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Recently I've run across the phrase "Mercury in Retrograde" always said in a hushed tone that implies that only bad things lie ahead. Articles usually reference "how to survive" or "hold on tight" when describing it. Or, as it was put when I googled it "A regularly occurring, astrological event that gives New Agers an excuse for getting fired, wrecking their car, breaking a leg, or having an overall shitty day."
Alrighty then.
And, this happens a few times each year. For 2014, these dates are:
06 February to 28 February
07 June to 02 July
04 October to 25 October
The one thing I've learned on this "New Age" journey of mine is that there is never anything only good or only bad. There is always the other side. Tomorrow we enter into another phase of mercury in retrograde and I'd perfer to know what good it will bring rather than focus on the bad. Full disclosure: I've already experienced a challenge when Cole mistakenly forgot to actually give me my wallet which he was bringing out to the car to me as I dropped him off for the bus to Temagami. Translation: I haven't had a wallet since Sunday and won't have one until the weekend. The good? I now have a reason to be creative and use up the food in the freezer and the pantry! See - there is always a bright side.
The best phrase I've ever read about this time is that Mercury in REtrograde is good for all things that start with RE.
REnew
REflect
REvive
REmind
REsearch
REconcile
REview
REmember
REfresh
REbound
REcall
RElocate
REconsider
REelect
REfinish
REnegotiate
REcycle
REstore
REmove
REmodel
RElinquish
REmit
REliable
REminisce
and on and on ...
Of those words on the list there is nothing particularly negative or scary. So, I will focus on the possibility of RE and focus on the good things the time brings. Apparently this is a very good time to:
Clean out your closet. Be merciless. Really, this is a great time to purge anything - files, books, magazines, whatever needs removal just toss!
Move on. This is a great time to forgive and forget.
Embrace nostalgia. Put those old records on. Read an old journal. Reconnect with an old friend. Go swimming for the first time in years. Remember the things in your life that have brought you joy and then enjoy them again.
Edit and review. For writers and creatives this is a wonderful time to reevaluate past works and polish them up - or toss.
Write a personal manifesto. Apparently this is a wonderful time to reflect on who you are as a person and what you want to represent to the world.
Mix it up. If you don't like the flow of your living room, or bedroom space - or your cutlery drawer, rearrange things to suit you and your flow!
Dare to relax. Though communication at this time can be a challenge, release control and embrace any travel headaches and get away for a holiday. Or simply take a day to do what you love best - read, get a massage,
Reinforce routine. Or focus on developing the habits you want in your life: 8-hours of sleep, drink more water, eat more vegetables, read more biographies.
Finish. This is a perfect time to put a final end to things: projects, relationships. Anything you've been putting off should be finished off. For me this will include completing household files, collecting and returning anything that does not belong in my home,
* * * * *
Remember that you'll want to be especially chill and relaxed during this time because for a lot of people things go completely bonkers. I'm told that Virgo and Gemini are particularly affected at this time - which means me and half of my children are expected to go a bit nuts! Poor Cole :(
A few things to keep in mind, things for us all to do anyway, but in this time we should be more mindful:
Back up important data.
Double check travel plans. Relax, part of the fun is in the journey!
Avoid signing contracts. A good time to review instead :)
EXPECT DELAYS and challenges and pack a magazine or book. Like everything in life, it's all in your attitude and how you choose to handle a situation. You know that old saying "this too shall pass" - it should be said in good times and bad times as they are both fluid and in constant state of flux.
* * * * *
I don't know about you but I think I'll enjoy this cosmic opportunity to reflect on the choices I'm making and determine what needs some extra care and attention. I liked how Danielle LaPorte described in one of her Desire Map videos that we, like the universe, are always expanding and contracting, but we never contract so much that we end up where we once were. We are always moving forward: expanding and growing.
Mercury in retrograde just gives us all an opportunity, if we are mindful about it, to measure our progress. If we all go with the flow and keep our sense of humour this should be a REwarding and REjuvinating time. We can choose to go through all our days that way. Sounds good to me!
