The Perfect Self-Care Routine For Mercury Retrograde
During Mercury retrograde, the energy in the air is nothing but chaos so self-care is essential to keep it together during this time. In this post, discover the PERFECT self-care routine for Mercury retrograde that will keep you balanced, centered, and ready to face ANYTHING!
Scientifically, What is Mercury Retrograde?
Planets move from east to west around the sun. When a planet is in retrograde it creates the illusion of moving from west to east instead, creating a backwards illusion. Mercury is the planet closest to the Sun thus its orbit is much shorter than Earth’s and goes into retrograde more times than any other planet. About three or four times a year Mercury goes into retrograde.
Astrologically, what is Mercury retrograde?
In astrology, it is believed that when a planet is in retrograde it is resting or sleeping. As a result, the areas that the planet is associated with are essentially being unsupervised which tends to make a mess of the activities connected.
Mercury rules communication; communication such as listening, speaking, learning, reading, editing, researching, negotiating, selling, buying, and electronics. Prepare for miscommunication, grammar errors, mistakes in scheduling, sales falling through, phones/computers lagging or shutting down, and other things along these lines. Mercury also rules contracts and agreements such as deeds, contracts, leases, wills, and so forth. Try not to make any big decisions during Mercury Retrograde but if you must, triple-check all communications and contracts. Bottom line, expect a bit of craziness in MANY areas during Mercury retrograde. It is pretty much justifiable to blame Mercury Retrograde for ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING that goes wrong.
Self Care During Mercury Retrograde
It is important to get some extra rest during Mercury Retrograde since shit tends to hit the fan. The most important thing to remember is that you can’t control what happens during Mercury retrograde, however, you can control how you react to the events that occur. I do this routine when I am feeling drained and need to refresh and revive myself to stay grounded, calm, and centered.
Shower Time
To kick off this routine, start by taking a relaxing hot shower. If you are going to take anything from this routine, take this! In my opinion, a shower is like a reset button. Not only does it cleanse the dirt and germs you have been in contact with throughout the day but it is also an incredibly powerful energy cleanser when paired with visualization meditation.
As the water hits your body, visualize that all the negative energy you have been in contact with throughout the day gets rinsed away, goes down the drain, and far away from your space. When you wash your body, imagine that you are scrubbing away stubborn negative energy. I use this visualization meditation every single night to let go of negativity and emotions that hold me back.
Beauty Products I Use:
Once a week I dry brush BEFORE I hop into the shower. Dry brushing can reduce cellulite, eliminate dead skin, enhances blood circulation, cleanses the lymphatic system, promotes even fat distribution, enhances nutrients absorption by the skin, rejuvenates the nervous system, and tightens skin! Once I am in the shower I use Origins body wash; not only does it cleanse while keeping your skin moisturized, it also blocks oxidation to combat aging. Once I am out of the shower and my skin is still damp, I quickly massage in the Neutrogena Body Oil all over my body; the key with this product is the put it on damp skin and let it dry.
Skin Care
Next is skincare which is something I take extremely seriously as I want to delay aging as long as I can! Again, I use visualization meditation as I do this. As you apply your skincare, envision that everything you’re putting on your skin is replenishing the positive energy within you. Also, whisper to yourself all the things you’re grateful for…including, the things you want to manifest as if they have already come to fruition.
For this specific routine, I apply a face mask while I do the next activity then come back to skincare when the mask is ready to be washed off.
Beauty Products I Use:
This is for all you beauty junkies! First, I massage Fresh Seaberry Oil Cleanser on dry skin for 2 minutes to really work out makeup, dirt, and oil. I then use the Foreo Luna with the Kate Summerville ExfoliKate Cleanser and let it work its magic for an even deeper cleanse. The next step is to tone, I enjoy the Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Toner because it adds moisture instead of stripping skin. Then, I pat in the SUNDAY RILEY Good Genes Treatment. Next, I gently massage the Kiehls’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer followed by the Kate Summerville ExfoliKate Moisturizer. Then, I dab on the Kiehl’s Avocado Creamy Eye Treatment; I let all that soak in before I apply the oils. After, I mix two drops of the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Concentrate with a drop of Josie Maran Argan Oil and pat it into my skin. Remember to bring everything down to your neck and chest! Lastly, I give myself a nice little facial massage using the Nurse Jamie Uplift Tool. A lot of steps, I know, but I love glowing healthy skin so I take the time to do this EVERY SINGLE night.
