Joyfull Living – October 2014

October 4th starts a retrograde cycle for the planet Mercury that will last until the 24th. Retrograde is when a planet slows down, stops and appears to move backwards. This is an illusion caused by the Earth passing the slower moving outer planets. This can affect us in different ways depending on the planet.

The planet Mercury has a visible impact on our lives that even the most skeptical people have come to believe. This is because Mercury rules our thinking, communication (verbal, written, social media), as well as electrical devices, computers, telephones, transportation and air travel. You can begin to feel this influence as much as 2 weeks before and after the actual retrograde period where computer systems get cranky, printers stop working, mail is delayed, messages are missed or misunderstood, etc. This phenomenon happens three or four times a year, so it is helpful to know how to navigate this energy, otherwise it can be a period of frustration. Most common advices are: don’t travel, don’t sign contracts, don’t start or launch anything important, don’t make any major purchases and back up your computer and devices! Don’t misunderstand this as a time of inactivity. This is a cosmic gift that forces us to slow down, get off autopilot and go deeper within to make our life better and more meaningful. When you are open and aware of the opportunity it brings, it can be a truly magical time.

“A bend in the road is not the end of the road ~ unless you fail to make the turn.”
~ Anonymous

The planet Mercury affects our ability to think and shift between the two hemispheres of our brain. During the retrograde period the left-brain that is adept at tasks involving logic, language and intellectual/analytical thinking, is forced to slow down. Our left-brain is focused on getting things done. It rationalizes why we don’t have time to take care of our internal needs. During Mercury retrograde, we become more right-brain oriented which is best at emotional and creative tasks and connects us to our intuition and brings us closer to our inner spirit. The right side of our brain is where we feel the effects of our actions and words. It allows us to experience compassion, love and gratitude, which lead to true, lasting happiness. If you are more right brain dominant, Mercury retrograde can be an enjoyable period where more people can meet you in your realm of “relax, enjoy the ride, we’ll get there when we get there.”

This cosmic gift is a time to slow down and reflect on all that’s going on in your life. It can be a very productive, transformative and powerful time to re-evaluate, renovate, and re-invent. We can focus on clearing and completing, as well as planning with deeper awareness of our feelings. Are your intentions in harmony with your vision for the quality of your life experience? Whatever you do during this month, don’t be in a hurry. Make each delay an opportunity to practice presence. Every red light, traffic jam, computer glitch…. take a breath into your belly space, relax your shoulders as you exhale, relax into the moment and think of one thing you can feel grateful for—start with the gift of each breath. Remember that what you resist will persist, and stressing about the things you cannot do anything about will only lead to more frustration and more stress.

Take care of yourself this month and make it a point to not be too busy for YOU!! Start this Mercury retrograde period in silence with a special JoyFull Yoga Sound Healing, Sunday, October 4, 10:00am-Noon and a Sound Healing Gathering on Sunday, October. 26, 5:00-6:30pm.