MAKE THE MOST OF MERCURY RETROGRADE
It’s that time of the year again, folks, but there’s no need to lose your head! Mercury, the planet of communication, goes retrograde on May 29, 2021 and will appear from our standpoint here on earth to be going backwards until June 22, 2021. (Mercury Retrograde will be out of its shadow period by July 7, 2021.) During this transit, communications tend to not be at their greatest, making Mercury Retrograde famous for unexpected snafus, computer and technology glitches, heavier traffic, mix-ups and misunderstandings. But it’s a perfect universe, remember, so there’s even a point to Mercury Retrograde! Really, it forces us to slow down which can be very beneficial in the grand scheme of things. Under the retrograde, it’s not ideal to start something new (like a new project, job or relationship), but if you had planted the seed previously for the endeavor, moving forward with it should be fine.
To make the most of the transit, do anything that starts with the prefix “re,” Latin for “again” or “back.” Here’s twelve great “re” things to do – so you don’t just survive but thrive under Mercury Retrograde.
Reconvene. Since brand-spanking new projects probably won’t turn out that hot, it’s best during Mercury Retrograde to just keep working on what you already have on your plate. And if you’re all caught up and have time to twiddle your thumbs (yeah, right!) great, as resting is a fantastic use of Mercury Retrograde!
Reconnect. Though it’s not ideal to start a new relationship under the retrograde, it’s a good time to reconnect with people from your past (depending on the person, of course!). Because from our standpoint Mercury is going in reverse motion, you can usually pick up right where you had left off, and your past relationship is more easily rekindled. The same lessons, of course, may also repeat themselves, so determine what you learned previously so you don’t make the same mistakes again!
Reconsider. Since life seems to slow down under the retrograde, it’s a good time to look at your values and make sure you’re living your life in accordance with them. Because an object in motion likes to stay in motion, sometimes we don’t stop to think about exactly what we want and what we’re doing to get it. Consider what will truly make you happy, and adjust your course as appropriate.
Return. Since new places visited under the retrograde aren’t usually what we had expected, returning to where you’ve been before usually bodes better. If you have to take someone important out to dinner, for instance, or you’re not sure which hotel to choose, return to one you had been to before. In doing this, your time may be much better spent!
Revise. Don’t start a new project; instead, revise an old one. We all have stuff we’ve started before that could use some fine-tuning, and Mercury Retrograde is the perfect time to rework old material. Dust off that old manuscript, proposal, or presentation and revise it now to make it even better!
Research. With communication seemingly slower now, you are likely to find information that you had not been able to find before! Whether you love delineating your family tree, need source information for a project, or want to plan out a trip, Mercury Retrograde will really richen your research.
Reschedule. If there’s anything important but not time sensitive, why not reschedule? This is most critical regarding the signing of contracts or important events like weddings. If it’s not a “HELL YEAH!” you may want to say “not right now.”
Reword. It’s often easy for things to be taken out of context under retrograde, and mountains can be made out of molehills. Though being straight-forward (or “cut-throat,” as the case may be) will give you momentary satisfaction, it’s maybe not best for your long-game. Make diplomacy your watchword under the retrograde, and you’ll stay sitting pretty. Remember, you can’t un-ring a bell!
Replay. One of the coolest things to do under the retrograde is to fall in love again with songs, movies and TV shows you had forgotten about. You’ll find a new appreciation for these old things, discover new interpretations, and notice how your tastes have changed. What you love or loved makes you “you.”
Remember. Mercury Retrograde often makes us nostalgic, thinking about the past and where we came from. But just like two people can recall the same scenario in completely different ways, you could choose to view your past from a more empowered lens. For instance, say you had a very demanding parent: Instead of viewing yourself as having never been good enough for said parent, instead realize that their incredibly high standards have made you incredibly hard working. You always have the power to see differently, and if you can view the past through a prism of power, it will help you to create a more empowered future.
Reflect. With communications seemingly slower now, it’s a great time to reflect on your thoughts, emotions, beliefs, and actions to ensure they match up with what you want in life. For instance, what do you think might make you truly happy? Then think of someone who has what you want and consider what their beliefs about themselves must be. Then adopt those beliefs as your own—practice having the beliefs. A bit of inner searching and find+replace can go a long way!
Reaffirm. Though it’s not great to start new projects and relationships under the retrograde, reaffirming your commitments is a good idea. Look at your goals and reaffirm your commitment to them. For the people you care about, make sure to reaffirm your love for them. Double-down on what and whom matters to you and win this retrograde!