It’s that time of the year again! Mercury retrograde is back for its seasonal hijinks from April 21 to May 14. This time around, Mercury will be moonwalking in the fixed earth sign Taurus. We can expect many people to double down in their personal beliefs and act extra bossy — as Taurus is a stubborn sign that isn’t easily swayed to any other perspective but their own. This comes to fruition in relationships, situationships, and financial matters. Exes will return, allowing us to take control of the narrative with them and get closure.
Travel will be intense and come with delays. And data may be lost on our electronic devices — so back up your information on the Cloud to avoid any mishaps. The best day of the retrograde is May 1. If you’re planning a hot date or making moves in your personal life — do so on the 1st. It’s the only time that the retrograde won’t funk up your plans for the future.
That being said, here are some magical tips to help us survive and thrive during Mercury retrograde.
Add citrus to your routine.
Citrus is the essence of Mercury, so be sure to add lemon, lime, grapefruit, or orange to your diet or keep the fruits around if possible. You can squirt the fruit into a glass of water throughout the day to ensure you communicate clearly to others and understand them.
Breathe in some lavender.
Lavender is the scent of Mercury, so it’s a great flower to keep in your home or oil to wear. This flower is also known to energetically cleanse spaces. You can burn a bundle of fresh or dried lavender, use fresh flowers in a bath, keep them in a vase, or even spray lavender oil to eliminate stale or negative vibes during the retrograde. I place fresh lavender under my pillow to have peaceful and relaxing dreams during the retrograde.
Journal your feelings.
Journal your emotions to keep them in check and to understand your feelings. The more you let your sentiments go and flow on paper, the less you’ll hold in. This will allow you to interact better with people because your thoughts won’t be bottled up and ready to explode.
Acknowledge the past.
Look at childhood photos, reminisce, get nostalgic, and talk to friends or family you haven’t seen. Play tunes and watch movies from the early Aughts or the 2010s that make you remember the good old days. If an ex comes back (or if you’re the ex who’s trying to come back), proceed with caution. People often try to get back together during this time, but it is probably a fling instead of a full-on relationship.
Try a hint of mint.
Mint is another herb that’s great in warding off the dramatic effects of retrograde, bringing clarity in moments of chaos. Mint tea is a calming drink that can help mend communication issues when they go haywire. If you’re not a tea fan, you can keep a few twigs of mint around your home or add to a bath when wires get crossed with others. This will help in clearing everything up.
Connect with your inner child.
Connect with your inner child by doing activities you always wanted to do in your younger years but never did. This will allow you to be at peace with yourself and to heal the past.
Light some candles.
Light a yellow candle for communication or a blue candle for chill vibes. White candles are also good for a pristine environment. This will give you the chance to create the atmosphere you want in your home and get rid of the toxic elements in your life.
Technology cleanse with crystals.
Keep your electronic devices clean by placing a Citrine, Blue Lapis, or Black Tourmaline crystal on them every night when you’re done using them for the day. Citrine is ideal for enhancing positivity, Blue Lapis is great for creating clear communication, and Black Tourmaline is amazing for protection — all of which is needed during retrograde. Since we use our phones and computers to send information, giving them a crystal charge-up will help in the way we connect with others in this digital age.
Declutter your home.
If there is anything that you no longer want, sell it, give it away to friends or recycle it. The less disorder you have at home, the easier it is for your mind to think, and less stress will be weighing on your shoulders.
Let us slide into your DMs. Sign up for the Teen Vogue daily email.
