What about Mercury Retrograde?
What is Mercury Retrograde?
Mercury is the planet closest to the sun, and it revolves around the sun in just 88 days. That’s much faster than Earth, which takes a year to make the same trip. But three or four times a year, an optical illusion occurs: It looks as if Mercury is going backward. It happens when Mercury is passing between Earth and the sun, leaving Earth in its dust.
Mercury retrograde usually lasts about three weeks, but the shadow phase, which is approximately two weeks before Mercury goes retro and can be up to two weeks after it goes direct, can often wreak havoc on your relationships and communication & technology as well. Some folks find the shadow phases to be the most difficult but sail right through the retro period with grace and ease. You'll come to know which are the hardest for you to navigate and which part of the retro you can use to your own benefit.
While I don’t like to blame Mercury for issues or problems that usually need to be resolved anyway, it can cause things previously neglected to bubble to the surface.
On Retrogrades:
Many other planets also go retrograde, but not as often as Mercury and you don't hear as much negative feedback when they do When the planets are retro, we may experience a lot of emotion, chaos, discontent and discord in our lives.
Things break, crash and fall apart. Lives, jobs, relationships, can all be a little bit chaotic right now. Mercury in retro will be chaotic and the world just may be a little stranger and more difficult than usual for a time.
When a planet is in retrograde, it begins operating with more of a “feminine” energy rather than a “masculine” energy. It exudes a more intuitive energy and works on the subconscious mind rather than the conscious mind. When a planet is in retrograde, it dips below the surface of the seen world into the hidden world. So this is why many things are bubbling up. Some have been a long time coming, but here they are!
People tell us Do not sign contracts. Do not buy electronics, or anything with moving parts or gears. You most certainly can do these things but do them with increased self awareness. Be careful and meticulous.
During a Mercury retro phase, do not be surprised if the mail is screwed up, or something goes awry when you’re in transit. And be mindful in your conversations as misunderstandings can happen! But I feel like the best course of action is caution, not panic.
People from your past may come into your life during this time. This is the best time to clear your karma with that person, so that you can truly move on! The Dynamics of the relationship do not matter; it can be romantic or platonic. If a person from your past shows up, take that opportunity to release old karma!
So the retrograde period is a good time to address anything you have buried or thought you had already resolved and take a closer look at your insecurities, doubts, fears and triggers!
Things that may come up during retro in regards to your relationships may be, but are certainly not limited to:
Old insecurities resurfacing Anxiety Attachment issues Fears Doubts Paranoia Commitment issues Abandonment issues Parental issues you thought you had resolved Sexuality issues
Exes re-appearing
So use this time and these energies to focus on what’s being illuminated and focus on pushing your way forward.
Here are some tips for you to sail through this somewhat turbulent period with ease.
Practice Ho’oponopono with the planet Mercury. Give Reiki to Mercury. Thank the planet for bringing the problems out on the surface so that you can work on them. Release, release, release as much as you can!! Meditate more! Wear Yellow on Wednesdays and offer yellow flowers to Mercury.
DO: Set your intent to heal all inner wounds as peacefully as possible Be careful of your electronics and devices Take good care of your relationships Watch your words and Hold your tongues
Here's what not to do
Do not start new projects Do not sign contracts Do not start new relationships DO not call old lovers Do not do manifestation magic
Remember, another name for Mercury is Quicksilver. So that should tell you all you need to know about Mercury's power to make things shift and move.
Some things to remember when going through rough times and especially during mercury retrograde when relationships can be challenging and conflict occurs:
Everything can and will change. You’ve overcome challenges before It’s a learning experience Sometimes not getting what you want can be a blessing Allow yourself to have some fun Being kind to yourself is the best medicine Other people’s negativity is not worth worrying about There is always something to be thankful for
You may want to take this time to look at where you are and what needs a reminder to review, reassess, redo, reinvent. Or all of the above. Mercury retro is also a good time to take it all in with a sense of humor. Everything, including retrogrades can teach us something. In fact, Mercury Rx is designed for that.
You cannot stop living because it’s retrograde, and you don’t want to blame every mishap on the planet. But you will be more cautious and use this time to re-evaluate your actions and re-organise yourself for the future. Mercury retro makes you more cautious about everyday things that we take for granted! That’s a good thing!
Don’t blame the planet if something goes awry, if your cell phone breaks or if an ex shows up in your life. Thank Mercury for the opportunity and ask what you need to learn. Do the work, make the realizations and move on.
