Mercury Retrograde: December 13, 2023 - January 1, 2024
For the last few weeks of the year, Mercury is in Retrograde. This transit always brings some chaos. If something can go wrong, it likely will. The best way to deal with the challenges that Mercury Retrograde brings is to slow down, take things one step at a time and remain flexible. With a little effort, we can make it through this challenge.
What is a Mercury Retrograde?
Retrogrades happen when a planet appears to have switched directions. It’s an illusion caused by Earth’s relation to the planet. It produces that trippy feeling, like being on a train and watching another in parallel motion. Most planets have Retrogrades, but Mercury’s effects are often felt more strongly.
Mercury Retrograde always brings its old tricks, frustrations and delays. It will usually throw us off with communication problems, misunderstandings, technical difficulties, travel delays, and general frustration. Plans can go awry and be reconsidered. New information can come up to change a situation. Maybe there is a change in goals or priorities. This is why flexibility is important to survive Mercury Retrograde with the least frustration.
This isn’t a great time to make contracts, promises, start a relationship or launch anything new. It can be a good time to reflect and plan for those things. Intuition is high at this time and coincidences can be extraordinary.
Mercury in Sagittarius Influence
This Mercury Retrograde moves back into Sagittarius, which is known for being spontaneous and fun-loving. We could find ourselves feeling giddy and reckless as the year wraps up. We could feel more open to risk-taking, but remember that cheap thrills are not always fulfilling.
Mercury in Capricorn Influence
Capricorn is known for its stability, which may give some semblance of order in the chaos. We may take a hard look at our finances, goals, and what’s keeping us from achieving them. Capricorn gets a bad rap for ruthless practicality, but when Mercury rolls into this sign, it gives a chance to break out of any delusions, limiting patterns and old belief systems. There is a will to problem-solve and put the pieces back together. We can use this Retrograde period to build strong foundations for our goals in the coming year.
How can Mercury Retrograde help us?
It’s beneficial to reflect and revisit things to determine what is and isn’t working. Review what we are putting your energy toward. For example, if our friends are important to us, have we put in the effort to reach out and spend time with them? Or are we overextending when it comes to our career and our relationships are suffering? Reflect on what is important and how we can bring more attention to those areas.
Journaling is a great activity for Mercury Retrograde. Mercury enjoys writing, and it’s a great way to navigate our brains and find what is bothering us and what is amazing. Having a gratitude list can help us to remain positive during this difficult time.
It’s also a great time to have a creative outlet. Find a way to be creative by browsing Pinterest for craft and recipes. Try painting or grab a coloring book. Try blogging. We never know what we might learn when we try new things.
Mercury Retrograde is a great time to take a step back from Social Media and general socializing! Take a day (or two) to completely unplug. One of the best things to do is relax! Hibernate and snuggle up with a favorite movie. Have a spa night. Enjoy time to yourself!
How to Survive!
Truly, there is nothing to worry about while Mercury is in Retrograde. It’s a reminder to slow down and check the details. The best thing to do is remain flexible, patient and understanding. Allow extra time for travel. Double check your email responses. Avoid big plans and new contracts if we can!
Review projects and plans, but wait until Mercury is direct again to make a final decision. We can’t stop your life, but we can plan ahead, have back-up plans and be prepared for people’s miscommunication. Be thoughtful and patient. Heat of the moment reactions are not usually good for our future well-being.
Take a moment to reflect. It’s an excellent time to reanalyze who you are and what you’re doing. Just refrain from any drastic changes until after retrograde has ended.
If mistakes happen, life won’t end! These are just a few things we can do to make it easier.
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