Mercury Retrograde as Healing

Oh no! Mercury retrograde! Well…not so fast.

It happens every time Mercury goes retrograde (the effect that makes the planet appear to travel backwards in the sky). Things go wrong–well, thanks a lot mercury retrograde. It’s an ingrained response. And it reveals a not-so-hidden problem (if a generally ignored one).

Mercury, of course, doesn’t really go backwards — it simply appears to do so from our perspective on Earth. And that’s the heart of the matter — perception. We see an elliptical orbit from our own elliptical spinning. It distorts reality.

I know you know this, and that “mercury retrograde” refers to the astrological energetic correspondence. But consider — what is simply an ongoing cycle is perceived as ups and downs. It’s neither. It just is, a fundamental reality.

And that’s the problem with “my current troubles are because mercury is retrograde.” No, they’re not. Rather, mercury retrograde is shining a light on fundamental problems. I mean literally — the foundation is lacking, creating the perception that problems have abruptly come about that were actually a long time coming.

There’s disruption — I get it. But the fault isn’t negative energy.

I had a strained conversation with my dad. My partner said something dismissive. My muscles are sore and stiff. And I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. Mercury retrograde, right? (And let’s not forget the annoying slow Internet speed). I even blew up a wheelbarrow tire yesterday, just pumping air back into it after it went flat.

The problems here, though, are fundamental. My dad and I have had awkward conversations for years. My partner and I have busy schedules and don’t always communicate well. Instead of rotating cardio, weights, and swimming at the gym, I did all three one day, then stacked firewood the next. My schedule is too packed, and I already knew that three months ago (will be better shortly). The Internet is often slow here (trying to get a new provider to come in). And the tire was ancient.

Foundations build potentials — constant yang eventually fails.

Yin energy is about potential. Before I undertake strenuous physical tasks, I have to build up over time. Before I can have open conversation when topics are difficult, I have to build trust and connection over time. Before I can enjoy fast services, I need the supporting infrastructure in place. Tires don’t last forever, and need to be inspected and maintained. And schedules packed tight don’t work.

We’re mainly all about the yang energy. But just like mercury, it travels in circular motion (and not in a straight line and then back, however it might appear). We push and strive and force and stubbornly persist, working against nature herself, thinking we have to do so, but fooling only ourselves.

Research shows multi-tasking is a myth (we can do both tasks separately faster than both together). “Overwhelmed” is an over-reaction we invented for dramatic effect (“whelmed” means exactly the same thing). And no matter how far you need to drive, you’ll have to stop and get fuel. Vehicle maintenance is a good idea too. If not — you’ll be sitting at the side of the road.

Healing can’t be all yang (if you want to remain healthy)

No one ever contacts me as says: “Hey, Tim, I’d like to work on the fundamental pieces creating the health, emotional, and spiritual challenges I’m facing. Ever. I DO get a lot of “can you just do a session and fix this?” Frankly, sometimes yes, that can happen, but that’s not ultimately the best approach.

Trees grow extensive root systems before branching into leafy canopies — or they’d fall at the first strong wind. Busy successful and happy people don’t “find” time to meditate–they know that an hour of focus in the morning is the reason for their continued happiness and success. Schedules can be more organic and realistic by making choices and delegating (“but I have to do these things because no one else can” is a lie we all tell ourselves). And 1 in 25 people never get sick, their entire lives — because they understand (and continually practice) balance.

That’s why I offer programs instead of straight healing sessions

Self-healing, integrating levels of being, getting unstuck, building effective meditation practice, understanding and overcoming long-term pain, overcoming emotional challenges, the 12 keys to healing–these essential building blocks help you learn to live in wholeness and ongoing health — including thriving in spiritual balance.

It’s also why I offer monthly combination programs, so people can benefit from both healing sessions and program material to heal and to maintain their health, their mental and emotional peace and balance, and to best show up in the world to thrive as the beautiful people they always were and were meant to be.

Because Mercury doesn’t travel back and forth on a straight line. And neither does healing. For ongoing health and progress, you must master circular effort.

So thank Mercury for the reminder. Then turn your attention to fundamentals. And if you’d like to learn more about healing fundamentals and how they can work for you, contact me here.