Hey! So sorry I have not written in a while, but I fully intend to return to regular blogging as of TODAY, so you can expect to hear from me much more over the next few months.
There is A LOT going on astrologically right now causing delays, frustrations, and difficulties. Nearly every planet is retrograde, including MERCURY, who rules communication, short-distance travel, and mental stuff, so as you can imagine, daily life becomes especially frustrating when he starts moving backwards - traffic gets backed up, technology crashes, plans fall through, progress falters, and communication is difficult even with our closest loved ones. The rule of thumb during these periods is to simply put as much off 'till later as you possibly can - this is not a good time to start projects, get married, or initiate anything. Instead, regroup, plan and prepare, check everything twice, and always have a backup plan. Communication issues will be common over the next few weeks in the literal sense - as in, someone may fail to get an important message you sent their way, but also in that your loved ones will have a difficult time understanding you and your needs, so this is not a good time to sit down with your partner and talk about the major problems of your relationship. Luckily, these periods only last about two weeks - this session ends on May 22nd.
As you probably could have guessed, crystals can help with some of the daunting side effects of Mercury Retrograde! While each retrograde period varies slightly depending on the sign its moving through (this one's in Taurus), here is a general list of my top crystal picks for ANY Mercury Retrograde period (not in order):
1.) GEM SILICA. Gem Silica is gem-quality, silicated chrysocolla, and it is about ten times more intense than regular chrysocolla in blasting through blockages in communication. While it can sometimes be expensive because its so beautiful and slightly rare, it is definitely worth getting your hands on - especially during Mercury Retrograde.
2.) BLUE CALCITE. Another great crystal for promoting clear communication, carry Blue Calcite with you the ENTIRE time Mercury is in retrograde, no exceptions! If there is a particular person you are trying to communicate with, place a picture or other representation of you and them on your altar with a blue calcite crystal in between the two images. Imagine a clear blue cord of clear communication connecting the two of you. While I still don't recommend initiating heart-to-hearts while Mercury is moving backwards, this is still a helpful exercise when communication at this time is necessary.
3.) CERUSSITE. While a lot of crystals on this list promote clear communication, Cerussite promotes listening, which is highly important during Mercury Retrograde when details become overlooked and important information goes unheard. By encouraging its beholder to listen closely, Cerussite improves the chord of communication. This is also a great crystal to take with you when travelling, as it helps to reduce jet-lag.
4.) BLUE LACE AGATE. This is a wonderful crystal to leave in your car to reduce road-rage, which you will often encounter during Mercury Retrograde. Like all agates, it also boosts concentration, which is a must when driving at this time. Blue Lace Agate also promotes gentle, compassionate communication, which is helpful, as it is easy to become frustrated with loved ones right now, as they are more likely to fail to understand you and what your current needs are. Blue Lace agate also has a cooling effect on frustration in general, and Mercury Retrograde definitely paves the way for a great deal of frustration, making this stone a must for your mercury retrograde mojo bag.
5.) SMOKY QUARTZ. This is another good crystal to leave in your car all the time, but especially during mercury retrograde. Smoky quartz is both grounding and protective, so it boosts concentration, reduces road rage, and protects against accidents.
6.) FLUORITE. Slicing through any confusion or mental fog like a knife, Fluorite snaps you right out of Mercury Retrograde fever and clarifies things for you, helping you think quickly, focus, and stay alert.
7.) BLUE AVENTURINE. The dreaded moment you realize you are flying or travelling during a mercury retrograde period can be daunting, but packing your blue aventurine can help to protect against the travel disruptions that often accompany this frustrating period.
So, while Mercury Retrograde will never be fun, adding these crystals to a mojo bag and carrying them with you during the entire retrograde period can definitely mitigate the effects somewhat. Also, don't forget to do your part and have your own back - double check that documents are saved, messages have been received, and you are prepared for any mishaps. Good luck, and happy retrograde period - wishing you a smooth one.
