At lunch the other day, a friend mentioned that she needed to find the chapter in my book about traveling during mercury retrograde. I was a bit chagrined to have to tell her that I didn’t have anything specific in the book about it. I will rectify that now! Especially since Himself will be doing the Backwards Dance from November 9th through 29th.
Modern life doesn’t allow us to avoid all the places where Mercury rules — commerce, travel, and communication. That’s just the reality. So what are we to do when the energy around those areas of life goes awry?
Accept at the outset that there will be delays, and take it into account. Don’t choose a flight plan that gives you a short layover, look for the one that seems too long. Don’t check your bag, if possible, but certainly don’t let anything you will need for three days go out of your possession. Build in extra time, be early, and allow yourself to slow down.
Check and RE-check. Everything. Finalize everything at least a week before the retrograde begins, and go over everything carefully to make sure there are no errors or missing information. Double-check your departure and arrival locations before finalizing your bookings. Triple check lodging details (size of the bed, bathroom details, etc.) Save information (confirmation and booking numbers, addresses, contact information, etc.) in your calendar as a backup. Verify that the time zones are correct.
Have a plan B (and maybe even C). How will you get around if your technology isn’t working? Pretend its 1990 and you have no access to WiFi or email; that your cell phone is just a brick. Have a written (yes, on paper) plan, including non-electronic ways to communicate with transportation options, hotel confirmations, and any booking information you made.
Speaking of technology . . . before Mercury goes retrograde is a great time to declutter your digital space, backup needed files, and double-check your passwords. Are there apps you don’t use? Why are they still on your device?
Be extra alert. Keep your eyes and ears open and listen to tiny omens or clues alerting your intuition. Any time you feel rushed, frantic or flustered, turn it around and deliberately slow down and breathe for a minute.
Use the power of the Mercury Retrograde to your advantage. Consider RE-focusing your travel to be a time for REflection, REassessment, REvisiting, REbuilding, REtreat, and REcovery. Consider making this a trip to a wellness or spa retreat to slow down and unwind, relax, reflect, rejuvenate and recharge. Consider not going somewhere new, but instead REconnecting to people or places.
Mercury retrograde periods are great times to plan and research future itineraries, or travel virtually (I write about this in greater detail in Chapter 8 of A Traveler’s Guide to Making Magic). This can be a productive time to reintegrate our past travel experiences by editing old photos and videos, or updating a travel journal, perhaps by printing photos and pasting in images.
Finally, it may be beneficial to carry a stone or two to help you combat the extra confusion of travel during this time. Here are my suggestions, and why:
- Amethyst has a long tradition of protecting travelers against thieves and promotes a sense of peace.
- Black tourmaline protects against negative energies making it an excellent stone for travel protection. (Smoky quartz does as well.)
- Blue Lace Agate and Fluorite assist with communication and mental clarity.
- Rainbow Moonstone (aka White Labradorite) encourages one to take on new opportunities and be open to new beginnings.
- Tiger’s Eye promotes courage, releases fear, protects against negativity, and provides an overall sense of mindfulness.