How to Survive Thanksgiving With Mercury in Retrograde
Dear 2018: Could you just stop it with the retrogrades already?
First hotheaded Mars reversed course from June 26 to August 27. Then, love planet Venus spun out from October 5 to November 16. And if that wasn't enough to steal our peace, now Mercury joins the retrograde brigade from November 16 to December 6. We wish we weren't serious about this, but we're afraid that it's true.
But since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, here are some tips for surviving the mayhem and not letting it steal your seasonal cheer.
Wait a few more weeks to be inked, injected, snipped or dipped
So, you've been pinning every iconic Cardi B look since the Met Gala, eager to step out in an homage to her Milan Fashion Week head-to-toe leopard as soon as Venus turns direct—and maybe drop in to the tattoo parlor for a little celebratory ink. But not so fast. With Mercury in reverse, wait a few more weeks before disrupting the rules of fashion…at least if you want to avoid credit card debt (the kind you'll really regret) or a painful Ariana Grande style cover-up. With the messenger planet scrambling everyone's sensibilities, cutting baby bangs or using that Groupon for microblading should probably wait too. Who needs to hover under the mistletoe with a hard-to-fix fashion faux pas?
Oh, and wait before you share those (unprocessed) romantic revelations too…
While Venus was on her reverse commute through Scorpio and Libra this October 5 to November 16, you may have had some major awakenings about your love life. Maybe you want to quit your job, move across the pond and give your London lover a chance to maybe become your life partner. Or maybe you're not really sure monogamy is your thing anymore and are toying with the idea of suggesting an open relationship. We're not saying your insights are wrong or even remotely off base. But one thing Mercury retrograde is good for is thoughtful introspection. Let these ideas steep for a few more weeks while Venus "stations" (astrospeak for the adjustment period that happens when a planet shifts out of retrograde and settles back into its normal groove). If you're still fired up and more-than-fairly certain after December 6, carpe to the diem.
Keep politics off the holiday table—or skip this year's family gathering if you just can't
Maybe you're one of the lucky ones who was born into a lineage where everyone generally agrees upon worldly affairs. But with the winged messenger sailing backwards through #woke Sagittarius, it's gonna be hard to gather 'round with family whose politics induce a strong quease factor. Think long and hard before taking that Lyft to the airport: Will you be able to stomach the unexamined "pilgrims and Indians" pageantry or your relatives' unwillingness to acknowledge the impact Thanksgiving actually had on the indigenous people? And let's not even talk about the Kardashian level dramas that can erupt while the turkey is being carved. Melees like these are best avoided.
While Thanksgiving is the only holiday affected this year (something to be grateful for), planning for Hanukkah, Christmas or New Year’s Eve could get thorny, since Mercury's backspin can mess with everyone's calendaring. Before you drop any non-refundable deposits on travel, insist that all involved confirm their schedules and triple check that they can get time off of work.
Go easy on the truth serum—and count your cups of cheer
Was that a mic-drop or the clapback that started a war? With mouthy Mercury out of sync, it's already a bad idea to post off-color memes or throw anything close to a Twitter tantrum. But with the retrograde going down in honest-to-a-fault Sagittarius, every word carries major weight! Even if you're just "keeping it real" or "playfully teasing," your truth bombs could strike an unforgivable mark. Err on the side of caution and keep all your interactions profesh.
Pay for premium shipping and track that order
Planning to send parcels overseas this holiday season? With Mercury retrograde in international Sagittarius, opting for standard (and potentially slow-as-molasses) shipping could mean missing the festive deadlines—and boxing day, to boot. If that's the sort of thing that matters to your beloved recipient, spend a little more to have your delivery date guaranteed. Since Mercury's backspin is known for muddling data, make sure you have everyone's address entered correctly on the forms—and find out if your clients have moved offices before you Prime those wine and cheese baskets!
No, you don't have to hide out at home while Mercury is in reverse. But we do recommend creating time for philosophical reflection about the year that's winding down. In fact, many activities that begin with "re" are the things to focus on during a retrograde: refining, reconnecting, reviewing. If reuniting will feel good, reach out to that long-lost cousin or childhood friend—and avoid the hotheaded frenemies and triggering relatives like it was your second job.
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