Sunday, January 24, 2016

From Raven's Nest Jan 24, 2016

Why Aren’t I Ascending?

Dr. Raven Dolick M.s.D.
Jan 24, 2016
All rights reserved


What you as humanity light workers are currently doing is letting go of the past. I will only speak to the light workers at the moment, for the majority of humanity sadly has not yet awakened to the fundamental truth I speak on, but I do not worry for there will come a day and there will come a time and there will come a minute and there will come a moment, that is NOW, that happening within your soul path, when everyone on earth plane will rejoice with love and devotion to each other, and from where I am looking at you, from where we are standing currently, and showing the light, we are seeing that indeed it is true, that such a process has already occurred.
For as you already know that everything is indeed in the NOW, we are here in the now and in the present and there is no duality, there is no duality of time and space and matter.
I have spoken about this previously before, but I will repeat it here again for those that may have not understood, for what is duality, what you perceive duality to be is not as it is. For what you believe it is to be, is being in two worlds simultaneously, that is not so, for what duality represents is seeing separation, separation of one being into two, separation of each of you from each other, separation of anything into the dark and into the light.
And so I will speak to you about a very important aspect of your ascension.. the non duality approach and the reason it is so important is because, if you do not embrace the idea that duality does not exist… if you believe something to be either black or either white, then you are going to miss out on the most important point in the ascension and in your life and in your understanding of life, for duality does not occur anywhere but in your made up worlds, for it is indeed not as it should be, and then again you may argue with me and say how should it be, or should it not be, aren't you the one to speak to me about non judgment?
And I will say unto you that it is true and it is correct that there is no duality and there is no such thing as “should or should not”, but from my perspective and most importantly from the perspective of YOUR HIGHER SELF of your true soul… the desire of unity is unfolding, the desire for unity and peace and harmony is what is driving you forward, as it should.
And so I try to explain to you in detail so that you can understand the reason that remaining in duality will stop you from ascending further… the point of ascension for each one of you, is to see that you are connected indeed, undeniably so, and that you are all ONE and the same, and yet so different from each other and that what makes it a wondrous experience for all of you…

Duality - Not to judge, and judged be not.
Not to be in judgment of anything. To just accept it as is, to accept it as it should be or should not be. And yes you keep asking me over and over again, how then you are saying that there is a dark side and light side. What I have been trying to explain to you, the Lightworkers and Crystals, is that you should relate to each other, and most importantly to yourselves, for when you are in your day to day state, of mind, and state of being, you go about your day and you put labels and judgment and remain in duality at every moment, for you judge whether or not that color is good, or that colors I bad, or that person is good or that person is bad, and that is remaining in duality.
For what we are asking of you is remain in a state of ONENESS dear one, whereby you check to see how you resonate with whatever comes your way, and whereby you do not judge it to be anything negative or positive, but you simply see how you resonate with whatever is being presented before you..
And if you do not resonate with it, ask yourself why is it so, that I do not find that I resonate with it when others do.. You will then know thyself that much better and be able to remove the ingrained insecurities, ingrained misunderstandings, ingrained miss identities that have been placed upon you, by those that are in control of your world presently so.
For duality has been created in order to separate you, in order to separate you into various entities, in order to create an illusion of separation, and hence we are here to tell you that it is not indeed so, for you are all connected to one another. And now going back to your question about what you should or should not do. Well dear one, since you are asking this question then you do recognize that there are certain aspect of yourself that are preventing you from moving forward, moving away and through the veil of misconception.
And so I am going to give you a “check list” and of course I am going to begin and say this unto you, that really there is no right or wrong, there is no bad or good, there is no dark or light, although we are going to be referring to dark and light in the future for that is how you are used to understanding the ideas that are going to be presented to you, but in the sometime, in the time of times, when you are no longer in duality we will all then be able to speak with you face to face candidly so, and you will no longer have these ideas of dark and light, for you will accept all as is, and you will come to understand that there is no light and there is no dark, for its all the same, a unity, for there must be light and there must be dark in order to facilitate life further so..

And hence the checklist :

You are to begin your day with an early meditation, even if you are rushing off to work as many of you are doing, I just ask that you remove yourself from your beds a few minutes in advance and walk towards the light, and the dawn of the breaking sun, and as you face towards the morning sun, I would ask you to do the sun salutation, yes indeed dear Lightworker, the sun salutations that you are so very well familiar with, for that will set you in a good state of mind for the rest of your earthly day!
And hence you are to mediate as well for at least five minutes, that is all that I would be asking of you, so that you can get into the state of being in such a state that even if you are not meditating throughout the day you are still connected to the source as you walk around your day and as you walk about your current world and do your current earthly deeds.

