You wake up in the morning and realise the alarm malfunctioned. You've overslept and now an hour is all you've got to get to work on time. As you brave the morning crowd, you find out that the train will be delayed. The cherry on top? You forgot your phone and wallet. Yikes! If you're having a slew of bad days lately, maybe the stars are to blame. It's official: the first Mercury Retrograde of this decade has come.
Just to refresh, Mercury Retrograde is a tri-annual cosmic event when Mercury appears to change directions while traversing its orbit. Instead of a continuous loop, at one point, it will give the illusion that it's going backwards. This happens when Earth overlaps with other planets while orbiting. Astrologers believe that this phenomenon can cause disruptions in our day-to-day lives, particularly through technical malfunctions and miscommunications, as well as headaches and other physical strains. It is advised that people do NOT purchase big-ticket items, sign any contracts, or speak without thinking long and hard.
From 17 February to 10 March, Mercury Retrograde in Pisces and Aquarius will happen. Since these two signs are infamous for the emotional turmoil they cause, expect challenges that will involve your feelings. If you haven't yet, go check out here how this latest Mercury Retrograde will affect your sign. Overall, our resident astrologist Sarah May Low predicts that problems in technology and communication are likely to occur during this period. If you're now on a low-key panic mode, don't be. You got this!
Keep reading for some self-care tips on how to survive (and maybe even thrive) in this supposedly erratic period. And by self-care, we don't mean spoiling yourself with spas and face masks. We're talking actual self-care that will help with caring for your well-being. Take note!
Improve your communication skills
As advised by our resident astrologist Sarah Low, miscommunication will be the main concern during the Mercury Retrograde. We all know how a simple misunderstanding could lead to faulty operations, arguments and give unnecessary stress on all parties involved. To survive the Mercury Retrograde, you need to level up your communication skills. When giving instructions, take extra care to be concise. Make sure that there will be no room for misunderstanding by clarifying any confusion.
However, be wary of being condescending. There is no need to over-communicate little things especially when you're dealing with professionals and colleagues. Doing so will often create mistrust and an environment where people can't be open to asking important questions that will help shed light on certain matters. You should also watch out for vague non-verbal cues and clarify what these mean. The key is keeping everyone on the same page.
Practice patience
We know how hard it is to be patient when things don't seem to go your way. But as tempting as it is to fly into a rage or jump into conclusions, giving in to your first instinct might become your undoing. Being serious in practising the virtue of patience this month is particularly crucial for people born under the Aries, Libra, Aquarius and Capricorn signs. Both Aries and Capricorn are likely to be faced with a tough decision in life. Don't let impatience take over, before taking the plunge, take a step back and reevaluate your options.
As for Libra and Aquarius, resident astrologist Sarah Low predicts that it's going to be a tumulous month and you will feel an imbalance in many aspects of your life. You need to fortify your patience so you won't do anything that you'll regret later on. Give it some time and thought before you act.
One of the proven ways to do it is to lengthen one's patience is through mindful meditation. There are several apps with guided meditation features that can help you. Consider trying out Headspace. It's a great meditation app for beginners because of its user-friendly interface. On their website, they explain how patience is all about letting go of impatience, "we simply let go of the noise and our involvement in that activity and thereby experience patience".
You also need to practice being aware of your triggers and determining whether these things are really worth losing your patience over β often, you'll find that's it not. And if you can, just cut out these factors out of your life or limit your exposure.
Learn to be a more flexible person
Sometimes, you just have to wait it out and go with the flow. Fixed signs especially Leo, Taurus, Scorpio will need to learn to be more open to whatever challenges life throws at you during Mercury Retrograde. All three signs will experience a moment when they need to let go of something β be it an obsession, a bad habit or their comfort zone. It can be frightening to surrender to outside forces but constantly fixating on things that you can't change will only lead to anxiety. Take a deep breath and just let things be. Being more flexible when you have a headstrong persona can be challenging. In these situations, it helps to tap into your creativity. Indulge in the arts or music to soothe feelings of uneasiness.
Pursue your passion
While Mercury Retrograde is often associated with disorder, it's also a good time to shake things up in a good way. Individuals that fall under the Virgo, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Pisces, Gemini and Cancer signs are likely to find groundbreaking inspiration and opportunities for growth amidst the chaos and changes during this period. Don't waste this chance!
If you're someone who's still finding out what you're truly passionate for, one of the helpful ways to identify it is to look back at what subject and activities you enjoyed the most during your school years. Once you already know what it is, just go ahead and explore. In the end, if it doesn't work out, at least you tried.
Whether you're a fan of astrology or not, hearing about a cosmic factor disrupting your daily life can still cause frustration. Just remember: this too shall pass.
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