Astrology by: Lisa Stardust

Mercury retrograde commences on October 13th and lasts until November 3rd (Election Day in the U.S.). The retrograde story we will experience began on September 23rd during the pre-shadow phase and will wrap up on November 19th when the Retroshade zone concludes. This time, the trickster planet will be moonwalking from watery Scorpio to airy Libra. 

This backwards journey is about gaining emotional clarity and understanding our role in relationships (how we relate and treat others). We will see patterns in our behaviorisms and partnerships that we’ve never seen before. It’s a time for us all to take a deep dive within our hearts and psyche to remedy the way we go through the motions of relationships. Odds are, sentiments and feelings that have been pushed down within our hearts will resurface. Don’t run away from your emotions. This is part of the healing process. Feel your feels. 

Secrets and scandals will be revealed — but, mostly the lies we’ve told ourselves throughout the years. We are coming to terms with the truest versions of ourselves, which will be hard to process at first. If we grace ourselves with compassion and kindness, we will be able to eventually move forward and mend these sentiments. Most importantly, we need to give ourselves time to process our revelations. Being kind to ourselves is ¾ of the journey — the same applies for everyone else in our lives too. 

To Stay Centered During Mercury Retrograde

Take a yellow or orange candle (the color of Mercury) and annotate it with myrrh oil to bring peaceful communication our way. Light the candle every Wednesday (Mercury’s Day) to ensure calm and pleasurable conversations with others. This candle will also reduce anxieties and frustrations from flaring up during Mercury’s backspin. 

A healing bath with Epsom salt and lemon verbena (a herb known to aid the planet Mercury). You can use lemon zests or peels if you do not have access to lemon verbena. Soak in the bath every Wednesday (Mercury’s Day) for 20 minutes to ensure positivity and to lessen the effects the retrograde will have on your personal life. If you do not have access to a bathtub, you can blend Epsom salt, lemon verbena, and water in a bowl (as much as you deem fit). Then, pour over your shoulders in the shower. 

Obsidian is a great protective stone to keep by your side throughout the day (you can use this everyday of the week). Not only will this stone shield and protect you against negative energy, it’ll filter out all the mental stresses that cause frustrations to flair up. 

Cleanse your personal space with lavender every Wednesday (Mercury’s Day). You can take fresh lavender or a bundle and light it in a cauldron. Let your room or office. You can also use the oil on your skin as a perfume or make a sachet with lavender. This will help calm the stresses that arise from Mercurial blunders (like technological, communication, and travel issues).