Mercury and Paris by Annibale Carracci
Ceiling of the Farnese Gallery. 16th/17th Century Baroque Italian Art.

Just a note to you as a reminder that on July 14, 2012 we’ll be in a Mercury Retrograde phase once again.

Mercury is already slowing down a bit in preparation for its 3-week back-track, so I thought you’d want to start thinking about ways to prepare. This coming Retrograde is in Leo – so all of you who have a strong emphasis on Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius in your birthcharts will probably experience the strongest effects.

To prepare, begin to explore ways to still your mind, particularly around your creative ideas and heart attachments. Set aside some time in your calendar to have quiet introspective moments every day between July 14 and August 8, 2012… and then plan to use that time to review, revisit, and revise the following Leo ruled areas of life:  ego attachments, career in terms of your creativity, where you want to shine in life, your convictions, your self-confidence, your children and any creative progeny, where and how you are generous and giving, where you find and offer joy, how you respond to criticism, and your actual heart health.

Read that list again slowly and visualize each area of your life as you do… check to see what needs a do-over and then commit to spending some down town ruminating and mulling it over. 

The time you set aside for introspection doesn’t have to be excessive – a few minutes a day will do.  But as always, anytime you work with an energy you benefit tremendously – whereas if you work against the energy (refusing to slow down and reflect, pushing through with projects rather than letting them breathe, making large purchases, signing contracts – those are all “don’ts” during Mercury Retrograde) you will feel the more negative side of its impact… and those are really not pleasant. Some for instances are:  mis-communications, technology devices that break and need repairing, car break downs, contracts back-firing, flubbing speeches and the traditional favorite, travel troubles. 

Mercury Retrograde can be a very positive and restorative experience… just be willing to slow down and breathe, rather than forcing your way forward. In that way you get the benefit of some well-deserved down time. 

So get ready to put your check book, your debit card, and your signing pen away for a few weeks… see what you can put on the back burner for a little while to free up some space, and get comfortable with the idea of going inside. This is your chance to rest and restore your mind… take it! Have fun introspecting!

Please read my article “Mercury Retrograde, The Unlikely Healing Gift”… it’s a great read and covers everything from mythology and history to what to expect. Enjoy!