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Friday 13 April 2018

Mercury Retrograde: Coping With The Setbacks


In astrology, we always believe the following rule is true: “As above, so too below.” By that we mean there is a direct correlation between the orbits in the heavens and activity down here on Earth. 

This concept underpins ALL of astrology and it is on this basis that we gain understanding of how and why we are all influenced by the orbits in the sky. 

I don't know about you, but Throughout this phase I have found myself saying, “Mercury retrograde is F ing my life Up!”, maybe you can relate to this statement, maybe you’ve heard someone say something like this lately or you maybe you don’t have a clue what Mercury Retrograde is!

Don’t worry this blog post will be covering the bases on what mercury retrograde is, how it influences us all and, how we can better cope with the setbacks that this astrological transition can cause.



Mercury rules anything that begins with “re”: redo, reassess, repair, repeat, reflect, redesign, or revisit. So as we draw to the end of 2018’s first retrograde period, I thought it would be fitting to reflect on what has been learnt from this most recent phase. 

I’ve learnt so much during this retrograde and it is only as we come to the end of this period has my mind become cleared and I am able to articulate what insight I have gained through this transition. I have definitely experienced set backs I could do without since March 23rd, thats for sure. Yet for every set back experienced I’ve learnt how to seek the lessons to be learnt and found a way to cope. Strategies I will be sharing in this post.


AREAS OF LIFE MERCURY RULES
Generally speaking Mercury rules all types of communication, including listening, speaking, learning, reading, editing, researching, negotiating, selling, and buying. 

Mercury also rules all formal contracts and agreements, as well as important documents such as book manuscripts, term papers, agreements, deeds, contracts, leases, wills, and so forth.

Included under this planet’s domain are all telecommunications, transportation, shipping, and travel. As we live in digital era this covers a multitude of our daily communications, including computer coding, email, fax, mobile phones etc

If that wasn’t enough Mercury not only rules communication, it also represents coordination. Primarily the coordination of Thought processes, ideas, and sensory information from both conscious and unconscious sources.

Due to the vast amount that Mercury Rules, When this planet goes Retrograde it affects everyone.


WHAT IS “MERCURY RETROGRADE”?
When Mercury is retrograde from the human eye it appears as if Mercury is going backwards in the sky but truth be told Mercury doesn’t actually move backwards. This is in fact, an illusion, we call  apparent retrograde motion. If you do a bit of stargazing, you will see that Mercury only appears to be moving backward to the human eye due to the way our own orbit interacts with the other planets.
For Thousands of years astrologers have stargazed and witnessed Mercury Retrograde, this interesting occurrence appears several times a year, in three different signs of the zodiac each time it appears. When this happens it has been witnessed down here on Earth that there’s a tendency for our plans to go awry. Therefore Mercury’s Retrograde is associated with confusions, delay, and frustration.

Some people blame Mercury retrograde for all the “bad” things that happen during this phase but the universe doesn’t acknowledge “Good” vs“Bad” as we do.  Believe it or not the universe only means us good. We choose the seeds we wish to plant in our minds and if we choose to view astrology in terms of good vs bad, that seed will grow.

For example; if you choose to perceive Mercury Retrograde as bad, You’ll be terribly frustrated throughout the entire Mercury Retrograde period, just because you believed that you would. I know this based on experience, So first things first, if you want to get through Mercury Retrograde as smoothly as possible do not view it as bad.



WHAT TO EXPECT & HOW TO COPE DURING MERCURY RETROGRADE

Remain flexible; prepare for the fact that setbacks and delays go hand in hand with Mercury Retrograde. You can’t stop your life, but you can plan ahead and definitely have back-up plans.

Allow time for extra travel, plan your journeys well and ensure you adequately prepared. Carry all travel documents, make sure you have GPS that is working and adequate amount of fuel. Make sure vehicle repairs and checks are done prior to this phase to avoid any avoidable breakdowns and, be extra vigilant and careful on the roads to avoid accidents.

