Tips and Tricks to Leverage Mercury’s Retrograde Energy in your Business

I don’t know about you, but Mercury has been getting a bad rap for eons linking to the retrograde effects of this planet’s movement around the sun and in the Earth’s orbit. How many live in dread when faced with yet another upcoming Mercury retrograde and want to hide out for the three or so weeks that the planet seemingly is going backwards.

Click through to this post, Demystifying Retrogrades for more on understanding the energies and illusions of the phenomena retrogrades)

I have a bias around Mercury as it is my ruling planet seeing as I was born under the sign Virgo and over the years, have gained insight into how to work with its energies in a powerful and positive way.

But before we look at how to navigate our way positively - both personally and professionally - through the Mercury retrograde which occurs three and sometimes four times a year, let’s understand a little more about the Mercury energy, the planet and its characteristics.

Mercury The Roman God...

• Mercury serves as the messenger of the gods, responsible for delivering messages between the gods and mortals.

• He is depicted as youthful and athletic, a swift and agile messenger, like the element Mercury also known as Quicksilver. He is commonly portrayed with winged sandals or a winged helmet, enabling him to move swiftly between the realms of heaven, earth, and the underworld.

• Mercury is associated with commerce, trade, and financial gain presiding over business transactions, negotiations, and the exchange of goods and services.

• He is known for his cunning, wit, and ability to outsmart others.

• Mercury is also the patron god of travellers, pilgrims, and those who embark on journeys. He oversees safe travel, protects travellers from harm, and guides them on their way.

• He is associated with communication, language, and eloquence, often depicted with a caduceus, a winged staff entwined with serpents, symbolizing diplomacy and persuasion.

Mercury the Planet…

• Named after the Roman God Mercury

• It is the smallest planet in our Solar System and closest to the Sun

• It’s orbit around the Sun lasts 88 days and is the fastest moving planet in our solar system

Mercury the Astrological Energy…

• Mercury is associated with communication, intellect, commerce, and travel.

• When it is in its normal forward direct motion these aspects of life are thought to flow more smoothly, and provide greater clarity in communication and decision-making.

• When it is in ‘retrograde’ motion, Mercury is known to be associated with communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, delays, and disruptions in travel and technology. It is not a time to sign contracts without dotting i’s and crossing t’s, where every little details matters.

All this information is all good and well. How does it help in building a business in line with the ebb and flow of the energies that we are all exposed to?

Leveraging Mercury

The pace and speed of change that is around us is increasing and making it all the more difficult to keep up with trends, new tech tools and the rapid manner in which business is changing in the New World.

And this is good news when we link with and to being in flow with the energies of Mercury.

At the outset, it is important to know where you are going -  to know your purpose, to have a vision for your life and your business for the future - there is no argument from me here.

However with the speed and pace of change, having annual business plans has become very tricky especially with the advent of new technologies such as AI, Virtual reality and all manner of tech inventions are a part of our new normal. That is not to say that one should have an idea of where one is going otherwise any old place will do.

Sure, have the what and the why and even some of the where’s in your plan for your business, however it is crucial today to be able to be agile and flexible in the face of such rapid and exciting change.

All the more reason to celebrate and align with the Mercury Retrograde energies. Each cycle marks a time to pause - to reflect, evaluate, introspect, reassess instead of being caught up in the hype around the ‘dreaded Mercury going backwards in time!’

Tips on navigating and harnessing the energy of Mercury

So this is how I make use of being able to leverage the energy of Mercury

1. I have and know my purpose and the vision that I have for my business that aligns with this purpose

2. I divide my year into the Mercury rotations around the sun - planning 88 days at a time - that is almost in three monthly increments

3. When Mercury is in retrograde, that is the time that I pause, get off the hamster wheel, stop the bus and reflect on myself as the founder and business owner - me myself and I

   a. what is working within, with and for me and

   b. what is not,

   c. what changes I am needing to make in how I perceive and see things, habits, beliefs that need to change as examples.

   d. what adjustments I need to make in terms of how I am showing up as a result - do I need to slow down and pause; make changes to my daily routine and habits; beliefs I need to work through and discard etc.

4. Then I focus on the progress that has been made in the business for the last Mercury Direct period

   a. what is working,

   b. what is not working that I need to let go of

   c. what needs to change and why

   d. what are the changes and trends in the external world that either align with me, the business, brand and values and which don’t

   e. What plans do I need to rectify, adjust and put into place for when Mercury goes direct

   f. What processes, contracts need to be reviewed during this time for Mercury does its mercurial movement forward

I hope that this blog post has given you food for through in terms of how to navigate you and your business through the energies of the Mercury cycles. And seeing as Mercury is the overseer of commerce, trade and financial gain, I would wish you and your business abundant alignment with the Quicksilver Messenger of the Gods!