How to be “Productive” during Mercury in Retrograde

Considering Mercury Retrogrades at least three times a year, these are excellent ideas for how to spend those three weeks …

How to be “Productive” during Mercury in Retrograde
by Ruby

Have you noticed your electronics breaking down or glitching out, are you struggling with misunderstandings or having communication issues with people? Has your Wifi, computer, smartphone, and any associated technologies been acting just weird lately? Then there’s a very good chance you have been experiencing the effects of “Mercury in Retrograde.” Mercury is the planet that governs over communication, travel, and often electronics, and when it’s in a Retrograde cycle or appears to be moving backward, things can go a little haywire here on planet Earth!

Remember throughout this article I will be referring to Mercury in Retrograde as Mercury Rx. Rx is the actual symbol used in Astrology for “Retrograde,” and it helps me shorten this down a bit.

I have been writing about what not to do during a “Mercury in Retrograde” cycle for many years now. And even though I believe strongly in the advice I give, especially about how we shouldn’t be signing contracts at this time or making any long distance travel plans. It just seems to get to the point where I’m constantly telling this negative story, which is a drag. And isn’t exactly helping anyone, now is it? Each “Mercury in Rx” cycle lasts for 3 weeks and that’s not including the “Shadow Phases”, which are before and after a Mercury in Rx cycle. Each shadow phase last three weeks as well. So that makes Mercury in Rx a nearly two-month event! We have to get something positive out of this!

Being born during a Mercury in Rx cycle myself, I really understand its effects on a deeper level. I’ve had my fair share of Mercury Rx moments over the years, and I could go on and on! In some ways, I live in this electronic glitchy world full of misunderstandings and little mishaps all the time. Therefore I am used to it, but still thoroughly annoyed by it. But with all of that being said, I have also learned that “Energy Follows Thought” bottom line, no matter what the Cosmos is doing. I have proven to myself time and time again that if you focus on what it is you really want, you can ride the waves of any negative astrological influence and come out of it with something more positive. Not to say that if you make a list of what to do that you won’t have issues, because whatever part of your Astro “Birth Chart” Mercury Rx is transiting is the part of your life it will affect, and with this particular aspect there’s not a lot you can do to detour it. But you can learn how to work with it, and benefit from it!

Since I became aware of Mercury and it’s Retrograde cycles at a very young age, I have also learned a great deal about how to align my energy better with the Cosmos, to seek and find balance. I thought I would shed some light on how one can be productive during a Mercury in Rx cycle. So instead of explaining what not to do during this time, let’s focus on the progress we can make!

Astrologers are constantly explaining how during this cycle, communication is broken down… well that made me think about when something or someone is broken down, it’s an opportunity to rebuild the energy back up again, to align better with one’s soul path in life. Which means perhaps all the things glitching out or not working, or the misunderstandings that seem to come along with Mercury in Rx, are being brought to us for a reason, for a higher purpose. Maybe to help us understand something we otherwise may not notice, and to bring us clarity! But you may be asking, how when certain devices break down like our DVD players or our Wifi stops working, (happens every time to my household) do these annoyances have any meaning or substance spiritually? The answer is simple, Mercury is telling you to Unplug, it’s time to get Quiet and stop the constant chatter, and to get away from the movement that is our lives nowadays. Listen to your higher-self, or your spirit! And no it’s not conducive to be unplugged and miss work and run away from the world everytime Mercury Goes into Retrograde, I get it! But it does mean you can take a Vacation for even a day or two and simply unplug from the outside noise. If that’s just impossible to do during this time, then take just 30 mins a day and unplug, go meditate and recharge your own personal batteries.

Sometimes we have to start over to achieve our goals, and in Mercury Rx, that should be the rule… it’s time to not get bent all out of shape and frustrated and realize this is a time to re-work, re-do, re-learn, and do research. Don’t feel bad, trust me I can sympathize as I have already mentioned, I was born during a Mercury in Rx cycle and I have learned throughout the years once I do something, to do it again! Every time I redo whatever it might be, it always comes out better. Just ask my second husband! Yes, I had to even redo marriage! But that’s the extreme example. The bottom line is it can be very frustrating for those who aren’t used to it, to have to redo everything all the time but take my advice during Mercury in RX, it is the best thing you can do.

Even the planet Mercury itself is going backward through a house in your own personal Astrology “Birth Chart” right now and a certain sign of the zodiac, and therefore is backtracking to help you learn and understand something you’ve probably already done or been through before. You have to take steps back during Mercury in Rx to move forward.

Here is my list to help remind me and all of you, what we can do that actually works for us during “Mercury in Retrograde.”

How to be Productive during Mercury in Retrograde:

REWORK SCHEDULES: Take a look at your schedule and ask: What’s working or not? Be flexible during this phase, and just know you may have to change your game plan. Think about letting go of any responsibilities that aren’t yours or that aren’t working for you.

