Snow, New Moon and Mercury going retrograde

Snow in March!  Quite a coincidence, or not, being that it arrived on the new moon and with Mercury retrograde.  You see each year there are usually three complete Mercury retrograde cycles and these usually make the times when we all have to be more careful about day to day communication, travel, negotiations since Mercury is linked to the messenger of the Gods and it is the planet to govern all forms of communication. 

As the planet of communication, Mercury retrograde tends to breed a certain level of confusion. Mercury rules our lower mind, that is to say how we perceive and interpret information that we receive from our environment, and how we relay that information to others. Mercury has rulers hip over such things as speaking, negotiating, buying and selling, listening, formal contracts, documents, travel, the mail and shipping, and so forth. All of these areas of life are affected when Mercury is functioning in a sluggish state.

Decision-making is challenged during Mercury retrograde. Needless to say, it is not advised to sign contracts, engage in important decision-making, or launch a new business. Delays and challenges are more probable with Mercury retrograde. It's a time when being careless with money, our personal information, or paperwork can be costly.

There is a positive side to Mercury Retrograde. This period is best used for re-organizing and reflecting. We look at the world a little differently and can come up with some very important inner revelations. It may be difficult to communicate them under this influence, but not everything needs to be rationalized. Mercury retrograde periods can be times of heightened inner awareness, when meditation, benefiting from keeping a journal, reworking old plans, and reviewing past work are favored.

It is important to note that there is absolutely no reason to suspend projects or anything of the sort during the Mercury Retrograde cycle. It's not an ideal time to start new ones or to sign contracts, simply because a change of mind is very possible once Mercury turns direct. However, it's a fabulous time to do some "outside of the box" thinking. Acting on our ideas, however, might be best left for a Mercury Direct period.

One must pay close attention to what one says and communication in general although particularly around the days of Mercury's stations (February 23rd and March 17th). If you are desperate to argue with someone, especially, or if you are planning on signing contracts, try to hold off. It is likely that you will have a change of mind once the station passes, and you can do some damage in the meantime.

So it seems that this is an interesting time to have arranged the Yoga & Wellbeing retreat on Herm, especially as it finished on the 17th, the final day of the retrograde, when one should be particularly aware of what one is doing and saying.  It is all rather exciting as the retreat will - as long as our travel is not affected and we all make it there ok - doubtlessly clear some of the confusion so that whatever has been troubling us, or whatever has been on our mind the last few weeks, will become incredibly clear by Monday the 18th and we will be able to charge ahead with even more strength and clarity than normal.  Hoorah!

So it if you are lacking clarity and are not coming on the retreat then please do not worry.  Spend some meditating if you can, just sitting silently for 20 minutes, clearing the mind as much as possible.  Or undertaking some chanting, chakra balancing works a treat as it clears all the chakras and can take less than 5 minutes. 

Getting out in nature and enjoy the snow.  But tread carefully and keep warm.  Feed the birds!

With love and gratitude

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