We’re in the midst of a retrograde cycle for Mercury, and it seemed like a good time for a refresher course, because Mercury Retrograde is actually a powerful, positive opportunity that gets a bad rap. You know how you’re always hoping the Universe will give you just a little bit of a break, some breathing room, from the running-hustle-bustle of your life? Well, 3 or 4 times a year, that wish is granted in the form of Mercury Retrograde. Everything s-l-o-w-s down and moves like molasses. The difficulty comes when you want things to keep moving at that other pace. Just breathe, accept that this is your chance to think (and rethink) before you act or speak, and that the world is just not going to move at its usual speed.
The protocol before doing anything during Mercury Retrograde is to
Breathe
Ground
It’s always a good idea to take a moment and figure out how you got “here,” whatever your “here” is right now.
All actions taken during a Mercury Retrograde should be done consciously. Avoid acting out of habit, or simply reacting to events. Do your best to stay in conscious intent and focus the entire time. The energy is thick and slow, so you’re going to have to practice your patience and acceptance, because nothing is going to go quickly.
This period is an excellent opportunity to re-evaluate your thoughts, habits, and patterns. What works? What doesn’t work? What can you toss and what just needs tweaking? Fine tune your world!
The least talked about aspect of every Mercury Retrograde is the fact that thick energy means it’s much easier to manifest. That means you need to pay attention to what you are feeding through attention. Are you letting your head be filled with worries and fears, or are you focusing on those things you want to bring forth? Spend some time every day really focusing on what you want and, even more importantly, conjuring up the feeling(s) you think that’s going to bring you. Your subconscious and the Universe will do the rest.
Well, not exactly. You need to continue taking action, or start taking action if you haven’t yet. The best way to do this is to look at your top five goals and figure out what the absolute next step is to move toward each of them. I’m talking easy, manageable steps that you can take action on right now, today. Then do it. Action frequently seems to get lost in the woo, I don’t know why.
Finally, take a look at your daily practice. What is working? What isn’t working? How can you improve how you start and end your day, from a spiritual point of view? What are the things you do or can do that will give you a clear sense of being grounded and walking through your day with purpose? What are the things you can do to help you be in alignment with your highest self? What are you doing to maintain your emotional well-being? What are the things you are or could be doing to maintain your physical well-being?
Are you drinking enough water?
Are you grounding?
Are you carrying around things which no longer serve you, or are you consciously releasing?
Are you feeding your soul, making your heart sing?
Are you eating things that nurture you, or just sustain you?
Are you moving your chi?
That should help you move through the month with grace and confidence, or at least with a minimum of challenges.