MERCURY RETROGRADE: Use it to Your Advantage!

MESSENGER image - First look at side of Mercur...
MESSENGER image – First look at side of Mercury not seen by Mariner 10 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Once again Mercury, the planet ruling of all forms of communication, intellect, commerce and technology, begins its retrograde phase. Perhaps you’ve already been feeling the effects of this upcoming phase. You may be forgetful, have technology challenges or notice a lot of mis-communication. Mercury goes retrograde three times a year and in my opinion has gotten a bit of a bad rap.

Yes, there are communication issues, you shouldn’t sign a contract without checking and double checking the details (it is not advisable to sign anything during this time but if it’s unavoidable do your best to be mindful of the fine print) lest it have to be re-negotiated, and technology challenges arise at every turn but you are actually receiving a gift. Mercury retrograde gives you the opportunity to review all the details that have led you to the present moment. Take this time and use it to your advantage!

Going backwards to move forward…

How can you possibly use it to your advantage when things that were once flowing seemingly coming to an abrupt halt? Well, that’s exactly HOW you use it to your advantage!  When Mercury goes retrograde you have a chance to re-visit energies and heal those things you may not know consciously are still unresolved. You might start thinking about past events, hear from an old beau or notice you are in a challenging situation very similar (or exactly the same) as something that happened in the past. When this happens, not “if” but “when”, you can heal it because you now know it wasn’t cleared up or there is stuck energy still needing to be released or resolved. With awareness this is a time clear blockages and receive a tremendous healing.

The slow down or halt of those things that were flowing nicely is also a gift. Use this time for rest and rejuvenation. Reflect on what’s been going on, how you’ve handled yourself, the choices you’ve made and go within to reconnect with your passion and spirit. Our daily lives move so rapidly that sometimes we put things on the back burner, so to speak. Review what has happened, clear the energy, forgive yourself and others then move on to plan for the creative endeavor you put away until further notice. Mercury retrograde is the “further notice”! This slow down gives you ample opportunity to fine tune, re-connect with spirit, heal and re-visit anything and everything you’ve shoved into the closet in the back of your mind. You don’t necessarily want to start anything new until after March 17  (allow one week after for the energies to settle) but you can certainly put your plan of attack on paper!

You can even use the technology breakdowns to your advantage. if your computer crashes you might just have to pick up the phone and actually speak to a human being instead of the email you were going to send. If technology goes haywire and you can’t send an important document or report, review what you were working on. You may find an error you previously missed or a paragraph that could use clarity and this gives you the chance for a complete or partial ‘do over’ if necessary. Of course we love our Facebook, Twitter and the like but if for some reason you are dis-connected from your social media, you now have the time to get connected with yourself again! You have time to meet up with a friend in person or better yet before you go out take time to meditate!

Use this Mercury Retrograde time wisely and to your advantage. Take a step back, allow for a much-needed break, heal, reflect upon what you’ve accomplished and put your goals for the future in order. Take a deep breath, clear lingering blockages and let go. Review, renew, reflect, reconnect, notice where your attention has been and get your space back. ~Shine Your Light Debbie

©Debra Taitel 2012-2013 All rights reserved

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The Healing Power of Hello…The Eyes Have It!

EyesWhen was the last time you received a spiritual HELLO? When was the last time you connected, and I mean REALLY connected, with another person?  When was the last time you acknowledged the divinity in yourself and another?

Our lives our so busy and we’re around people every day. We pass them on the street, we have work colleagues, friends, family, clients and of course the grocery clerks, waiters and friendly Starbucks Baristas but  are you connecting and acknowledging each other as spirit?

Now, there’s nothing I enjoy more than finding an answer and I found that answer in the form of a simple HELLO! I recently taught a meditation workshop in Chicago and what happened in that workshop reminded me of how powerful and healing a spirit to spirit HELLO is.  Although this was a wonderful experience for the 16 beautiful souls who attended, you can practice it for yourself every day!

There is always a lot of energy around teaching any sort of workshop involving love and the heart center and this workshop definitely lived up to task. I had already guided the participants through their first meditation to shift them into present time but I noticed they were having difficulty connecting with their bodies. They seemed to be hovering just above their heads. Several were clearly isolated,  hiding and swimming in painful memories. The energy in the workshop was so intense that I deviated from my notes and had the participants stand up, take the hands of someone else, look directly into their eyes, smile and simply say “hello,  (insert name) it’s so nice to meet you, I’m (insert name)”.

What I saw and experienced next was truly amazing. In fact I would have to say the miracle of  healing was clearly alive and well! Almost immediately after the exercise started the room got brighter! I stood back and watched as the energy that once loomed like a dark cloud over the room lifted and was replaced by a beautiful golden light. By the end of the exercise  not only did everyone have their space but they were shining from a place of validation! Everyone’s eyes were sparkling and every single person had a smile on their face!

The eyes are the window of the soul…

What happened in the workshop is very simple. When you look directly into the eyes of another and say hello you are acknowledging their spirit. The human touch and simple hello told that person ‘Hey, I see you! I know your name! You are not just some anonymous person in the room.’ You simply cannot look deep into someone’s eyes and say hello without validating them. A simple in the moment “hello” also brings you right into present time not only with the person you’ve said hello to but with your surroundings as well.

So often we go about our days with our head in the clouds. Our thoughts are somewhere else. We could be in a room full of people and feel totally isolated and alone. We are so busy doing and thinking about the next thing that needs to be done or worrying about this or that, that we sometimes brush off (not necessarily intentionally) those who are right in front of us and some of those are the ones we love the most. We are not “present and accounted for” and grounded in the moment.

Of course it is not always be proper to take both someone’s hands in yours but a handshake works and you can always look into someone’s eyes as you say hello even when casually passing on the street. There is so much you can see when you look into a persons eyes and a simple hello with a smile has the power to heal a hurting, isolated person including yourself.  As an added bonus to saying hello while looking into someone’s eyes while saying their name; You remember their name. This is my favorite party trick! Go ahead and try it! Even if you have difficulty remembering people’s names you will remember because you are not only saying hello to a body in front of you, you are connecting spirit to spirit.

Practice looking into someone’s eyes, smiling and saying hello. You are not merely using the words when you look deeply into someone’s eyes. You are acknowledging and validating the divinity, spirit and soul essence of another and yourself. You bring yourself and that person into the present moment and in the process shift your energy. So HELLO! I SEE YOU! And of course, practice makes perfect! HELLO!~Shine Your Light Debbie

©Debra Taitel 2013 All Rights Reserved

SpiritLightInsight.com
Daily Muse Home Page

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