Regrounding Through the Senses
Mercury Retrograde scrambles the mind, so drop back into the body.
We can survive Mercury Rx chaos, or just life in general, by tapping into our humanness. The 5 senses are how we are able to interact with the world, and also shape our perception of the world around us. When confusion clouds your sanity, we can find clarity by going back to basics.
Each day for the next 5 days, you’re going to choose one sense to meditate on. You can do them in any order, but ensure that you have at least 20 minutes each day to commit to this practice.
Listen: “I welcome peaceful frequencies and harmonies into my every day.”
Maybe the most common meditation, but one that can truly transport you if that’s what you need. Try to block out every other sound except what’s coming through the headphones or radio. Let it take over your mind, let it move your body.
Find a rainforest or thunderstorm audio, or perhaps a playlist or album that you enjoy. The point isn’t to rock out but to lean into sound somatically. This could mean simply sitting and listening, trance dance or a guided practice. Find one that works for you.
Taste: “Nourishment is sacred, and I honor my body by being present with food.”
Mindful eating isn’t just a digestion hack- it's a somatic practice that can heal, too. In our hurried world, we can scarf down lunch in less than 10 minutes and be back at the desk or cash register. We turn the TV on to eat dinner, conversation as dead as the rotisserie in front of you.
Take time for one meal today where you chew each bite 15 times before swallowing. I know, I know. It’s weird and your food is definitely mush. But what about the flavor? Can you taste a specific spice? Does the heat hit your tongue in the front or the back or maybe just your lips? Is it soothing to the throat as it travels down? Is it comfort food or something new?
Touch: “When I get comfortable with my skin I give permission to be human.”
Maybe get sensual. No, I don’t mean sexual (unless you want to!), I mean really feel it on your skin. Add milk to your bath, or buy those silk pajamas you’ve had on your wishlist forever. Touch really does bleed into luxury in a way that the other senses don’t.
You can also do what I call a body check in. Starting with the crown of your head, bring awareness to every single part of your body. Notice the bottom of your feet, your eyebrows, the nape of your neck. Feel your sternum, your belly button, your tailbone. Move through your hips, the backs of your knees, your middle toe. This practice alone can show you things you otherwise may have missed. When you listen to your body, you remind it that it is safe.
Smell: “The air itself is medicine and I breathe it in with gratitude.”
Try a new candle, or light two incense that blend well together instead of one. Make a simmer pot and channel your favorite holiday. Wear the “fancy” perfume and let it light you up inside. Add eucalyptus in the shower. Breathe deeply and fully and just let yourself enjoy it.
Scent is memory in motion. One whiff and you’re transported somewhere else entirely. Maybe it’s your grandmother’s kitchen, a forest trail, or that one ex’s hoodie you still can’t quite throw away. Let yourself be moved by what rises up. Smell is also one of the fastest ways to regulate the nervous system, so take long, deep inhales and notice what happens in your body. You don’t need to label it, just breathe and let the aroma work its quiet magic.
Sight: “I create the reality I want to see, and that reality is beautiful in my own way.”
Make art, and love it no matter what. Admire yourself in the mirror, try that new makeup trend. Look around your house and remember what you love about it. Make your whole place alight with candles instead of lamps or overheads. Go to a museum and gaze silently. Tidy your room and then shop for a few new pieces that make you feel elevated. What you see is what you get, so create sights that bring you peace and harmony.
When you finish your five days, pause and notice what’s changed, even slightly. The world may not feel any less chaotic, but you’ll meet it from a steadier place. Mercury may twist your signals, but your body speaks fluently in peace.
<3 Ryan
