Communication During Mercury Retrograde
September 9 - October 2, 2022 will be the third Mercury Retrograde for this calendar year. If you are into astrology, you probably already put this on your calendar. If not, you may be wondering what the heck I'm talking about. Mercury retrograde in basic terms, is when the planet Mercury, from our perspective here on Earth, appears to move backwards through the sky. It is one of the oldest phenomena observed by astronomers and astrologers alike. This is a visual illusion caused by Mercury's relative size being smaller than Earth's and its position in orbit. Astrologers believe this retrograde motion has a negative connotation. Since Mercury is the planet associated with communication, those who are astrologically inclined expect to experience misunderstandings, miscommunication, and difficulty. It is believed that during a three week retrograde cycle, and the shadow period immediately before and after the retrograde, technology, travel and communication could be disrupted. This can lead to other issues like hurt or angry feelings over miscommunications, missing e-mail or messages, missed appointments, lost information...you get the idea. Even if you have no interest in astrology or choose not to believe in it yourself, there's a good chance someone in your circle does; as awareness and belief in astrology is rapidly increasing since the 1960s.

During this time of retrograde lots of negative energy is being produced and we encounter that negativity even if we are not consciously aware of it or manifesting it ourselves.
Here are some easy ways to avoid misunderstandings, improve communication and avoid an accumulation of negative energy:
Crystal lovers should consider:
Blue Lace Agate can calm emotions and help us communicate from a place of love.
Blue Kyanite supports the third-eye chakra, heart and throat chakras. Keeping one of these crystals close by can help you avoid miscommunication and clear up misunderstandings.
Citrine raises self-esteem, protection, intellect, self-expression and self-confidence. It is associated with the sacral, solar plexus and crown chakras. This helps us think clearly and be more sure of ourselves in our communications.
Helpful Herbs include:
Holy Basil or Tulsi which supports a calm, clear mind while helping the body adapt to stressors.
Lavender goes straight from our nose to the limbic brain which governs our emotions. This calming scent can bring on a sense of clarity and allow a pause for thought before we speak.
Speaking of a pause - taking a few deep breaths, pause for a moment to think about your intention before communicating is always a great way to avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings, retrograde or not.
Avoid or Limit:
Coffee may be agitating during this time, so it might be a good idea or avoid that extra cup.
Hold off making big decisions or signing important papers
Do not rely solely on technology for communication, take time to follow up by phone or in person
Avoid situations primed for disagreement or misunderstanding
Avoid a high-pressure or tight schedule when traveling
Of course one of the best ways to keep your communication clear, is to make sure your energy is balanced and flowing freely. A balanced throat chakra will help you speak your truth and communicate effectively. Clear thinking and balance in the third-eye and crown will help you avoid mishaps and deal with stressors better as incidents of miscommunication or disruptions occur. Take some time to meditate. Don't get stuck in a pattern of frustration or worry over ideas or things that were said. Address the feeling, breathe in and release it.
Are You Interested in Astrology?
- Yes, I know my sun, moon, and rising signs and more
- I'm open to it, but don't really know that much about it
- I know about it, but it's not my thing
- No, don't know, don't want to know