(Check-out the latest from Lotus Effect):

Astrologists are calling this October 2014, “Rocky Rocktober” – and for good reason. Mercury went retrograde on the 4^th and its cycle falls in the period of a lunar eclipse, a blood moon, and a partial solar eclipse/New Moon on the 23^rd. Needless to say, there is a lot of intense astrological energy going on in our skies, and as all things are connected, we get caught up in the heat of it.

What is Mercury Retrograde?

Mercury retrograde is a three-week cycle where the planet Mercury begins its transit in reverse. As the energies of Mercury are associated with the mind and communication, it can be a time where the atmosphere feels heavy and slow, and where communication systems become chaotic. It’s a time when astrologers recommend not to sign contracts or make any big commitments, and where New Agers advise much self-reflection and harmonizing of the body’s energies.

Many people face Mercury retrograde with a heavy sigh and feeling of dread, but the upside of the powerful reverse shift of this planet is it can be an excellent time to go within and really examine where you’re at and how your current choices are serving you. The problem is, most of us resist the energies rather than ride them for their full potential.

Here are 3 ways you can rock this “rocky rocktober” retrograde:

*Listen to your inner voice: In order to really own this mercury retrograde, it is crucial to stay in touch with how you feel. Keep a notebook by your bed to record how you feel every morning when you wake-up, and each night before you go to bed. Write down both how you feel and what you need. This will help keep your consciousness lucid and active, as mercury retrograde has a tendency to dull the higher senses and cause us to feel out of touch with our inner needs.

*Embrace your negative emotions: One of the reasons so many people struggle with Mercury retrograde periods is because of the negative feelings that can sometimes surface. When we resist what we feel, it becomes stronger. Mercury retrograde is a powerful Universal assistance in bringing unhealed emotions/thoughts/feelings to the surface. When we look at negative feelings as a “bad” thing, we abandon ourselves in how we feel – we put limits on what is acceptable and what is not. If we approach our less-than-positive emotions with a feeling of welcome and embrace, they are less likely to trample us. Embracing our emotions is a way to soften the blow. So give yourself permission to feel whatever you feel. Tell yourself it is okay.

*Connect with nature: Being in nature is one of the fastest ways to raise your vibration, as trees, rocks, plants, and water have a calming/soothing effect on the electromagnetic field of the body and can help us feel more in-touch with our physical existence. So often during Mercury retrograde periods, it is easy to get stuck in the eddies of all our frustrations and negative feelings. This causes us to disassociate from the moment and from our bodies. Make it a habit to go outside every day and put your bare feet on the ground or sit next to a tree or near a body of water. Do this for at least 5 minutes a day. Your body/mind/and soul will thank you for it!

Remember, Mercury retrogrades do not have to be a negative experience. Ride the flow of the energies and use it as a time for purging, going within, and connecting to your inner voice.

Don’t worry. You’ve got this!

Written by Amanda Leigh: