Blog Dis
Get your flake on...
2026-02-17
The planets will soon become misaligned, so it's time to get your flake on. We'll enter into a three-week phase called Mercury Retrograde from February 26th until March 20th. Mercury is the planet that rules communication and has an impact on all things with moving parts, like computers, cars, electronics, mobile phones. If you're like me, and you refuse to hop onto the Microsoft OneDrive train, or you refuse to back up your mobile phone to the cloud, allow me then to recommend that you take a moment to connect your mobile phone vis-a-vis the adapter cable, to back-up your photos to your hard-drive. This is how I ensure my photos are not lost, as well as my latest work-in-progress (novel eight). I have deeply rooted issues of distrust with Microsoft, and their OneDrive application is proof positive that they want your data, all of it, and will automatically make a copy of whatever is stored on your laptop's hard-drive to the Cloud, even without your permission.
Of course, you're not supposed to give credence to silly things like Mercury Retrogrades because they're not real, and should actually fall into the category of fantasy-realm thinking. Unless, of course, you're like me and you view these periods as pattern recognition. Each and every time, and I mean every time, I see the same pattern repeat itself: computers crash, airline systems go offline, cars break down, relationships bust-up, travel is cancelled and on and on. When I've brought up this subject with science-minded friends, one in particular comes to mind whose background was in chemistry, he'd politely say nothing though I could feel the wheels spinning in his head, without making an audible sound, and I knew he was re-evaluating his friendship with me. HaHaHa! Because really. How is a learned, science-minded individual supposed to tolerate a fantasy-inspired author who dabbles in astrology? Very carefully, is the answer, and a glass of wine or two comes in handy. Ha! I maintain that there's nothing wrong with enjoying astrology, and reading about it on a monthly basis. I like to get my flake on, as much as I enjoy flaking off too. Look upon astrology as a form of entertainment, and you won't blow a gasket. I avoid preaching to anyone about my beliefs or to challenge theirs. My belief in these weird Mercury Retrograde periods has been in place for decades now. So when I see the same patterns repeat, I tell myself that to be forewarned is to be forearmed.
I've lost entire chapters under a Mercury Retrograde and it took me months to recover the work. We can still be stung by unforeseen forces. Losing a single chapter shouldn't be a big deal but if you're a slow writer like me, who shapes and shapes and then re-shapes, I can assure you that you'll be shocked when it happens, you'll be utterly horrified when you read the prompt that your document cannot be saved, after you've clicked the save button, and despite having right-clicked to bring up properties and the option to re-open the last known saved copy. However, if you haven't developed this practice of saving as you write, you'll still be up sh*t's creek.
Once I accidentally and unknowingly had cut and pasted my entire manuscript from my hard drive, in order to save it to a USB stick, only to realize this error the next day when I booted up my computer to see that the manuscript was gone, no longer stored on my main hard drive. I went back to the USB stick and the most recently saved copy didn't reflect the work from the last month. Heart palpitations. Forehead breaking out into a sweat. Head reeling. Panic spinning. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out how this happened, particularly as I had only just worked on the document. It took me almost three months to re-create what I had lost. Now, I save multiple copies of my work in progress, on two different USB sticks, as well as saving a full copy of my WIP to 'Novels' folder onto a flash-drive that has a capacity of 1Tb.
We can never be too careful, least of all when we're about to enter into a Mercury Retrograde.
I lost my virginity many, many moons ago. I lost my innocence even before I had reached puberty. I lost my illusions about people when I went into the workforce. I lost my devil-may-care attitude about handling money because at one time I'd spend like a drunken sailor. I expect to lose things. That is the natural order of the Universe. You lose everything, ultimately in the end, even the greatest love of your life and finally your life will be lost too. But I shall be damned if I lose a manuscript while in the process of writing it! That just won't do. I thank you in advance, my friends, for wishing me luck as I begin to flesh out chapter four in my eighth novel. Best thing really is to continue to push forward, even though there are days when I feel that we each could sleep for a year, just to re-charge our batteries.
For all you scientists out there who scoff at my foolishness, know that I could give a tinker's damn what anyone thinks of me or when I flake on, when I should be flaking off. So, here's an excerpt describing the impact of Mercury Retrogrades, taken from Susan Miller, a forecaster with millions of followers, all because of the accuracy of her reports. [Pour yourself a cup of Joe and chill].
