As it continued its apparent backwards travel (as viewed from Earth), Mercury changed signs and moved back into Scorpio. The sign that Mercury is in colors the way that communication patterns evolve for everyone, and because Scorpio is a sign that relishes intensity and depth in thinking and expression events while Mercury is in Scorpio often reflect that intensity. Scorpio also likes to uncover hidden secrets, and during the transition from Scorpio to Sagittarius we saw the indictments in the CIA leak case, the fall of the Harriet Miers Supreme Court nomination, and the eruption of brutal namecalling in the race for Governor of Virginia and New Jersey. Mercury turned retrograde on November 13, and attention now turns back to issues that may not be resolved. Mercury retrograde periods are often difficult times to move forward since communication can be confusing, but they are excellent times to look back and clean up lingering past events that were never finalized. They are also great times for writing and introspection.

Mercury moved into high spirited Sagittarius on October 29, but today it is back in Scorpio where it will stay until December 12. Expect an added level of intensity in interactions with others, and in the news.