As if on cue for an added dose of awfulness, Mercury shifted into retrograde on October 13th, where it will remain causing commotions until November 3rd. (Yes, THAT November 3rd.) Whether or not one places much faith in these astrological events, I find it best to lay low and focus on self-care and mindful living during such times. Meditation becomes extremely important in these tumultuous stretches, and luckily it’s become a habit on which I fall back and rely.
For the next few weeks, my plan is to nestle quietly into fall mindfulness, embracing the sunny days when I can and finding the subdued beauty in their rainy counterparts. The garden has been extending its show, with hydrangeas deepening in the color of both their leaves and flowers, morning glories that last into the afternoon as if unwilling to shorten their show just for the sake of their name, and the fiery foliage of the Chinese dogwoods bursting into its final flush of flame.
So that we all may get through this as unbruised and unscathed as possible, here are my bits of advice to make things a little bit better. Be kind to everyone around you, and to yourself. Be patient with those around you – tiny peccadilloes have a tendency to flare up into full-fledged battles when Mercury is in retrograde. Shelve any serious conversations or decisions until a calmer time. Take extra care with travel and technology, as much as possible. The former isn’t as much of an issue during COVID, but the latter has taken on greater prominence, so check those connections, plan extra time for technological snafus, and have a contingency plan. Above all else, be prepared to act like a tree and bend – flexibility is key, and the ability and willingness to go with the flow will make for an easier time as we navigate the bumpiest roads. Fasten your seatbelts…
