Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide

This blog entry was taken from its original format at Evolve & Ascend - here - and drafted for refreshing in the future. The original post went up on 8 February 2014, but the information is still relevant and helpful! I hope you like what I've written, as this was my first piece with Evolve & Ascend and a lot of love went into writing it. What better theme for anything astrology than Sailor Moon? Hop into a nice bath like Sailor Mercury and get reading, because there is a lot more in store for you with this version!

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“Hello again, Mercury Retrograde! It is not-so-nice to see you!” many say while balling up their fists in frustration as they are late for a job interview, miss a flight, or get snowed in the day of a big performance. “Can you just give me one day of peace? One amazingly beautiful day full of success and happiness with not one second of slight problem?” To which one is answered with another disaster.

While some experience this as a disheartening period where everything falls apart, many find solace in it as they are able to rejuvenate. This retrograde period is lasting 5th October to 25th October in Scorpio, though the effects can be felt for a few additional days on either end. Whilst searching different social medias on this Mercury Retrograde, I found that all too frequently people were becoming upset. Never fear! I have some things for helping you through this. 

“Mercury Retrograde: How To Survive for Dummies” coming right up! Okay, so definitely not dummies, but beings who are super sensitive to all this energy. If you are feeling like things are slowing in pace or coming to a stop, this is definitely the time to take a few moments for yourself. Think of these mishaps you are experiencing as a gift, not a curse. The lovely Lohla has even done an emergency Astreauxlogy report on The Pulp Zine that offers insight to all of the other Astro weather situations one may be experiencing right now, including Mercury Retrograde and what to expect. While the post is a little longer due to content I have found it quite helpful already, and it includes many details you may be wanting. Don't let length discourage you, though, as she has subheadings for each Astro weather situation!

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• Health: Make sure to be eating normally and healthily so that you can be in great energy and not feel sick. (Or any sicker than you need to, depending on the effects this retrograde takes on you.) Personal tip – drink plenty of water to aid in any dizzy/airy effects your head may be feeling. Tea is always nice to have, especially if it has healing properties. There are plenty of online shops where you can buy specialty teas, create your own blends, or try blends others have created. The list below includes teas that you can get at a local café or even at a store nearby.

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• Declutter: Not only is this good for your energy in general, but it will give you something to do as well as something easy to focus on. If there is not too much space being taken up, just rearrange some things for a new look! Pinterest is a really lovely place to look for inspiration. I personally have two boards that include room looks I am inspired by: cherie and xo. You might also find some inspiration in Georgia's Bedroom Files - such a clean and organized space, with a picture perfect look.
• Electronics: Technology seems to be a big problem for everyone during this time. Areas in California have been on a flex alert and having power outages during the heat for a while already! Make sure to do a backup of any files you know you cannot stand to lose, just to be safe. Many electronic devices get a little wonky. You will also want to try to limit use for a period of time – too many devices at once could cause an energy problem with all of them. Oh, and if you are still having issues with your iOS8 device then perhaps try a simple approach to things: dial down the cellular use, check your email, and find a print book to relax with! There's no shame in that game.

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• Confirmation: Have you booked a flight? Maybe an interview? Make sure to double check the information you were given. Since many are feeling off it is a possibility that you could have been misinformed the first time. Ask as many questions as you feel you need to. It is also good to think in terms of yourself and any risky decisions you may be making. “Better safe than sorry!”
• Emotions: Keep them in check. I know there will be instances in which you feel like something is a personal attack, but chances are, it probably is not – and if it is, it is probably best left alone. Repeat to yourself this: “It is only the Mercury Retrograde. Everything is grand.” And so it shall be! If you are really feeling alone, try spending time with some friends that are also aware of Mercury Retrograde so that there will be a mutual understanding, or writing all your thoughts down.

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• Spending: You have probably already heard that it is not the best time to make big purchases, but I will give you some new tips. Think of things in terms of a month ago: would you have spent $300 on a new purse? No? Then it would probably be best that you sit the money aside and wait for November before doing so. If it is something absolutely necessary to your life – car, house, etc. – make sure you double check any paperwork, especially the fine print, and double check it again. Having a second set of eyes help would not hurt, either. This does not mean you cannot get nice things or search for them. As I previously mentioned, I have been on Pinterest - and eBay thanks to the anticipation of a gift card from Influenster. Just play the waiting game with mass amounts or many little amounts.
• Nostalgia: This is the perfect time to reminisce. Take out those old mixtapes, scrapbooks, and letters from middle school locker buddies! Go out for coffee with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while, or to mend things with one you may have had a falling out with. This is the time to forgive and forget. It is also a good time to finish any old projects you may have left to fall through the cracks.

