Mercury retrograde occurs three to four times a year, for a duration of three weeks.  When Mercury is retrograde, the planet appears to travel backward.  As Mercury is the planet which rules communication, travel, discernment and dexterity, this is a time where things may not go as planned.  Aside from mishaps, Mercury retrograde may be viewed as a time to create revisions to a project which you are currently working on.  Going into Mercury retrograde with the awareness that what you make may not be the final draft, opens up the possibility of new solutions.

During this three week period, tailoring your mindfulness regiment to the current energy is an excellent way to work with Mercury retrograde.  Consider beginning the day with a meditation centered around clarity and grounding yourself.  Checking in with yourself at the beginning of each day provides a time for the body and mind to connect.  What does your body need today to feel balanced?  What does your mind need to feel centered and clear?  Setting the tone for your day creates the reality you wish to enjoy, especially during Mercury retrograde. 

Go with the flow this Mercury retrograde by adding some crystals to your daily routines.  Here are some of our favorite crystals and healing stones to work with when Mercury is retrograde.

Maintain Mental Clarity

Mercury retrograde can cause brain fog, leaving you feeling groggy and uncentered.  Increase mental clarity with the assistance of Orange Selenite or Fluorite.

• Orange Selenite is a high vibrational healing crystal with a bright and uplifting tone.  This stone is excellent for activating and cleansing all chakras, leaving you feeling revived and fresh.
• Fluorite provides balance, encourages organization and heightens intuitive abilities and discernment.  Fluorite's ruling planet also happens to be Mercury, bringing harmony and coordination to all aspects associated with the planet.  Working with Fluorite during Mercury retrograde also reduces any effects from electronics emitting electromagnetic energies.

Communicate Clearly

Ensure you are fully receiving information during Mercury retrograde, as well as able to relay it, with the help of stones that directly activate the throat chakra.

• Adventurine's ruling planet is Mercury, making it another excellent healing stone for Mercury retrograde.  Both Blue and Green Adventurine assist with the balancing of male and female energies, providing a balance when it comes to emotions and logic.  Adventurine provides a stable mindset, radiates positivity and helps with decisiveness.
• Blue Lace Agate is another stone which is ruled by Mercury.  This beautiful blue stone radiates a gentle healing energy, encouraging growth and helping to release emotional blockages.  Working with Blue Lace Agate allows old patterns to release with ease, and neutralizes difficult feelings such as anger and irritability.

Protect & Ground

Remain neutral and in control of your energy while Mercury is retrograde with Hematite, Black Tourmaline and Shungite.  Black Kyanite is also excellent to work with during this time.

• Black Tourmaline transmutes negative energy, helps to balance the left and right hemispheres of the brain for clear thinking, and provides a feeling of security.  Working with Black Tourmaline is also helpful for releasing energetic blockages.
• Shungite's grounding ability also makes it an excellent pick for Mercury retrograde.  This stone boosts physical well being and is said to positively affect the immune system.  Shungite is also known for it's ability to absorb viruses and bacteria.  
• Black Kyanite is another excellent protective grounding stone to work with during Mercury retrograde.  This stone is also known as Witch's Broom, due to it's unique appearance.  Black Kyanite helps release frustration, anger, stress and find mental balance.  Meditating with this stone during Mercury retrograde helps to release old ways of thinking, clearing space for new possibilities.