Today I kept trying to log into the Blogger.com server
to update my blog, but the server was hung up.
Mercury retrograde server.
Last night, I went to pick up a pizza I'd ordered and my
pizza had been given away to someone else by mistake.
Mercury retrograde pizza.
My honey was downloading one of those Windows updates and
it seized up his computer.
Mercury retrograde upgrade.
Yes, it's that time again - Mercury went into retrograde
Tuesday, November 30th at 7:17 am EST and won't go direct
again until the wee hours of Monday, December 20th. Whenever
Mercury goes into retrograde, which happens several times
throughout the year, communications, technology, and the
Earth's magnetic field experience some hiccups.
Mentally, we can feel a little out of sorts or distracted,
having more troubles concentrating on one thing at a time.
Emotionally, we can easily get caught up in chaotic feelings
if we're not careful. Physically, we're more prone to be
hasty, thereby increasing the possibility of stumbling,
klutziness, or distraction while we're driving.
When Mercury retrograde hits, we can feel both revved up
and tired at the same time. It's like our bodies and minds
want to SPEED UP to overcompensate for all the intense
energy that is zapping through us, but we should really
be SLOWING DOWN.
Mercury is in the Fire sign of Sagittarius right
now, increasing that desire to force things and to
make them go our way, no matter what. Try not to approach
things from the "damaged ego" place. It
doesn't mean you're a personal failure if your car
refuses to start or your limp hairdo is giving you
the temporary look of a drowned pussycat. Learn to
laugh at yourself. Sagittarius is a great comedian.
He'll help you find humor in the situation.
Pushing harder will only get you more entangled in
chaotic energies. It's best to sit back, have a cup
of calming tea (I'd recommend chamomile over coffee
during Mercury retrograde,) and look things over in
an analytical way.
Be patient with yourself and with others. Before
you get too caught up in itemizing another person's
imperfections, realize that you're likely to be displaying
just as many flaws during this time. Mercury retrograde
periods tend to be great equalizers, bringing the
tyrant down to the level of his minions, so he can
see life from their point of view, while also giving
the lowly serf hope that he may one day ascend to
the stars. The difference between the two states is
one of perception, not physical distance. Mercury
retrograde always highlights the ludicrous nature
of power, authority, and the societal programs that
we accept as "norms," which are really more "abnorms," because
they can be pretty darned abnormal, when you look
at them closely. (Why is Britney Spears famous? Tell
me again?)
Go slowly, softly, and gently throughout this time. Don't
sweat the small stuff. Try not to take things that go "wrong" too
personally. Realize that sometimes, it's not about you.
It's not much fun when holiday shopping time coincides
with Mercury retrograde. But at least Christmas and New
Year's will be retrograde-free. And since Mercury goes
direct on the 20th, traveling shouldn't be too crazy throughout
that week.
On a practical level, if you haven't bought any gifts
yet, I have two suggestions for you: 1) online shopping
and 2) gift certificates. These are guaranteed to
reduce the headache quotient by at least a factor
of twelve.
If you do have to venture out to a mall, avoid whacking
fellow shoppers over the head as you race to grab
that hot Xbox game or new CD by your favorite artist.
I don't want to read your name in the police blotter
of my local paper, okay?
Meanwhile, I invite you to send me your Mercury retrograde
tales as you collect them. You're sure to have a few
adventures. Try to keep them relatively minor.
Submit your retrograde tales to me
at: editor@lipstickmystic.com
