We begin September in the infamous Mercury retrograde phase. I know what you’re thinking– “wasn’t Mercury just in retrograde motion!?” Yes, it was. Every four months or so, Mercury, the planet of communication, puts itself in reverse and goes backwards for about 3 weeks over previously traveled territory. I guess it wants to make sure it didn’t miss anything!
This particular Mercury retrograde (which will end on September 22nd) is already proving to be a gnarly, emotional, dramatic (and trying) experience. Since a Mercury retrograde can result in mis-communications, missed connections and mistakes of all kinds, it’s important to consciously practice patience, calmness and mindfulness in order to not become a casualty of its very capricious energy. Our best bet is to remember Bobby McFerrin’s hit song, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” Remember it and sing it often– silently and out loud, especially when we’re faced with having to deal with the ramifications of a backwards flying winged messenger.
Mercury is a ‘personal’ planet that directly affects our daily lives and we need to pay attention to its actions. The retrograde motion of a planet gives us the opportunity to rethink our plans, emotions and actions as we set about achieving our goals. If your plans have recently been hampered, all is not lost. Perhaps, the retrograde is telling you to re-direct your frustrations towards reviewing and reworking your strategy because sometimes, setbacks are the universe’s way of sending you in a direction that’ll have you creating something much better than your original idea. A retrograde Mercury period is an excellent time for introspective exploration of ourselves and the situations/circumstances we’re currently dealing with.
Please remember, whenever Mercury is retrograde, all manner of mistakes and misunderstandings can occur. If you can, hold off on buying (or leasing) any big ticket items. It’s also a good idea to triple check any and all plans you make. This is an excellent time for research and going on retreats, as those things that are usually hidden from view, show themselves more easily during a Mercury Retrograde period. Wait until Mercury goes direct before making any big decisions and enacting any major plans.
This month’s message comes in the form of a quote that will help you remember to stay balanced during these ‘interesting’ times.
THE EMPEROR (March 21 – April 20) “Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Imposible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” Muhammad Ali
THE EMPRESS (April 21 – May 20) “Be the reason someone believes in the goodness of people.” Anonymous
THE LOVERS (May 21 – June 20) “People are always blaming circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want and if they can’t find them they make them.” George Bernard Shaw
THE CHARIOT (June 21 – July 20) “I am not afraid of my Truth anymore, I will not omit pieces of me to make you feel comfortable. Love me for who I am or not at all. Decide if you are part of my history or part of my future…I am who I am” Anonymous
THE SUN (July 21 – August 22) “Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.” John Wooden
THE HERMIT (August 23 – September 22) “Spirituality does not demand perfectionism. Shame does.” Robert Ohotto
JUSTICE (September 23 – October 22) “The greater danger lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.”
Michelangelo
THE MAGICIAN (October 23 – November 21) “The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant.” Albert Einstein
THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE (November 22 – December 21) “Each one sees what he carries in his heart.” Johann Wolfgang von Geothe
THE WORLD (December 22 – January 19) “When obstacles arise, you change your direction to reach your goal, you do not change your decision to get there.” Zig Ziglar
THE STAR (January 20 – February 19) “He dares to be a fool, and that is the first step in the direction of wisdom.” James Gibbons Huneker
THE MOON (February 20 – March 20) “This is the purpose of life– to get what you want. There are deeper things, but this is fun.” Karl Lagerfeld