Messing with Mercury

​Even if you're not into the "star stuff", you might be noticing that you're having trouble getting your point across to people, or perhaps misunderstanding what people mean when they're talking to you. Have directions seemed a little overly confusing recently? Do you feel a little argumentative or generally disagreeable? Are your tech devices suddenly rebelling on you? Well friends, Mercury is in retrograde and those are just some of the results of this planet phenomenon. Mercury is the ruler of communication, travel, technology, and intellectual thoughts, and three times a year this planet appears to move backwards in the sky for about three weeks. Mercury doesn’t actually move counter-clockwise; its orbit around the Sun is faster than ours,and this causes the optical illusion of a backwards-moving planet. When a planet is in retrograde (no, Mercury isn't the only one, just the most notorious of them), the themes and energies it embodies are reversed and internalized, which can make you feel like you’re spinning in circles or a salmon swimming upstream, pick your metaphor.  

With Mercury in retrograde, you are more likely to have miscommunications with others, travel mishaps (up to and including accidents so please drive safely!), and my personal favorite, random issues with technology. My computer at work randomly started freezing and getting stuck yesterday, and I can guarantee you that right around August 16-18 it's going to magically fix itself. It does it EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. #sofrustrating. Something else to be on the lookout for are exes and old friends appearing (seemingly) out of no where, as Mercury's "reversal " can cause old feelings and relationships from the past to surface. Great. 

It's not all bad however. This time Mercury is in Leo, a fire sign that is big with expression and authenticity, so the creative juices will be flowing, you'll have some big ideas and you won't really sweat the details as much as you might usually. BUT while it's in Leo Mercury can also be very opinionated and that could easily lend itself to bossiness and being just a teensy bit self-centered. (coughnotmecoughcough) "Katie! What the hell does this all MEAN???" Well it means that for the next three-ish weeks you'll need to watch what you say, try to think before you speak, take other's views into account and generally try not to be a selfish jerk. I also would recommend against making any huge life/business decisions or any major technological purchase. There's an info graphic below to help too.  

Something else that helps me is to remember that the Universe is sending you these setbacks and challenges during this period of time for a reason and ultimately they'll be good for your growth. Does it suck? Sure. Will you die? Nope. Just hunker down with some tea and cookies (wine never hurt either, #justsaying) and focus on your own introspection and creative projects. We got this kids. Two days down, 2.5 weeks (give or take) to go. 

Have you had any strange Mercury Retrograde experiences? Share them below in the comments, I'd love to hear them and commiserate!