In light and Service
Dr Raven Dolick MsD

http://www.ravenstarenchantments.com/
Dev Leza Avlon. It is God who brought you.
Ja Develehi! Go with God

Monday, January 18, 2016

FROM RAVEN'S NEST Jan 18, 2016

Arithmancy
Dr Raven Dolick M.s.D.
Aug 2, 2015
All rights reserved
Arithmancy is a subject that is often misunderstood.
First of all, it is not about alphabet-to-number conversion. That aspect of Numerology is properly called Isopsephy (Greek) or Gematria (Hebrew/Aramaic) – Wikipedia needs to be corrected!
Arithmancy is the use of numbers and arithmetic for Divination, much in the same way that crystals, cards and the I-Ching are used to gather information about people and situations. While Numerology techniques are based on the conversion of an alphabet to numbers, there are many techniques of Arithmancy that use numbers alone.
Since numbers are a universal language, we find Arithmantic methods all over the world. For instance, writing Chinese characters requires a certain number of brush strokes. Arithmancers would count the number of brush strokes it took to write a name or statement and base their answer on number symbolism, in a way not unlike the method we’re going to explore today. This technique is called The Pyramid. It is used to find answers to significant questions relating directly to a person’s life. It’s not only easy and fun, but can provide reliable and deeply meaningful answers when used correctly.
Before we begin, there are some rules about formulating the question that need to be followed.
The question should be meaningful; frivolous questions get frivolous responses.
The question should relate directly to the person asking it, since truth comes from within.
The question should be one that you do not already have an answer for; the universe does not like rhetorical questions.
Yes or No questions get the best results.
With that in mind, let’s begin the example with a simple question.
“Should I get a dog this year?”
First, count the number of words in the question, which is “7”. This 7 becomes the first number in the first row of the pyramid, and goes in the upper left-hand corner. Begin to build the rest of the row by counting the number of letters contained in each word, listing them from left to right.
The first row should look like this:
7, 6, 1, 3, 1, 3, 4, 4
To create the second and continuing rows, add the numbers from left to right and list them one, individually, beneath each calculation.
7+6=13, reduced to 1+3=4, so the first number of the second row will be 4. The next is 6+1=7, the second number will be 7. Keep going in the same direction, one row at a time, until you have completed the Pyramid.
7 6 1 3 1 3 4 4
4 7 4 4 4 7 8
2 2 8 8 2 6
4 1 7 1 8
5 8 8 9
4 7 8
2 6
8
The final or outcome number is 8. Since 8′s planet is Saturn, we can expect delays and obstacles. However, 8 is also a number that represents dogs, herdsmen and so forth, meaning that this isn’t necessarily a no answer, because Saturn’s association with the object of the question means the outcome is about the object, not denying it. In order to get more information about the outcome, find the arithmantic sum of the numbers in the first row, and compare that sum to the final number of the Pyramid.
The first row of numbers sums to 2. 2 and 8 are compliments, and 2 indicates that something must change before the result can be achieved. This information expanding method is useful for unclear answers.
Below is a brief description of the outcome numbers and their meanings.
1 is the number of the Sun, and typically means immediate success. This is especially true if it regards a new pursuit; at any rate, the results will come soon.
2 is the number of the Moon. It can show lack of concentration, uneasiness, or instability. At the same time, the Moon is associated with liquids, medicine, chemistry, women in general, and relationships. It gives positive answers, but something needs to change before they can happen.
3 is Jupiter’s number, which is positive when the question regards ambition or the pursuit of desires. It indicates social activities, entertainment, knowledge, and communication. 3 would be the most desirable result in a question regarding education or childbirth.
4 represents the dark side of the Sun – in India, this is Rahu, the northern eclipse point. It can mean interference, obstacles and stagnation. With 4 as a result there is no guarantee, especially regarding money. It could very well mean struggle.
5 is the number of Mercury, which can be indicative of success if the question regards education or relationship questions. You’ll need to use caution here, because 5′s tends toward freedom, not stability.
6 represents Venus, and favors art, beauty, friendship, peace and harmony. Any question regarding a treaty or agreement, or a party would want 6 as its final digit. 6 can also mean gifts from women.
7 is about the life of the mind. Anything requiring reason and forethought is favored, but business and relationships are not. It is associated with Ketu; the south node of the Moon, the other eclipse point.
8 is the number of Saturn, who brings delays, obstacles and difficulties of all sorts. If the concern is about long-term contracts, farming, manufacturing, or financial discipline, it might be favorable.
9 is the number of Mars, the planet of energy, courage and impulsiveness. Success comes through strength and ambition. Overcoming opposition and breaking through obstacles are favored.
The Pyramid is a reliable technique of Arithmancy, and fits in well with astro-Numerology methods. As you practice it, your knowledge of the numbers will grow, and your interpretations become much more subtle than you might currently imagine.
Try it and be amazed!
Part 2 forth coming:
Finding Answers With the Pyramid check back soon!
Are you in need of our Master Numerologist to interpret your chart?

