How to survive the last Mercury Retrograde of the year

“Three or four times a year,” explains senior astrologer Annabel Gat in a CNN article, “Mercury stops moving forward through the degrees of the zodiac and begins moving backward, or at least only appears to!” The term “retrograde” refers to “the appearance of the planet moving backward in the sky,” and you’d be surprised what kind of havoc this little movement can cause!

From technological disasters to organisational misunderstandings, plus missed flights, apps crashing, and misunderstandings galore, it’s all Mercury’s fault. The planet of communication plays a crucial role in the astrology of our everyday lives, but during its retrograde phases, the heat is turned up a notch and chances of things going… not exactly according to plan… go through the roof. 

Chani Nicholas reminds us that while things can get “tricky, testy, and tedious” during this phase, Mercury Retrograde is also “essential to our growth and evolution,” as it can help us learn important lessons about communication, and our own ego. So, let’s strap ourselves in, and find out how to work with Mercury’s energy, not against it. 

When is Mercury Retrograde in 2022?

In 2022, we’ve already experienced the (mostly chaotic, sometimes revelatory) effects of Mercury retrograde at three separate points: from January 13th to February 3rd, May 10th to June 2nd, and September 9th to October 1st. We’re now getting ready for the last one of the year, straddling 2022 turning into 2023. 

The last Mercury Retrograde period of the year will fall between December 28th 2022 and January 18th 2023. Here’s everything you need to know about how to survive it in one piece. 

The CHANI App

Chani Nicholas does things a little bit differently. Her astrology is “for self-discovery, mindfulness

and healing,” not simply planet-watching, and the CHANI app is her one-stop tool guiding you through understanding the wisdom of the stars and how to best harness it to live your best life. With real-time personal updates on how to work with the astrology of the moment, a library of meditations for daily use, rituals, and a journal to set intentions and track your growth with each new moon and full moon, the CHANI app holds your hand through every planet’s turn, including Mercury Retrograde, with the gentle and much needed care of an older sister telling you, it’s gonna be okay. 

You get a free 30 day trial when you sign up, and 5% of all app profits are disbursed directly to Black, Latin, Native/Indigenous, Queer and/or Trans survivors of gender-based violence by FreeFrom.org.

DOWNLOAD 

TBalance Crystals

Worn by the likes of Adwoa Aboah, Bella Hadid, Kylie Jenner and Jamie Lang, TBalance Crystals are not your ordinary gemstones. As the name suggests, their one goal is to help you find balance wherever you most need it in your day-to-day life… and we sure need a healthy dose of it during Mercury Retrograde, so these little bracelets come in extra handy! They’re the perfect holiday gift, for yourself or a loved one, and will help you get to the root of who you are and what you need most from the world at any given moment. There’s one for every need: abundance, energy boost, stress-relief, strength, healing and inner peace, love, emotional stability, and raising your spiritual vibration.

SHOP HERE

Psychic Sisters 

There’s no better time to look within than the time of outward chaos, because when all else goes kaboom, introspection might be all you have left to rely on. The Psychic Sisters, founded by world renowned, clairvoyant to the stars, Jayne Wallace, is trusted by celebrity clients such as Kim Kardashian, Kate Hudson, Charlotte Tilbury, Larry King, Annie Lennox, and Tracey Emin. For over thirty years, they’ve offered tarot readings, clairvoyance, astrology, palmistry and much moreTheir team of gifted psychics is available for one-to-one readings at Selfridges, in London, or over email, as well as corporate, media, and private functions.

BOOK A READING

Magic Of I Journals

With all the turmoil and mayhem of Mercury Retrograde, journaling can be a surefire balm for your heart and soul. It works to balance and centre you in the moment, investigate how you’re truly feeling at each turn of the retrograde phase, and will be a precious ally in surviving your next retrograde --as you can simply go back to what you wrote this time around, and remember how you used this time to better yourself! We recommend the Magic of I journals, made with love in beautiful vegan leather, whose planners help you live with awareness, in alignment with the earth and the cosmos. They stock astrological planners, mini astro pocket planners, moon phase calendars, dream journals, and more!

Palm of Feronia Palo Santo

Palo Santo (in Spanish it means Holy Wood) is known for its properties in dispelling negative energy, providing spiritual protection, and bringing good luck. It’s been used for thousands of years, typically in South America, to cleanse and renew the energy around you ––whether it be your home, your personal space, your office, or simply a moment of healing and centering calmness, palo santo is just what you need to take a breather from the energy of Mercury Retrograde. Palm Of Feronia is a natural self-care brand focused on the ancient principles of aromatherapy and crystal healing. At very affordable prices, they offer a Fairtrade Palo Santo Incense Bundle, where each of its three sticks can be used up to twenty times. 

Breathe with James Breathwork 

Lastly, don’t forget to breathe through Mercury Retrograde. Breathwork is the “quickest, most powerful and effective way to enhance and transform one's state of mind and body,” and James Dowler of Breathe With James uses ancient techniques and breathing practices to help radically improve our physical and mental health, performance and emotional wellbeing. The benefits of breathwork include relaxation, toxin release, anxiety reduction, energy increase, focus improvement and immunity boost. He offers online sessions for anxiety, sleep, resilience, and even just to start the day off on the right foot. Plus, monthly member offers and workshops, trusted by testimonials such as Ella Mills of Deliciously Ella, Jack Harries, Roxie Nafousi and Annie Clarke.

Sign up for his 7-day free trial here.