Episode 13: How To Work With Mercury Retrograde In Your Self-Love Journey
Introducing: Self-Love Tools
Class is officially in session! I’ve been thinking a lot about everything that’s helped me throughout my self-love journey. I will be the first to admit that I do have a self-awareness kink. I just really love learning about myself in different ways so that I can understand myself better and therefore, love myself even more.
Over nine years, I’ve gathered lots of self-love practices. I’m excited to start having more segments dedicated to sharing these valuable tools. In this episode, we’re diving into one that evolved for me and intertwines self-awareness and astrology. I’m talking about good ole Mercury Retrograde.
What is Mercury Retrograde?
Astrology has become a big tool for my self-love journey. Throughout my self-love journey, I’ve used it as a tool for growth. I see it as a way to work with The Universe to understand myself more. During the pandemic, my exploration of astrology deepened beyond the basic sun, moon, and rising signs. I like to say that God took a picture of the sky when you were born and gave you a map. I recommend reading You Were Born for This by Chani Nicholas if you’re interested in delving deeper into astrology and birth charts.
There are always planets moving in the sky. About three to four times a year, Mercury Retrograde goes into retrograde, meaning it moves backwards in the sky. She gets a bad rep. Your ex texts back, tech fails you, travel plans go awry. These are all symptoms of a planet that is trying to get your attention for something deeper.
Using Mercury Retrograde As A Self-Love Tool
Mercury is the planet of communication. When it appears to move backward, it’s telling us to slow down and reassess areas of life that need attention. Instead of letting fear take over, I see it as an opportunity for rebirth and renewal. In this episode, I break down a few different levels on how to work with this transit and how Mercury Retrograde can become your next self-love tool:
Level 1: Observing & Cleaning House
Mercury Retrograde is a great time to clean and clear—literally and figuratively. Whether that’s the opportunity to clear out physical clutter or digital chaos, like phone photos and social media feeds or clear out your mental health space with a digital detox, we want to use this time to observe what triggers you. This level is about noticing and collecting data—a foundational step towards self-awareness.
Level 2: Embracing the Element
Every Mercury Retrograde occurs in a specific zodiac sign. In this episode, we talk about its current transit in fiery Leo, amplifying creativity and passion. Level two encourages you to explore your relationship with the element influencing Mercury. How do you interact with the qualities represented by Leo? She likes to be bold and has a desire to be seen. Channeling this can alchemize your relationship with yourself. There’s also a creative underbelly to Leo, using fire as an element to help you refine your creative process can be another way to work with this energy. You want to practice assessing how these energies influence your self-love journey and how you can start to embody them.
Level 3: Exploring Your Birth Chart
If you want to dive deeper, find out where the retrograde’s zodiac sign aligns with your birth chart. Determine which house is affected (every house has different themes) and identify what those themes are calling out for that area of life durinig this retrograde. You can use this approach to any planetary transit. This level helps you focus your energy on specific life aspects, offering a zoomed-in approach to focusing your healing and growth.
Level 4: Shadow Periods
For the fellow overachievers, there’s also the shadow period of Mercury Retrograde. This period before offers what I like to call a prologue phase that teases what’s to come, and an epilogue phase in the shadow after, where it’s last call to planetary lessons. This pre- and post-retrograde shadow periods can tell you upcoming themes or areas that might require more attention during this retrograde. I use these insights to prepare and understand the lessons this cycle brings so I’m more open to working through what needs healing.
Mercury Retrograde: Choice and Growth
Ultimately, Mercury Retrograde is a chance to exercise choice and embrace life’s detours. It gives us a chance to reassess, clean out, and recharge. These moments you spend with yourself during this time will help you uncover things you might still be healing. We need to feel the heal, remember? The more you know yourself, the more you’ll love yourself. Let the next Mercury Retrograde take you on a healing journey toward deeper self-love.
As you move through your own retrograde journey, consider what old beliefs need release to welcome new inspiration. Allow this time to ignite your healing, leading you to love yourself in new ways. She might trigger some past versions, don’t worry, I got you. Remember that you’re not alone in this journey. One step at a time (or retrograde) will get you closer to remembering who you are. And if you need a reminder now, I think you’re on the right track.
Check out episode 13!
Season two is officially here, but if you need more lovely words to help guide your self-love journey, there are lovely gems waiting for you on the blog.
Whether you’re just starting your self-love journey or you’re in the middle of it, you’re not late or behind. The intent for this place was always to make you feel less alone.
If you’re in the middle of a new life chapter, know that you’re not doing anything wrong or choosing a wrong path. The path you choose will always lead you to where you’re meant to be. Trust the process and give yourself the opportunity to bet on something new, you never know where it will lead you.
The find a lovely life podcast is available on your favorite podcast platform and on YouTube. Check out episode thirteen, our first self-love tool episode!
Dive into the podcast!
Episode 19 | Self-Love Tool: How To Work With Winter In Your Self-Love Journey – Find a Lovely Life: A Self-Love Journey Podcast
- Episode 19 | Self-Love Tool: How To Work With Winter In Your Self-Love Journey
- Episode 18 | Self-Love Check-in: Dive Into Your Transformation
- Episode 17 | Find A Lovely Book with Brittany Amara
- Episode 16 | Find A Lovely Book with Deena ElGenaidi
- Episode 15 | For The Love of Flowers With Kayla Mireles
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