So with this being said, how do you handle this 3-week mercury retrograde period? It?s a time to think of things with a ?re? in front of it, such as re-think, re-do, re-new, re-structure and re-evaluate.

The planet mercury rules the mind, intellect, communication and mental clarity. During a mercury retrograde period, simple acts of communication or common sense can become distorted and altered from your original intent. Instead of starting new projects, it?s time to re-look at what?s currently going on in your life. If you have a business opportunity presented to you during mercury retrograde, it?s always good to listen, rethink about what you heard and then discuss any financial details once mercury goes direct.

Tips for Surviving Mercury Retrograde

We may want to crawl into a hole and not come out until retrograde has passed, but that?s not how life works. There may be contracts that have to get signed, appliances that need to be purchased, and tough conversations that can?t wait. As long as you?re making sure to take extra precautions, there?s no need to hit pause on your life. The key is to take your time.

During mercury retrograde, always allow yourself more time. If you?re traveling, get to the airport early. Be flexible and expect the unexpected. Pause and breathe before speaking, so not to be misunderstood. Delay making big purchases, such as a home, computer equipment and electronics, until after mercury goes direct. Triple read all your emails and documents before you send them. Practice forgiveness. Use this time to finish processing any unresolved things that are lingering so that you can move on and let go. If big decisions must be made, make sure to double and triple check all the details!

My Favorite Crystals to Use During Mercury Retrograde

It may not feel like it, but this time can actually be a blessing in disguise. Though it can seem like a pain to have to examine every detail to make sure it?s correct before proceeding, there are benefits to being cautious. I?m sure that we?ve all had moments when we wished that we had taken a moment to breathe and think before speaking. The more mercury retrogrades I experience, the more I?m beginning to realize how my life can benefit from giving myself extra time to speak, act, or make decisions. A crystal that is especially great at reminding of this is labradorite.

Labradorite helps me to see the light hidden within the gray areas of life. It reminds me to look beneath my dark shadows, to discover the underlying lessons that I?m meant to learn. Whatever mercury retrograde digs up for you will carry with it a message. Labradorite can assist you in digesting that message. It guides your mind in recognizing the transformations you need to make, and the actions that can lead you toward emotional progress. Whenever you feel yourself speeding up and beginning to lean into that infamous retrograde tailspin, slow down and find your point of balance by connecting with labradorite. For some, that may mean meditating with labradorite to get in sync with both the breath and the labradorite meaning, and for others, that may simply mean holding the labradorite stone in your hand to think before making decisions.ÿÿ

My other favorite crystal is Black Kyanite. I like to think of Mercury Retrograde as an opportunity to take a deeper look at the patterns and cycles we perpetuate ?? thoughts, beliefs, self-talk, and inner narratives that take us in the opposite direction of where we want to go in life. Black Kyanite is the perfect tool to use during this time period to bring awareness to recurring thoughts so you can re-evaluate your state and recommit to your highest self.ÿ

During this time period, keep your Black Kyanite close. Whenever you notice a negative pattern resurfacing, use the Black Kyanite to cut it away. Focus the Black Kyanite energy toward your third eye, and move the crystal in a slicing motion in front of you, cutting the energy away. After you?ve released the toxic energy, reprogram yourself with a positive intention to replace the negative behavior with one that serves you better. Repeat this process as often as necessary throughout Mercury Retrograde (and beyond).

Other Healing Crystals for Mercury Retrogradeÿÿ

Using crystals for mercury retrograde helps you to stay grounded, calm and focused. To harness a crystal?s energy whenever you might need it during these difficult three weeks, you can hold a stone your hand, place one on a bedside table and even keep one in your purse or pocket. These will help you to hold your intention to be extra thoughtful in the days ahead. In addition to Labradorite, here are some of my other favorite crystals for surviving mercury retrograde:

• Black Tourmaline assists in letting go of fear, anxiety and chaotic energy. It works with the root chakra, grounding you into the energy of the Earth. Black tourmaline also offers strong protective energies during this period of chaos and turmoil, helping you to feel safe, supported and secure.
• Hematite isÿone of our favorite grounding crystals. When you hold it in your hands or wear it on your body, its energy pulls you downwards, making you one with the Earth. It constantly pulls any excess, unwanted or negative energy from your body into itself to clear your energy field.
• Amazonite helps you to speak with clarity and grace, fosteringÿclear communication. It offers calming and soothing energies, which will prove to be beneficial during this time of anxiety and stress.
• Fluorite emits peace and harmony, and helps to release stress and anxiety. Often referred to as an energetic vacuum cleaner, it sucks up and neutralizes negative energy to bring harmony and balance.
• Quartz Crystalÿbrings clarity and focus. It vibrates pure white light, removing any blockages or obstacles that lie in your path.

Life is a balance of ebbs and flows. How we handle these times is vital to our wellbeing. The mantra for mercury retrograde is let it flow. Is the bigger message from the planets above to slow down? Does this three week period teach us a greater lesson, reminding us to communicate clearly, to not take things personally and to take some extra time to make big decisions? If this is so, then a time reputed to mess with our senses sure makes a lot of sense.