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• Love: This bit is brand new, of course, because in the middle of vamping it up I received a DM from The Indie Chicks telling me that I am amazing and capable of getting everything I've dreamed of. With the stress I'm feeling over my Go Fund Me campaign - or lack there of, thanks to this retrograde - it was a nice reminder. Tell people nice things! Go on tumblr and send cute anonymous asks, message random followers sweet things if they seem down, compliment strangers! Just because retrograde might be hard doesn't stop you from being capable of spreading good vibes.

• Create: Have you been thinking of starting a new project? Maybe working on a new canvas since you have finished all your old projects? This could be the time. Though you do not want to invest too deeply in some things where money is concerned, taking the time to plan out something new won’t hurt. Of course if you have the supplies for small things already, why not give that a go? The Pulp Zine has some really cool DIY tutorials for various things, complete with photos that show you step by step. I really like the dip dye nail tutorial Gabriel did, and the DIY fruit ice cubes one by Mariah - yummy!

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• Relax: A day should not pass where your mind becomes so clouded that you do not take out a few moments for yourself. In all the stress of the retrograde, especially, now is the time to relax. Take a nice, hot bath as you sip a cup of Earl Grey; stretch and do some yoga or go for a light jog; read under a tree. Do something to be at peace with yourself and the things around you, even if for a short moment.
• Journal: Yes. That is all. Journaling is a good way to get your thoughts out. Whether you understand them or not, journal. When the retrograde passes you can look back at what you have written and find that you understand it. Also take a look back at old journals. There may be new meaning that you happen upon. If you don't have any words for things that are going on, try art journaling, photo journaling, or even dream journaling. There are endless ways to journal, and none of them are wrong.

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• Learn: Feel an unusual push/pull that almost went unnoticed? Do not ignore it, for it may be something that the universe wants you to notice. Just make sure that what you do notice is in accordance with the other things from this list, as you still want to be mindful of what is around you. You can also take this as a tip to do some research into something you may not know about! Before Mercury actually went direct, I did some shopping for books about my tribe - Choctaw Nation - as well as general writing by Native Americans about our issues. Other than the recent controversy about the Redskins, people don't really have knowledge unless they are involved. Perhaps check out Eradicating Offensive Native Mascotry if you are at a loss for what to do with your time~ EONM is an organization I really admire.

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Since self-care is really the key during Mercury Retrograde (or at least in my opinion,) I've compiled some cute things from other Pulp Babes that you can take a look at or read while you relax. All of these pieces are from the self-care section or relating to one of the above listed things.

Take Care - a comic by Molly, a reminder

The Legal (And Healthy) Miracle Herb by Lucy, some health

Comfort: A Click Away by Myself, some electronic health

On Being a Lone Wolf by Myself, some emotions
My First Skin-Baring Photoshoot by Georgia, some nostalgia
Hotlines & Resources for Those in Need by Candy, some love
Once Upon A Dream - a photoshoot by Jessi Jae Joplin, some creation

For When You Need a Pick Me Up by Kiki, some journaling
The Trans Asterisk and Why We Need To Stop Using It by Gabriel, some learning

The list may have looked long, but be assured that it will help ease the stress that is felt during Mercury Retrograde. Go ahead and tweet/DM @cosmicdear for more chat on the Mercury Retrograde or just if you need someone to be a listening ear. If you do not have twitter or would my other contacts, please feel free to email me: bridgette@thepulpzine.com

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Happy retrograde!

Learn to feel Strong Body Love

Earlier in the month I was somehow extremely lucky to receive an email with the conference code for Ashley Burnett's self love conference. Since it was over the phone I, like many others, expected it to be something addressing a group of people who were very self loathing. What I got was the exact opposite.While on the line with Ashley and hundreds of other women I somehow felt that she was speaking directly to me and guiding me to the tools I really need. For an hour I took notes (five pages) and participated in meditation exercises - definitely not something I expected!

