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I speak from experience when I say what it is I’m about to say: Mercury retrograde is a real b*tch. Communication lines suddenly start breaking down. Ever-trusty devices suddenly fail, just when we need them most. And all of those new projects you were so ready to start? Suddenly seem impossible. Basically, everything seems to be going to hell in a handbasket, fast, and there’s not a damn thing we can do about it when those Mercury retrograde dates come around. Or is there?

What is Mercury retrograde?

In order to figure out how best to fight your way through this Godforsaken period of f*ckery, it may help to understand what’s actually going on. According to the astrologers that be—also known as “the Astrotwins”—this planetary phenomenon occurs three to four times per year when Mercury passes by the Earth and appears to move so slowly in orbit, it looks as though it’s going backwards.

All of this interstellar activity supposedly has the power to wreak utter and total havoc on your life in the areas that Mercury rules over—communication, travel and technology—leading to one big tailspin of chaos. And, wouldn’t you know it, we just so happen to be smack dab in the middle of the last retrograde period of the year. Honestly, if it offers up some kind of explanation for the bedlam that seems to have been going on as of late, I’ll take it!

An even deeper dive by TODAY into this latest retrograde reveals that Mercury is moving from Capricorn to Sagittarius, forming a square with Neptune and making us all overspend. (Just what I need!)

Mercury Retrograde Dates

After ending its last cycle on January 1, the next Mercury retrograde period of 2024 will begin in just a few weeks, on April 1, and will run all the way through April 24. After that, we’ll be free and clear of a Mercury retrograde until August, when the next cycle kicks up. Check the rest of the Mercury retrograde dates for 2024 below.

• Dec. 13, 2023 to Jan. 1, 2024
• April 1 to April 24, 2024
• Aug. 24 to Aug. 27, 2024
• Nov. 25 to Dec. 15

Realign Your Energy

While we can’t exactly do much about the position of the planets in the sky, there are a few things you can pick up in order to help “realign your energy” amid the pandemonium. The tools you choose, however, will largely depend on your individual interests and beliefs. For some, it may help to explore some new practices or activities through the use of crystals or zen gardening. For others, getting centered will be as simple as wearing a few extra layers of spiritual protection in the form of some symbolic jewelry.

Personally, I’ve had a healthy interest in all sorts of different metaphysical practices—some of which are included below—since I was but a tween girl geeking out over The Craft and spending whatever paltry busgirl tips I could earn at the local “witch” store near my house (I believe it was called Silver Moon), which housed all things mystical. I was not then, nor do I now claim to be, however, an expert on any of this stuff. I can’t even say with certainty whether any of actually works, as I think it all depends on whether or not you believe it will. Still, I’m certainly open to the possibility that it may help to “cleanse your energy,” as they say. And if something can make you feel lighter and help to get you through the next long, long week (or the next cycle, which the Farmer’s Almanac has marked down for April 1), why not give it a go? Keep reading to discover 12 things that just might help you survive Mercury retrograde 2023—and into the Mercury retrogrades of 2024.

Please note: This post may contain affiliate links.

1. Birthdate Mercury Retrograde Candle

Birthdate tapped top astrologers for help creating this limited-edition candle, which is laced with soothing lavender and fragrant sage. Its purpose? To rid any negative energy from your space and bring on the good vibes. Burn its soy and coconut wax long enough and you’ll also uncover an extra boost of energy healing in the carnelian crystal that’s tucked inside (but more on that below)—according to those in the know, it’s meant to help stabilize and ground you.

2. Himalyan Salt Lamp

This one is simple enough to utilize: All you have to do is plug it in and turn it on. The ideology behind it, however, is a bit more complex. Made from pink salt that’s mined in the foothills of the Himalayan mountains in Pakistan, these lamps reportedly generate “negative ions,” or odorless, tasteless molecules that are thought to produce a chemical reaction in the bloodstream to boost serotonin (and therefore, your mood). These lamps are also thought to attract pollutants that may be floating around in the air, thereby “cleansing” your space. While there has been no scientific evidence to suggest that these ions can actually increase serotonin production (or that salt lamps are powerful enough to emit them, for that matter), their placebo effect may very well be real. I’ve used a Himalayan Glow aromatherapy lamp like this one in our living room, and whenever I turned it on, I imagined that its glowing, white light was emitting pure vibes and sucking any negative energy out of the room. I may never know if it truly did any of those things, but it certainly helped me to feel more calm after a trying day. It’s also got a built-in oil dish that you can use with your favorite essential oil for even more calming vibes.

