Tactics for Mercury Retrograde

Right before the New Year, we waltzed right into Mercury Retrograde and will be in retrograde until the middle of the month (January 18th). Mercury retrograde, for those not familiar, is when the planet mercury appears to orbit in the opposite direction when in actuality, it is just moving more slowly. During this planetary moment, many believe that disruptions start to occur in our lives. Mercury retrograde is famous for snafus in communication, technology hiccups and for our past to show up again in strange and unexpected (and sometimes unwanted) ways.

So how can we make the best of the weird Mercury Retrograde energy?

Here's some thoughts!

1) Embrace the past. Instead of just waiting for past unfavorables to pop up, get back in touch with parts of your past that you loved. Rediscover some old beloved hobbies and finish some projects that you started but never completed. This isn't the best time to start something new, but a great time to revisit old goals!

2) Over Communicate. This time is known for communication to be off-- so double back on any important communicated items. This means double confirming appointments, take extra time to make sure everyone understands instructions and plans, and try to avoid negotiations and contracts until we are out of retrograde.

3) Give yourself extra time for EVERYTHING. This isn't the time to leave late and rush or try to squeeze things in last minute. Over budget your timelines on all tasks so you can handle any issues that arise without stress. Don't overpack your schedule. Keep lots of breathing room between important tasks.

4) Plan important events for AFTER retrograde. Conferences and big work meetings will all serve you better if you schedule them for AFTER this time.

5) Avoid trying brand new technology. Technology can seem really glitchy during this time so to avoid any frustration, try out the new software or buy the new device later in the month.

Mercury Retrograde is a great scapegoat for anything you need to pawn blame on during this time. Don't be afraid of it, but be aware of what you can learn and healthy habits you can build from it's unique energy! Utilize the tips above and focus on remembering the parts of your past that you LOVE.