MERCURY RETROGRADE - WHAT THE HELL DOES IT MEAN? ✶
The spiritual circles are buzzing with frustration when the words Mercury retrograde are thrown around. A few years ago I knew nothing about astrology. Nothing. Zero and nothing. You may have heard that it is a time that brings with it many mistakes, miscommunications and problems with technology. But how does that even relate to a planet? Let me guide you! 👇🏼
What is Mercury Retrograde?
Mercury is our planet of communication. It works with our language, our intention, learning, writing, our understanding, reason, and our negotiation skills.
Mercury retrograde is an astrological phenomenon that occurs when the planet Mercury's movements and known orbit change in such a way that it appears as if Mercury is moving backwards - you may have tried sitting on a train that is stationary while the train on the track next to it starts moving, for a few seconds it feels as if the train you are sitting on is moving. It is an optical illusion, and the same thing is happening right now in Mercury retrograde, where the Earth passes Mercury, which is moving more slowly in the Earth and Mercury's orbit around the Sun.
Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun and moves faster than Earth. 3-4 times a year, Mercury appears to move in the opposite direction, and thus goes retrograde on its ellipse when we look at it from Earth, despite maintaining its orbit.
This is the phenomenon we are currently experiencing and which is affecting us - it started on August 23 and will continue until September 15, 2023.
If you would like to prepare and take notes, here is a list of dates for Mercury Retrograde next year:
- December 13, 2023 - January 1, 2024
- April 1 - April 25, 2024
- 5 August 2024 - 28 August 2024
- 26 November 2024 - 15 December 2024
When a planet goes retrograde, you can say it goes dormant. During this period of Mercury retrograde, you and many others may find that communication becomes more difficult, that it becomes more difficult to find the right words and phrases, that it becomes easier to misunderstand other people's messages and communications, both verbally and in writing.
You may find that thoughts and conversations revolve around the past, about what's inside you - that you stop and notice.
As well as being our planet of communication, Mercury also supports us in logistics and logic, and when Mercury is in retrograde, it is therefore advised not to make major decisions that require signatures or large purchases, as the energy surrounding it is negative. You may also experience challenges with transportation and technology.
It's a perfect time to practice being patient - both with yourself, others and the world around you.
Be tolerant and understanding towards others if they say something that doesn't sound good to you.
Also think about what you are told, and consider whether the decisions you need to make can wait, so that you can make them with plenty of energy and enthusiasm. It can also be a good idea to leave well in advance, check emails and messages one more time before pressing send.
Mercury retrograde offers a welcome opportunity to delve a little into yourself, nurture the relationships you already have, and get a handle on some of the loose ends and hang-ups you have.
Energy tools for Mercury in Retrograde
As always, it is important to surround yourself with a lot of good energy so that you have the best conditions to unfold as you wish - Mercury in Retrograde is no exception.
I advocate always choosing the crystals that you are most drawn to - because they are certainly the ones that will support you the most, wherever you are in your life. You can therefore benefit from investigating whether one of the crystals you feel drawn to connects with your throat chakra, which as an energy center is the center of communication, and among other things ensures that you can express yourself freely, or your root chakra, which helps you with grounding, stability and security.
They will be your best friends during a time of Mercury in Retrograde, as they will help you with your communication and support you in being present in the present, being forgiving, tolerant and creating a grounding connection.
If you would like to learn even more about and work with your chakras, you can read much more in the Crystal Book from Soulful by Ditte Kreuz, where all 7 chakras are reviewed.
Crystals for communication:
Crystals for grounding:
Crystals to protect against negative energies:
In addition to getting support and energies from stones and crystals, it may be a good idea to draw a card occasionally during Mercury retrograde to be able to reflect and direct your focus inward.
I am especially happy with these oracle cards from The Universe has your back - they will guide and connect you to the universe, teach you trust and make you receptive to the energies of the universe.
If you would like to work the energies even more during this Mercury retrograde, you can do a reflection practice together with the crystals and oracle cards.
Reflection Practices During Mercury Retrograde
This ongoing Mercury retrograde is taking place in the sign of Virgo and will therefore be able to bring deep insights through cleaning and organizing, however, you must allow time and immersion for these kinds of projects, and you will not be able to expect concrete results right away, as everything goes much slower due to the heavier energy surrounding us right now.
Breathe - take one step at a time.
I would love to give you some nourishing, grounding, and supportive tips and input for creating a reflective practice for Mercury retrograde in Virgo.
In this period we are in right now, 6 out of 14 planets are in retrograde, including Venus, which like Mercury is a personal planet in your horoscope and thus affects you more than the collective planets. It invites us as individuals to stop living on autopilot, question our usual being, thought patterns, behavior and perception. It may sound like a big mouthful, but let me break it down into smaller pieces for you.
- Work on your mindset - reflect on your actions, thoughts and behavior, where you are right now and feel this heavy energy. Why do you do what you do and what does it give you? Could you do something differently?
- Look back and take a closer look at what's unfinished and unnoticed - clean up what you can, but remember, as I wrote earlier, that everything is going a little extra slowly right now, don't stress.
- Tune in to the small and fine details of your life and become more aware of how you use your most valuable resources - your time, attention and energy.
Do you work with journaling?
Then you might benefit from asking yourself these questions:
- Do I communicate my feelings easily normally? And if not - what's stopping me?
- Is there a conversation I need to have but am holding back? Write down what you can and want to say.
- How have I grown in the last three months? What has happened, what has changed?
Finally, I would like to inspire you to get through this period of Mercury and other planets in retrograde with these grounding and nice tips:
- It's picking time - gather berries, fruits and mushrooms and spend time cooking.
- Get more sleep - the heavy energy can be draining, so allow yourself a nap.
- Feel free to write your thoughts and feelings in your journal - big and small.
- Read books - The introverted energy is perfect for immersing yourself.
- Spend time in nature - Nature is healing to be in contact with, therapy for body and mind
Let your intuition speak and feel for what you need.
May this Mercury retrograde bring you nourishing and grounding insights.
