Mercury’s Done Playing: How to survive and thrive after retrograde
Hey bestie, take a breather because we’ve officially made it to the end of Mercury in Retrograde! But before we enter celebration mode, let’s break down what this cosmic rollercoaster has meant for all of us and how we can turn its challenges into opportunities for growth.
Alright, let’s start with the basics. Mercury is the planet that rules communication, technology, travel, and even our thought processes. It’s basically the cosmic ruler of everything that keeps our day-to-day lives running smoothly—or not. When Mercury goes into retrograde, it appears to move backward in the sky. It’s not actually moonwalking across the cosmos, but it sure feels like it, and the effects are no joke.
During this period, the energy of Mercury turns inward, which can throw a serious wrench in our lives. We’re talking about miscommunications, tech breakdowns, travel delays, and even some awkward run-ins with people from your past (hello, exes creeping back into your DMs). But here’s the thing—retrograde isn’t just about chaos and confusion. It’s also a time for deep reflection, introspection, and yes, growth.
Now, let’s talk specifics about this particular Mercury in Retrograde, which ran from August 4 to August 27. It started off in Virgo, a sign known for its analytical mind, love for detail, and, let’s be honest, a bit of perfectionism. If you felt extra nitpicky or were suddenly obsessed with getting everything just right, you can thank Virgo for that.
But, as if that wasn’t enough to deal with, Mercury decided to spice it up by shifting into fiery Leo on August 14. Leo’s all about fire, passion, and big bold energy, so this shift added a dramatic flair to the already tricky retrograde vibes. If you felt like everything suddenly became extra—extra intense, extra frustrating, extra everything—that’s Leo making its presence known.
We are currently moving into the post-shadow phase, which stretches all the way to September 11. Yep, that means the energy of this retrograde lingers like the glitter you spilled during your last crafting session—it’s sticking around whether you like it or not.
Listen babe, Mercury in Retrograde isn’t out to get you—it’s here to help you grow. I know it sounds wild, but this cosmic shake-up brings buried issues to the surface, forcing us to finally deal with them. Think of it as a tough-love bootcamp from the universe, designed to make you stronger, wiser, and more in tune with yourself. Patience becomes your superpower during this time, turning frustrations into resilience. Retrograde also unlocks a creative surge, making it the perfect moment to dive into passion projects. Plus, it’s a prime time for self-reflection and strengthening your intuition, helping you align with your true path and learning with the right perspective. These challenges can transform into stepping stones for personal development.
So, as we wrap up this wild ride, remember that Mercury in Retrograde isn’t just about hiding and avoiding the negatives—it’s about embracing growth. The universe might’ve thrown a few unexpected challenges your way, but it’s also handed you the tools to become more patient, creative, grounded and self-aware. Now that we’re moving through the post-shadow phase, take a deep breath, trust the process, reflect on what’s come up, and use this clarity to move forward stronger and wiser. Life is all about balance, you’ve got this!
We’re all in this together ✨
Journal Prompts for Some Retrograde Soul-Searching
Now that we’ve talked about how to navigate this cosmic storm, let’s get a little introspective. Grab your journal, grab your gardening tools 🍃iykyk✨ take a few deep breaths, relax and let your intuition guide you to reflect and answer these journal prompts.
1. What challenges have you faced during this Mercury in Retrograde? List them out—no challenge is too small. Get it all down on paper.
2. Now, reflect on these challenges. How can you grow from each of them? Think about what these challenges are teaching you. How can you use these lessons to evolve and become a better version of yourself?
3. What thoughts and limiting beliefs am I ready to let go of? Retrograde is the perfect time to release what’s no longer serving you. What old stories, fears, or doubts are you ready to let go of?
4. What is my intuition guiding me to do next on my journey? Take a moment to tune into your inner voice. What is it telling you? What’s the next step on your path?
Xoxo
Your witchy guide & fairy bestie
Alli & Alexis
