Food & Drink
Communication Fail? Blame Mercury in Retrograde
How to make the most of a potentially stressful time
By Seattle Mag January 23, 2015
The rest of the world is starting to tune in to what diehard astrology fans have known for years: when Mercury is retrograde things tend to suck. Let me explain:
Three or four times a year, the planet Mercury appears to be going backwards (or in retrograde motion) in relation to the Earth. Mercury, astrologically speaking, rules communication and travel. When Mercury is retrograde, communication of all forms tends to become more difficult, muddled, confused. Plans are broken, connections are missed, emails are lost, texts are delayed—you see where I’m going. Things just don’t flow. And it sucks.
(Need more convincing, here’s a link to Taylor Swift breaking it down on MTV)
You’ll be interested to know that Mercury went retrograde on January 21 and will stay that way until February 11. (Use this handy website to check on Mercury’s direction for yourself.) Traditionally, many astrology cautions against signing contracts now or making any other commitments that rely on communication with others. Some astrologers, like Capitol Hill-based Stephanie Gailing, tend to see the benefits of this period and advices clients on how to make the most of it. She considers Mercury retrograde “times for reflection and heightened inner awareness.”
“Any planetary retrograde reflects a period where the energy is focused more internally” she writes on her website. “Therefore, it’s a wonderful time to turn communication inward to seek insights and understanding.” Gailing has a way of putting such a nice spin on it, no? Love her.
Should you prescribe to the concept of Mercury retrograde and require some extra help to get you through the next few weeks, Gailing has created a flower essence spray* intended to “catalyze patience, inspire communication clarity, and encourage the go-with-the-flow attitude” necessary to navigate the challenges and opportunities during this potentially stressful time.
The spray is meant for room and body, is $18 for a 2-ounce bottle and can be purchased at Sugarpill.
*If I haven’t lost you yet, flower essences are not essential oils, meaning they have no scent (although Gailing has added lavender to her spray). Rather, flower essences are infusions of flowers (in water, preserved with a touch of alcohol), meant to aid emotional healing. The most famous brand of flower essences is Bach, based on the work of British physician Edward Bach who started this whole thing in the 1930s. Rescue Remedy is a blend of flower essences for trauma and stress and is ubiquitous in the world of natural medicine.
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