What Is Mercury Retrograde?
Mercury Retrograde
May 10 - June 3
What is a planetary Retrograde in Astrology?
It's a very Real energy shift, which we will go into more of, BUT it is actually an ILLUSION that the planet is actually going 'backward' in the sky. It is simply the alignment of the Earth and the planet and the seeming 'change' of speed of rotation as that alignment takes place.
This direct alignment causes electromagnetic enhancements and/or changes in Earth's energy field, and therefore, creates energy shifts/changes in our own energy bodies and life experiences. Depending on the alignments and the planetary energies of all the planets involved, it can bring with it both big changes, subtle changes and everything in between.
What is Mercury Retrograde:
This is a period that happens 3-4 times a year and each cycle is about 5 weeks total per cycle. This includes what we call the 'dark phase' periods, which are the week beginning the shift and the week after Mercury goes direct, where we are still feeling the energetic effects as everything adjusts and readjusts.
Mercury's Energy Represents/Supports: COMMUNICATION & THE MIND.
This means anything to do with communications with others in person or through gadgets, and communications with your self, your inner world and your outer world.
This also brings attention to Logical and Critical Thinking to help you see/hear/know the truth(s) so you know how to respond/proceed.
How Does Mercury Retrograde Affect Us/Our Reality:
There seems to be a wide-spread FEAR or dread when these special cosmic times arise throughout the year. While Mercury Retro is known to cause many glitches in our daily flow, the effects can be both Positive & Negative, and to me, this truly DEPENDS ON WHETHER YOU ARE MAKING SPACE to face the challenges/opportunities that arise or are trying to plow through life as you have been.
I do my best to look at it as a SUPPORTIVE time that can assist us in moving forward with less entanglement to the stories and ways of the past and a more stable energy, mind, foundation and connections to support us in the future.
Mercury Retro asks us to SLOW DOWN with just about EVERYTHING and READ BETWEEN THE LINES. Slow down and offer more awareness and attention to YOUR MIND and the stories it tells, all COMMUNICATION, anything that includes TECHNOLOGY and extra attention to TRAVEL plans/itineraries to be sure all is in alignment as intended, as well as, REFLECTING to see where changes in our communications, relationships, connections or thought processes might be needed.
Below are some main areas that may experience glitching and call for more awareness
*VERBAL COMMUNICATIONS. Add extra space for verbal communications to be sure each of you are actually being heard/understood in the ways you are intending, and vice versa; that you are actually listening, hearing and fully understanding what the other person is saying.
*TEXTS & EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS. Add extra clarity to text messages and emails especially since those are areas where so much can get misconstrued without proper context and perspective.
*TECHNOLOGY. This is usually connected with computers, phones and anything that utilizes electricity (electromagnetic current) and/or satellites. Yet, this could also be the mind, brain, energy of our own bodies.
*MIND. Our mental body is filled with stories, programs, patterns, beliefs that help shape our conscious and unconscious behaviors. This is an important time to reassess the aspects of the mind, REAWAKEN our cognitive abilities to utilize LOGICAL/CRITCAL THINKING, hash through the stories, the facts, the perspectives needed to come into a more grounded, stable and truth-full space within. This will continue to reshape your outer reality in a way that feels better to You.
Ways to Prepare for Mercury Retrograde:
This is not really a super supportive time of starting brand new projects, especially if you have things that are left undone.
With that, this is a great time to
*BACK UP / SAVE your data, pictures, anything you may not have fully saved or backed up on your computers/phones. Glitches can be profound during these times, and unless a complete reset of your past is your desire, it's a good idea to play it safe and back that shit up!
*BRING THINGS TO COMPLETION, especially things that have been left undone since the last mercury retrograde.
*REASSES and notice if there have been any hiccups, setbacks, lack of momentum in certain To Do's, and do what you can to help projects/responsibilities move along.
*COVER ALL YOUR BASES. Be sure all angles have been covered in any projects, jobs, responsibilities. Are there any missing pieces?
*AVOID TRAVEL? It is said to avoid travel during these times if at all possible, yet, I feel it is more logical to say it is important to triple check confirmations, itineraries, dates, times, places, etc. AND be flexible in the case that something shifts unexpectedly.
*BE INTENTIONAL & PREPARED. Whether you are a person who normally wings it or usually goes in fully prepared, if you have meetings, go in extra prepared, getting clear on your exact intentions and bring with you any/all information, paperwork and so on that you may need. Hard copies of things may be a supportive way to go in the case that technology glitches in your time of need.
*BREATHE & BE PRESENT. Our bodies are made with energy and are surrounded in an electromagnetic field, which can be greatly affected by Mercury Retrograde. Just like plugging a gadget into the wall with a grounding wire to help ground and stabilize the current, it is important that we Ground & Stabilize our energy fields. Breathing is one of the easiest and most accessible tools to do this with. Deep Inhales and Exhales for a good two minutes or more at a time can help with this, and of course, the more you do it, the more grounded/stable you remain.
Also, Gifting more space for and attention to your breath will help you to be more present with what is actually taking place, rather than rushing through everything and possibly missing important pieces to your life puzzle. This can support you in avoiding any extra set backs or challenges this time may bring up for you. Practice practice practice!
*MEDITATION / MINDFULNESS. This goes with the breathing aspect, however, this is also revisiting what I mentioned in the MIND section above. Getting clear on the stories you are operating your life by. Making sure they MAKE ABSOLUTE SENSE to YOU, rather than living your life according to someone else's word, story, beliefs or needs. This is a divine time to be sure you are riding upon your own vibration / Soul Song. We feel distortions, confusion, fear, etc. when we are operating from a space that doesn't actually make 'sense' to our senses or our heart.
All in all, Mercury Retrograde offers us a time/space to realize that the foundation of all interaction with self and other is communication, and if that communication is not coming from a grounded, clear and empowered space, it has the potential of distortion and disruption - hence the state of the world.
On the contrary, if communication is coming from a grounded, clear and empowered space, it can help lead us to and support us in co-creating a life that blooms, flourishes and shines with supportive relationships, effective processes and stable foundations that will continue to lead us to even bigger and more fruitful opportunities.
Hopefully you found this supportive and helpful! If you are feeling fruitful and are open to donating to support more of this information coming to form, I truly appreciate it! DONATE HERE or to @SuperNovaSarah on Ca$h App or Venmo. Mahalo Nui!
Disclaimer: I am Not an astrologer. I am simply someone that loves to learn about and embrace life through the reflections of the energies of the stars, planets, etc.
I combine my acquired insights/knowledge from years of learning about astrology with that of the Gene Keys, intuitive insights and the guidance from astrologers like Rasa Lila, and I do my best to break it down into easy-to-understand ways for those that aren’t acquainted with astrology or gene keys.
All of these blogs are intended to offer You guidance, inspiration and insights into the energies of the universal flow and how to best work With them rather than getting worked by them. You deserve to feel Empowered in your own body & life stream!
Blessings!