3. Healing Crystals

Crystals have become so mainstream that even The Hills’ Spencer Pratt hocks them. (Yes, everyone’s favorite reality TV villain has his own crystal jewelry line at Pratt Daddy, because, of course he does.) As I learned during my own foray into new age treatments at the Ruby Room in Chicago a few years back, however, selecting the right crystal for your energy is about far more than aesthetics. In fact, as I soon found out, sometimes, the crystal chooses you. The healer I worked with that day, Gladys, painstakingly went down a line of these healing stones, placing different ones into my palm and observing me closely via an “aura machine”—a computer of sorts that’s connected to a heated hand sensor. While many of the crystals she tried seemed to register no change in my aura, one crystal in particular, the angelite stone, elicited some activity on the machine. Interestingly enough, this light blue gem, which is thought to promote spirituality and a calming, soothing, peaceful energy, is connected to the throat chakra (among others), or energy center of the body, which has always been enlarged, or “out of alignment,” in the few energy readings I’ve experienced.

Furthermore, certain stones are believed to manifest certain properties. An obsidian crystal, for instance, is said to be a truth-enhancing stone that can form a shield against negativity. A tiger’s eye, meanwhile (also good for protection), promotes personal empowerment and willpower. While there’s a lot more to be said about the rituals of usage surrounding these stones, you can easily get started with a healing crystals kit, like this Conscious Items set, which comes with six crystals to get your energy moving in the right direction. Alternately, you can try this Ariana Ost Attune dish crystal sound kit ($140), which comes complete with a tuning fork you can use to tap a raw-cut citrine, pyrite, clear quartz or black tourmaline stone in order to amplify its sonic vibrations, and thus, its healing powers.

4. Sage

If you’ve ever seen a movie in which someone was waving a smoke stick around to “clear the air,” you were probably witness to a smudging ritual—an ancient practice in which smoke from a plant—usually sage—is used to purify one’s body, aura, an object or space. Sage is believed to have spiritually cleansing properties and is used for everything from dispelling negative energy and enhancing intuition to keeping infectious bacteria and allergens at bay, thanks to its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. Before you go filling your Amazon cart to the brim with the stuff, however, you should know that white sage, or salvia apiana, is a protected plant. Smudging is also not a practice to be taken lightly. According to those who use it regularly in indigenous culture for medicinal and spiritual purposes, sage burning should only be performed in proper ceremonial fashion. If you’ve done your homework and are in dire need of a home/aura/life cleansing during this out of whack time, however, you can try these Alternative Imagination cedar incense wands, which are $10 for a bundle of three.

5. Gem Essence Spray

Much like a face mist can be used to hydrate and refresh your skin, a gem essence spray can be used to rejuvenate your soul. I was first introduced to these “auratherapy” aids after writing about them for Newcity for their launch back in 2009. The line, which started with seven essences to correspond to the body’s seven chakra’s, has since grown to double that amount, with each spray serving to fill your aura with its intended essence. As intuitive energy healer Philip Clark told me for my article, “The aura is arm’s length on the average all around the body. When we work with the essences, we spray them over the head and into the aura, and then we instruct the individual to inhale deeply and bring that aroma all the way through the body and into the feet.”

A good one to try in times of turmoil? B. Grounded—a uplifting essence that will help you connect to your root chakra in order to best “reclaim your personal power and reaffirm your self worth.”

6. Mini Zen Garden

Sometimes, finding your center in a whirlwind of chaos is as easy as taking a few moments to yourself to meditate. Zen gardens, or Japanese rock gardens, were created by Buddhist monks sometime between the 6^th and 8^th centuries with that exact purpose in mind. They were reportedly modeled after Chinese gardens of the Song dynasty, in which rocks were arranged to symbolize Mount Penglai, where the mythological “Eight Immortals” (male, female, the old, the young, the rich, the noble, the poor and the humble Chinese) were thought to live. The Buddhists’ take on these gardens had a more simplistic purpose: to bring about silence, calm and tranquility. While you could certainly build your own, large-scale model, a quick mental escape can also be found in a desktop version, like this one from Toysmith. It comes complete with two natural rakes for creating meditative patterns, assorted polished stones and a meditative booklet, so you’ll have everything you need to get yourself centered in a hurry.