Ashley teaches about how despite women coming into power, there is still this aspect of not fulling loving ourselves. We have the ability to move towards beautiful and loving relationships with ourselves, so why don't we? For whatever reason(s) we are standing in our own way, and therefore missing out on the large amounts of people we can impact if we were in a space of complete love and confidence.

But how does one achieve such a thing? It seems really hard, but by the end of the call I was already feeling so much better about myself. Set your intentions. For me it was to be comfortable in all aspects of life. But you also need to establish what you would really like and why. Ashley offers quite a few programs, but the one she used to aid this call was her Body Compassion Boot-Camp. It is there that you will learn how to set your intentions in a very clear way and work on different ways to achieve these intentions. The course lasts six weeks and actually has a new session starting on Tuesday. If you feel that you are ready to or need to end a war with your body, stop negative thoughts about it, create a positive image of yourself, start eating clean, get to the next level of your physicality, or feel free in your body then this is definitely a program for you.

(Obviously) I also mean that if you are sick of diets that don't work and want to learn what you are doing wrong and how to take charge and make change, then this is how. Diets are designed to deprive and almost always backfire, she will teach you. You have to learn to love and respect yourself before any method of weight loss can work. Another thing she teaches you is that what you think can really impact how your brain reacts to things. If you've ever heard the saying "Telling a lie long enough enables you to believe that it is true yourself, though you know it is not," or something along those lines... this is exactly the same. If you say you hate your body enough, eventually you will. BUT YOU CAN REVERSE THAT.

"[Manifesting is] a process and always remember: thoughts grow stronger as they're shared, so say it out loud to the Universe, [write] it down, and share it with your friends!" she told me in an email. If you feel bad about your body but want to change that, than why not let everyone know? Since the call I've emailed back and forth with her a few times about if I would be able to participate in the program or not and also about blogging about her program. Never did I imagine that I would be so impacted by a call or further impacted by emails. I decided to ask her a few questions, so you can get to know a little bit more about her line of thinking:

BRIDGETTE: Would you say you're happier now that you've begun to help others?
ASHLEY: I've always known I've meant to do work that's of service to others...and in a way I always have.  Teaching dance, massage therapy, and coaching have all been areas of service based work that I've engaged in and it's all been very rewarding.  I will say that this does contribute to my happiness--to help people live more fulfilling, connected, and fully expressed lives.

B: In three words, can you describe Body Compassion Boot-Camp?
A: Strong Body Love (smiles) Or empowering, life-changing, and confidence-building.

TRIGGER WARNING: EATING DISORDERS. The following question is directly about eating disorders, but I felt it was an important question to ask, and I personally love her answer.

B: To any girl struggling with a disorder - anorexia, bulimia, body dysmorphic disorder, EDNOS, etc - do you have any advice or words of encouragement?
A: I have not struggled personally with any of these disorders but here's what I'd say to these women: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL, you are powerful beyond measure, and you are wonderfully imperfect. You have a beautiful body and it is truly, truly AMAZING. It’s worthy of your LOVE and affection—it’s done SO MUCH for you over your life so far and will continue to do so, it deserves to be your BFF... Think about all the time, over all the years that you’ve wasted on thinking negative thoughts about your body and yourself. All time spent in your head and not in your body, driving yourself seriously crazy. All the comparison and judgment began. Here’s the thing, it’s not your fault.  You weren’t born hating your body…you were taught to hate it. But now it's time to let go and LOVE, love, love.

She has also done an in-depth interview with Michelle Konstantinovsky of the Huffington Post which you can read here. If there's anything you can take away from this it is to just love yourself. Without loving yourself you cannot create change in yourself as a person, in your workplace, or in life. If you think negatively about yourself, acknowledge that you do so and work on learning to be positive when you think of yourself or look in the mirror. And always, always know that you have to forgive yourself for whatever harmful thinking you have done and be open to receiving love from yourself and the Universe. Check back in the next month for blogs about my personal reflections since participating.

Photos were taken from the Strong Body Love website. Unfortunately I myself am not participating in this program at this time - this is why - but she has been so helpful in trying to accommodate me and helping me over email, so I do encourage that if you can take any of her classes that you do so. Stay tuned for my final thoughts on my Vita Vox Box and blogs about some companies that I'm really loving.