-----------------
MERCURY MADNESS – WHEN MERCURY GOES RETROGRADE
At several points throughout the year most of us will be bombarded with the maddening effects of Mercury in retrograde. Mercury is a planet which governs all transportation and communication issues. Mercury is not an emotional planet but rather a highly objective, truth-seeking one. It rules intelligence, education and truth. When it's in retrograde, some of its power is held back.
When Mercury starts turning in an apparent backward motion, we will start to feel the effects of this event days or even as far as two weeks earlier. When the planet normalizes, we will see the tempo of events pick up in our lives as the planet becomes "stationary" or “direct” and then speeds forward.
What happens when Mercury retrogrades? You miss appointments, your computer equipment crashes, eTransfers go to the wrong person, cheques get lost, or you find the car you just purchased during Mercury retrograde is a lemon. (Or, you hate your haircut, the lamp you bought shorts out, your sister hates her gift.) There'll be countless delays, cancellations and postponements -- but know these will benefit you in the long run. Don't fight them, although your frustration level and feeling of restlessness will be hard to cope with at times.
All machinery and things with moving parts -- such as computers, games consoles, Blu-Ray players, camera equipment, garbage disposals, and so forth, will reveal any weak links now. It is critical that you back up your data system and be more careful and vigilant than ever. Projects will demand more time and money than anticipated this month. Avoid making purchases of big-ticket items during a Retrograde for you'll discover that the item you had purchased turns out to be a dud and you’ll not understand why. Allow the time during the Mercury Retrograde to give you the excuse to hold off on making that big purchase, especially if it has moving parts.
In matters of the heart, if your boyfriend or girlfriend breaks up with you or says something hurtful, take a wait-and-see attitude. Since Mercury rules speech, they may not mean what you think they're saying now. Let them have some space.
When traveling, leave early and allow for extra travel time. Have all bags double-taped closed, count your belongings, double-check addresses and reconfirm appointments. Things get lost when Mercury messes us up. Take NOTHING for granted.
Why would the Universe give us Mercury retrograde? Because to move forward it is sometimes necessary to backtrack and reconfigure our life paths. It's important to reconsider, repair, reflect, and reconnect. Mercury forces us to slow down and fix what's broken, and in so doing, rethink things. It also gives us time to get to projects we have put on the back-burner.
Some activities are lucky or actually improve when Mercury retrogrades. You're likely to bump into old friends that you haven't seen in years. Adopted children tend to find their birth parents during Mercury retrograde periods, or people locate their long-lost siblings. Prosecutors often find clues to crimes that had previously remained unsolved for years. (Although sometimes the reverse is true - there is a greater danger that police can bungle evidence during a Mercury retrograde period, for clear thinking doesn't come easy for any of us then.) Some things that were lost reappear.
Now is also a good time to dress old wounds, clean up relationships or to simply bury the hatchet. Some people have great breakthroughs in psychotherapy during a Mercury retrograde period. For salesman, it is a positive time to backtrack over previous contacts rather than call on new ones. It is a perfect time to schedule work on projects that you haven't had time to do and you've let pile up. Bring your resume or portfolio up to date, and clean out your closets. Take time to paint the house. Clear your decks.
Just try not to start new things. If you have to accept or start a new job during a Mercury retrograde period know that the nature of the job is likely to change dramatically over time. Perhaps the person you report to will leave, or your responsibilities will be different from what you thought they would be. Or your company won't be ready to take you on, and you won't have much to do until things are reorganized. But remember, if this was a position that you had tried for in the past, then you've got the vibes working for you rather than against you.
Most importantly, avoid signing formal contracts, leases or any contractual obligation that will bind you for a period of time. Any agreement that is signed while under Mercury Retrograde will carry a stigma for the entire period of the contract.
----------------
There you have it. A flake-on guide to the Universe 😁
What I've personally observed, if you're celebrating a birthday that occurs while Mercury is in retrograde, your entire birthday year will be affected to the point that you may move residences, change jobs, change relationships or your appearance, or even move to a new country. Often we don’t realize the power and effect of Mercury Retrograde and we have an image of ourselves that we feel is as perfect as can be but the reality is we are all susceptible to outside influences (even subliminal ones) and the planet Mercury is just the one to bring changes to your life that you hadn't even considered.
Coincidences are high during a Mercury Retrograde so don’t be surprised if you run into that special someone whom you haven’t heard from or seen in decades and then once Mercury goes direct, you'll not likely hear from them again.