DECLUTTER: It’s right after the Holidays, so many of us are clearing out old junk anyway, but during a “Mercury in Retrograde” cycle is the best time to get into your closet, basement, shed or attic and rid of what you don’t use anymore. I mean go through everything, even old junk drawers and make sure and recycle. Remember when you get rid of old stuff, you are getting rid of the old energy as well, and making room for new fresh energy to come in…which can bring in new beginnings.

REVISIT: If there’s any friends or family that you haven’t contacted in a long time for whatever reason, now is the time to make amends and open your heart up to healing. Working on these relationships can help heal old wounds. Which is beneficial to your spiritual evolvement. Catch up with old friends, go have coffee or meet up for dinner. Just make sure the people you choose to revisit are not dysfunctional or abusive.

SELF-CARE: It’s important to take care of yourself during this cycle, so working on self-care can be very helpful. Take it easy and make sure to eat right, exercise and move more. Spend less time being plugged into the net or social media if at all possible. Start some sort of new routine that benefits you and your well-being.

CHANGE THE ENERGY: Time to change the energies up in your life, add some nice candles to your home… to help burn off old energies and invite new energy in. Put some color in your home and redecorate with pictures that make you feel good. Add fresh flowers, burn new candles and burn some incense. Bless and release the old energy that’s been in your home or office, and bring in a hugger vibrational energy. There are many different ways to go about this. Just try it, you’ll see and feel the difference.

BE FLEXIBLE: This is very important so I am going to repeat it again, allow the energies to flow around you and stop trying to control everything, write a letter and let the Universe know what you’re trying to create in your life, and then sit back and relax. Just follow what feels natural and don’t fight, argue, or push.

REINVENT: Take some time to think about your past successes and bring new light to them, enjoy what you have created in your life, instead of trying to constantly manifest something new and different. Make sure to reuse what’s in your home and repurpose whatever you can, perhaps some DYI projects should be on the agenda during this period.

REWORK AND REDO: If you left any projects that you had started and never finished, behind, work on them again. Work on anything you feel passionate about, but this time finish them and enjoy what you have done. If there’s something you just couldn’t get done or get through, now is the time to redo it and fix it! “Mercury in Retrograde cycles tend to really help us finish up old business.

ORGANIZE: Do you have 3000 pics on your phone or computer just hanging around, this is a great time to organize your life. I like to organize my emails, pictures and just everything on my computer and smartphone or tablet during “Mercury in Retrograde.” Take the time to organize your world in any way possible. Use this energy to make something creative perhaps as well.

REMEMBER: Connect to your past in some way, watch old videos of your family, wedding or any life event that was a happy memory. Check out old high school pictures of friends and just simply reflect and reminisce about the old days, fill your heart up with memories and simply feel gratitude for the time you had with them. Connecting to positive energies will help you feel good, and can help you move forward in your life.

~Ruby

Source: Ruby’s Readings

Rubys Readings

December of 2016 Update – Mercury Once Again goes into Retrograde:

How to be “Productive” during Mercury in Retrograde
by Ruby

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Have you noticed your electronics breaking down or glitching out, are you struggling with misunderstandings or having communication issues with people? Has your Wifi, computer, smartphone, and any associated technologies been acting just weird lately? Then there’s a very good chance you have been experiencing the effects of “Mercury in Retrograde.” Mercury is the planet that governs over communication, travel, and often electronics, and when it’s in a Retrograde cycle or appears to be moving backward, things can go a little haywire here on planet Earth!

Remember throughout this article I will be referring to Mercury in Retrograde as Mercury Rx. Rx is the actual symbol used in Astrology for “Retrograde,” and it helps me shorten this down a bit.

I have been writing about what not to do…

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Blue Door Folk Lore

The color blue is associated with dreams, peace and clarity, hence coming from a beautiful clear sky during the day. Both green and blue have an intrinsic effect on the human emotions and causes a calming chemical in the brain to occur …

Read the rest at the Source: Blue Door Folk Lore

WINTER SOLSTICE ~ Celebrating the Return of the Sun

For thousands of years, people all over the Planet Earth have celebrated the Winter Solstice, the time when the Sun returns after the winter’s cold and darkness.

In pre-Christian Northern Europe, this festival was called Yule. The celebration of Yule predates the Christian holiday by thousands of years.

The etymology of the word Yule has been the object of much debate. Some believe it to be derived from the old Anglo-Saxon word Iul, which means wheel and connected to the Celtic concept of the Wheel of the Year. Other linguists say that this interpretation is unlikely, since the word for Yule, which they spell Yehwla, predates the invention of the wheel by more than a thousand years. Still, others have attempted to trace the word to Julius Caesar, or to Jolnir, which is another name for the Norse god Odin.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs on December 21 or 22, and practitioners of neo-pagan religions there celebrate Yule at the same time as the Christians celebrate Christmas.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice occurs on June 22 or 23. In Australia, the Christian holiday is observed on the same dates as in the Northern Hemisphere (although Christmas dinner may be a backyard barbecue or a picnic on the beach). Australian neo-pagans, however, celebrate Yule at the Winter Solstice in June, the time when Scandinavians hold their Midsummer festivals.

