Mercury goes Retrograde in Gemini
26 May ~ 19 June
Mercury turns retrograde three times a year, as a rule, but the effects of each period differ, according to the sign in which it happens

At 15:49 UT (Universal Time), on Monday, May 26th, 2008, Mercury the cosmic trickster turns retrograde in Gemini, the sign of the Twins, sending communications, travel, appointments, mail and the www into a general snarlup! This awkward period begins a few days before the actual turning point (as Mercury slows) and lasts for three weeks or so, until June 19, when the Winged Messenger reaches his direct station. At this time he halts and begins his return to direct motion through the zodiac. Everything finally straightens out on July 4, as he passes the point where he first turned retrograde.

Mercury Retrograde in Gemini
When Mercury is retrograde, everyone's thinking is more introspective and we tend to think about issues and concerns which relate to the sign involved. With Mercury retrograde in his own sign Gemini, people with this sign prominent in their charts will be especially prone to such introspection. Gemini is a Mutable Sign, so the other Mutable Signs, Pisces, Virgo and Sagittarius will also receive a touch of the lash!
Neptune also turns retrograde on this day, so coming weeks will present a tricky time – even though matters will probably work out well in the end. Bear in mid that, although luck could well be on your side, there are no guarantees that you will make proper use of the information, ideas, or activities you experience. Reality will probably not manage to intrude, as inspiration and instincts rule the day and there is little choice but to reconsider our personal views and opinions about life. We receive, however, an opportunity to gain insight into our own ego. Your imagination and intuition can prove useful, by putting you in the right place at the right time, but be sure to note all appointments in your diary and refer to it often. Serendipity may help out, perhaps by enabling you to meet someone at a bus stop when you should have been somewhere else, but the wise do not rely on it...
Mercury retro in Gemini tempts us to leap into something new and untried, or to escape to some other place. Although Gemini is the sign of the mind and of communication, the retro period can see us swamped in a mass of detail, especially if matters that should have been completed in the past return to haunt us. An unduly fluid state of mind can lead to indecision and confusion, mainly through a breakdown in communication, or related equipment such as phones, computers, fax machines and the like. Judgements are unclear and fickle, and it's hard to know good value when you see it. Frustration arises in connection with information and ideas that come your way. Resist the temptation to take offence at criticism, especially if it wasn't meant to be taken personally.
Preconceived opinions can damage business transactions and consultations of all kinds, especially with salespeople, lawyers and advisors. Be very sure to check the fine print and do not sign important contracts unless you are absolutely clear on what they entail. In particular, matters connected with literature, media, sales, draftsmanship, linguistics and music are inclined to be blocked in some way. Writers and salespeople can experience significant blocks to their energies. It's a good time to chill out. This position can indicate proneness to repetitive stress injury to the hands and arms, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc. and we would all would benefit from regular massage.
All areas of communication are affected, especially in matters related to the neighbourhood, siblings, local travel, early education, sibling relationships and communications equipment in general. This period brings travel snafus and missed appointments of all kinds. Documents can go astray. Be sure to carry a diary and refer to it often.

by Rob Tillett http://www.astrologycom.com/mercret.html

New Moon in Gemini
Tuesday, 3 June 2008

Gemini rules information: its gathering and dissemination. Gemini represents knowledge of the material plane of existence. Gemini rules the mind and our thought processes. This is the New Moon for all of us to reclaim our mental space; to set limits on what gets our attention, and to carefully examine how our current diet of information is affecting our lives. On this New Moon we can work toward opening the mind to a diverse range of ideas, while maintaining a perspective rooted in the principles of generosity (Jupiter in Capricorn), truthful/wise speech (Pluto in Capricorn), and a responsibility to serve (Saturn in Virgo). With Mars/South Node in Leo (egoic attachment) we will all have to work a bit harder to tone down our inner Mr. or Ms. Know-it-All! Sun/Moon/Mercury/Venus in all-over-the-map Gemini and Neptune/Chiron/North Node in lightning-fast Aquarius, holding the mind steady will be challenge. If you find yourself feeling pulled in a thousand different directions simultaneously, this is the source. There is no way to fight it, so do what you can to reign yourself in intellectually and verbally, while allowing the play of ideas free reign to take you places you might not otherwise go. Gemini allows us to realise the truth that all things which appear different on the surface, share a fundamental sameness. Gemini, with its love of communication, makes this New Moon a good one to work on opening up around areas of our lives that have been mired in conflict and misunderstanding. This the right time to question and transform old beliefs about identity and relationality. We can talk about it. We can find the right words. We can be inspired to open up to new ideas. We can relax and let our words be a force for healing and transformation. If you make your living in high tech, communication, politics, education, or new media, these aspects are incredible for brainstorming sessions or meetings to forge new creative or professional relationships. Gemini is best symbolised by flexibility, changeability, and adaptation, and this is the New Moon to cultivate these qualities and incorporate them into our daily lives. Fear makes us stiffen up and go rigid. The New Moon in Gemini calls on each of us to open up, talk about it (whatever it is), and open ourselves to feedback. This is the New Moon to work on your communication skills. Try warming up to the idea that you are not the centre of the universe and your great ideas might get better with some good 'ol Gemini teamwork. Resist the temptation get mired in drama or anger of a bruised ego. Open yourself to the perspective of the other. Learn to recognise your anger: stop, stay, be quiet, and then speak from a calm rationality and not from the rage. This is the right New Moon to communicate your wishes, dreams and desires to those who can aid your progress. The truth is, no one does it completely alone and learning to ask for help at the right time is one of life's hardest lessons. Over the next two weeks as the Moon waxes to fullness, try to really hear what those around you have to say about your wishes, and take their advice to heart. Of course for those of you who make your living in the communications/publishing field, this is the best time to initiate new projects in film, video, TV, publishing, and writing. Deal with your fear and just get the work out there! One last thing, Gemini rules change. This is the best night to work on managing your fear of change. This is the New Moon to celebrate the power knowledge holds to broaden our perspective and open our minds!

by Lisa Dale Miller http://www.astrowisdom.com/thisnewmoon.htm

Aries Teiwaz Warrior Energy Reversed		Taurus Fehu Possessions, Nourishment		Gemini Mannaz The Self Reversed		Cancer Laguz Flow, That Which Conducts Reversed
Leo Inguz Fertility, New Beginnings		Virgo Perth Initiation, Hidden, Secrets Reversed		Libra Isa Standstill, Inertia, Stasis, Serenity		Scorpio Raido Journey, Communication, Union Reversed
Sagittarius Uruz Strength		Capricorn Hagalaz Disruptive Natural Forces		Aquarius Nauthiz Constraint, Necessity, Pain, Need		Pisces Kano Opening, Torch, Creation's Fire
A note on reading these TarotScopes. If you have had your astrological natal chart done, then you can use your sun, rising and moon signs to get a more well rounded sense of your month. Your rising sign is how you act in the world. Your sun sign indicates your deepest goals and wants in life (or, in this case, the primary goals and desires for the month). Your moon sign is your emotional self, how we respond emotionally and what we feel. Combine the TarotScopes for all three of those, and you get a much clearer picture of the energies affecting you for the month and the areas in which those energies will be most prevalent. If you only know your rising sign, that's fine and you can just go with that. If you would like to know your other signs, then I would suggest that you simply visit a website such as www.astrowisdom.com or www.astrodienst.com.