Mercury is the planet that governs communication, intellect, travel and technology. When Mercury is in retrograde it appears like it’s moving backwards. When this happens, it is said that the support that Mercury gives us in those aspects is taken away. This happens three to four times per year and lasts for three weeks at a time. What can occur during Mercury retrograde are communication mishaps, misunderstandings, travel delays and malfunctions in technology. This can create a lot of chaos, confusion, stress and conflicts. There are some crystals that can support us and help us understand the lessons imparted to us during this time. Here are some of the crystals that I reach for during Mercury Retrograde.

When miscommunication happens, your electronic devices start to glitch out or when your travel plans are delayed it can cause irritability, tension and stress. It can even start arguments along the way. Botswana Agate is an excellent stone for grounding.

It helps keep you emotionally balanced at all times preventing you from getting easily agitated or losing your cool. It also reminds you to think before you act, to look at the situation in a bird’s eye view so you can assess correctly before making decisions. It will help you stay centered and calm, so you don’t get affected by other people’s energy especially during this time when emotions are easily triggered. The first lesson that Mercury Retrograde can teach us is learning to keep calm in times of chaos and to take your time to think before acting on any given circumstance.  

During Mercury Retrograde we find ourselves dealing with all sorts of miscommunication, be it verbal or when we engage with speaking with others, non-verbal via our facial expression and posture, or written whether it is an email, report, contract etc. Blue Lace Agate helps you with clear communication.

It helps you organize your thoughts and articulate them in a clear and concise manner. It helps you to say what’s on your mind clearly, it aids you to write down your emails with accuracy and it reminds you to be aware of how you carry yourself with others. The second lesson of Mercury Retrograde is to be mindful of our communication. It really helps to double check your report before you hit send and to be careful with what you say to avoid misinterpretations.

When you find yourself getting scattered, spaced out and confused during the time of Mercury Retrograde, Fluorite will help give us the mental clarity that we need especially when things go awry.

Fluorite is the stone of order, clarity and mental enhancement. Fluorite will help you organize your plans, prioritize your tasks and avoid distractions that come along the way. It will help give you the steps you need to take for you to bring order to chaos. It will help you think more clearly as you look for solutions to problems or find the focus you need to sidestep unnecessary work. The third lesson of Mercury Retrograde is the importance of a solid plan. It could be as simple as leaving the house 30 minutes early just in case we get setbacks during our commute to work. Or it could be planning for an event making sure there are contingencies if things don’t go smoothly.     

Emerald is the stone of infinite patience and this is something we all need during this time when things are not going according to plan. This stone enhances our sense of harmony with others. Remember that it’s not just you but everybody is affected during the time of Mercury Retrograde. Part of communication is also listening to others. We must listen well to what other people are saying making sure we understand their message. During this time, it’s best for us to clarify everything we heard or read to make sure we are on the same page with others. We also need to make sure that others understand our messages as well.

Emerald is a stone of wisdom as it broadens our understanding of each situation we are in and lessons that can be learned from it. If you find yourself having a misunderstanding with your boss over a report, instead of getting angry or frustrated, this stone will remind you to take note of the confusion so the report can be improved on moving forward. The fourth lesson of Mercury Retrograde is to listen well to others, clarify all the details and learn from mistakes rather than let our emotions get the better of us. 

During Mercury Retrograde we might find ourselves having problems with travel plans. You might encounter delays, taking it longer to get to your destination. We also might come across a lot of electronic glitches or computer breakdowns. It’s easy for us to feel discouraged and unmotivated to work on our goals. The earth energies of Petrified Wood help dissolve any fears and worries you may have.

Its steady vibrations will help give you a sense of security and stability. It reminds you to focus on the things you can control and let go of what is outside your circle of influence. It helps you not to take things seriously, to just go with the flow and to be optimistic. The fifth lesson of Mercury Retrograde is to always keep a positive attitude and to always keep in mind that for every problem is a solution, for every mistake made is a lesson learned.

Mercury Retrograde is the time of the year when it gives us an opportunity to see which part of our self we need to work on. Whether it be keeping calm in upsetting situations, being mindful with our communication, making a bulletproof plan, listening well to others or maintaining a positive attitude during challenging times. It helps us to grow, evolve and improve on ourselves, making us better, more efficient communicators. Our crystal companions are there to help impart their unique energies and support us in our daily lives. I wish you an uneventful, easy and smooth Mercury Retrograde season, dear traveler.