Ignore the Noise: A Mercury Retrograde 5-day mini challenge
Mercury Retrograde is more than tech glitches and texting your ex, so step out of the noise and into something, I don't know, meaningful to your life? Useful? I whipped up this shorter challenge to help people make the most of this shorter Mercury Retrograde phase.
Mercury goes retrograde in Aquarius, so yes, you're likely to see technology acting strange for the next week and a half if the retrograde period affects you that way. But there's also a lot to think about with that combination and as it moves into Capricorn, so I've created the #ignoreTheNoiseChallenge to help you make the most of this period and what it means for building great things for the good of us all.
Three dates anchor the challenge: the start and end of the retrograde phase and the date on which Mercury goes back into Capricorn. The other two exercises are for the period in-between. Tag me and the hashtag on social media so I can find your posts and share them or let me know how the challenge is going off of social media with a comment below or email.
January 14 / Exercise 1: The Thinker turns inward
Mercury goes retrograde at 6:41 AM EST (GMT –5) at 10º Aquarius 20'
When Mercury, the planet of thought and communication enters a retrograde phase (it looks like it’s going backwards), it’s time for reflection and reconsideration. With this happening in Aquarius, the sign most known for its thinking, the importance of inner thought and rethinking is magnified.
To honor this transit, ask your cards these questions:
What old visions of my life is it time to re-examine?
How can this retrograde period help me reclaim clarity about my goals and values?
What genius is ready to awaken through this period of inspired introspection?
January 15–24 / Exercise 2: The Past is present
During this period, you will encounter struggles that you have faced and overcome at some point in the past. You’ll be able to solve some of those problems using the same strategies as before.
But when you run into an issue that *feels* different, ask your cards these questions:
What worked in the past when I had a similar issue?
Why will it work now?
What do I need to do to make it work?
January 25 / Exercise 3: Rethinking before reactivating
Mercury enters Capricorn, leaving the Thinker for the Builder.
Mercury is a dynamic and practical planet, and when it is in Capricorn, there can be a lot of desire to build new systems or ways to capture business or make use of Mercury’s many tools, but Mercury retrograde benefits from more cautious planning.
To help maintain your footing and stay focused on what you’ll build *in the future* (not now), ask your cards these questions:
What do I feel ready to do but which actually needs more time?
Why does this need to wait?
How can I use this time effectively to better prepare for thoughtful action?
January 26–February 2 / Exercise 4: Timeless wisdom
Mercury in retrograde is the chthonic Mercury who guides the dead to the Underworld. Inner journeys will help make the “inaction” of Mercury retrograde feel productive. Tap into the wisdom of the lives within you that aren’t held captive by time.
Meditate during this period and visualize your inner world as a dark landscape dotted with bright lights. When you feel drawn to a light, go there and ask your cards for one of the following. Make only one request in a single meditation session.
Please show me a moment in childhood when I needed to hear the wisdom and feel the love that I can now give.
Please show me a past life (or past version of myself) that had strengths that I can awaken to move forward.
Please show me a scene from my future self that will help me dare to dream of my next great work.
February 3 / Exercise 5: The Wanderer gets back on message
Mercury goes direct at 11:13PM EST (GMT –5) at 24º Capricorn 23'
With Mercury going direct in the earthy cardinal sign of Capricorn after this reflective period, it’s time to put words into action and start thinking about what you can build for the future and the betterment of all people.
Take a moment to write down, by hand if possible, a powerful vision for the future, a rediscovered strength from the past, and a reflection of your present state. Afterwards, ask the following question of your cards for each of those three statements.
How can I communicate this in a way that inspires me and others to build a future that serves the greater good?
Thanks for joining in if you do! And remember to tag me and the hashtag on social media so I can find your posts and share them or let me know how the challenge is going off of social media with a comment below or email.