Jennifer Schaerer
Pssssst.
I’ve got news. Big news.
Guess what? It’s NEW YEAR’S EVE!
You…you mean…you already knew that?
Seriously?
I guess the communication glitches that come with our current phase of Mercury in retrograde are playing out as expected. Pardon me? What’s that you say? Ohhhhhhh…I see. You’re not quite sure what Mercury in retrograde is all about. I’ll take a stab at explaining it as simply as I can, but I’m no expert. I just pay attention to these phases because I fancy myself an astrology enthusiast, and I’ve been doing natal charts for quite a few years now as a hobby.
In a nutshell, Mercury’s retrograde is a 6-week astrological phase that crops up about every 3 months and wreaks havoc in areas of communication and transportation, as well as commerce and education. You’ll feel the pinch of the retrograde period if you do things like sign agreements, make major purchases, travel, have deep conversations or switch internet service while in its grip.
If you’re familiar with Mercury retrograde periods, then you may be dreading the next several weeks. After all, it’s a time when normally functioning devices (televisions, computers, phones) and transit options (cars, buses, trains, airplanes) cause an extra headache or two.
But you may be missing a fantastic opportunity if you pull the covers over your head until late in January when it’s all over. I’ve found that it’s a great time to take advantage of “re” activities like reviewing, revitalizing, rejuvenating, renewing and revealing – everything from projects around the house to relationships from long ago. Retreat into your resolve and get things done that you’ve left for another day.
My big activity for this retrograde period is to revisit all the half-finished paper projects in my craft area and get them done – with a different perspective than I had when I set them aside in frustration months ago.
You could also take the time to review your stash and purge what isn’t working for you anymore (donate the overage – a school, church, shelter or retirement home would love to have the supplies!). Do the same with all those cards you’ve made and haven’t used, and share with Operation Write Home.
While you’re sorting all those cards and other projects, take a minute and see if your style reveals itself to you. Are you fun and cute? Vintage? Classy and elegant? Or maybe a little bit shabby chic? Resolve to be true to your paper crafting style in the coming year and see where it takes you!
If you’ve read this far, you deserve some sort of reward for indulging my retrograde rhetoric. Raise your hand in the comments by midnight (MST) on Sunday, Jan. 3 if you’d be interested in seeing what your natal report has to say about your personality and style – I’ll pick 5 of you randomly and do your reports just for fun!
Happy New Year!
Renew, recharge, review and – above all else – rejoice in the new year!
Wishing you all the best in 2010,
Jennifer
P.S. Speaking of reviewing, please take the time to give us your feedback in our 2010 reader survey HERE. We sure do appreciate and value your opinions!
*Raises hand*
You know, astrology and such is quite accurate, friends got me interested in work by telling me things about myself they couldn’t possibly know, all they knew was my sign (which they guessed first without any hints). I was pretty amazed. So I’m certainly Very interested in natal report! Best wishes into the new year!
how interesting this sounds, jennifer! thanks!
raising hand…i would love this! Sounds fun
OMGosh!! Pick me Pick me!! I love astrology and now have this post starred so I can go check out natal charts in more depth. I was wondering why the drivers on the road the past week are testing my patience!!
Happy New Year! and yes I am going to look at the “re” thing as well!
Pick me, pick me. (Waving my hand around my head to get your attention).
I’ll try anything once . . . sounds interesting!!
I’m raising my hand. This sounds fun!
wow, that sounds really cool! I’m raising my hand too (jumpin’ outta my seat…pick me…pick me….oooh…ooooh) hee hee…
Cool post–very interesting!! Sounds like fun!!
Hand is up! Sounds like fun!
Sounds interesting! I’d like to find out more!
pick me, Oh, pick me!
Argh, so I shouldn’t be refinancing right now? Is that what you mean? I do have an urge to clean and reorganize. I guess I should go with it according to the phase of the moon. As far as having my natal chart done, I’m game. Bring it on!
Really Now.. Now you have me super curious.. So I’m raising my Hand.. Tell me what amazing things are in store for 2010 for me
So very interesting. Please count me in!
Bracing myself – I’ll be glad when it’s over!
This is interesting! I like to know what is in store, but then I ask myself “Do I really want to know?”. You do put alot of enthusiam in this so it sounds like it would be fun.
Raising hand. I’m not sure what you were talking about, but I’m game.
Sounds very interesting indeed. Happy New Year to you also.
*hand raised* This sounds interesting… and I hear you on the unfinished paper projects on the desk.
Raising hand in the air. Shaking like I just don’t care.
Raising my hand!! Hurry before it goes numb!
Raising my hand….thanks for offering to do a chart for a few of us. I am very interested in astrology and now that you bring it up, I might make a few cards on this subject. Thanks!
Umm..Ok I will raise my hand..natal report?? Long as I do I have to write this…I am busy still trying to make cards that one day might get published:)
Happy New Year
Thanks for the chance to do a chart for a few of us. That sounds interesting and quite fun!
OK, I’m curious! Will be fun to see what you have to say about everyone!
OMGosh! How fun does that sound!!! Pick me! Pick me!!!
Hand is raised! Sounds very interesting! I loved reading about you bringing the natal charts to your fellow employees birthdays! I too am a Taurus and it sounds exactly like something I would have done. Also, my husbands birthday is on the 15th, so if I read the signs correctly he should really have a great birthday this year?!
Happy New Year!
raising my hand… I am intrigued to find out!
I am raising my hand. I think it would be fun for you to do my natal chart.
I’m raising my hand! This sounds very interesting! Dd was talking about something like that going on over Christmas! Sure hope it doesn’t mess up our re-fi! Started it on Mon. of Christmas week! LOL! Hope you have a great year! ~Bev~ aka SkeeterOR
Sounds interesting so I’m raising both hands and waving them in the air!!!
How very interesting? I am usually a skeptic, but this sounds intriguing so I am raising my hand saying pick me!
That sounds pretty interesting! I love your idea of renewing and rejoicing!
I’m looking forward to something very sparkly from my boyfriend. I am hoping he proposes this year. I’m 34, going to be 35 very soon and I am wanting to have babies soon!
I’m raising my hand!!! I would LOVE a little insight into my future!! What an interesting hobby you have!! Very cool!
inspire and create to my hearts content.
A natal chart sounds like such fun! I took three semesters of astronomy in college, and never considered how much could be blamed on Mercury in retrograde! Who knew!
How cool! count me in!!!
What a very clever AND interesting bunch of gals you are… I love your posts! Here’s to a productive, peaceful 2010!
Pingback: Magazine Monday – December Gallery Challenge Winners! « Paper Crafts Connection