Mercury Retrograde – Is it all that bad?

Mercury goes retrograde this Sunday, the 3rd … Sure, you shouldn’t travel, communication with others will be a little off, and your electronics may go on the brink a few times. Yet within this phase there are also some benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked.

1.It’s easier to change your habits
In conjunction with the full moon on Tuesday letting go of any unpleasant habits will be twice as strong. The universe is empowering you to let go of what no longer serves you to make room for situations that compliment your goals. Not sure where to start? Choose a substitute for your bad habit, cut out as many triggers as possible, join forces with somebody, surround yourself with people who are living the life you want, visualize yourself succeeding, use positive affirmations daily.

2.A little introspection goes a long way to getting clarity
Take a little time for yourself; take a bath, read a book, journal, meditate. In today’s world, there are so many distractions and ideas coming at us from all angles. Every time I check my phone there are at least 5 new notifications for 3 different apps. Take some time for you. When is the last time you stepped away from distractions and just contemplated and self-assessed? Besides – electronics will be whack today anyway – so do yourself a favor and enjoy a little nature time.

3.New mantras adopted during mercury retrograde are super-powered
Mantras, affirmations, declarations, oh my! Whatever route you decide to go, now is the time. Super-power that self talk in a positive direction. My favorite mantra is “Aham Prema” I am divine love. This mantra affirms one’s divine love energy within, creating the highest essence of love. Help up your self-worth by repeating this mantra 108 times daily for the next 40 days. You can also use other mantras or positive affirmations, do what feels right for you. Shoot, by time you’re done Mercury will be out of retrograde!

4.Your creativity is off the charts
How do express your creativity? Do you paint, draw, doodle, journal, write a poem, write a book, scrapbook, take photos, dance, sing, sculpting, build something, design jewelry, crafts, make a candle or soap, garden, cook, make music, sew, knit, quilting, crocheting, and the list goes on. There are many ways to be creative and pick up hobbies. Find one that calls to you and simply begin.

5.You’re more intuitive
Your intuition will be firing on all cylinders during this phase. Test it out and nourish it. Here are a few ideas to do so.

  • Work directly with intuition – Find a comfortable seat. Follow your breath counting 1 on the inhale and 2 on the exhale. When you are relaxed identify an event or situation you’d like more insight about. Focus on that intently for a few minutes. Ask for a direct intuitive experience about it in the near future. -be in this moment – Let it go.
  • Work with indirect intuition – Get a piece of paper and a pen or pencil. Ask yourself, “what does my life need right now?” three times in a row, pausing between each question. Imagine you are going toward a more meaningful answer each time you ask. When you have finished asking, pick up your pen and draw one symbol on your paper. Interpret this symbol. What does it suggest you add, subtract, or enjoy from your life?
  • Learn to look for and pay attention to intuition’s subtly messages – Invest in your sixth sense. Imagine that your eyes, ears, hands, skin, emotions, and intellect could stretch out into the invisible world and captures sensations, information, inspiration, knowledge, and wisdom like a cable or cellphone captures invisible waves of sound and images. Let yourself walk through your day sensitive to other dimensions.
  • Choose a sense to work with – Make a date with yourself on your calendar and allow 2-3 hours. When the time comes, get in your car or other mode of transportation without knowing where you are going. Resist the first few ‘ideas’ you have about where you are going. Wait for the idea that makes your body very relaxed. Your body is the best barometer of what is right – if your choice arises from intuition, you will experience inner stillness, silence, and knowing it is right.

So Mercury Retrograde isn’t so bad – yet to be on the safe side here are some crystals to help ease the transition.

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Best Crystals for Travel

Last week was one of the biggest gem shows in Colorado. I am not sure if it is fortunate or unfortunate that I cannot go without spending at least $500 every year. I thought I was doing well this year only spending $100, then the next day I spent another $300 and work traded $500 worth…oops. #sorrynotsorry

This year I had a different goal in mind. Generally, when I go I try to get items I don’t have yet or that I am really drawn to for meditating purposes. This year my goal was to pick out some small crystals that will help for traveling! I read over a few different blogs to see what other people thought was best. Then I made a list of ideas of what I wanted from the trip, some of those being abundance, divine guidance, confidence, emotional balance, healing, opportunity, problem solving, protection, and strength.

With the help of my handy dandy crystal book this is the list I came up with:

  • Malachite – Malachite is a guardian stone, it is said that if danger is looming it will shatter into pieces. Promotes leadership, enhances creativity, provides protection, and encourages confidence. It is also a stone of transformation, bring positive transformation to the wearer.
  • Sunstone – Benevolence, strength, abundance of blessings. Has a connection to the sun, holding its power within. This stone of luck permeates a special shine and boosts vitality.
  • Citrine – Manifestation, personal will, mental clarity, creativity. Inspires self-discipline and willpower, attracting professional success and wealth.
  • Bloodstone – Strength, courage, purification, vitality. Legend says that Bloodstone was first formed at Christ’s crucifixion by drops of blood staining the stones at the foot of the cross. Its grounding, fatigue, and irritability combating qualities also make it a strong stone for women to level out emotions.
  • Labradorite – Magic, protection. Properties heighten intuition and improve psychic abilities. It balances and protects the aura, preventing energetic leaks.
  • Rhodonite – Discovering and developing hidden talents, compassion, love, generosity, altruism. It is a stone that helps prevent arguing and bickering allowing one to see both sides of the situation.
  • Moonstone – Mystery, self-discovery, intuition, insight, dreams, the goddess, soothing, and helps with digestion. Moonstone is excellent to put in your luggage to ensure that it does not get lost.
  • Amethyst – Protection, purification, and release of addictions. Amethyst opens and activates the crown chakra, allowing the divine connection to thrive.
  • Lapis Lazuli – Inner vision, truthful communication, royal virtues. Helps to look at situations objectively. Reminds us of the power of the spoken word, fosters full verbal expression and clears problems caused by “swallowing your tongue.” Lapis Lazuli encourages clear expression when sharing information with others, including easier communication of anger.
  • Selenite – To clear and charge the other stones, it also breaks any negative attachments that may be looming on one. Calms, brings deep peace and mental clarity.
  • Shungite – Russians have been using this stone for years to purify their water. Besides purifying, this stone is excellent for counteracting negative electromagnetic radiations from affecting one’s physical body. It removes negativity, but will also rid the body of pollutants, bacteria, viruses and free radicals. It is the epitome of detoxifying.

Here are some other pictures I snapped at the gem show!

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