Why is Christmas celebrated on December 25 when historical and biblical evidence indicate that Jesus Christ was not born on December 25, but in the Spring? A common theory is that the Christian church designated this date as the day of Christ’s birth to coincide with the Roman Saturnalia festival and the Northern European pagan midwinter solstice celebrations, in order to “facilitate” the conversion of “heathens.”

Most so-called Christmas traditions are rooted deep in ancient Yule rituals.

The Vikings decorated the yule log, usually a large oak log with sprigs of fir, holly, or yew. They carved runes on it to call on the Gods to protect from misfortune in the coming year. A piece of the previous year’s Yule log was used to light the new log, and a piece of the log was always saved to protect the home during the coming year and to use to light next year’s fire. Today, most know the Yule log as a sweet edible.

Even the Christmas tree also goes back to pre-Christian times. The Vikings decorated evergreen trees with pieces of food and clothes, small statues of the Gods, carved runes, etc., to entice the tree spirits to come back in the spring. The Romans also decorated trees with trinkets and candles at the Saturnalia festival.

Ancient myths also surround the mistletoe. The Vikings believed it could resurrect the dead, a belief connected to a legend about the resurrection of Balder, the Sun God.

The Druids considered holly a sacred plant and believed that woodland spirits lived in it during winter time. (The Druids were the priests of the Celtic people, believed to have come from the Black Sea region about 4,000 years ago and spreading through southern and middle Europe, England, Scotland, and Ireland.)In ancient Rome, holly was the sacred plant of the Saturn, the god of sowing and harvest, and during the Saturnalia festival, holly was used to decorate homes, palaces and marketplaces in honor of Saturn. Romans also sent gifts of holly boughs to friends during the Saturnalia time.

Santa Claus is a combination of several pre-Christian legends. His origins have been traced back to Odin, who was depicted as a wise old man with a beard, riding on his eight-legged horse Sleipner. Another pre-Christian Santa forebear appeared at British, and later Saxon, pagan midwinter festivals. The Saxons called him Father Time, King Frost or King Winter and he was represented by an actor dressed in a green hooded cloak, wearing a wreath of holly, ivy or mistletoe.

The Yule Goat is an old Scandinavian Christmas symbol, whose origins may go back to the legend about Thundergod Thor who rode in the sky in a wagon pulled by two goats. In the 19th century, the goat became the giver of gifts, with a person dressing up as a goat, a character later replaced with “jultomten” (Santa Claus). Today, Yule Goats made of straw are common Christmas decorations in Scandinavian homes.

The European Christmas ham is a heritage from Viking times when a wild boar was killed and sacrificed to the god Frey to assure a good spring. The meat was cooked and eaten at the mid-winter festival. This was accompanied by the burning of a giant Sunwheel, which was put on fire and rolled down a hill, to entice the Sun to return.

Today, neo-pagan, or Earth religions, are bringing many of the old customs back to life. Neo-pagan religions include wicca, pantheism, asatru, druidism, shamanism and many others.

From ancient times to the present day, the sun and its light have been celebrated by people all over the Planet.

In ancient Egypt, the Feast of the Burning Lamps honored the gods Isis and Osiris.

In ancient Rome, the Solstice Celebration was called Saturnalia in honor of Saturn, the Roman god of harvest.

The Hindu holiday Diwali, meaning Rows of Lighted Lamps, is celebrated like Christmas with decorating of homes, eating of sweets, etc., and is the most important festival in India. Different regions attach different legends to it, telling about deities winning victory over demons, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

At the Jewish Hanukkah in December, one candle is lit for each day of an eight-day Feast of Lights.

The Chinese new year, usually celebrated in January or February, is based on a legend where fireworks and lanterns were used to chase away a dragon that came out of the Yellow River.

In Thailand, Loy Krathong, which means “Festival of Floating Leaf Cups”, has been celebrated for over 6,000 years. Leaf shaped boats with candles burning on them are launched into rivers to take away sins and grant good wishes for the new year.

The ancient Incas celebrated Inti Raymi, where the Sun god Wiracocha, was honored. The festival was banned by the Catholic church in the 16th century. Quecia Indians in Cusco, Peru, revived the festival about 1950, and it is now a major festival.

Native North Americans have celebrated both Solstices and equinoxes from ancient times, as shown by many stone structures aligned with the position of the Sun. The Pueblo tribes celebrate the Winter Solstice with rites focusing on Spring and rebirth. The Hopi Indians’ Soyal ceremony lasts for 20 days and includes purification rituals, blessings, and feasting. Other Native American winter celebrations include the Bear Dance, the Feather Dance, and the Navajo Night Chant.

Source: WINTER SOLSTICE ~ Celebrating the Return of the Sun