I'm scared. I underwent a turbulent period in my lovelife - well, not yet over, but waning turbulence - and now that it's Mercury Retrograde...does it mean it will even be more chaotic? I hope not. I can't take any more chaos! And then next year (not sure, but soon) I am supposed to have Saturn transiting my 5th house...I'm seriously scared!

My Mercury is in the 4th house. Libra is in between my 5th and 6th house. My 5th house has Venus, Pluto and true Node according to the chart.

It is an error to view transits as something  to be feared or worried about.  Astrology is designed to help you become the best person you want to be!  It helps you achieve your goals, and be the happiest possible.  Transits, even the so-called difficult ones, only nudge us in the right direction.  It is only the attitude of refusing to change, refusing to see, refusing to let go, refusing to understand, refusing to answer our own spirituality, that causes any problems.  It is not astrology transits to fear, but only your own difficulty in accepting the things you need to do and realize so you can get to the life you want!  \

It is like the person who wishes for a million dollars, but fears the knock at the door from the postman bringing the Sweepstakes Winner telegram!  For you, it is wanting a good marriage and love, but fearing the growth you need to do to have this marriage!  Look forward with anticipation, accept difficulties and necessities with glad heart.  They are only given to you to help you!  If you don't need the lesson given, then the transits will pass you by without any affect at all!

Mercury in Retrograde is not something to be feared, it is more that if you know it is happening, try to understand its influence so extra care can be taken, this understanding means you can look at Mercury in Retrograde not so much as a problem to be solved as a time of lessons learned and there can be some positive things during this time, and yes your personal chart and which house it affects is also an influence but a kind of general influence with Mercury going through Libra

Mercury is Retrograde in Libra from September 24 to October 15, 2008.

03 Sep 2008 05:56 pm 07°34'  Enters Rx Zone

24 Sep 2008 03:11 am 22°50'Rx  Stationary Retrograde

15 Oct 2008 03:57 pm 07°34'  Stationary Direct

30 Oct 2008 10:34 pm 22°50'  Leaves Rx Zone

Mercury is retrograde from September 24th to October 15th. Mercury's shadow period begins September 3rd and ends October 30th. Mercury's storm begins September 17th and ends October 20th.

As the planet of communication, Mercury retrograde tends to breed a certain level of confusion. Mercury rules our "lower" mind--how we perceive and interpret information that we receive from our environment, and how we relay that information to others. Mercury has rulership over such things as speaking, negotiating, buying and selling, listening, formal contracts, documents, travel, the mail and shipping, and so forth. All of these areas of life are affected when Mercury is functioning in a sluggish state. Decision-making is challenged during Mercury retrograde. Needless to say, it is not advised to sign contracts, engage in important decision-making, or launch a new business. Delays and challenges are more probable with Mercury retrograde. It's a time when being careless with money, our personal information, or paperwork can be costly.

There is a positive side to Mercury Retrograde. This period is best used for re-organizing and reflecting. We look at the world a little differently--through different filters--and can come up with some very important inner revelations. It may be difficult to communicate them under this influence, but not everything needs to be rationalized.

It is important to note that there is absolutely no reason to suspend projects or anything of the sort during the Mercury Retrograde cycle. It's not an ideal time to start new ones or to sign contracts, simply because a change of mind is very possible once Mercury turns direct. However, it's a fabulous time to do some "outside of the box" thinking. Acting on our ideas, however, might be best left for a Mercury Direct period.

Not everyone feels the effects of Mercury retrograde. Those born with Mercury retrograde in their natal chart, for example, may not notice the effects described above.

When Mercury is retrograde in the natal chart itself, the thinking processes are generally more acute, and the sense of humor rather quirky. People with Mercury retrograde take in information differently than those with Mercury direct in their natal charts. How many people are born with a retrograde Mercury? Roughly 18%.

Pay close attention to what you say and communicate in general, particularly around the days of Mercury's stations (September 24th and October 15th). If you are itching to argue with someone, especially, or if you are planning on "signing on the dotted line", try to hold off. It is likely that you will have a change of mind once the station passes, and you can do a lot of damage in the meantime.

Mercury retrograde in Libra implies communication snafus in close partnerships, in particular. It is also more likely that we are especially indecisive or "on the fence" during this cycle. Try to avoid over-rationalizing sensitive matters during this cycle.

Yeah maybe I should not be scared. I've been googling about this transit, and almost everything said it's going to be depressing. I don't know if I can take any more depression. I mean my career is on a standstill, I don't know if it's ever going to pan out, my lovelife is a wreck, etc etc. I have never been this confused my whole life. It's like my whole world is in chaos.

I just hope it will truly make me a better person. When does Saturn transit start exactlt? January 09? And it lasts for 2 1/2 years right?

Again, it depends on your own chart how/if saturn or retrograde transits affect you.  I have retrograde mercury in my natal chart, so retrograde mercury is usually a very good time for me!  I love them!  So phooooooey on all who say this or that transit is depressing!  Maybe they don't understand, or just want to have a good drama going...perhaps they should just rent a scary movie instead!