Lastly, Mercury Retrogrades have another silver lining and this pertains to creative breakthroughs for musicians, painters, writers and any involved in the creative arts. Be sure to write down your thoughts while under the Retrograde and them set them aside. Review them after the period has ended and you’ll be surprised by the pearls of genius you've cooked up.
Even the Old Farmer's Almanac lists the new year's upcoming Mercury Retrograde periods. This was my original starting point, when I became made aware of Retrogrades.
Maybe it's time for you to get your flake on and so, to o reiterate, Mercury goes retrograde Feb 26 to Mar 20.
Of course, you're not supposed to give credence to silly things like Mercury Retrogrades because they're not real, and should actually fall into the category of fantasy-realm thinking. Unless, of course, you're like me and you view these periods as pattern recognition. Each and every time, and I mean every time, I see the same pattern repeat itself: computers crash, airline systems go offline, cars break down, relationships bust-up, travel is cancelled and on and on. When I've brought up this subject with science-minded friends, one in particular comes to mind whose background was in chemistry, he'd politely say nothing though I could feel the wheels spinning in his head, without making an audible sound, and I knew he was re-evaluating his friendship with me. HaHaHa! Because really. How is a learned, science-minded individual supposed to tolerate a fantasy-inspired author who dabbles in astrology? Very carefully, is the answer, and a glass of wine or two comes in handy. Ha! I maintain that there's nothing wrong with enjoying astrology, and reading about it on a monthly basis. I like to get my flake on, as much as I enjoy flaking off too. Look upon astrology as a form of entertainment, and you won't blow a gasket. I avoid preaching to anyone about my beliefs or to challenge theirs. My belief in these weird Mercury Retrograde periods has been in place for decades now. So when I see the same patterns repeat, I tell myself that to be forewarned is to be forearmed.
I've lost entire chapters under a Mercury Retrograde and it took me months to recover the work. We can still be stung by unforeseen forces. Losing a single chapter shouldn't be a big deal but if you're a slow writer like me, who shapes and shapes and then re-shapes, I can assure you that you'll be shocked when it happens, you'll be utterly horrified when you read the prompt that your document cannot be saved, after you've clicked the save button, and despite having right-clicked to bring up properties and the option to re-open the last known saved copy. However, if you haven't developed this practice of saving as you write, you'll still be up sh*t's creek.
Once I accidentally and unknowingly had cut and pasted my entire manuscript from my hard drive, in order to save it to a USB stick, only to realize this error the next day when I booted up my computer to see that the manuscript was gone, no longer stored on my main hard drive. I went back to the USB stick and the most recently saved copy didn't reflect the work from the last month. Heart palpitations. Forehead breaking out into a sweat. Head reeling. Panic spinning. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out how this happened, particularly as I had only just worked on the document. It took me almost three months to re-create what I had lost. Now, I save multiple copies of my work in progress, on two different USB sticks, as well as saving a full copy of my WIP to 'Novels' folder onto a flash-drive that has a capacity of 1Tb.
We can never be too careful, least of all when we're about to enter into a Mercury Retrograde.
I lost my virginity many, many moons ago. I lost my innocence even before I had reached puberty. I lost my illusions about people when I went into the workforce. I lost my devil-may-care attitude about handling money because at one time I'd spend like a drunken sailor. I expect to lose things. That is the natural order of the Universe. You lose everything, ultimately in the end, even the greatest love of your life and finally your life will be lost too. But I shall be damned if I lose a manuscript while in the process of writing it! That just won't do. I thank you in advance, my friends, for wishing me luck as I begin to flesh out chapter four in my eighth novel. Best thing really is to continue to push forward, even though there are days when I feel that we each could sleep for a year, just to re-charge our batteries.
For all you scientists out there who scoff at my foolishness, know that I could give a tinker's damn what anyone thinks of me or when I flake on, when I should be flaking off. So, here's an excerpt describing the impact of Mercury Retrogrades, taken from Susan Miller, a forecaster with millions of followers, all because of the accuracy of her reports. [Pour yourself a cup of Joe and chill].
-----------------
MERCURY MADNESS – WHEN MERCURY GOES RETROGRADE
At several points throughout the year most of us will be bombarded with the maddening effects of Mercury in retrograde. Mercury is a planet which governs all transportation and communication issues. Mercury is not an emotional planet but rather a highly objective, truth-seeking one. It rules intelligence, education and truth. When it's in retrograde, some of its power is held back.
When Mercury starts turning in an apparent backward motion, we will start to feel the effects of this event days or even as far as two weeks earlier. When the planet normalizes, we will see the tempo of events pick up in our lives as the planet becomes "stationary" or “direct” and then speeds forward.
