Dear Tim,
I doubt the ancients would recognise this current trend to be so gloomy about retrograde Mercury. Interestingly, several recent Olympics took place under such a climate without difficulty. I think the heavenly messenger retracing its steps over the next few weeks will simply mean an exceptionally high number of world records are broken.

Dear Stephen,
About twice a year, for a few weeks, Mercury appears to be move backwards. It's an optical illusion but astrologers see much significance in it although, if your birthday falls during this time, it doesn't necessarily signify a lot. There are points though, just at the start and the end of the 'retrograde' phase when Mercury 'stands still'. It is standing still now and we read a lot into this, as you can see from the birthday prediction in our On This Day section.

Dear Dianne,
No planets ever actually travel backwards along their orbits. When you watch them from here, though, there will be times of year when they LOOK as if they are moving in reverse. Your friend, I think, is referring to the REASON why such an optical illiusion occurs. There's one technical explanation for the effect when it involves planets from Mars outward. There's a slightly different one when it happens with Venus and Mercury.

Dear Stacy,
These things definitely do have significance... but only if you can see them. As most of the UK is under a very thick blanket of cloud at the moment, few of us are getting a chance to see this particular annual display of natural fireworks. But there will be others, soon enough. Shooting stars all have one simple meaning. They are opportunities to make a wish and have it heard!