The true seeker always finds the answers within. This is the challenge for many. As Mercury and Mars are simply archetypal forces, they can manifest in a myriad of ways. Mercury's task is to integrate Mars in Sadge's new wisdoms. There is always a certain type of panic that sets in whenever Mercury is retrograde.
Communications break down and ordinary life is always subject to much delay.
Astrologers take symbols from the folklore associated with Mercury. He earned his bad reputation from the part of himself which is a trickster 'par excellence'. Versatile, wily, and doubled-edged, he represents a deceptive brilliance and is the ultimate guide to the mystery of life. Greek legends tells us that on the day that he was born he stole the cattle of Apollo by leading the cattle so that they walked backwards out of their field . He walked straight ahead in their footsteps so that his authorship of the prank would never be discovered, even though the cows were found safely grazing nearby.