What to Read During Mercury Retrograde

Any given day brings a never-ending list of things to do. There’s the work thing, the laundry thing, the exercise thing, the thing we’ve been putting off, despite it being the most important thing, etc. Even on days when we get a lot done, the things left undone can leave us feeling guilty, anxious, or disappointed. And with Mercury in retrograde it can feel like the universe is conspiring against our to-do lists. But with I Didn’t Do the Thing Today, Madeleine Dore encourages us all to release ourselves from productivity guilt and embrace the hidden values in our daily lives.

When childhood sweethearts Justine (Sagittarius and serious skeptic) and Nick (Aquarius and true believer) bump into each other as adults, a life-changing love affair seems inevitable. To Justine, anyway. Especially when she learns Nick is an astrological devotee, whose decisions are guided by the stars, and by the horoscopes of his favorite magazine. The same magazine Justine happens to write for. As Nick continues to not fall headlong in love with her, Justine decides to take Nick’s horoscope, and Fate itself, into her own hands. Charting the rippling effects of Justine’s astrological meddling, Star-Crossed is a delicious, intelligent, and affecting love story about friendship, chance, and how we all navigate the kinds of choices that are hard to face alone.

Mya Spalter has spent years among candles, herbs, cats, and spells as an employee at New York City’s oldest occult shop, Enchantments. Since it would get crowded in there if all of you visited, this beautifully illustrated book will be your guide to its secrets and stories; in the process, Mya will introduce you to some mystical concepts you can use to build spells and rituals that resonate with your own personal style.

When astrological phenomena occurs it is easy to worry about how that will affect your every day life. But renowned Zen Buddhist Shunmyo Masuno wants to help free you from unnecessary anxiety, and allow your mind to be at peace. In his new book Don’t Worry, he says the key is to focus only on the here and now and by following his simple lessons you’ll be able to enjoy a calmer, more relaxed, more positive version of yourself, no matter what Mercury tries to throw at you.

In these uncertain times, witchcraft, astrology, tarot, crystals, and similar practices are seeing a massive resurgence, especially among young women, as part of their self-care and mindfulness routines. Gabriela helps readers take back their power while connecting to something larger than themselves.

The Moon, according to Japan’s leading astrologer Keiko, is “Earth’s helpdesk,” a liaison between Earth and the other planets, delivering our wishes to the universe. With Keiko as your astrological coach, you don’t merely wait for the universe to fulfill your dreams; you become actively involved in charting a path for your life—and in finding the love, happiness, and success you’ve always desired.

Since Amanda Chantal Bacon founded Moon Juice in 2011, it has evolved into one of the nation’s fastest growing wellness brands, and in The Moon Juice Cookbook, she artfully distills her powerful approach to healthy living, sharing over 75 recipes for the brand’s most popular healing beverages and provisions. Amanda’s recipes harness the healing properties of adaptogenic herbs, raw foods, and alkalizing ingredients to create potent drinks, snacks, and sweets that deliver a multitude of benefits, including sparked libido, glowing skin, and boosted immunity.

During this time of uncertainty, it is important to remember to take care of yourself. With this mystical guidebook, readers are empowered with simple spells to enhance their daily lives, creating a compact resource for those seeking alternate paths to better mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical health.

In Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics, Dan Harris and Jeff Warren, a masterful teacher and “Meditation MacGyver,” embark on a gonzo cross-country quest to tackle the myths, misconceptions, and self-deceptions that keep people from meditating. It is filled with game-changing and deeply practical meditation instructions—all of which are also available (for free) on the 10% Happier app. This book is a trip worth taking.

We all know that when Mercury is in retrograde, it can sometimes wreak havoc on our communication which can lead to disruptions in our relationships. Illuminating and accessible, Astrology for Real Relationships will help you build and maintain strong connections—with your crushes, your spouse, your boss, your mom, or yourself—and uncover and empower you to get what you really want in relationships, not what you think you should want.

The Black Arts is a fascinating and wonderfully readable exploration of the practice, theory, and underlying rationale of magick and occultism in all its branches, including witchcraft, spells, numerology, astrology, alchemy, kabbalah, tarot, charms, and summoning and control of spirits. This edition features a 50th anniversary introduction by historian of alternative spirituality Mitch Horowitz, who frames the book for a new generation of readers.

These days, anxiety is simply part of the human experience. Part journal, part coloring book, part weird coping mechanisms, and part compendium of soothing facts, The Big Activity Book for Anxious People will be an outlet for anyone who wants to take a break from reality, laugh through their fears, and realize with every page that they are not alone.

Ask any happy person you know–curiosity and playfulness keep us engaged and connected to what matters most. This Zen Buddhist-influenced journal helps anyone cultivate beginner’s mind–open to observing, laughing, and growing into our best selves.

When Mercury’s retrograde adds a layer of complexity to our days, it can be nice to unwind with a glass of wine. Choose the perfect bottle with the help of Wine Folly. Wine Folly became a sensation for its inventive, easy-to-digest approach to learning about wine. Now in a new, expanded hardcover edition, Wine Folly: Magnum Edition is the perfect guide for anyone looking to take his or her wine knowledge to the next level.