The final days of Mercury retrograde (by Liz Worth)

http://www.lizworth.com/the-final-days-of-mercury-retrograde/

How are things going for you? Eclipses and retrogrades have been dominating the season, shaking up all kinds of things, uncovering all kinds of thoughts, feelings, and ideas that have gotten buried over time.

Back in the spring, I did a tarot reading for myself about what I need moving forward.
All the messages felt so nostalgic, urging me to go back to some old habits. I pulled cards that depicted people sitting in a circle, or playing in the water.

I pulled the Sun, a card of joy.

I pulled cards that showed friendships and community.

It made me think a lot about how I used to make so much time on my schedule for play. I have lists of goals that I wrote from past summers, years ago, and they say things like:
– Go to at least five parties this summer
– See at least four movies
– Talk on the phone to someone every day
– Invite someone to go to the museum
– Go to the beach
– Read a book a week

I didn’t always accomplish all of my plans, but I did manage a lot of what I wanted to.
And when I look back on it, nothing else suffered. I still got everything else done that was necessary: The work, the routine, the responsibilities.

Somehow, writing down my joys made them happen. It made them as much of a priority as any other to-do list.

But often, our calendars end up being filled with other responsibilities: Work, appointments, meetings, errands.

As though fun doesn’t matter. As though joy is something to be pushed to the bottom of the heap.
Mercury retrograde began in Leo on July 26. Mars, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and the centaur planet Chiron, are all retrograde, too.

Retrogrades are times of review, reassessment. They can cause us to look back and think:

• What has been working for me?
  
• Where did I go right along the way?
• Where did I go wrong?
• What do I know now that I didn’t before, and what do I realize I can change now?
• What do I really want?
  

We can only make decisions based on what we know at the time. When we allow ourselves the time to check in and see if something is ready to change – if we are ready to change – we can grow through our past choices and build new roads for ourselves as a result.

Mercury retrograde in fiery Leo has been highlighting questions around what you want to be known for, and how you want to be seen.

It is also about how you want to shine. The last few weeks have been a time to re-strategize your path and plans, especially if something has been dimming your light.

Leo energy doesn’t always have to be about the centre of attention, but about the brightness in your day.

Get ready to implement any changes or ideas that have been brewing once Mercury goes direct on Sunday, August 19.

And trust that, if you are making some changes right now – be they inspired Mercury, or this eclipse season, or anything else that’s been going on for you – that your past experiences are part of the foundation that will help you grow from here.

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The Four of Pentacles is the card I pulled for this week. This is a card of control and commitment, with the trust that something solid has already been established.

When we are moving through times of change or growth, it can be scary to think about the possibilities about what might happen next.

Even if the changes are exciting, it can still feel like the rug is being pulled out from below.

• What if I fall flat on my face?
  
• What is nothing goes the way I hope?
• What if I regret closing one door to open another?

But the Four of Pentacles brings the reminder that nothing really starts from zero. There is always resilience, perseverance, and intelligence to be tapped into – natural resources we all possess.

And there is always the experience that is at the table to begin with. The more time passes, the more I feel like every moment has been leading me to where I need to be.

That every job, friendship, challenge, and opportunity that comes along – as eclectic as it can all seem sometimes – all adds up to this moment, right here, right now.

I bet you have tons of examples of your own that you can think of. The Four of Pentacles asks you to sit down and see what’s on the table for you right now.

What will you choose to build on top of the foundation you stand on at this time?

If it helps, here is an intention you can use throughout the week:
My knowledge is my roadmap.

Until next time,
Liz xo

Liz Worth

Liz Worth is a Toronto-based tarot reader, astrologer, and author. She uses tarot and astrology to help people find clarity, guidance, and purpose.

Liz regularly offers workshops and seminars about tarot, astrology, and magic, believing that these are tools everyone can learn and benefit from. In 2017, Toronto Life magazine and She Does the City listed Liz as a go-to reader and tarot teacher. Her horoscopes have appeared in Flare Magazine and Spiral Nature, and her writing has also been published by Biddy Tarot, Little Red Tarot, and the Numinous. She is currently working on a follow-up to her book Going Beyond the Little White Book: A Contemporary Guide to Tarot.