Mercury in Retrograde & Karma

If you’re new here welcome! If you’ve been here before welcome back! I love that you’re connecting with me here to share in some of my “Perfectly on Time” observations … (your Crone/Wise Woman…in training)

Unsplash - Retrograde

Somewhat weird title I suppose but there it is - based on happenings this past week.

Mercury in Retrograde - The Google Library said:

On Aug. 23, Mercury will go retrograde in the sign of Virgo. During this stretch, which ends on Sept. 15, you may hear all sorts of things being blamed on the planet of communication's retrograde period, from technology mishaps to misunderstandings with friends and loved ones.

I’ve always been somewhat fascinated with Astrology. In fact, I’m about to order up an annual reading from my favourite Marielle Croft because I look forward to hearing what she sees/reads in my chart. By no means a resounding believer in all things astrological, this phenomenon of “Mercury in Retrograde” has repeatedly presented technology mishaps (in my world not necessarily yours) that truly support the theories. This past week has been no exception, so I decided to share a few small examples.

The iPhone. Once or twice in the past I’ve had my phone move into a kind of “frozen” state where the screen stops responding and I can’t swipe up, down, or sideways. Typically, it has been resolved by simply initiating a restart, swiping the power off label and everything returning to normal. This “frozen” state was different though because nothing worked and ALL suggested solutions available online (at least the ones I saw) failed. I was stumped as to what to do next. [Resolution/solution follows in a bit].

The iMac Computer. I love my iMac and suddenly here was an error I had never encountered before – something about needing to shut down and then wait a minute or two – OR – touch a key to restart. Lovely in theory but the screen just kept “looping” back with the same message and the same results.

I like to think I’m pretty tech savvy but this one was out of my realm so I called my Simply Computing guru and explained the problem in hopes we might figure it out via phone. In his kind and accommodating manner, he suggested it would probably be best to bring the computer in so he could do a hands-on review so, off we go for an hour+ drive. [More about this a little farther on.]

The doorbell security camera. I’m going to try and shorten this little saga because if I was to give ALL the details you’d just get bored (well you might anyway). To begin, I discovered almost by accident, that it hadn’t been working since August 22^nd. The recap includes:

• managing to connect with a live person to try and fix the problem.

• giving remote access to my iPhone so both of us could be involved in the attempt to reconnect the camera.

• after almost 2 hours the support person suggests I probably need an updated model of the doorbell.

• the order is placed followed by clarification from me and about me – that I will NOT be the one to manually replace the doorbell and that a service tech will need to come to my home.

I’m pretty confident someone out there is shaking a head and thinking “and what on earth does any of this have to do with Karma”? Well, that’s what’s next.

Author’s Photo

Past, Present and Future Karma?

I can unequivocally announce that had those retrograde experiences I’ve described crossed my path during the 2nd quarter of my “story” the performance and fallout would have been something NOT to behold! My Mom used to caution me about my temper when I was little - it has taken a lot of years to “temper that temper”.

But here’s the magic (for me) of the uncover, discover, and discard journey. The major constant in this soul’s story is CHANGE. Times have changed. This human-suited earth-school traveller has changed. And – what a gift to be able to just take some time and moments to walk through these “Perfectly on Time” experiences with an attempt to practice (sometimes) being a pollinator of new seeds that may be reflected in future karmic events.

I’ve been a fan of David Michie for a long time and last week I decided to pick-up his audible version of Buddhism for Busy People. I’m pretty sure that throughout my years of “exploring” I’ve been introduced to multiple descriptions/definitions about Karma but what David has presented here has resulted in several “Ahas”! To such an extent that I also ordered the Kindle version so I can re-read and highlight.

AND … isn’t that interesting … the beauty of the written word is once again confirming the value of writing.

But back to this word. I would absolutely love to wax poetic about the word Karma but in truth I’m not an authority. What David’s book HAS given me though is a wealth of new concepts and ways to incorporate ideas that are aligned with already established practices I use as part of preparation to begin my day with an element of gratitude.

One small takeaway (my words and interpretation) – for this moment – and “Perfectly on Time”.

Karmic seeds may be representative of those thoughts and actions that serve a “greater good” and with practice, nurturing, and ongoing attention become more of a “habit” than a one-off event thus leading to positive outcomes. Caveat? Practice may be required in multiple lifetimes!

A small confession here readers. I must acknowledge I can probably be identified as an individual with just one or two toes “in” so to speak - both in Astrology and Buddhism. However, there has been and continues to be MUCH about both that resonate with me so the study will continue.

So now - where does Karma somehow tie into those Mercury in Retrograde scenarios? Let’s see if I can make any sense out of it all – if not for you then perhaps for me.

The iPhone Fix. One last time I pressed the power button and noticed that the little Siri icon was up and running so I said “Hey Siri – can you turn off this phone?” And voila it was turned off.

Amazing right? So, there we are, I learned something new again that day (“Perfectly on Time”) and will never again have to be concerned if I land in a frozen state.

The iMac Fix. Let’s be honest here - my initial thought process included forecasting a hefty bill for the repair plus a bit of anxiety, but I was able to quickly change my mind and decide that my mantra should be called into play with a view to trusting that the outcome would be as needed.

End result? Fixed within about four hours which gave me time to go have a visit and dinner with a dear friend and come back to find that the repair bill was about ½ of what I had anticipated. Add to that the bonus of the computer now working at lightning speed again and I’m a happy camper.

Doorbell camera fix – leaving that one in the hands of the universe for now. Sufficient to say I’m not overly bent & twisted.

Is it presumptuous of me to consider that because I didn’t move into a state of (please feel free to fill in this blank) the universe conspired to provide me with solutions that left me happy, contented and grateful?

To finish up this time … it’s the loveliest sensation when that realization strikes … that realization that I don’t have to get overly serious about much of anything any longer because I’m in the 4^th quarter. Instead of angst this newer awareness reveals that perhaps “Perfectly on Time” is simply to just remain curious, interested, open, and willing to consider embracing a new practice if it (1) speaks to my heart and soul; and (2) serves some type of greater good.

Thanks again for stepping into my “story”!