Mercury retrograde doesn’t have to be a scary astrological event. As much as it’s associated with travel delays, impulsive decision-making, conflict and technology fails, it’s also a fantastic time for renewal and inner healing.
The analogy I use is a stocktake sale – Mercury retrograde is the calm after the storm – a slowdown that occurs every few months, to make sure we’re doing what’s good for us. It’s only after a sale, that business owners know which products are profitable, and which they should dump.
Similarly, Mercury retrograde gives us a chance to reconnect with positive people and habits, while releasing the ‘energy vampires’ in our life. It shines a spotlight on how we’re really going (underneath our smiles), and forces us to confront whether our lives are balanced. It’s like a quarterly life review.
2018 Dates for Mercury retrograde (taken from this site) – added to this post in May 2018
22 or 23 March to 15 April 2018 (in Aries)
25 or 26 July to 19 August 2018 (in Leo)
17 or 18 November to 6 December 2018 (in Sagittarius)
2017 Dates for Mercury retrograde (taken from this site): 19 December 2016 – 8 Jan 2017 (in Capricorn)
9 or 10 April 2017 – 3 or 4 May 2017 (in Taurus) 12 or 13 August 2017 – 5 September 2017 (Virgo – may be intense, as Mercury rules Virgo )
2 or 3 December 2017 – 22 or 23 December 2017 (in Sagittarius)
Notes: I recommend marking these dates in your phone. The start and end windows can vary by a day, depending on where you live. Check astrology sites for more specific info. Sensitive people (e.g. psychics like myself) often feel a Mercury retrograde a few weeks before and after it starts or ends. This is called the ‘shadow’ period.As you can see, there are four Mercury retrogrades a year, so there’s no point hiding under a rock every time one strikes. However, it’s prudent to plan around them. Don’t believe me? I challenge you to look back on the 2016 events (dates are in this post) – and see if there’s a pattern of delays or not.
Who’s most affected by Mercury retrograde? Anyone with strong Gemini or Virgo astrology. I also find that lifepath 5’s in numerology, or those with strong 5 energy in their birthdays. are highly impacted – if you see repeating 555’s on clocks etc. this could be you). I’ve also heard it said that if you’re born under a Mercury retrograde, it’s not as frustrating to navigate. My friend and crystal healer Deniz Akan from Dimensional Healing has corroborated this theory, she loves Mercury retrogrades and finds them liberating. Find your lifepath using numerology.
Why Even High Flyers Need a Safety Net
You don’t need a parachute unless you’re jumping out of a plane. Similarly, you don’t need to meditate, exercise, change your diet, water supply or seek healing unless you’re craving radical progress and upgrades. Due to the nature of my business (including my prices and career background), I attract high achievers, business owners and leaders.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that, the more successful someone is, the more they protect their energy. Just as a change in coach can help an athlete win a gold medal, it’s essential to keep trustworthy people around you, especially if you’re in a competitive industry. As a numerologist I’ve learned that people with Master 11/2, 22/4 and 33/6 numerology need the most support (and strongest safety nets) to live up to their ‘double potential’.Otherwise, they tend to stay in their simpler vibration (e.g. a Master 11 lifepath will act as a 2 lifepath, i.e. a behind-the-scenes co-ordinator rather than a spiritual messenger).
Although this is still helping humanity, it can also lead to resentment (think of Superman losing his cape at the dry cleaners…) Ironically, Master number holders tend to be controlling and quite stubborn.
Due to early life struggles, they prefer to rescue people, and to give help rather than to receive it. This sets up a karmic imbalance, which can lead to burnout in their 20’s or 30’s. The sooner they realise there’s ‘strength in numbers’, and value in public or group work, the faster they reach their goals. Remember that, a good leader creates leaders, not followers. That means teaching people to be inter-dependent, not co-dependent or overly independent.Trust me, I’m a Master 11 lifepath, who knows what she’s talking about.
My career is proof that ‘the master has failed more times than the beginner has even tried’. It took me thousands of psychic readings to convince myself I was genuine. Find your lifepath.
The same goes for people who see 11:11, 111, 222, 333 and other repeating numbers – you’re in a 5 to 9 year shift and now is the time the invest in your happiness. You don’t want to miss this incredible portal for love. Don’t be surprised if you’re going through major breakdowns and breakthroughs in all areas of life – your Soul is literally cleansing you of baggage, so you can ‘take flight’ and move into a career/ relationship/ spiritual lifestyle that gives you wings. See my latest Angel Meditation for an instant energy boost and connection to your Guides.
No one wakes up happy every day, and it’s your habits when you’re ‘down’ which determine how quickly you bounce back. That’s why I recommend the following process for keeping yourself on track.
