In The Space Between: Mercury Retrograde Opportunities
I’m sitting in a crowded room. It’s time. I stand and clear my throat. My voice is a stalled engine but I try again. “Uuuuuuuhhhhhhhmmm.” Then I say:
“Hello, my name is Staci. I’m from California and I like Astrology.”
The group answers in unison, “Hello, Staci. Welcome.”
*********
My tweenage daughter pushes her palm toward me, “Mom. ‘Mercury is in Retrograde’ is not the answer to every question!” My son holds his head as if it’s about to burst, “Mom! Give it a rest, will ya?”
For those who don’t know, Mercury is the planet of communication and four times a year for about three weeks, instead of moving forward, the planet reverses direction. Mercury went retrograde May 26th and turns direct June 19th.
While I’m doing my best to abstain from my Californian leanings, it seems that signs of Mercury Retrograde are everywhere. A stereo speaker dies at dance class, my daughter’s iPod fizzles, phone messages erase, computers crash and the traffic, oh the traffic, crawls.
While Mercury Retrograde creates challenge, it can also be a great teacher. During times when planets are in retrograde Caroline Casey in Making the Gods Work for You, recommends “any activity that begins with the prefix re: reflect, research, renovate, repair, rewrite, reconnect, rejoice, remedy, rehearse — re-anything.”
Mercury Retrograde invites me to release my desire to move directly from point A to B. In fact, insisting on an A to B solution is pushing against the wind (or the stars in this case!). Instead, Mercury Retrograde re-routes me into a spiral journey of communication from A to F to Z to S and then maybe to B. Planning a simple birthday party becomes an opportunity to review guest lists and reveal truths about family dynamics. If I can surrender to Mercury Retrograde and let it have its way with me, I gather precious lessons in the space between the mis-communications.
So yes, I am a Californian and I believe in Astrology. And yes, yes, those of us in the crowded room can cross over into dependence if we allow the alignment of the stars to limit choice and responsibility. Mercury being in retrograde shouldn’t be my (every) response or justification for the next couple of weeks. But somehow reminding myself about the bigger picture helps me smile through heavy traffic and find wisdom in my discomfort.
What are you gathering in the space between A and B right now?
Tags: learning, life, lessons, Family, humor, Astrology, Mercury Retrograde
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June 5, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Great post on Merc Rx. But, I don’t think you have to be from Cali to think that Merc Rx brings a world of SNAFU’s and FUBAR’s. And, I agree: Merc Rx DOES bring opportunities….
June 6, 2008 at 7:01 am
I thoroughly enjoyed your wise and witty post on Mercury in retro or retro Mercury, after all I am a retro kind of gal! As fate would have it, retro is in right now, and I’m finally in vogue, albeit unintentionally!
I’m gathering all the “re’s” in the space between A and B…rebirth, rejuvenate, renew, reinvent, and reject, which has its crucial place in it all. I didn’t know about Caroline Casey and this special time for re-work, (thanxx for the link), I just so happen to have the need to re.
Oh sweet surrender! I’m there with you, Staci, giving my all to the great and powerful RE, in retrospect of course.
June 6, 2008 at 10:52 am
Staci
Thanks so much for the beautiful comment this morning and forgive me for not making my way here more frequently. I’m still sort of working things out - how to get ‘it’ all done - without an internet connection at home.
This was just what I needed to read this morning. If I’m not careful, I’m very linear in my thinking…very process oriented. Very “I’ll get from here to there by doing thus and so, in that order”
Can’t do that if I’m surrendered to The Flow, can I? My “re”, this Mercury RetroGrade? I think it needs to be
RELAX
LOLOL
June 8, 2008 at 10:51 am
Thank you all for your responses.
Grandtrined, nice to meet you!
Motherwintermoon, thanks for visiting again. How validating that your inner clock has been in alignment with the archetypal potential here thanks to the stars. Yes, sweet surrender; may it be sweet, eh? (of course my computer wanted to write “sweat” instead of “sweet”!!!!
And Grace, I am SO WITH YOU on the intention to Relax. Relax and also be in the moment. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you and I completely support your decision to create an internet-free home for yourself!!!! Maybe part of clearing the way for flow to happen, huh? :)!!!!