Image of vintage shop front in Cork City, Ireland.
'Life can only be understood backwards, but is must be lived forwards'.
-Søren Kierkegaard
'Life can only be understood backwards, but is must be lived forwards'.
-Søren Kierkegaard
All the planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Venus and Mercury, move retrograde at different times. Saturn is retrograde for nearly half the year - every year. Jupiter is retrograde for about 4 months every year. Mars and Venus are less frequent in their retrograde motion, moving backwards from our perspective every second year or so.
It is the fastest moving planet, Mercury, that is retrograde the most. It moves us beyond our current reality, into an imagined future, and then brings us back to recover the pass, before coming back to reality - back to the present moment.
It is because of Mercury's frequent retrograde motion - 3 and sometimes 4 times a year, for a period of about 3 weeks each time - that we become so concerned with the phenomenon that is Mercury retrograde.
The term 'Mercury retrograde' itself has gained more awareness in the public domain than any other astrological influence and is now being included in many calendars. There's even a vintage clothing store in Cork named 'Mercury goes Retrograde' I came across a few years ago (pictured).
Why so much concern with this phenomenon?
Well, our minds take up a lot of head space, as we try to work it all out in that small space between our ears! This is not usually a problem when we can balance this with other aspects of our being. However, most of us do not find this balance during a Mercury retrograde period.
We are bombarded by a constant stream of new information to digest and assimilate all of the time. When Mercury is retrograde we also need to reflect and review our lives, which adds to the work load.
This is a lot for the mind to deal with. If we view the mind as a computer screen, we can see how a constant flow of information across our screens needs some sort of order. Mercury retrograde allows us to reorder our thoughts.
Of course, there is always the possibility of mental strains when Mercury is retrograde, especially as it stations retrograde and direct once again.
Time out of Time
We naturally become more introspective during this period.
Mercury, as with any planet which is retrograde, is stronger, being closer to earth. We just don't always know how to handle the intensity.
Mercury retrograde is a time spent out of time - a life between lives - as we discover deeper truths and gain insights from our introspection. In a more practical sense, our everyday interactions become a little bit of a struggle as we turn things back and over in our minds.
Mercury Retrograde and Travel
You need to pack a lot more patience with you during these periods, as things may not always run smoothly. Be prepared to have to sit and wait. You may be fortunate enough to reach your destination on time, but always double checking your itinerary during Mercury retrograde.
If you do experience delays then use the extra time you hadn't accounted for to reflect on your life. After all, that is all this period is asking of you!
Enjoy the Limbo
Mercury's retrograde period is like a life that no longer is, and yet is, well - not yet. As Mercury halts it speed and slowly moves backwards - only to slow its speed again to move forwards again - we live our life between lives, and need to take time out during the retrograde phase.
I encourage you to take some time to simply be still; to allow the 'all that is' to work it all out for you. Take mental breaks to allow for deeper insights in the stillness between thoughts. Make allowances for others to do the same. Give each other more space during these periods.
Be as clear as possible in your communications, and remember, we have two ears and only one mouth for a good reason!
OM TAT SAT
It is the fastest moving planet, Mercury, that is retrograde the most. It moves us beyond our current reality, into an imagined future, and then brings us back to recover the pass, before coming back to reality - back to the present moment.
It is because of Mercury's frequent retrograde motion - 3 and sometimes 4 times a year, for a period of about 3 weeks each time - that we become so concerned with the phenomenon that is Mercury retrograde.
The term 'Mercury retrograde' itself has gained more awareness in the public domain than any other astrological influence and is now being included in many calendars. There's even a vintage clothing store in Cork named 'Mercury goes Retrograde' I came across a few years ago (pictured).
Why so much concern with this phenomenon?
Well, our minds take up a lot of head space, as we try to work it all out in that small space between our ears! This is not usually a problem when we can balance this with other aspects of our being. However, most of us do not find this balance during a Mercury retrograde period.
We are bombarded by a constant stream of new information to digest and assimilate all of the time. When Mercury is retrograde we also need to reflect and review our lives, which adds to the work load.
This is a lot for the mind to deal with. If we view the mind as a computer screen, we can see how a constant flow of information across our screens needs some sort of order. Mercury retrograde allows us to reorder our thoughts.
Of course, there is always the possibility of mental strains when Mercury is retrograde, especially as it stations retrograde and direct once again.
Time out of Time
We naturally become more introspective during this period.
Mercury, as with any planet which is retrograde, is stronger, being closer to earth. We just don't always know how to handle the intensity.
Mercury retrograde is a time spent out of time - a life between lives - as we discover deeper truths and gain insights from our introspection. In a more practical sense, our everyday interactions become a little bit of a struggle as we turn things back and over in our minds.
Mercury Retrograde and Travel
You need to pack a lot more patience with you during these periods, as things may not always run smoothly. Be prepared to have to sit and wait. You may be fortunate enough to reach your destination on time, but always double checking your itinerary during Mercury retrograde.
If you do experience delays then use the extra time you hadn't accounted for to reflect on your life. After all, that is all this period is asking of you!
Enjoy the Limbo
Mercury's retrograde period is like a life that no longer is, and yet is, well - not yet. As Mercury halts it speed and slowly moves backwards - only to slow its speed again to move forwards again - we live our life between lives, and need to take time out during the retrograde phase.
I encourage you to take some time to simply be still; to allow the 'all that is' to work it all out for you. Take mental breaks to allow for deeper insights in the stillness between thoughts. Make allowances for others to do the same. Give each other more space during these periods.
Be as clear as possible in your communications, and remember, we have two ears and only one mouth for a good reason!
OM TAT SAT
