...

 

[OTH86]

From 24 Sept to 5 Nov I walked the CF - during the last Retrograde (Oct 21 - Nov 10) - and had an absolutely wonderful Camino!! So problem-free I feel guilty. BUT on 9 Nov, the evening I returned home, I fell, headfirst, into my closet - fell over my boots. No falls, injuries, blisters, etc on the Camino...

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Venus is retrograde from December 21st to January 31st, 2014.

 

[vicrev]

So thats why the English cricket team went so badly..........Vicrev

 

[audge]

Ok, ok, clearly this is an amusing topic for many. Thanks for all the varied responses. I am not at all interested in running my life by astrology, but I do find the Mercury retrograde periods often bring some challenges. If you want a brief description here is a link. From what I am told and personally have experienced, Virgo's and Gemini's are the most effected. I will walk the Camino when it fits in my schedule, and if Mercury is in Retrograde, I will enjoy what ever comes my way.
http://www.almanac.com/content/mercury-retrograde

 

[dougfitz]

I find it more sad than amusing that otherwise apparently intelligent people give astrology any credibility at all.

 

[stevenjarvis]

I find it more sad than amusing that otherwise apparently intelligent people give astrology any credibility at all.

There are people that say the same about religious faith.

 

[dougfitz]

There are people that say the same about religious faith.

I know, but I can accept the notion of a supreme being, even if I think its existence is unprovable.

 

[LTfit]

Lets keep on topic please!

 

[Anniesantiago]

I find it more sad than amusing that otherwise apparently intelligent people give astrology any credibility at all.

They used to say that about the earth being round or the sun being the center of our system.

The Three Kings of the Nativity believed the stars and planets had power.
They followed that star right to the Christ Child!

The tides of the sea rise and fall according to the moon.
Ask any scientist.
The word "lunatic" didn't get pulled out of the air.
And seeing how our bodies are 50-70% water… well… I would think any intelligent person could see the possible link?

Proving it, however, is like proving someone has a mind.
You can take their brain out of their head, but it's just a mass of tissue.
It doesn't prove anything.

And although it may be out of the range of our ability at this stage in history, I imagine someday it will be proven. Astrology is, after all, the first science.

 

[whariwharangi]

They used to say that about the earth being round or the sun being the center of our system.

The Three Kings of the Nativity believed the stars and planets had power.
They followed that star right to the Christ Child!

The tides of the sea rise and fall according to the moon.
Ask any scientist.
The word "lunatic" didn't get pulled out of the air.
And seeing how our bodies are 50-70% water… well… I would think any intelligent person could see the possible link?

Proving it, however, is like proving someone has a mind.
You can take their brain out of their head, but it's just a mass of tissue.
It doesn't prove anything.

And although it may be out of the range of our ability at this stage in history, I imagine someday it will be proven. Astrology is, after all, the first science.

During this time, communication is challenged, technical equipment and computers break down more, travel is especially difficult very difficult and is often delayed,reservations cancelled, buying big purchases often go bad etc. Life is just more challenging. The good thing is that it is a great time for self reflection, re-evaluation, writing....

You might have a valid hypothesis that tides affect the mind. The moon and sun have a significant effect on the earth in its cycles. There is at least some 'proof' that police and hospitals are busier during the full moon ... even if that is often attributed to having moonlight. Its a much larger leap of logic (impossible) that Mercury can effect equipment, travel, big purchases etc, particularly if you want to assert it only has this effect when it appears to be in retrograde.

Astronomy is the 'first' science. Astrology is not now and never was a science.

I'll concede that psychology is a science and astrology definately uses strong elements of the psyche as it pertains to the way we view the world. There are many charlataans that have made a living off the gullible thereby.

I would also note that in my observation of people deeply into astrology they seem to be people who are deeply interested in understanding what makes people tick. In that way astrology is like rubbing a pencil over a paper to uncover the impressions left by writing on a page that lay above it.

 

[Tia Valeria]

Having never heard of the theory before I don't know if we have ever walked in such a period, but wonder about the effects on communications. Our daughter works in the space industry. Concern there is more over the sun flares disrupting communication satellites etc. There has recently been a period of high activity there.
Many years ago we were told, and found it true, that if you stand in a totally remote and silent place you can hear the stars hiss/sing. 'The heavens are telling the glory of God.....' Ps 19.
Who knows what effect the planets do have?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Who knows what effect the planets do have?

That effect could be scientifically studied, I am sure. However, retrograde just means that the planet "apparently" moves backward, not actually moves backward. There is no change in the physical relationship of the planets; just the way our eye perceives it! Therefore, any effect could only be between our ears where that perception lies. I doubt it could be scientifically studied.

 

[Tincatinker]

Aldous Huxley gave it a go. The Doors of Perception attempts to consider and relate the meaning, for our understanding of art and religion, of altered states of consciousness, and perception. Does the apparent movement of a planet have any more or less impact on human consciousness than its actual movement?

 

[dougfitz]

Astrology is, after all, the first science.

Really! Astronomy perhaps?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

If stargazing does not count as science, then in the western world, science may have begun:

From their beginnings in Sumer (now Iraq) around 3500 BC, the Mesopotamian peoples began to attempt to record some observations of the world with numerical data. But their observations and measurements were seemingly taken for purposes other than for scientific laws. A concrete instance of Pythagoras' law was recorded, as early as the 18th century BC: the Mesopotamian cuneiform tablet Plimpton 322 records a number of Pythagorean triplets, dated 1900 BC, possibly millennia before Pythagoras.

Astronomical observations in the New World may predate those in Western civilization by many thousand years, making celestial movement the first science.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Really! Astronomy perhaps?

Yes. Astronomy, not Astrology.
Sorry… I was thinking one and typing fast.