Five Steps to Creating a Sanity Checklist (Personal Safety Net)
The goal: To create a visual reminder of what keeps you healthy and well in life, including the warning signs that occur when you are too stressed. What we focus on, increases – using this checklist can help you to stay centred, literally (the central row is your ‘happy place’. It’s like a spiritual first aid chart.
You can use more images and less words if you like – see my post on Vision Boards.1) Using pen and paper, or your computer, create a table with four columns: Mind/ Body/ Emotions/ Spirit (yes, it will look like 11:11!) Divide each column into five rows: Too much/ Ideas/ Just right/ Ideas/ Too little (see example).
2) Add a few dot points in each box. These should be specific thoughts or behaviours you have when you are in or out of balance. In the ideas column, I list tried-and-tested solutions that help me heal. Here’s a look at my checklist:
Sarah’s Sanity Checklist, April 2017
| Mind | Body | Emotions | Spirit | |
| Too much | Can’t stop thinking in the shower, car or during meals | Injuries from over-exertion, problems eating, in hyperdrive, | Crying every day or keep yelling at people | Feel I’m being watched, feel agitated, nightmares |
| Ideas | Get more sleep Get acupuncture Less facebook!! Reduce fried/ takeaway food Review my blessings | Go for a float or have Thai massage Take a ‘me’ day Lie on the grass Save money for a holiday in nature | Get counselling Do a past life regression Shout in the car Book a babysitter | Breathwork Flower essences Journalling Wash bedsheets |
| Just right | Getting through to-do list easily at work and home. | Walk or yoga every other day, waking refreshed | Crying once a week, laughing several times a day, peaceful | Meditations are refreshing, easy and informative |
| Too little | Delaying vital decisions. Not finishing books. Repeating myself to others | Haven’t exercised in a week, eczema, sluggish, cold feet Avoiding baths | Haven’t cried for a month and feel numb/ stuck | Haven’t meditated in a week, lonely, avoiding my Tarot cards & Spirit Guides |
| Ideas | Get writing coaching Journal thoughts Sit in the sun Hug Kris/ baby – remember I’m okay | Calligraphy Yoga Make pumpkin soup Have bath/ swim Declutter/ do chores | More comedy! See friends Sing ballads, chant mantras, have a cry | Long meditation Tune in, catch up See psychic friends/ do swap |
3) Stick this table up where you can see it in the mornings. Each day, when you wake up, go through the four columns one by one. Do a check of whether you’re in the ‘too much’, ‘just right’, or ‘too little’ zone. An accurate diagnosis can be 90% of the cure!
4) If you notice you’re constantly in the ‘too much’ or ‘too little’ categories for a particular column, take urgent action to restore sanity in that area. Although some of my ‘ideas’ may look silly, all I can say is, they work for me!
5) Regularly update your sanity checklist, say every Mercury retrograde. It’s meant to be a living document. Oh, and remember to celebrate your achievements!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this alternative look at Mercury retrograde, and practical outline of how to keep yourself whole during stressful times.
Wishing you a safe, nurturing and joyful Mercury Retrograde season.
Suggested Links:
Develop Your Intuition – 2020 webinar with psychic protection tips
Mercury Retrograde 2016 – Fun Times at the Ranch Mercury Retrograde – A Time for Stew, Not Stewing
Mercury Retrograde – Slow Down and Eat StrawberriesMercury Retrograde – Will You Be Affected (Palmistry Tips)
Mercury Retrograde and Friday the 13th
Do Your Dreams Come True? Precognitive Dreams Explained
Psy-CAR-logy – Five Things Your Driving Says About You (Mercury retrogrades are linked to traffic jams and erratic driving. I almost rear-ended someone yesterday, then witnessed a car accident today. Yikes! Time to slow down…)
Choosing a Great Healer – The Good, Bad and Downright Confusing (Mercury retrograde are a good time to slow down and receive)
Comments from my previous site:
Kerri – Anne on Friday, 14 April 2017 8:25 AM
Hi Sarah. Wow I felt like this blog was written just for me. You are an amazing woman. I think I am an 11 and really resonated with everything you said. Thank you for the gift of you in the world. Xxx
Reply to comment
Sarah Yip on Monday, 24 April 2017 7:23 PM
Super happy to hear your feedback Kerri-Anne. Please check out my 11 lifepath info, very glad to have connected. Best wishes with the light work.
Vanessa Brown on Friday, 14 April 2017 8:39 AM
As a number 11 I take so much from your article Thank you you are an inspiration Sarah
Reply to comment
Sarah Yip on Monday, 24 April 2017 7:24 PM
Thanks so much Vanessa – look forward to seeing you in a numerology course soon! Happy creating and self-healing x
garry on Friday, 21 April 2017 2:47 AM
Thank you for this site ))) good luck
Reply to comment
Sarah Yip on Monday, 24 April 2017 7:24 PM
Glad to assist Garry, really appreciate your support. Makes it all worthwhile
