What's the difference between...?

[jdbpro45]

These two mercuries:
Stationary direct
Stationary retrograde

and how do you know which one you have. I heard that mercury retrograde was a debilitated condition, does that mean that you're mentally "slower" than everyone else, or does is have a different meaning? I Know I was born Mercury in Stationary, that's what my astrologer told me (on December 13). If I was born on Dec. 14, I would have had mercury in retrograde. That's kind of what I'm confused about.

[astrologer50]

Originally Posted by jdbpro45

These two mercuries:
Stationary direct
Stationary retrograde

and how do you know which one you have. I heard that mercury retrograde was a debilitated condition, does that mean that you're mentally "slower" than everyone else, or does is have a different meaning? I Know I was born Mercury in Stationary, that's what my astrologer told me (on December 13). If I was born on Dec. 14, I would have had mercury in retrograde. That's kind of what I'm confused about.

absolutely not, I have mercury retrograde, by progression it will go direct and you can check in an ephemeris when this happened using a day for a year method...It makes for a rather analytical frame of mind, good for researching
http://www.khaldea.com/ephemcenter.shtml

Retrograde planets
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22923
http://astrology.findyourfate.com/astrology-retrograde.htm
http://www.north-node.com/astrology-tutorials/retrogrades
http://www.north-node.com/astrology-tutorials/retrogrades
http://www.skyviewzone.com/astrology/retrogradeplanets.htm
http://www.cafeastrology.com/retrogrades.html
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5796&postcount=8
http://www.astrologyweekly.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5861&postcount=10
Pluto retrograde in scorpio above

mercury stationary is not quite as debilitated as mercury retrograde. Mine went direct age 19 and was a quiet placid child almost introverted, even with a well aspected mercury. But age 19 it was like being set free from prison -

Mercury Retrograde
* reconsiders before speaking
* lots of inner conversation and thoughts
* expresses self better in writing
* feels misunderstood

http://www.skyviewzone.com/astrology/retrogradeplanets.htm#neprx

[BobZemco]

Originally Posted by jdbpro45

These two mercuries:
Stationary direct
Stationary retrograde

No difference in a Natal Chart.

It has been suggested that a stationary planet functions much the same way as a pre-natal eclipse, creating a sensitive point in the chart.

Originally Posted by jdbpro45

and how do you know which one you have.

Look at an ephemeris. For progressed and transiting charts it would be important because you can tell which direction Mercury will be moving and stationary planets in a progressed chart if conjuncted by a transiting planet can indicate a significant event.

Originally Posted by jdbpro45

I heard that mercury retrograde was a debilitated condition, does that mean that you're mentally "slower" than everyone else, or does is have a different meaning?

Then that's what it means for you, but for the remaining 6 Billion people on the planet what it means astrologically depends on the house and sign, plus what planets are in aspect to Mercury.

Originally Posted by jdbpro45

I Know I was born Mercury in Stationary, that's what my astrologer told me (on December 13). If I was born on Dec. 14, I would have had mercury in retrograde. That's kind of what I'm confused about.

Well, if Mercury is stationary in Gemini in the 10th House and trine or sextile Neptune then one possible outcome is that every time transiting Jupiter comes round and conjuncts your stationary natal Mercury you might have the sudden urge to spill the beans and reveal secrets about your friends to others.

Don't worry, so long as your friends never find out you're the source with the big mouth who can't keep a secret, you'll be okay.

[Arian Maverick]

No difference in a Natal Chart.

It has been suggested that a stationary planet functions much the same way as a pre-natal eclipse, creating a sensitive point in the chart.

Bob, can you please elaborate upon this? I have natal Uranus stationary retrograde, but I've never been able to make heads or tales of it. I've read that stationary planets tend to have strong energy, and in my case, Uranus is also out-of-bounds by declination. I've never made the connection between stationary planets and pre-natal eclipses, though...

Arian Maverick

[waybread]

I have Mercury retrograde natally, although now direct by progression.

It's fine. Unless other chart factors [like an afflicted Mercury] are in the mix in your horoscope. Generally a stationary planet is strengthened.

When a planet is retrograde, its focus or energy is turned inward. With Mercury retrograde, I tend to spend a fair bit of time analysing and rethinking what I've written, what I read, and looking to find the key when certain pieces of information do not compute. This habit can be advantageous in a career that demands eclectic analytical skills and the ability to synthesize disparate data bytes and make comprehensive sense of them.

It is less helpful if you need to remember names of a lot of new people and match them to faces, or if you need to have a "tunnel vision" approach to problem-solving.

You may read things about Mercury retrograde by transit goofing up communications and transportation. As my life is normally like this, I have just learned to input a Plan B when I travel; such as allowing extra time and having a fall-back option. So far, so good.

[BobZemco]

Originally Posted by Arian Maverick

Bob, can you please elaborate upon this? I have natal Uranus stationary retrograde, but I've never been able to make heads or tales of it.

It's more mental than physical. It's a fleeting transit given the speed of the planets and the orb is 30' of arc.

It's a little more intense in a progressed chart where a planet can hang on that point for a while, and even go direct and retrograde over that point.

I have Mercury unaspected in Gemini in the 7th ruling the 8th and 10th (Virgo) Houses and it is stationary retrograde. Progressed Moon (ruling the 9th) has made two conjunctions (no events) and progressed Mars (ruling the 5th and 6th) will conjunct June 2035. If the forum is still here, I'll let you know what happens.

In other peoples' charts (where there is more progressed activity) it functions sort of like an unaspected planet, except instead of being a life-lesson, it's like a mini-life lesson that one needs to learn. These have manifested themselves as situations that had to be resolved (or not).

As far as directed charts, I don't recall ever looking at them in directed charts, so I don't know if it it would function in the same way (I'm inclined to believe it would).