Showing posts with label tools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tools. Show all posts

Monday, March 12, 2012

Making nice with a Retrograde

credit: solstation.com
 Welcome Dear Mercury

Yes, we have entered into another round of the planet Mercury going retrograde, it's official. And no doubt you may have already felt its affects.  The dates this time are March 12 through approximately April 4, however let's be proactive and give our selves a week on each side of that.  So, for those of you just coming to this point, when Mercury retrogrades it gives off the impression of moving backwards, so things controlled by Mercury will be askew, to say the least.

So, this is how it's gonna be

Mercury, the planet often mentioned third when speaking astrologically, after the Sun and the Moon, rules communication.  That's communication of all kind whether that's face to face, via email, via snail mail, Goddess bless you if you have a video conference or presentation during this time. Basically, anytime you may need to give information to another being or even yourself, communication can break down.  Oh, don't sign anything if you can avoid it, guaranteed misunderstandings for sure, put it off if you can until after the retrograde.  If not then dot "I's" and cross "T's" like there is no tomorrow.  Having said that, this is not a charge for all of us to run and hide, but rather to walk with awareness and just give information extra time to be passed along.  It's better than getting worked into a frenzy with out any results, right?

Discard that which is unwanted

This retrograde does happen to fall as the moon is waning, which means we have left the Full Moon, midpoint time and we are on the downside of this lunar cycle and now is the time to rid ourselves of unwanted energy, thoughts, things, and possibly people.  We are each preparing our personal gardens for growth and it's just time to pull some weeds.  Is this not a better time?  As we adhere to the whims of Mercury it is a perfect opportunity to focus more on ourselves, our goals, our dreams, our challenges and the like.   So, just do it, no need to stall.  It's almost as if one of the best gifts Mercury bestows upon us is that we are given time to really see ourselves, in all of our beautiful messes, LOL!!!

So, here's what you could do

Now, do I even zen or meditate my way through all of Mercury's madness? Uhhh....NO! So, I thought I  would give some quick and physical ways to try to reset when the madness is just too much during a retrograde.  Please try these, and even comment below and let us all know what works for you.   If you have something new share, I would love more tips on handling the retrograde myself!



Mercury Herbs

Anise, Clary Sage, Lavender, Lemongrass, Peppermint 
These are a few scents that are associated with Mercury and can be selected for the tools below.

Burn Incense
Although this seems small, incense permeates the air and can quickly and easily affect and effectively change where we are at any moment.  I have been known to walk around with a stick or two when necessary.

Make Mist Sprays
Water heals all, we know this and carrying that healing tool with you in a small spritz bottle, can give you just the necessary dose of reality, sanity, and energy.  Nothing is wrong with a little spray here and there, even others might need it.

Carry Aromatherapy Oils
Anyone who knows me knows I basically walk around with several bottles on me and it's because I never know when I am going to just need a dab here or there.  There are many companies and types, do the research find out which ones are right for you.  I know these scents have saved my life on more than one occasion.

Just Laugh it Off
Can't tell you how many times I have realized about two seconds into something, Oh, it's Mercury.  Gave me much more flexibility and less stress.  Sometimes it's not you or them, it's just Mercury!



I wish all of us nothing but the best this retrograde.  Feel free to come here and type in your screams or successes...Forewarned is forearmed!


--Andrea/DaughterofWaters



Sunday, January 22, 2012

Enter the Water Dragon

Dragon in Chinese
A recent funeral of a colleague opened my ears wider to the whisper of Spirit saying "Walk your life's path".  So in that same vein I am looking to this coming Lunar New Year and saying - "Yes!".  Yes, to the highs.  Yes, to the lows.  Yes, to the mundane.  Yes, to the truly jubilant.  Yes to the everything that there is for me.  The next new moon cycle, which is the premiere of this Lunar New Year, or the next coming 13 new moons, gives us the greatest opportunity to intentionally charge ourselves and our lives with what we are going to be about.  It's about deliberateness, self-knowledge and self definition.  Make this the Lunar Year you decide all by yourself just who you were, who you are, and who you will be.  It's that trinity of awareness that will bring about great strides in our efforts to do our works here while we are blessed with the time.

Now, this Lunar Year falls during the time when Aquarius (which is Uranus ruled) is shining on the moon.  So yes that idealism, artistic, and dreamer energy is available for us to harness this ultimately positive vortex and strive forward for ourselves and the planet like never before. And what better usher to assist in that striving than the amazing Water Dragon, the animal that leads this Lunar Year in Chinese Astrology.

The Water Dragon, coming for the first time in 60 years will add such power to all the magic and medicine that we access.  All the things we want to soar at this year, call on the water dragon.  All the situations that have stumped us in the pass, call on the Water Dragon.  All those self identified limitations we want to break beyond, call on the Water Dragon. Basically anything that is a challenge or seems impossible, call on the Water Dragon.  And then, sit back and watch the unexpected or should I say expected unfold.

Below are  suggested Lunar New Year tools for the first few days of this new year and beyond.  Feel free to devise your own as well.  My meditation for all of us this year is "we are the ones we have been waiting for".  We have the gifts, it's time to put them to use. 

Tools for a Lunar Year

Use these tools as often as you like or need: daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly.  Set the space, make the time, do the works.
  • Journal
  • Sacred Space (altar, ritual space)
  • Stones or Rocks 
  • Water or water related objects (shells, sand)
  • Sage or Rosemary smugdes or dried herbs to burn (clears the energy of spaces)
  • Written Intentions for the year as a visual, living, reminder
  • Candles colored to match your intentions
  • Spiritual tools or books that are helpful

Totem Meditation for the Year

Instead of providing a totem for the Lunar New Year spirit has led me to guide us all to do it for our selves.  You know...the give a fish or teach to fish allegory.  Find a quiet undisturbed space and do a meditation on asking for an animal spirit to lead you through this Lunar Year.  Do not prescribe any animal, be open and do this for as long or as short as you may need.  Once the animal has spoken to you check this site Linda's Domain http://bit.ly/z9Q0Yl to learn more about the animal medicine that revealed itself for perspective on the coming year.



Looking forward to your comments and successes this year.  Wishing us all the power of the Water Dragon..... 

---Andrea

It's into Winter we go

credit: Washington Revels At 10:03am EST on December 21st Winter Solstice 2025 brought with it so much joy, beauty and possibility.  First...