Welcome to this guided practice, designed to help you leverage the energy of the Mercury Retrograde for manifestation and co-creation. This practice will lead you through introspection, thought alignment, and intentional manifestation.
Think of this guide as a roadmap, offering prompts to help you connect more deeply with your inner wisdom. However, it’s essential to trust your intuition and follow what feels right for you. Feel free to deviate from the guide if you’re drawn to explore other paths – that’s often where profound insights occur. You may choose to follow every step or create your own journey. Remember, there’s no wrong way to engage with this practice.
As you navigate through this process, you may encounter unexpected emotional or mental experiences. It can be beneficial to have a journaling buddy or a trusted friend with whom you can share your experiences.
When
Whilst this practice can be done at any point throughout a Mercury Retrograde, for best results, perform it at the beginning of the Mercury Retrograde when Mercury is stationed. Perform this practice again at the end of the Mercury Retrograde when Mercury is stationed to move direct and compare the results. Refer to the monthly forecasts for specific dates of each Mercury Retrograde.
What you’ll need:
~ A quiet, comfortable space
~ A journal and pen
~ A timer (optional)
~ Any personal sacred items, photos/images, candles, ambient music or crystals that resonate with you (optional)
Practice Steps:
1. Preparation
*** Find a quiet, comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed.
*** Create a relaxing atmosphere with candles, soft music, or any other elements that resonate with you.
*** Gather your journal, pen, images and any personal sacred items.
2. Grounding and Centring
*** Ensure your back is straight, your shoulders are relaxed and slightly rolled back, and your chin is parallel to the ground. Place one hand on your heart and one on your abdomen.
*** Gently close your eyes, allowing your awareness to turn inward.
*** Begin to focus on your breath. Take a few deep, slow breaths, inhaling through your nose, filling your lungs completely, and exhaling through your mouth, releasing any tension or stress. With each exhale, feel your body becoming more relaxed and at ease.
*** Now, bring your awareness to the soles of your feet. Imagine that with each exhale, roots begin to grow from the soles of your feet, slowly extending downwards. See these roots in your mind’s eye—they may be thick or thin, few or many, whatever feels right for you.
*** Visualize these roots pushing through the floor, through the foundation of the building, and into the earth below. Feel them breaking through the soil, moving past rocks and underground water sources, delving deeper and deeper into the heart of the earth.
*** As your roots descend, feel the stable, solid energy of the earth. This energy is calm, nurturing, and incredibly supportive. With each inhale, imagine drawing this earth energy up through your roots, into your feet, and slowly up your legs.
*** Feel this grounding energy filling your entire body, inch by inch. It moves up your spine, into your torso, your arms, your hands, your neck, and finally, your head. Experience the earth’s energy centring you, connecting you to the present moment, and providing a strong, unwavering foundation.
*** Take a few moments to bask in this grounded and centred state. Feel your body becoming heavier, more connected to the earth. Your mind is calm, your emotions are balanced, and you are completely present.
3. Introspection
*** Set your timer for 10-15 minutes.
*** In your journal, reflect on the following questions:
+ What thoughts have been recurring for me lately?
+ What patterns or habits have I noticed in my thoughts?
+ How do these thoughts make me feel?
+ What thoughts are not serving me or aligning with my true desires?
+ What themes have been activated in my life and my reality recently?
+ What thoughts are drawing these experiences to me?
*** Write down your observations without judgment. Allow this to be a stream-of-consciousness exercise, capture the natural flow of the inner voice, mimicking the way your mind works by jumping from one thought to another.
4. Identifying and Reframing Negative Thoughts
*** Look back over what you have written and identify any negative or limiting thoughts. Pay particular attention to reoccurring thoughts or thoughts that had a strong emotional signature. Also pick out thoughts with absolutes, like “always”, “never”, “everyone”, or “no one”.
*** For each negative thought, ask yourself:
+ Is this thought absolutely true? (Often it isn’t)
+ How does this thought make me feel?
+ If it were true, what would that mean about me? (This helps to identify core beliefs about self)
+ Is what I am thinking about within my sphere of control?
+ What is a more empowering and realistic way to reframe this thought?
*** See it as an opportunity. For example, instead of “This is too hard”, think “This is a challenge that will help me grow.
*** Reframe any “should” statements to “I choose to…” statements to encourage empowerment.
*** Replace the word “and” with the word “but”**: Instead of “I want to exercise, but I’m always tired”, say “I want to exercise, and I’m feeling tired.”
*** Write down your reframed thoughts in your journal.
5. Cultivating Your Mind Garden
*** Begin by visualizing your mind as a lush, vibrant garden, filled with the flowers and plants that bring you joy and peace.
*** As you explore this garden, notice the dandelions scattered throughout. See their puffy seed heads standing out among the other plants.
*** Gently approach each dandelion, and see that they represent a negative or limiting thought that you identified above. Pluck it carefully from the ground, feeling its roots releasing their hold on your mind.
*** Hold each dandelion up to your lips and gently inhale. Then exhale, blowing on the seed head and scattering the seeds far away from your garden. Watch as they disappear, knowing that these thoughts no longer have power over you.
*** Now, visualize the empowering, reframed thoughts from the previous step as beautiful, vibrant flowers or plants. See their roots growing strong and deep, anchoring them firmly in your mind garden.
*** Watch as these new plants bloom and thrive, their colours bright and petals open wide, transforming your mind into a garden of positivity, strength, and serenity.
6. Calibrate Your State of Being
*** Take your reframed thoughts and turn them into affirmations.
*** Set clear intentions for what you wish to create during this Mercury Retrograde. Be specific about what you want to achieve or improve.
*** Use affirmations or statements that start with “I am” or “I have” to align your thoughts with your desires and make sure they are in present tense. For example: “I am easily and effortlessly manifesting abundance in all areas of my life.”
*** Write your affirmations repeatedly, taking the time to feel into each statement until your body feels complete resonance with it. The more you write and immerse yourself in these positive declarations, the more your body and mind will align with their essence. Continue this practice until you reach an emotional peak—a moment of profound resonance where you truly embody the affirmations. You will intuitively recognize this point; there’s no need to force or rush beyond it. Allow the process to naturally elevate your state of being to match these empowering statements.
7. Gratitude and Closing
*** Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.
*** Express gratitude for the insights, clarity, and empowerment you’ve gained during this practice. Smile and know that you have drawn a new reality to you.
*** Thank yourself for taking the time to engage in this sacred practice.
*** Close the practice by saying a closing phrase, such as “And so it is” or “Namaste.”
9. Follow-up
*** Over the next few days and weeks, observe your thoughts and repeat your new, reframed statements as often as possible.
*** Repeat step 6: Calibration every morning.
*** Practice mindfulness, meditation, and self-care to support your manifestation journey.
*** Repeat this practice at the end of the Mercury Retrograde and compare the results.
Embrace this Mercury Retrograde period as a powerful opportunity for co-creation and alignment. By engaging in this practice, you are taking an active role in shaping your reality and bringing your dreams to life. Well done!