Mercury is Retrograde (this month is going to be weird)

Mercury has gone retrograde again, this time in Pisces, while we have a new moon in Pisces, and while the sun is in Pisces. And while Neptune is in Pisces… this is going to be a very Pisces time (for more explanation, and some interesting forecasts, check out these excellent videos by Steve Judd: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkGSDfFRnHE; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXVdKlarsuQ)

Ugh. Nobody like retrogrades, especially in Mercury. These pesky times of the year throw everything we’ve been working for out of whack; we see more delays, car accidents, traffic jams, and we’re not supposed to start new projects or sign contracts (anyone on a job hunt is supposedly screwed during these four-six weeks). This one is no exception; especially being in Pisces, this retrograde will be emotional and clouded, with perception and reality not matching up. However, since the upside of Pisces is heightened intuition, it’s interesting to note that this go-around calls us to intuitively learn what’s working in our lives and what’s not, so we can cut out what’s unnecessary.

Weed our gardens, so to speak.

I don’t know why cutting the deadwood is becoming a recurring theme in his blog, but that’s what this retrograde period is calling us to do. I’ve already given advice about cutting your yarn stash down a couple weeks ago. What I do have is a pattern to put some scrap yarn to good use, and perhaps spark the more positive aspects of so much Pisces in a Mercury Retrograde.

Intuition Armband

You will need:

1. Scrap black/darker purple yarn (A)

2. Scrap purple yarn (B)

3. Scrap turquoise or light blue yarn. (C)

4. Size J (10 mm) hook

Ch 30 with A, sl st 1st and last ch together

Rnd 1: ch 1, sc 2 in next st, *sk 1, sc 2 in next st, repeat around, sl st beg and end together, change colors and ch 1 with B

Rnd 2: With B, *sc 2 between the 2sc blo. Sk 1, repeat around. When you get to first 2sc of rnd 2, sc 1 with B, change colors in 2nd sc to C.

Rnd 3: With C, repeat Rnd 2.

Rnds 4-11: Repeat Rnd 2 with A (Rnd 4, 7, 10), B (Rnd 5, 8, 11), and C (Rnd 6, 9). When finished with Rnd 11, sc in 1st sp between 2sc, sl st with all 3 colors and BO. Weave in ends.

If you’re not sure what your gut is trying to tell you, look at the arm band and visualize water droplets cutting through fog (I made it easy with the color choices and pattern – every third row looks like raindrops). Remember, this entire retrograde, trust your gut, sit back, and weigh your options.

And may this Mercury be more Freddie and less Retrograde!