What is Mercury in Retrograde
Every few months, the planet of communication, Mercury, begins to slow down. For us earthlings, it means that life gets more tense and activity isn’t moving as fast as it once was. While you may want to hide underneath a rock during the weeks of Mercury retrograde, you’ll find that no one can avoid it — even if we try.
Unlike what it sounds like, the planet Mercury isn’t actually moving backward; it’s just slowing down. Mercury normally moves faster than Earth around the sun. But when Mercury is retrograde, it is moving slower than Earth around the sun. (Mercury usually moves 88 days around the sun versus the 365 days that Earth does.) This creates an optical illusion in which we think that Mercury is moving backward.
What are the affects
Whether it's a romantic relationship or a friendship, poor communication can lead to hurt feelings, frustration and arguments. A Mercury retrograde makes these setbacks more likely, as it is a time when messages can get lost in translation.
Mercury rules communication, travel, news, information, gossip and technology. This means that we can expect meltdowns, false gossip, miscommunications, technology fails (which is why it’s best to back up files and contacts before the retrograde), issues in travel, missed connections and delays in hearing pertinent information.
What can be done
JOURNALING
Being truly honest with yourself can do a lot to relieve any confusion you may be experiencing at this time. If you don’t have time or energy for more complex rituals, then journaling may be helpful for you. Taking pen to paper is a simple task that doesn’t have to take longer than a few minutes every day, and keeping it up can help with memory, and ease anxiety.
CANDLE WORK
Candle work is the practice of using fire (which represents transformation) to manifest intentions. Retrograde is a great time for this because it forces you to slow down and truly face the challenges it puts in your path. To manifest, write down a list of your intentions on a piece of paper and focus on them while lighting a candle.
The color yellow is associated with Mercury and Wednesdays; it’s tied to elements like focus, intellect and mental workings. A yellow candle is best during this time because it’ll bring in renewed ideas and inspiration, clearing mental blocks and more. If you don’t have a yellow candle, white candles are a good alternative.
If you’re feeling fancy, you can dress the candle with bay leaves (for protection and success), cornflower (for peace in the home), and fig leaves (for luck). For business owners, a dash of cinnamon can be added for prosperity.
MEDITATION
There is real power when it comes to meditation. There are studies that prove that practicing daily meditation can actually change how the brain thinks. Mindful meditation can reduce stress, anxiety and a wandering mind. When it comes to Mercury retrograde it is crucial to keep the mind focused on the details. This mindfulness meditation will help you do this. Just take all those deep breaths, focus and carry on!