What happens when Mercury retrogrades? You miss appointments, your computer equipment crashes, eTransfers go to the wrong person, cheques get lost, or you find the car you just purchased during Mercury retrograde is a lemon. (Or, you hate your haircut, the lamp you bought shorts out, your sister hates her gift.) There'll be countless delays, cancellations and postponements -- but know these will benefit you in the long run. Don't fight them, although your frustration level and feeling of restlessness will be hard to cope with at times.
All machinery and things with moving parts -- such as computers, games consoles, Blu-Ray players, camera equipment, garbage disposals, and so forth, will reveal any weak links now. It is critical that you back up your data system and be more careful and vigilant than ever. Projects will demand more time and money than anticipated this month. Avoid making purchases of big-ticket items during a Retrograde for you'll discover that the item you had purchased turns out to be a dud and you’ll not understand why. Allow the time during the Mercury Retrograde to give you the excuse to hold off on making that big purchase, especially if it has moving parts.
In matters of the heart, if your boyfriend or girlfriend breaks up with you or says something hurtful, take a wait-and-see attitude. Since Mercury rules speech, they may not mean what you think they're saying now. Let them have some space.
When traveling, leave early and allow for extra travel time. Have all bags double-taped closed, count your belongings, double-check addresses and reconfirm appointments. Things get lost when Mercury messes us up. Take NOTHING for granted.
Why would the Universe give us Mercury retrograde? Because to move forward it is sometimes necessary to backtrack and reconfigure our life paths. It's important to reconsider, repair, reflect, and reconnect. Mercury forces us to slow down and fix what's broken, and in so doing, rethink things. It also gives us time to get to projects we have put on the back-burner.
Some activities are lucky or actually improve when Mercury retrogrades. You're likely to bump into old friends that you haven't seen in years. Adopted children tend to find their birth parents during Mercury retrograde periods, or people locate their long-lost siblings. Prosecutors often find clues to crimes that had previously remained unsolved for years. (Although sometimes the reverse is true - there is a greater danger that police can bungle evidence during a Mercury retrograde period, for clear thinking doesn't come easy for any of us then.) Some things that were lost reappear.
Now is also a good time to dress old wounds, clean up relationships or to simply bury the hatchet. Some people have great breakthroughs in psychotherapy during a Mercury retrograde period. For salesman, it is a positive time to backtrack over previous contacts rather than call on new ones. It is a perfect time to schedule work on projects that you haven't had time to do and you've let pile up. Bring your resume or portfolio up to date, and clean out your closets. Take time to paint the house. Clear your decks.
Just try not to start new things. If you have to accept or start a new job during a Mercury retrograde period know that the nature of the job is likely to change dramatically over time. Perhaps the person you report to will leave, or your responsibilities will be different from what you thought they would be. Or your company won't be ready to take you on, and you won't have much to do until things are reorganized. But remember, if this was a position that you had tried for in the past, then you've got the vibes working for you rather than against you.
Most importantly, avoid signing formal contracts, leases or any contractual obligation that will bind you for a period of time. Any agreement that is signed while under Mercury Retrograde will carry a stigma for the entire period of the contract.
----------------
There you have it. A flake-on guide to the Universe 😁
What I've personally observed, if you're celebrating a birthday that occurs while Mercury is in retrograde, your entire birthday year will be affected to the point that you may move residences, change jobs, change relationships or your appearance, or even move to a new country. Often we don’t realize the power and effect of Mercury Retrograde and we have an image of ourselves that we feel is as perfect as can be but the reality is we are all susceptible to outside influences (even subliminal ones) and the planet Mercury is just the one to bring changes to your life that you hadn't even considered.
Coincidences are high during a Mercury Retrograde so don’t be surprised if you run into that special someone whom you haven’t heard from or seen in decades and then once Mercury goes direct, you'll not likely hear from them again.
Lastly, Mercury Retrogrades have another silver lining and this pertains to creative breakthroughs for musicians, painters, writers and any involved in the creative arts. Be sure to write down your thoughts while under the Retrograde and them set them aside. Review them after the period has ended and you’ll be surprised by the pearls of genius you've cooked up.
Even the Old Farmer's Almanac lists the new year's upcoming Mercury Retrograde periods. This was my original starting point, when I became made aware of Retrogrades.
Maybe it's time for you to get your flake on and so, to o reiterate, Mercury goes retrograde Feb 26 to Mar 20.
