Mercury Retrograde (MRx) affects everything approximately 12 weeks/year, so it’s important to know how to ride this cosmic wave, so you can come out sailing…It’s especially relevant for Travelers, because Mercury governs travel, as well as transportation, technology, communication, education & speed. As an Astrologer & avid traveler, I’m sharing these 14 Do’s & Don’ts on Travelling during MRx. What is Mercury Retrograde (MRx)? With MRx, it appears (an illusion) to be going backwards in the sky due to Earth’s orbit passing by Mercury. Astrologically, this disrupts all energies related to Mercury leading to problems with technology, transportation and travel and communication. If you listen to this change, this can be a productive period to transform, so your energies flow even better after Mercury goes direct. This happens for approx. 3 weeks every 3 months, and are best handled, if planned for to make changes in your life (dates at end of blog) to adapt. This time asks everyone to slow down and check in with, how we manifest Mercury in our lives. Where are you spinning your wheels or inefficient? It’s not a time to start something new; it’s a pause in life for reintegrating, reprocessing and recycling our lives to learn from the past. The Roman God, Mercury, is the Messenger. Being the fastest moving planet, this astrological maverick corresponds with speed, travel, technology, information, communication, transportation, education, thievery & commerce. With his winged hat and shoes, loftily he carries the winged, healing staff or Caduceus. Mercury also rules our health related to the nervous system, eyes and upper limbs. 14 Do’s and Don’ts for Travelling during Mercury Retrograde: 1. Do Manifest the “Re” Words: This is a nice time for a Wellness or Spa Retreat to slow down and unwind, relax, reflect, rejuvenate and recharge. It can also be a good time to plan and research future itineraries. Travel during this time is not about seeing something new; it’s more about a venue that allows us to take pause and reintegrate our lives. 2. Use Retrograde Energies to Your Advantage: This can be a productive time to reintegrate our past travel experiences by editing old photos and videos. It’s also a good time to write or journal, enabling us to process experiences. It’s an innovative time to refine our technology skills with cameras, phones and computers. This can be a good time to revise a Travel Blog or Vlog. 3. Do Not Sign any Contracts: Being more vulnerable to miscommunication during this period, this is not an auspicious time for signing ANY contract. 4. Do Get Travel Insurance: This assures protection against changes and cancellations in itinerary or schedule. 5. Do Slow Down & Arrive Early: For appointments and arrivals give wiggle room for schedule changes or cancellations. 6. Don’t Rely on Technology: There’s more likely to be computer crashes, technological problems, WIFI issues, miscommunication in e-mails and texts, and disruptions with anything electronic. This is a great time to pretend it’s 1990 and unplug from technology and communicate in person. 7. Polish Your Communication Skills: With foreign travel, brush up on the basics of your destination’s language and be aware of what offends the culture’s people. 8. Do Check in with Your Eye Health: Mercury rules the eyes and vision, so this is a good time for an eye exam or purchase of new glasses. Consider getting shades with blue light filter to protect from technology. Lutein, Bilberry, Vitamin A and Omega 3 fish oils are nourishing for eye health. 9. Do Take a Time Out with Social Media: Slow down and reassess your persona on Social Media. Are you authentic and portraying yourself in the best light? Be more cautious with posts, to avoid miscommunication and unnecessarily offending others. 10. Do Tune up Your Listening Skills: With the modern world of 24/7 stimulation, tuning up our listening skills will allow us to learn more from people, win more friends, polish our interpersonal communication skills and avoid miscommunication. 11. Do Strengthen and Optimize Upper Limbs: Mercury rules the upper limbs, so this is a productive time to update your ergonomics for working on a computer (prevent carpal tunnel and tendonitis), posture to avoid “Tech Neck,” and reassess travelling gear to optimize balance for keeping your upper limbs healthy. 12. Do Relax or Recharge your Nervous System: Mercury rules the Nervous System, so this is a wonderful time to relax, rejuvenate and recharge your Nervous System through retreats, time-outs, nature breaks, Adaptogens (ex. Rhodiola, Ashwaghanda) to lower cortisol, and Vitamin B-complex supplements. Mentally, this is an ideal time to improve attitudes and belief systems to ensure less stress for our nervous system. Additionally, explore ways to manage stress with meditation and Energetic Medicine. 13. Do Improve Travel Security & Safety: Mercury rules thievery, so take time to foolproof your travel bags, money and gear. Travelling makes you vulnerable, so its important to think out your plans and safeguard with money belts and ways to protect or store your money, important documents and personal safety. Take a self-defense course, get pepper spray or mace, or get contact information for safety. 14. Do Recharge Your Sense of Humor and Fun Factor: Mercury the Trickster reminds you to have a little fun and not forget your sense of humor. This is an ideal time for a stress-relieving, fun vacation to lighten up! For all walks of life, especially travelling, the best way to navigate MRx is to plan ahead knowing it’s time periods. Mercury Retrograde Schedule 2019-22 2019 October 31 – November 20, 2019 in water-sign Scorpio 2020 February 18 – March 9, 2020 in water-sign Pisces, ends in air-sign Aquarius June 17 – July 12, 2020 in water-sign Cancer October 13 – November 3, 2020 in water-sign Scorpio, ends in air-sign Libra 2021 January 30 – February 20 in air-sign Aquarius May 29 – June 22 in air-sign Gemini September 27 – October 18 in air-sign Libra 2022 January 14 – February 3 starts in air sign Aquarius, ends in earth-sign Capricorn May 10 – June 2 starts in air sign Gemini, ends in earth-sign Taurus September 9 – October 2 starts in air-sign Libra, ends in earth-sign Virgo
December 29 – January 18 in earth-sign Capricorn Ok, now you cannot blame Mercury, but be grateful for this time period to recycle your life. I chose 14 Do’s and Don’ts because this adds up to 5, the number for Mercury and Travel in Numerology. Clever, huh! Do be mindful (especially if you resisted the flow of MRx) that 2 weeks following is a “Retroshade Period” to pick up the pieces from MRx, as the universe adapts to Mercury going direct. If you’re travelling during MRx, remember to review these Do’s & Don’ts, so your journey offers an opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate!! Bon Voyage… #mercury #mercuryretrograde #wellnesstravel #traveltips #mercuryretrogradetips #astrology #traveltips
