Mercury Retrograde August 30th to September 22nd, 2016

Mercury goes retrograde and this transit has such a bad reputation, but truly it is just a normal pattern + cycle of our life. In fact, Mercury retrograde is very necessary for helping us shift our focus and learning the role of Mercury is key.

Mercury is the planet associated with all forms of communication, it rules over how we express ourselves + how we think and how we communicate our ideas and feelings to the outside world. It corresponds to different things in different areas of application, such as it's association with the lungs and hands in medical astrology, the media in a natal chart, or the electrical system in a car. In human beings, Mercury is identified with the nervous system and also all forms of sensory input. So when Mercury goes retrograde, this planetary shift will actually help us to also shift our focus away from expressing outwards and into expressing inwards. Don't be afraid to take the journey!

MERCURY RETROGRADES GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO WITHIN AND TO WORK OUT HOW WE'RE TRULY FEELING AND HOW WE WANT TO EXPRESS OUR IDEAS AND THOUGHTS WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD.

When Mercury is direct it helps us to speak our truth and communicate it to the world. When Mercury goes retrograde however, this planet gives us the opportunity to assess our truth and how we have been communicating it to the world.

This dual process has to exist and happen for us to really understand who we are and how we choose to express or communicate this information.

Between today August 30th to September 22 start working out those deeper parts of the psyche, be gentle and honest with yourself. Mercury retrograde isn't "negative". It's just that when we know our truth, we know who we are. Of course it isn't all rainbows and flowers, Mercury retrograde comes with the obvious annoyances but they're for our growth, despite how frustrating they can feel. Be patient, expect the delays and mishaps/errors in communication that are always associated with mercurial retrogrades. Expect the travel delays, technological problems, and the usual advice of not signing any long binding contracts.

An interesting point to take note also is that Mercury goes retrograde usually 3x a year, but in 2016 this planet is going retrograde 4 times! Which is pretty rare, so the Universe must really want for us now to get in touch with our truth and how we feel. This retrograde is in Earthy Virgo so its wise to use this time to discriminate the quality of mind, and differentiation between the source and the self. Grounding energy, and using discernment is going to be key!

Mercury Rx essential oils: Vetiver, Patchouli, Lavender, Chamomile
Mercury Gemstones for grounding & Mental Clarity : Smokey Quartz, Clear Quartz, Black Tourmaline, Purple Fluroite
Candle colors: Blue, Black, White

Meditation/Focus: "The information shown during this retrograde will show me the way to break free from comfort zones and routines. This change of pace offers me a new opportunity to change my life direction appropriately. I am being shown ways to broaden my perspective by using my intuition."

Allow insights from your meditations to lead you into deeper relaxation,utilize candles, herbs, stones, and oils to create your own rituals for self-reflection, peace of mind and mental clarity. Take no less than 15-30 minutes, preferably at the same time each day to sit with yourself over the course of this retrograde.

FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS: BREATHE DEEP, TAKE THINGS SLOW, AND TRUST THAT INNER VOICE!