When Mercury is entering its pre-shadow phase, it is much like viewing the trailer for a new movie which is about to premiere.  From the first moment, little things begin to creep in, signalling that Mercury will soon arrive, to rearrange a particular area of your life.  This preview can help to show you where your attention will need to be and the types of things which may happen, but on a grander scale once the retrograde has begun.  In this case, to be forewarned is forearmed, and knowing how the Mercury retrograde may affect you will enable you to navigate it in a smoother manner.  It is wise to prepare, and once pre-shadow arrives, be certain to lighten your schedule.  During this phase it is possible to begin seeing communication from old loves and acquaintances.