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The Magic of Mercury Retrograde

“It’s Mercury retrograde!” Even in mainstream circles, it’s not unusual to hear those words bandied about as the reason for communication calamities or technical trickery. A little earlier this evening Mercury retrograded, and I did chuckle to myself that both our printers ‘played up’ today, and my email app wouldn’t work due to a ‘bug’. If you’re a bit late to the Mercury-x party, here’s a brief run down.

 

Mercury is the planet which rules communication, siblings, learning, primary-school education and local travel. In Roman mythology, he’s known as the winged messenger.

Mercury retrograde happens three to four times every year when its transit takes it between the Sun and the Earth. This lasts about three weeks (excluding the ‘shadow’ phases either side). Due its concentration of iron, the apparent moving backwards of the planet tends to play havoc on human behaviour, not to mention electrical items. During the retrograde phase we may notice mishaps and misunderstandings in communication. Emails go missing. Your best friend falls out with you because she completely misinterprets a message. Your car won’t start. Banking apps stop working. The list goes on.

In our home, we back up the laptops before Mercury retrogrades. Not out of fear, but based on experience. Better safe that sorry. It’s also a time to avoid signing contracts for big-ticket items (because you won’t see the fine print) or buying new electrical or technological equipment. If you’re going on any journeys, make sure you’ve had your car tuned up.

Given the number of weeks every year that Mercury is retrograde, we simply can’t go into hiding. Nor should we! Befriending this planet (also known as The Trickster), and understanding his message, is key to not just surviving but positively thriving during this transit. Mercury, during retrograde phase, invites us to go with him into a type of Underworld (just like Persephone). In essence, it means becoming more right-brained so that we allow our intuitive self more air time. If we already live an intuitive life and take time to ‘really’ listen, then the retrograde phases won’t feel so debilitating or like you’ve just stepped into heavy fog.

The magic of Mercury retrograde lies in slowing right down and turning inward. I deliberately mark off the retrogrades in my diary for the upcoming year to make sure my work load is minimal at the time. One reason is to have ‘wiggle’ room; space to manoeuvre when things may not go to plan. Mostly, I keep this time reserved for myself so I can edit books I’ve been writing. This slow-down-and-reflect time is ideal for editing, and without it, due to my normal workload, I’d never create this much-needed space. Without this dedicated time, my life would be full-to-bursting all year around. For me, Mercury retrograde is the Universe saying ‘have a rest here’. For me, it’s a natural pause in life. WE ALL NEED THIS. Sure, we might book annual holidays but are they really restful? Do they offer a mind, body and soul retreat?

You can find the magic in Mercury’s quiet time by making this a dedicated inner sabbatical.

Re-vision

Revise

Review

Renovate

Re-evaluate

Rest

Recuperate

Edit

Recycle

Declutter

Take a digital detox

Journal

Meditate

 

This is a perfect time to go back over previous work and check all the fine details. I know from experience that it’s far too easy to misinterpret communication. It’s not Mercury’s fault! In fact, we should thank any shenanigans that often happen around this time because they’re a reminder to SLOW DOWN. If we don’t approach this time consciously, we might find ourselves wondering if Mercury retrograde should be nicknamed Bite Your Tongue. This isn’t the time for making assumptions but showing awareness and insight. The ‘danger’ times (if you want to call them that), or rather, the times to be alert to Mercury’s tricks are when it is stationing retrograde and stationing direct. Generally, once he’s whisked us deep down into the Underworld with him, we’re okay communication-wise  for a couple of weeks. My experience is that once Mercury and the Sun are cazimi (conjunct) and Mercury is now in the heart of the Sun, it’s a lot easier to move forward with plans. This is an empowering time. Often there are revelations and divine downloads. I have this aspect in my natal (birth) chart, so perhaps I’m particularly sensitive to this during a retrograde cycle.

If you know where Mercury is transiting in your birth chart (which house, or area of life, it is travelling through) you can understand the area of learning or ‘revisiting’ that it is offering you. Some of us are particularly sensitive to Mercury’s transits and can feel the shadow of the retrograde (that is, the time before and after it stations). So, if you want to live and breathe the magic of Mercury retrograde, it’s simple. Slow down.

Smell the roses

Sip your tea

Walk barefoot on the grass at sunrise

Watch the Sun set

Write haiku

Eat mindfully

Go to bed early

Stop scrolling and read a book instead

Take a bath

Everything else can wait. Wishing you a magical and mystical Mercury-Inner-Alchemist Sabbatical.

P.S. Astrological note: To astrologers and lay folk worldwide, retrograde means ‘backward’ so there’s no need to say “retrograded back”!

 

 

Veronika is a second-generation astrologer living and working in rural Cumbria who offers face-to-face readings in person or via Zoom.

Veronika’s articles on psychological astrology have been published in two prestigious international astrology magazines: The Mountain Astrologer and (the late) Dell Horoscopes.

 

 

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View from the porch

In certain parts of the world, having a porch or verandah was integral to the home. Over time, with new builds, these are often omitted. I’ve been reflecting a lot about this in light of the many benefits which come from having an outside extension and living space to the home. In my homeland of Australia, a Queenslander (type of home) always had a verandah, and often wrapped around three sides. It connected one to the outside world while providing some shelter from the weather. A porch or verandah was a meeting place for friends and family. A gathering place of community and connection.