Avoid making any Major decisions, especially those that involve signing contracts; wait until Mercury is direct again to make any final decisions.

Review projects and plans at these times, but about a week or two before Mercury retrogrades, finish any tasks or projects at hand. 

These phases are considered poor times to launch any new endeavors, even if they are not related to the communications industries. So plan your project plans around retrograde dates.

Be prepared for angrier people and miscommunication.You may find that you and others are running short on patience, making conversations a little tense. In these times be forgiving of the fact that we are all going through the motions so make an effort to choose kind words.

During these periods be extra vigilant regarding your verbal communications. Remain alert, listen well and be sure to paraphrase and summarise back to others what you think the other person has just told you just to clarify communication is clear.  

 Mercury symbolically represents as a messenger therefore it rules the mail and the conveyance of information, so be extra extra careful when sending important documents, faxes or emails.

Disrupted communication e.g poor WiFi signal , and phone batteries dying when you need it are reported as common during this phase. As a result I have found Mercury Retrograde to be a great time to cheat on your cell phone with a good book and have some social media free time. 

This period is notoriously known for technical faults occurring with machines, appliances and electronic devices. To avoid computer crashes Backup and install new software in advance of any Mercury retrograde period or wait until the period is over to do so.

 Forgetfulness is common. People  aren’t always thinking straight during these phases. Mercury retrograde is notorious for creating confusion. Writing things down, setting alarms and reminders could considerably help. However forgetting your phone somewhere or forgetting food cooking in the oven and burning it are just some hazardous things that can happen. To avoid such instances practice mindfulness, remember to stay in the now and try your best to anchor yourself in the present moment so you are aware of what’s taking place around you within your physical environment. 

Georgina Berbari from elitedaily.com well noted that Sleep Problems may pervade during this time. It has been noted that every  time Mercury goes into retrograde, there's been increased reports of strange dreams, sleep deprivation, and even sleep-walking.

What’s more interesting is that some people may experience a sleep phenomenon called "false awakenings," which is when a dream is so incredibly realistic, you basically believe that you're awake. I experienced this a few times and it is very unnerving  to say the least!

The reason for this, is that Mercury has significant power over our nerves and brain. So much so you might dwell more on your past while you're dreaming, or even relive experiences that you'd rather not be thinking about at all. 

Sleep deprivation is likely to make you cranky but just remind yourself it is only a phase, it will pass and it won’t last forever. Try getting naps in the day time to make up for any lost sleep at night. 

If napping during the day isn't an option for you try getting to bed a bit earlier than you normally would. A hot bath or shower before going to bed and adding few drops of lavender essential oils on your pillow will surely help soothe your potentially wired brain and allow you to get some rest.

On the opposite end of the spectrum some people report over sleeping and feeling a need to sleep an awful lot. I can relate to this problem. I experienced this often throughout the early part of this most recent Mercury Retrograde phase. I was power napping frequently, At times I could hardly stay awake. What can I say, super woke folks need a nice nap. Mercury is symbolically the messenger of the gods so messages may well be delivered to your subconscious mind while you sleep. Just know and be reassured that whatever will be revealed to you in your sleep will aid you on your spiritual mission.

With all these strange phenomena that accompanies Mercury retrograde it may cause or lead to extreme confusion. 
It has been known to make it extremely difficult for some people  to anchor themselves into the the present moment. In instances like this sleeping and getting some rest is advisable. It will help you recuperate whilst the solar system is a little haywire.

In #justwrite fashion I suggest keeping a separate journal specifically to document any strange sleep phenomena and dreams you may be having during the mercury retrograde period. 




