Mercury is the closest planet to the sun and takes only 88 days to go around it, making it a super speedy planet. It's right in the thick of everything, and in astrology this helps to create its role: the ~brain~, the messenger, and the planetary representative of communication and travel.
Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo (both super smart signs, with plenty of vocab, who love to articulate themselves well). And when Mercury is doing its thing, all is well in the cosmos. However, three or four times a year, Mercury goes retrograde.
What is Mercury in retrograde?
When a planet goes retrograde, it appears to go backwards in the skies. It isn’t real, though. It’s just an optical illusion because Mercury’s shorter orbit makes it look like it hustles past Earth, slows down, and then moves in a backwards loop. Pretty fancy. Mercury IS super smart. Maybe even a bit of a show off.
What happens during a Mercury retrograde?
If Mercury is all about communication, travel, messages, information, and intellect, then expect all of those areas of life to be impacted during a retrograde. Negatively. Expect mixed messages, crossed wires, gremlins in the machine, major mistakes at work, and delayed or abandoned travel plans. Everyday situations become more complex, vague, unclear, and conflicting.
Things you should *probably* avoid doing during a Mercury retrograde
- Putting pressure on yourself. Do whatever you can to take a load off and chill. Wait it out.
- Significant conversations with people about subjects that are tricky (relationship issues, pay rises, family arguments, landlord negotiations, etc.).
- Being super busy and not having enough time for things to go wrong. Build in LOTS of ~wriggle room~ to all of your plans.
- Overly relying on technology. This is when emails might mysteriously disappear, laptops go to the great ~laptop heaven in the sky~, and home entertainment buffers endlessly.
Tips for surviving and thriving when Mercury is in retrograde
Harness crystal power
Get your crystals out and carry them with you. Have them on your desk, near your laptop, in the bathroom, and next to your bed. Basically, surround yourself with grounding and protective crystal energy to try and create a forcefield sort of shield against the pesky vibes of this cosmic sh*tstorm. Make sure you cleanse (in running water, or placed in moonlight overnight) them first and charge them with a protective intention (hold them in your hand, imagine a bright glowing light beaming into them from the heavens above, and think about them ~fuelling up~ with protective energy from the Universe).
Consider using: rose quartz, onyx, blue lace agate, selenite, amethyst, citrine, or tiger's eye
Meditate
This is a great time to meditate because it will help you focus on the here and now. It can maybe plant some seeds of action for when the effects of the retrograde have passed, and you can move forward unimpeded. Download an app, put on a guided meditation video, and just chill. Make this a daily event during retrograde.
Declutter
Less is more right now, so slow down and use the retrograde’s ups and downs to illuminate what isn’t working in your life, and seek to minimize or remove it. Start with your home, and do some general cleaning. Consider the roles you have in life, too, and your relationships. Notice where there is most discord or dissatisfaction, and ask yourself if this is serving you well any longer.
Protect your good vibes
Himalayan bath salts (and salt lamps) can help to dispel negative energy in the home, and around you personally. Use daily to sustain a working space around you.
Be practical
Back up your laptop, copy important files to a hard drive, make sure you have things saved someplace super safe, and check if your emails have sent. Double check and triple check your communications and plans. Better safe than sorry.
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This article originally appeared on Cosmopolitan.com/uk. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.
