24-Day Mercury Retrograde Challenge: Part 1

This challenge requires a little effort, but it’ll be fun, and it’ll (probably) make your retrograde go more smoothly.

This month (May 2022), Mercury goes retrograde in the morning on Tuesday, May 10th. Our last full day before it goes direct early the following morning is Thursday, June 2nd.

This Mercury Retrograde challenge will be presented as a four part series. This is part one.

Update: here’s part 2, which begins Tuesday, May 17th. And here’s part 3 which begins Tuesday, May 24th. And here’s part 4: the final 3 days.

During Mercury retrograde periods, we are asked (or ok, required) to restructure, revise, revisit, and rethink many of our procedures, stories, paradigms, relationships, choices, and habits.

And Mercury rules communication and commerce, so during Mercury retrograde periods, it’s not uncommon to run into issues with either or both.

A lot of people complain loudly about this astrological occurrence. Personally, I prefer to see Mercury retrograde periods as opportunities for intensely positive healing, renewal, and transformation.

Here’s the idea behind the Mercury Retrograde Challenge: instead of sitting around dreading Mercury retrograde, we celebrate it, dance with it, and work magic with it. And it turns out Mercury responds well to such acts of co-creation. Participants in past challenges have agreed with my observation that they make Mercury retrograde easier and even, possibly, actually…pleasant?

But you don’t have to take my word for it. Instead, you can give this challenge a try. (And please keep me posted on your experience in the comment section below.)

So: are you in? If so, I suggest that you – right now – set an alert on your phone daily, starting on May 10th. Also be sure to bookmark this page.

Ok: alert, check. Bookmark, check. Yes? Good! On with the show.

Oh, and don’t worry if you miss a day or two. Just show up the next day and give it your best. You can also switch the tasks around between days to fit them into your schedule as needed.

Please note: I will be writing parts 3-4 of this series while Mercury is Retrograde, and we’re already in the shadow period while I’m writing part 1, so please have patience with any errors you may notice.

(But of course feel free to mention them in the comments so I can edit.)

One final note: I’d be delighted if you’d use the hashtag #24daymercuryretrogradechallenge if you feel like posting on social media. That way I can see what you’re posting. And who knows? Maybe you’ll get a friend or two to join the fun.

Day 1: Tuesday, May 10th

Wash Your Windows and Mirrors

Your windows symbolize the way you see the world. Your mirrors symbolize the way you see yourself. Give both a nice wash today to refresh your perspective and clear the way for a positive Mercury Retrograde cycle ahead.

Day 2: Wednesday, May 11th

Revamp Your Menu

Do you get in food ruts unless you consciously look for new recipes and snack ideas? I know I do. Like, “Oh, I guess I’ll just have oatmeal.” Today, take some time to find some new recipes that sound delicious. If you don’t have a lot of time to cook, look for quick and easy meal ideas just to switch up your usual routine. Also challenge yourself to branch out and eat some fruits and vegetables you don’t normally eat. Add those to your shopping list too and plan to fit them into your menu this week.

Day 3: Thursday, May 12th

Take Some Home Spa Time

Today, pamper yourself. Maybe a mani-pedi, maybe a facial, hair mask, maybe a bath. Maybe all of the above. Recharge your batteries by taking some downtime and giving yourself a treat.

Day 4: Friday, May 13th

Kindle a New Friendship or Reconnect with an Old Friend

As a busy adult, it may not always be at the top of your list to put time and energy into friendships. Especially when the idea reading a mystery novel under a fuzzy blanket on the sofa is always so enticing. (Right?) But we’ve gotta do it! Friendships make life so much richer that they’re well worth the effort. Besides, we’ve all gotta have someone to discuss mystery novels with. So today, get together with (or schedule a time to get together with) a friend, old or new.

Day 5: Saturday, May 14th

Do an Oracle or Tarot Reading

Grab your oracle or tarot deck and ask one or more of the following questions:

How can I best take care of myself during this Mercury Retrograde period?

What am I learning during this Mercury Retrograde period?

How can I heal deeply during this Mercury Retrograde period?

See what messages you receive. (And share them in the comments if you feel so inclined!)

Day 6: Sunday, May 15th

Do a Full Moon Ritual

Tonight it’s the full moon! And a lunar eclipse. Take a candlelit shower or sea salt bath. Then play some heartfelt music and either do yoga or dance (or both). Feel yourself opening up to the healing and balancing energy of the moon.

Day 7: Monday, May 16th

Make a Playlist with All New (to You) Music

Here’s another way I can get in a rut: music. Like, just how many times can one person listen to Sweet Jane by The Velvet Underground? I’ve yet to discover the answer. The point is not that your old favorites have to go. (Believe me, I will never relinquish my passion for Sweet Jane.) The point is that Mercury Retrograde is a fun time to reinvigorate your music library and get some new stuff in the rotation. Today, take some time to find some music you love that you’ve never heard before today. Then assemble it into a playlist. You could name it something with “Mercury” in the title. And definitely share your favorite new finds in the comments below! (Also be sure to listen to your playlist at least a few times during this challenge.)

UPDATE: The next two week’s assignments are up now! See part 2 here. See part 3 here.

And please connect in the comments. I’d love to get a little community going on here with those of you who are doing the challenge. Let us all know how the challenge is going for you, how hard or easy it is, and what unexpected adventures happen along the way.

Thank you for taking part in the challenge!

(Remember to use the hashtag #24daymercuryretrogradechallenge.)