For almost 26 years now, I’ve made my home in rural Cumbria in the north of England. Our home has a porch. It’s an outdoor area with a roof that allows us to be outside and, if necessary, have cover during rain.


And it is to the porch I come for many reasons: morning cuppa, quiet time in my day, meditation, a chat with husband, lunch with friends, to cook damper over the firepit with loved ones, watch the birds at the bird-feeding station, to breathe in the calm of the night-time stars and Moon before I head to bed, and I come here to write ceremonies and books. Although I have a lovely writing room, I’ve found that sitting out here at my table gives me a view that, even though it’s the same as from my writing room, feels more connected. In many ways, this space has become my psychic sound chamber: where I consider, digest and live with my many thoughts and feelings on all manner of things.


There are two views from the porch; the view I can see before me, and the inner vision that evolves from these daily pockets of porch time.

Last Christmas, I decided to treat myself to a week’s hire of a hot tub. Warmth, particularly warm or hot water, is my idea of bliss. Christmas week is a full one: our celebration of Christmas on Christmas Eve as per my German ancestors; my birthday on the 28th, our wedding anniversary on the 29th. I figured being able to soak for a few hours each day would help me unwind from a busy work year. What I learned, by sitting outside in the middle of an ice-cold Winter, was that even though it’s a time I’d traditionally hibernate, the world outside couldn’t have been more alive. I’d be up long before sunrise delighted to step into that warmth and relax. Beneath starlight, I enjoyed watching the skyline change from ink-black to blue. At other times, I soaked in the warmth while a thunderstorm raged around me. I was in that tub at least twice a day, and for a good couple of hours each time. The changing colours of the sky, the dance of clouds, watching the flight of birds, and so on, were beautiful reminders that nothing stays still. Life is always changing.



What I’ve learned from porch life is that no matter how crazy-busy my work days get, or if I’m working seven days a week from before sunrise right through to deep into the night, stepping out onto the porch transforms me. In some ways, it’s become a healthy addiction. This view is what allows me to keep going.

Being connected to the natural world in this way is the equivalent someone else might feel when they see a regular counsellor. Are you ok? What’s been happening? Want to talk about it? How do you feel about that?

 

Veronika Robinson is an author, publisher, celebrant, celebrant trainer and mentor, and retreat host in rural Cumbria. 

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Achieve Whole Body Health With These Simple Lifestyle Changes


This guest blog is written by Joyce Wilson www.teacherspark.org
e: joyce@teacherspark.org

Despite the importance of health as a personal asset, too few people prioritise whole-body health. Sure, many people maintain healthy diets and exercise regularly, but few individuals make lifestyle choices that can improve their health from head to toe. If you value your health and want to do more to protect it, consider making these simple but beneficial lifestyle changes.

Prioritise Sleep
Getting adequate sleep each night — between seven and nine hours for adults — is one of the best things you can do for your health. Yet, as many as 67% of adults in the UK claim to experience disrupted sleep on a routine basis, and nearly half admit they do not get the right amount of sleep each night.

If you’re part of the majority, it’s important you understand and appreciate the massive benefits of sufficient shut-eye. According to SCL Health, advantages include boosted immunity, better heart health, improved weight management, uplifted mood, enhanced memory, increased productivity and better job performance.

 



Get Moving
Exercise is another great way to show your body some love. Even moderate exercise, such as a brisk walk or yoga, can have a wealth of long-term advantages and increase your lifespan. Immediate perks include better sleep, improved mood and increased energy. Exercise can also reduce stress, improve symptoms of depression and anxiety and help with ADHD and PTSD.



Take your fitness routine to the next level with a smartwatch and fitness app. Advantages of doing so include increased performance, improved coordination and continued motivation.

Stress Less
Though easier said than done, it’s crucial to get your tensions under control by developing healthy stress management tools. Stress can adversely affect your physical and mental health, with common side effects including nausea, headaches, chest pain, hair loss, high blood pressure, behavioural changes, insomnia and chemical dependence. A European study found that job-related stress alone can increase your risk of a heart attack by 23%.


Getting your anxiety under control doesn’t have to be difficult, time-consuming or costly. Greatist shares 27 affordable or free relaxation techniques, which include breathing deeply, meditation, listening to music, reading, chewing gum and laughing. Even decluttering and bringing some indoor plants into your home can alleviate stress.

 


Just Say No
Saying no is never easy. However, saying no is important to your well-being, especially if you’re beginning to feel resentful, stretched thin or flat out exhausted. Think through requests or invitations before you reply and ask yourself if it’s something you really want to do. If your mind and body say no, so should your mouth.

Go Au Natural
There will be instances in which you must rely on man-made cures, but when a natural remedy exists that actually works, try that first. Natural remedies do not contain harmful additives and are often rich in vitamins and minerals, two facts that equate to fewer side effects and increased health.



Stay Hydrated
Finally, drink the requisite number of cups of water each day. Though simple, drinking plenty of water can improve everything from joint function to oxygen intake to hair and skin health. If you make just one small change to your lifestyle, swap out your first cup of Joe with a cup of water each morning.

Achieving whole body health doesn’t require an excessive amount of time, money or commitment. It simply involves a few lifestyle changes. To see the greatest benefit, start with the ones above.

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