SWIHA Blog

If you are unfamiliar with Astro-terminology, Mercury in Retrograde, or more commonly known as Mercury Retrograde, is when the planet Mercury seems to be moving backward - from west to east. The areas of life that Mercury tends to rule are disrupted and can affect each of us differently. Mercury is the planet that rules communication, travel, and technology, and when in retrograde - life can seem a bit out of control. Mercury Retrograde is a time for channeling energy inward, reflecting, re-assessing, and rethinking our lives. We’ve already survived two retrogrades in the year 2021, and now- we are right in the middle of one! This final retrograde of 2021 started on September 27 and is lasting through October 18. Here’s what you need to do to make it through the rest of retrograde with ease, based on your zodiac sign (according to AstroTwins from Mindbodygreen).

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Topics: Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, spirituality, holistic entrepreneur, Mind Body Wellness, SWIHA, entrepreneur, Angels, Intuition, spiritual studies, astrology, Intuitive Guide, mercury retrograde, mercury, Relationships, Sacred Space, Holistic Education, Zodiac, Holistic Modalities, communication, retrograde, travel, Guides, Intuitive Messenger, zodiac signs, rituals, technology

Phew! It’s the last Mercury Retrograde of 2019, lasting from October 31 until November 19. Mercury rules communication, meaning that these times can bring technological breakdowns, difficulty in relationships, and a general feeling of being misunderstood or unimportant. However, it can also be an excellent time to take inventory of your priorities, aspirations and energy exchanges.

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Topics: Motivational Monday, spirituality, astrology, mercury retrograde, mantras, Zodiac

Have you been noticing communication issues, technological mishaps, or difficulty with your emotions lately? Yep, it’s true: We are in Mercury Retrograde until July 31st. Fear not! There is a simple ceremony that may help relieve some of the tension.

Smudging is an ancient Indigenous American ritual with thousands of years of history and the ability to powerfully cleanse energies. If you’re looking to reduce emotional and spiritual negativity in your body and living space, a smudging ritual is an excellent way to do so and Mercury Retrograde is the perfect time!

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Topics: western herbalism, spiritual studies, mercury retrograde, Sacred Space, Ceremonies

Ever have those times when everything seems to go wrong? Your computer crashes, you quarrel or argue with people in your life over small and nonsensical things, flights are delayed or cancelled, plans change without warning, and even Facebook seems to be against you? Chances are you are smack dab in the middle of a Mercury retrograde!

Our most recent retrograde started on August 12^th–marking the third time Mercury has gone retrograde in 2017—and isn’t scheduled to end until Labor Day! So what exactly happens when Mercury goes retrograde? SWIHA Great Graduate Danielle Warford explains in one of her compelling blog posts on The Wild Feminine:

“It’s a time where the planet Mercury, for a three week period, appears to be moving backwards in the sky. Star-gazers have been watching this for millennia. The effects of a retrograde are universal, it seems, and if you begin to look at patterns of your life up against a calendar of retrogrades, you may find a pattern along with your frustrations.”

“Side effects” of this particular alignment—or misalignment—of the planets usually include glitches and misunderstandings in our communication and relationships that create a sense of unpredictability. In fact, even our electronic devices can have a tendency to go a bit haywire during this time!

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Topics: aromatherapy, Life Coaching, western herbalism, Reiki master, Spiritual Coaching, Reiki, mercury retrograde, smudging, sage burning, sacred plants, highly sensitive person, mercury, cleansing rituals