The planetary cosmos officially returns your life back to normal on January 25, 2016. That’s when the planet Mercury went “Direct.”

You were properly warned about the evil plot to make your life go crazy from January 5 to January 25, 2016 (aka Mercury Retrograde). Now that it’s finally over, hopefully some of you took my advice and fared better than the naysayers and skeptics who live on the planet of “denial.” But even those of you who are believers may still have encountered some problems and now have to a little damage control to do. If so, I have some suggestions to help you.

These past three weeks were a horrible time to make purchases, sign agreements and make commitments. Some of you did anyway. One of you wrote me and said, “I was sure the new computer I bought was covered for all defects, which is why I didn’t buy the warrantee. I can’t believe it broke down a week after I purchased it. Now I’m having a dispute with the store because they say it’s my responsibility to pay the cost to repair it.”

One of you wrote and said, “Screw Mercury retrograde. I do what I want to do, so I accepted a new job. How was I to know that layoffs would be occurring and that my boss turned out to be a wolf in lamb’s clothing.”

Another person took a spontaneous vacation during this time, and confessed that she spent the first half-day of her vacation at the airport “lost and found.” Then her challenging vacation continued when she unexpectedly slipped on a banana peel left on the pool deck causing her to spend her first three days on crutches.

One man ignored my advice not to buy gifts during Mercury retrograde. He found a great sale, and bought his new girlfriend a beautiful dress he was sure she’d love. He didn’t know that a wool dress would cause her to itch and breakout in hives. Worse, when he tried to bring the dress back, he was told: “all sales were final.”

A friend, who is a sales manager, told me that one of his salespeople said: “Hey…I don’t care what this Schwimmer guy says about ‘not trying to close a sale during Mercury retrograde.’ Nothing stops a great salesman from closing a deal. I think it’s just a big coincidence that I haven’t closed one sale over these past three weeks.”

Hopefully, you’ve learned a few lessons about how to better navigate through the retrograde period. But the good news is – now that it’s over there are some things you should do to take advantage of Mercury being direct:

1. Assess what you’ve learned. One of the purposes of Mercury retrograde is to get you to slow down, reflect and re-evaluate all that’s going on in your life. If you did – you’re now more conscious of changes you can make to improve it. With that in mind, make a list of: people you’ve had questions about, projects you considered starting, and activities you were contemplating. What have you learned about them that you didn’t know three weeks ago? The new knowledge that comes to light will help you make needed changes and more successful decisions.

2. Make important decisions. During the retrograde you were evaluating areas of your life where you needed to make decisions. You may have discovered errors, mistakes and learned some useful information. You now have the facts and are ready to implement your new project; or buy that piece of real estate; or select a new accountant to do your taxes.

3. Initiate new and old contacts. When you meet a new client or even a new love interest during Mercury retrograde, there’s a high likelihood of bad timing and miscommunications that could hamper an otherwise promising relationship. For example: you find yourself meeting someone you like – who’s not quite over their last relationship; or you unconsciously “mis-speak,” by turning the other person off because you kvetched about how bad your last marriage was. When I was single, if a friend offered to fix me up with someone new, I always waited to contact that person when Mercury went direct because it was a much more fortuitous time for a successful romantic connection.

4. Resolve any miscommunications or arguments. It’s not the mistakes you make in life, it’s how you clean them up – when you make them. If you’ve yelled at your child, misspoken to a loved one, or had a heated argument with a colleague or boss, Mercury direct is the perfect time to discuss your differences, apologize and be forgiven (or forgive someone else). You’ll have the mental clarity to clearly express yourself and come to a new understanding that will patch up any upsets.

5. Re-approach people who turned down your request. Follow-up with that customer who turned you down during Mercury retrograde, and gave the business to your competitor. You may find out that he’s unhappy with the service he’s getting and is open to doing business with you. On a personal level, you may find that the spouse who said, “No,” to that extravagant “around-the-world cruise” will now say, “Yes.”

6. Accept the job opportunity or start the new job now. When Mercury goes direct, confusion about your job options will likely be gone. The fog lifts and your vision is clear. You’re now able to evaluate the pros and cons of any employment opportunity and chose the one that will be right for you. When Mercury is direct, it’s a positive time to begin a new job because you’ll be communicating clearly without any of the confusion that causes misunderstandings between people or bad first impressions.

7. Make a new roommate selection or move in with someone you already know. When you meet new people during the retrograde there is often miscommunication and misunderstanding in the things you discuss with them. This may include dishonesty. There is something you don’t know that you will when Mercury goes direct. Now you can depend on the facts a new roommate gives you. The information you learn about them will be more accurate and reliable. This will help you make a more informed decision about whether you’d be compatible and enjoy living together.

8. Search for any lost items. Make a list of any items you’ve lost recently, or even months, or years ago. Think back to where and when you lost the item. Mentally, you’re as sharp as a tack; with a mind so clear you’re able to recall details you had long forgotten. You’ll think of new place you’ve never looked before. Or, you may suddenly remember someone you should call who could help you recover what you’ve lost.

9. Shop ’til you drop. Ok. I don’t mean this literarily. But this is the perfect time to reconsider the things you wanted – but didn’t buy during Mercury Retrograde. If they make sense now, buy them. You’ll realize that some of the items you wanted to purchase really don’t suit you, now that you have all your “marbles back.” If you’re ready to buy that expensive suit you coveted, you may discover that it just went on sale. Or, go ahead and buy that flashy sports car you’ve been admiring over the past several weeks. When you return to the showroom, you’ll find the car salesperson so happy to see you – he’ll hug you like you’re his rich uncle. After he’s given you his best price, you’ll purchase your car with the confidence that you’re getting a great deal that won’t be a “lemon.

10. Take your vacation. If you’ve used the retrograde wisely, rather than book your trip with a travel agent, you held off. Instead, you did your own research, made some inquiries and found some people who’ve just returned from your holiday destination. They’ve informed you that the hotel, you chose is not a good choice because it’s now under a noisy renovation. You still have time to book the charming villa they recommend. With Mercury direct, you won’t experience the usual delays, inconveniences and accidents that occur during the retrograde. You’re going to have a wonderful vacation where you can have fun instead of frustration.

Enjoy this period of sanity when the world is no longer going haywire – that is – until April 17, 2016 when the next Mercury retrograde begins. Until then, get busy. You have some things to do.

If you want to know if you were born with Mercury retrograde go to the Free Transit Calculator and enter your birth date. And, if you’re curious to learn more about your personal Horoscope and what it says about your love relationships, career, investments and health in: Order your customized Report: Your Horoscope & Future in 2016. Or, a report on – Your Love Compatibility. This is the New Year, why not buy a Horoscope Report for a friend, too?

Larry Schwimmer is an astrologer in private practice. For private consultations, contact him at: [email protected] or go to www.AstroDecision.com

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Larry Schwimmer is president of Astrodecision.com, a San Francisco-based consulting company. The firm uses planetary cycles analysis to counsel individual and corporate clients on picking the “best dates” to make successful decisions of all types: personal, marketing, financial, and political. Schwimmer is an internationally known business consultant, life coach and astrologer (with a Fortune 500 M&A background). Visit his website: AstroDecision.com

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