Yoga
While I have a face mask on, I like to practice yoga. This helps you to connect with your body and breathe so that you are better able to ground and center yourself. I usually do 10 minutes of yoga every-night but during Mercury retrograde, I amp it up to 15-20 minutes. After yoga, I wash off the mask and do my skincare before moving on to the next activity.
CLICK HERE FOR 7 YOGA POSES THAT RELIEVE STRESS AND ANXIETY!
Yoga Apps I Use:
Yoga for Beginners | Mind+Body – This is by far my favorite app as it is perfect for beginners and quick sessions. It offers different sequences that focus on different areas of the body and types of relaxation. Hands down- best app for beginners!
Yoga for Beginners | Down Dog – This app is awesome as it focuses on following your breath during the session. This is a great app for beginners who would like to track and build their progress. Essentially, the more you practice the more levels and sessions you unlock.
Lotus | Yoga and Meditation – This app offers over 500 different sessions for different levels and time limitations. This is a great app for those who want to practice a new sequence regularly and expand their practice.
Energy Cleansing
After yoga, I like to cleanse/smudge my energy to remove any negative and stagnant thoughts, energies, and intentions that are residing in my being. The term smudging refers to burning herbs and plants. The idea is that the smoke from the herbs and plants attaches itself to negative energy. As the smoke clears it takes the negative energy with it, releasing it into another space where it will be regenerated into positive energy. This step is essential as Mercury retrograde tends to put you in a funk that feels almost impossible to get out of. It’s all the negative energy you are absorbing so regular energy cleansing helps to reduce those ugly thoughts, energies, and intentions.
How To Smudge
First, choose which herb or plant you want to burn. Sage, palo santo, lavender and rosemary are most commonly used for smudging.
Sage clears all energy, negative and positive which creates a clean slate to fill with positive energy and intentions.
Palo Santo is wonderful for purifying and bringing in positive thoughts, energies, and intentions. Tip: Perfect to use to renew positivity after a sage cleansing.
Lavender is best used for psychic protection, happiness, healing, and tranquility.
Rosemary is a powerful cleanser for your home and aura.
Next, lite an end on fire of your chosen herb(s). Let it smoke while surrounding yourself with the smoke and/or letting the smoke drift into every nook and cranny of the space you are cleansing.
Lastly, allow the herb or plant to smoke out on its own. Once it has accomplished its intended task the smoke will cease on its own.
CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ENERGY CLEANSING!
What I use:
Tarot or Spell
Next, I either read my cards or do a spell. If I am feeling lost and need guidance, I choose a tarot reading; sometimes receiving reassurance from your spirit guides is what you need to keep at it. If I am feeling drained and frustrated, I choose a simple protection spell; during Mercury retrograde having extra protection is usually needed.
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TAROT!
CLICK TO LEARN WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A WITCH!
Meditate
Lastly, I meditate. I find that doing a chakra opening and balancing meditation is a great way to stay centered during this time. Paying extra attention to all 7 chakras is crucial for an overall balance that is greatly needed!
Start with your root chakra and go up. Visualize the corresponding chakra color as a spinning ball of energy located at the chakra point you’re working on. While this ball of light is active, connect with the feelings this chakra brings when it’s healthy. For example, if you’re working on your throat chakra visualize yourself communicating with others effectively, standing up for yourself, and expressing your emotions clearly; feel the feelings all these actions bring. As you feel these feelings envision this chakra getting brighter and more vivid! After you have done this with all 7 chakras, open your eyes and embrace the feeling of achieving balance!
CLICK TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CHAKRA!
Final Thoughts
I do this routine about once a week during mercury retrograde or if I am feeling extremely anxious and/or stressed. The key to this routine is breathing in deep and repeating positive thoughts and affirmations! You are going to get through this, stay positive!