7. Taper Candles

There are certain candles, i.e. the Unplug Balsam & Cedar candle (my current three-wick of choice) that exist solely to make your home smell better. Others, however, that are meant to be burned with a purpose. Colored candles, like these spell candles, have different meanings and supposedly have the power to enhance different areas of your life. If retrograde has you feeling über-low, burning a pink candle, for instance, may bring you self-love and friendship. Burning a black candle, on the other hand, is said to aid in protection and the destruction of negative energy. Different candle hues may also coordinate with different days of the week or different physical ailments, according to the experts.

8. Hamsa Symbols

These days, hamsa jewelry is a dime a dozen, but have you ever stopped to wonder what those little hand-shaped symbols with eyes in the middle really mean? While there is quite the scholarly debate as to this symbol’s significance and origins—it dates back “at least 1800 years” and has been associated with Jewish, Islamic, Christian and pagan beliefs—the general consensus among all four is that it’s a symbol of protection. Also known as the Hand of Fatima (the daughter of Muhammad, the Prophet and founder of Islam), the Hand of Mary (Mother of God), the hand of Miriam (the sister of Moses and Aaron) or hamesh (hamsa and hamesh both mean “five” in Hebrew), this emblem is thought to ward off evil feelings in favor of luck, happiness and fortune.

The hamsa also has different meanings depending on the way it’s positioned. If it’s facing right-side up, it’s supposedly keeping you safe from negative energy. If it’s facing downwards, on the other hand, like this pictured Astley Clarke 18 carat gold vermeil charm bracelet, it’s hard at work bringing about “abundance and goodness”—all things that sound mighty nice in the throes of a particularly difficult retrograde.

9. Witch’s Brew Tea

Tea is practically synonymous with comfort in any varietal, but this special “Witch’s Brew” kicks things up a notch with a special blend of cinnamon, star anise, clove, nutmeg, mugwort and rosemary, a.k.a. “the witch’s herb.” In apothecary, dried rosemary is believed to not only ward off any evil spirits that may be lurking around, but to enhance “psychic detox and purification.” When paired with the slow, deliberate ritual of tea drinking, you’ve got yourself a perfect recipe for restoring your spirit—just what the doctor ordered!

10. Tibetan Singing Bowl

Another item borrowed from the Buddhist monks of yore is the Tibetan singing bowl. Despite its shape, this device is actually a type of bell, and it works when an accompanying mallet is firmly pressed against the outside edge or rim to create a deep, rich tone. Some believe this can balance your body’s energy by producing changes in your brain waves to “harmonize” your every cell. Those effects also go beyond the metaphysical, too: In a 2017 study published in the Journal of of Evidence-Based Complementary Alternative Medicine, these tools were found have a significant impact on people experiencing tension, anxiety and depressed mood, particularly those who had no prior experience with singing bowl meditation.

These bowls also make for some pretty amazing home décor: This Silent Mind set , which is handcrafted by Nepalese artists and comes with an antique-looking bowl, a leather pencil grip striker to ring it with and a cushion to keep it in place and lessen any buzzing that hard surfaces might otherwise cause, would make for a striking addition to any mantle.

11. Evil Eye Symbol

Much like the hamsa, the eye amulet—not to be confused with a curse that’s spread by a malicious gaze known as the evil eye—is a symbol that’s thought to protect against the spell. The superstition behind it, which suggests that someone who achieves great success will incur the envy, and in due time, the wrath, of those around them, dates back centuries. As Bahçeşehir University art history professor Dr Nese Yildiran told BBC Culture back in 2018, “The earliest version of eye amulets goes back to 3,300 BC.“

While it’s unlikely that Mercury has its eye affixed on us during its painstakingly slow rotation, any bit of protection we can get from the universe during this period is most definitely welcome. Ettika is one of many jewelers that has dedicated a eye piece that will allow you to incorporate the symbol into your everyday routine with ease: I’m partial to this Stay Protected evil eye bracelet set.

12. Egyptian Healing Rods

Comprised of two rods (one copper, one zinc), to represent the sun and the moon, these Egyptian healing instruments were once used by Pharaohs of old in order to connect with their Gods and balance their energy systems. From what I’ve been able to glean, the idea here is that by clasping them in your hands, you can somehow harness the electricity they generate and release it back into your body. Credited with everything from lowering stress to relieving insomnia, these rods are said to be most beneficial when you’re relaxed and facing the sun, following it along in its path.

What tools do you use to keep yourself centered? Let me know in the comments below!

Xo, Nicole