三個R的關鍵時機
Do you believe our life is influenced by forces beyond our control?
你是否相信我們的人生是由看不見的力量所掌控呢？
believe (that)，that當受詞省略
In the East, many people think the time of a person’s birth partially determines his or her fate.
在東方，許多人認為出生的時辰決定了命運，
determine(v.)決定、影響fate(n.)命運=destinydoom(n.)註定的厄運
In the West, believers of astrology hold that celestial events have a profound impact on human affairs.
而在西方，相信占星術的人認為天體運行對人類有深遠的影響，
astro- starastrology(n.)占星學astronomy(n.)天文學astronaut(n.)太空人celestial(adj.)天空的=heavenly反義詞earthly, terrestrial(adj.)地球、陸地的profound(adj.)意義深遠的、重大的
One such event is the Mercury retrograde, a phenomenon in which the planet appears to move backward in its orbit when observed from earth.
其中一個就是水星逆行，水星逆行指的是在地球上水星看起來像是在倒退走的現象。
appear to=seem to看似orbit(n.)行星軌道course(n.)跑道、軌道=track
Although Mercury’s backward movement is in fact an astronomical blunder, astrologers have associated the phenomenon with ill luck for centuries.
雖然水星的「逆行」其實是因為觀察視角而產生的天文錯覺，占星學家數百年來都將這個現象和霉運聯結在一起。
blunder(n.)因疏忽而犯的錯link A with B=associate A with B=connect A with B聯想、聯結=correlate A with B=relate A to B
When the planet aligns with certain zodiac signs during the retrograde period, some people are alleged to experience misfortune more easily.
當水星在逆行時和某個星座連成一線的話，這個星座的人會特別容易覺得倒楣。
zodiac(adj.)黃道的Chinese zodiac sign生肖align with和...排成一直線、與誰同一陣線=line up withmisfortune(n.)不幸、意外=mishap
For example, their laptop could act up, they could miss a flight, or even get into a fight.
舉例來說，他們可能會遇到筆電故障、錯過班機、或是和人爭執。
act up（小孩）搗亂=misbehave（機器）故障=malfunction=break down
In 2020, Mercury will be in retrograde motion three times.
2020年中水逆會發生三次。
motion(n.)運動、移動motion picture電影
The first period starts on February 17 and ends on March 10.
第一階段是2月17日到3月10日。
period(n.)時段=term=interval
It is said that Aquarius natives will be more irritable than usual.
水瓶座的人會比往常更易怒，
irritable(adj.)=bad-tempered=grumpymood swing情緒不穩定
They also need to be more careful about any financial initiatives they get involved in, such as taking out a loan or making a business proposal.
同時也要對貸款和商業提案等財務決策更為小心。
initiative(n.)主動權、決策判斷seize, take the initiative採取主動mortgage(n.)(v.)(房)貸、抵押
During the second period, from June 18 to July 12, Cancers might have a dispute with a family member.
而第二階段6月18日到7月12日，巨蟹座可能會和家庭成員發生爭執。
dispute(n.)爭執=quarrel爭吵、不和
This is a good opportunity to examine the cause of the conflict.
但這也是一個檢視爭吵原因的好機會。
From October 14 to November 3, Libras will feel less productive than before.
10月14日到11月3日，天秤座會感到生產力低落，
rewarding(adj.)有意義、有收獲的unproductive(adj.)收獲少、效果不明顯的productive(adj.)多產的、工作效率佳的
They should try to focus on the positive aspects of life.
建議更專注在生活中正面的事物。
It’s not all bad news, however.
然而，水逆並非只有全然的壞處，
The Mercury retrograde can actually be a time of growth.
反而可能成為自我成長的契機。
“Retrogrades are a time for the three Rs: Review, Reflect, and Reassess,” said astrologer Jessica Lanyadoo.
占星學家蘭亞迪說：「水逆是三個R的關鍵時機：回顧（Review）、反省（Reflect）、檢討（reassess）。」
reflect on our words and deeds反省言行assess(v.)=evaluate評估self evaluation自我評估
“We are meant to internally clarify our thoughts at this time, and even if it’s annoying, it’s a useful event.”
「在這段期間我們務必向內探求思路的清明澄淨，就算過程很惱人煩躁，最終也是有所助益的。」
clarity(n.)純淨、清明clarify our thoughts 釐清或整理思緒even if... (尚未發生的假設) 即使、縱使even though...(已發生的事實) 儘管