GETTING THE MOST OF MERCURY RETROGRADE
 Astrologist Chani Nicolas says, “Mercury retrograde always teaches,” and I have found this to be so true. So the best course of action is to deligently Seek The Lessons that are there to be taught during this phase rather than focus on any setbacks you may encounter. Mercury Retrograde can be frustrating, yes, there is no doubt about that, but it presents itself for a good reason. It’s an excellent time to reflect. Reflect on the lessons that can be learnt. In particular what can be learnt from the past. 

As mentioned Mercury is symbolically the messenger of the gods so It’s said that intuition is high during these periods, and coincidences can be extraordinary. So  relying on your intuition during this phase is really important. Your intuition, your sixth sense as I call it will definitely help you in coping.

KEEPING TRACK OF MERCURY RETROGRADE 
Once you begin to pay attention to how events in your life change during these phases, you will soon see how important it is to take note of them.

Keeping track of Mercury retrograde periods can allow you to increase your productivity and avoid at least some of the frustration they can bring about. 

If Mercury retrogrades in your sign, it is believed that delays and frustrations will become even more pronounced than usual. So it’s important to be aware of when Mercury Retrograde is ruled by your sign. 

To cope with the setbacks that Mercury Retrograde presents keep track of upcoming retrograde periods and make a note in your calendar.

 Susan Miller from AstrologyZone.com has so kindly put together the dates to expect Mercury Retrograde right up until 2024. She also explains that The Key Solution to Any Mercury Retrograde Problem Lies in the Element Mercury is Found In: Fire, Earth, Air, or Water. She covers this in detail in her blogpost 'Everything you need to know about mercury retrograde'. A great blog to check out www.astrologyzone.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-mercury-retrograde/

MERCURY RETROGRADE DATES 2018- 2024
 (Mark Your Calendar)

In 2018, Mercury will be retrograde during the date ranges of:
  • March 23 to April 15 in fire-sign Aries 
  • July 26- August 19 in fire- sign Leo and water-sign Scorpio
  • November 17 to December 6 December 6 in fire sign Sagittarius, ends water sign Scorpio
2019

  • March 5 – 28, 2019 in water-sign Pisces
  • July 7 – 31, 2019 starts in fire-sign Leo, ends in water-sign Cancer
  • October 31 – November 20, 2019 in water-sign Scorpio
2020

  • February 18 – March 9, 2020 in water-sign Pisces, ends in air-sign Aquarius
  • June 17 – July 12, 2020 in water-sign Cancer
  • October 13 – November 3, 2020 in water-sign Scorpio, ends in air-sign Libra

2021
  • January 30 – February 20 in air-sign Aquarius
  • May 29 – June 22 in air-sign Gemini
  • September 27 – October 18 in air-sign Libra
2022
  • January 14 – February 3 starts in air sign Aquarius, ends in earth-sign Capricorn
  • May 10 – June 2 starts in air sign Gemini, ends in earth-sign Taurus
  • September 9 – October 2 starts in air-sign Libra, ends in earth-sign Virgo December 29 – January 18 in earth-sign Capricorn
2024
  • See above, Dec 29, 2022 – Jan 18, 2023- goes direct in earth sign Capricorn
  • April 21 – May 14 in earth sign Taurus
  • August 23 – September 15 in earth sign Virgo
  • December 13, 2023 – January 1, 2024 in fire-sign Sagittarius
2024
  • See above, January 1, 2024 goes direct in fire-sign Sagittarius
  • April 1- April 25 in fire-sign Aries
  • August 4 – August 28 in earth-sign and ends in fire-sign Leo
  • November 25 – December 15 in fire-sign Sagittarius
WRITING CHALLENGE 

During Mercury Retrograde 

Take this time to sit back and review where you are putting your energy in your life? 

What areas of your life are you feeling overextended?

For example, if family and faith are important to you, are you putting your energies there? 

Once the Retrograde period comes to an end, reflect and review;

How do you handle nervous energy? 

How do you express and convey your thoughts? 

How do you approach others and information in order to learn and exchange ideas?

Write down your answers #JustWrite #JustPickUpANotepad


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