Tips for Living Wicca: Beware Mercury in Retrograde

Mercury is currently in retrograde, and will be until the middle of next month. Not surprisingly, the problems are already coming. One of my main clients is experiencing technical difficulties, my computer keyboard is all jacked up, I'm having trouble finding a doctor for my mother's sciatica, for follow ups on my son's broken leg, my plants are dying (well, that's partially my husband's fault for not watering them when I was away, but i'm sure Mercury in retrograde is making it that much harder to revive them). To top it off, I've got a bit of writer's block to boot.-- things just aren't flowing. 

 Even if you're not that into astrology, Mercury retrograde is something you should pay attention to. It can make your life a whole lot easier if you are on top of things. 

My Tip for You Today (and until June 11, when Mercury finally goes out of retrograde): just be careful.

This is not a good time to start new projects, or rush any major projects to finish. This is not the best time to start your senior thesis or your great American novel, it's not the best time to dive into kitchen renovations or building an addition onto the home. If you started before Mercury went into retrograde, proceed with caution and try not to finish them up just now.  Double, triple, quadruple check things you're wrapping up.

Avoid buying major electronics like computers or cars-- you have a much better chance of ending up with a real lemon that's constantly breaking down.

Avoid signing any contracts or making any deals- and if you must, be extra extra careful to ensure everything is clear, that every i is dotted and every t is crossed. This is a time when communications tend to go awry. 

Speaking of communications, try to be careful with conversations, be wary of mixed messages or miscommunications that can lead to arguments. If you feel like a conversation with someone isn't going right, just stop, back up, go slowly and carefully, perhaps postpone it till next month.  

Travel is also challenging during Mercury retrograde. If you can't put it off, be really on top of plans and safety-- it's not a good time to take chances or to assume things will go smoothly. In fact, it's better to assume they won't.

As for magic-- yes, Mercury retrograde even affects that. It's a bad time to perform magic to instigate new major changes in your life. Any kind of curses or hexes are more likely to backfire and affect you in some way. Things have a way of not working out as planned, so being vague when casting spells during this period can be a big mistake.

For example, you might cast a spell to eliminate all your debts; next week you go to the mailbox and find a letter from the IRS stating there was a mistake on your taxes and you owe them $1995, and that if you don't pay it they're going to garnish your wages. Well, you wanted to eliminate your debts, right? 

Beware Mercury-- remember, he's the trickster God.

But it's not all bad-- really it's not. There are some good things about Mercury retrograde, too. If you know how to utilize it, it can be a powerful tool. But that's for tomorrow's entry.

How is Mercury treating you during this retrograde period?