Unsolicited Opinions with Bren- Retrograde Season

Whenever a retrograde season approaches… Social media never fails to sound off the doomsday alarm. The panic takes the form of endless posts and memes alerting us to our inevitable demise.

While I understand many of these images have humour in them, it seems the laughter often characterises us as universal pawns as opposed to master creators. This goes against the heart of Magick itself. 

When I was brand new to the occult... I panicked over retrogrades. It took me some time to grow... And now as a seasoned magician, I accept and embrace the lessons and energy retrogrades stir up.  

So on this fine morning... I’m waking up, choosing violence, and giving 3 blunt opinions I wish someone would have given me about this ‘dreaded’ season. 

Opinion 1- Retrogrades highlight our ridiculous need for instant gratification.

I tend to deny virtues (kidding)... but patience is a good one. So much inner growth and development happens when we learn how to be more patient... retrogrades are on opportunity for these lessons.

Opinion 2- Retrogrades are the equivalent of the shitty cards we hate to draw in the tarot. But they serve a purpose. 

Yeah... collapse sucks... but sometimes extreme circumstances set us free from the things which were imprisoning and destroying us. I’m not spiritually bypassing this... I take full accountability that when I draw harsh cards,  my first reaction isn’t ‘yay cosmic growth opportunity’ it’s usually ‘f*ck this. I need a nap’ 

There’s no need to be elated... just balanced... worrying over what kind of catastrophe retrogrades ‘might’ bring isn’t it. 

Being someone with CPTSD, one of my biggest retrograde season challenges is watching everyone panic about retrograde season... and trying to remain calm.

If this is something you experience as well... mute accounts that tend to have big reactions until the season is over. 

Opinion 3- Mercury Retrograde is overrated... 

When I see the list after list of mercury retrograde survival guides... I cringe... because it’s the stuff grown ups should be doing all the time. 

Carefully consider the words you speak (or message) to those you care about. Take care of your things. And check twice... that’s just solid life advice. 

This is a challenge I gave myself in 2019... I wrote down every dumb miscommunication I had during mercury retrograde... I then analysed how I needed to grow in my communication skills. Shocking... I became a better communicator in the long run.  

Ultimately... the backwards motion is every bit as necessary as the forward. This is the natural rhythm of the universe, not a cosmic backlash. I hope my sass alleviates some of the self induced pressure that arises when seeing retrograde season has arrived.