Monday, December 28, 2015

FROM RAVEN'S NEST Dec 28, 2015

The Meaning of Life and The Old Reality
Dr Raven Dolick M.s.D.
Dec 28, 2015
crystaleye.jpg
all rights reserved

Just as there were rules to understand in the Old Reality, there are rules which are best adopted when taking action in the New Reality.
The Old Reality was about gaining courage and developing intellect. The New Reality is about unconditional love and inner wholeness.
Wholeness is personally-inspired integrity without the “shoulds” that others may try to impose upon you.
The frequency of consciousness in the New Reality is heart-centered. Unconditional love comes naturally; you need only let it flow through your heart and allow that energy to be who you are.
When you shift to the expanded consciousness of the New Reality, the universe reorganizes itself around you to reflect that higher reality. Externally-imposed rules are replaced by internal, love-based choices.
To become whole is to become harmoniously fully-functional. In such a reality, you treat yourself and others with unconditional love and care. To care less than that for yourself, or less than that for others, would mean being less than whole.
You are an expression of Infinite Being as it experiences itself from all possible perspectives. Your perspective is unique, as is everyone else’s. That is the point of the whole exercise – for Infinite Being to experience life from as many perspectives as possible.
In order to best support this primary mission of human experience, we need to both celebrate our own uniqueness and support others in their efforts to develop their own skills and talents. Unity is our spiritual nature, yet it is found through celebrating our diversity in the common cause of developing our potential to the fullest.
The One is the All and, as parts of the All, we are essentially the One. At the deepest level of consciousness, we are Infinite Being.
Everyone’s path is unique because that’s the way life was designed. There is no one-size-fits-all philosophy. However, we can learn about the universal laws that will help us achieve our potential in life.
Your mind is non-physical and therefore has higher capabilities than your physical brain. Your mind is immortal and it grows with experience. We are each on our own pathways back to the One source from which we originally came. To get there, we continually grow in consciousness by experiencing life.
The meaning of life is to grow in consciousness.

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

FROM RAVEN'S NEST Dec 23, 2015

Aura Vision ~ You Can Have It
Dr Raven Dolick Nov 14, 2014
All rights reserved
What Actually Is Aura Vision
An aura is an energy field around something. It contains information
about the health of a creature, its emotional and mental state, and
many other things. Color, texture, shape, size, and motion of the aura
all provide information about the creature or item.
Seeing the Aura
Relax your body, mind, and eyes. Choose an object or person to look at
that won't make you nervous. Look gently at the object, focusing your
eyes slightly behind it.
Look with your third eye, the psychically sensitive area of your
forehead. Close your eyes and feel your focus shift up slightly, so
that you seem to be looking out of your forehead. Open your eyes, and
your focus shifts back down to normal sight. Open and close your eyes
a few times to learn how it feels. Avoid rolling your eyes upward;
that will just give you a headache.
Once you are confident of the focus shift, do it gently with your eyes
open. Look out of your eyes and your forehead at the same time. This
shift of focus awakens psychic vision, which is used to see auras. To
see the aura, look gently just past the object, using your eyes to see
and keeping your focus lifted to the third eye. When you begin to see
lines of color around the object, you need to find out if it's an
after-image or an actual aura.
After-Images
After-images are a biological effect of your eyes, caused by
eyestrain. Look at the circle image for at least 30 seconds, and then
look at the empty space next to it or a blank wall. The opposite-color
image you will see is an after-image.
To prevent after-images, blink often and don't look at one object too
long. As you improve, you will see the aura within a few seconds,
before after-images appear. When you first see color or lines around
an object, look away to make sure it's not an after-image.
To eliminate after-images, close your eyes for a minute or two. When
you stop seeing the image on the inside of your eyes, the after-image
is gone and you can go back to seeing the aura.
Aura Variations
Auras have many shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. There is no
standard interpretation because different people perceive differently.
The best way to discover the meanings of colors and other attributes
is to experiment. Read about traditional meanings and use them to
decide what the colors mean to you. For instance, someone who is
decisive about his personal space may have a clear edge on his aura, a
solid, dense energy, and sharp, clear lines.
The aura can affect and be affected by a person's health. If you are
interested in learning energy healing, through chakra and aura work,
read Hands of Light and Light Emerging by Barbara Ann Brennan. They
are very detailed and well written, and they focus entirely on healing
methods.
Practice Techniques
Stay relaxed and calm as you practice. Practice often, but don't tire
yourself. Often, the moment you relax and quit trying, you will
suddenly see the aura quite clearly. If things aren't working, take a
break, do something fun, and try again later when you can be more
relaxed and patient.
Aura vision may be easier when you are sleepy because you won't have
the energy to force anything. If you have a difficult time letting
things happen without forcing them, try once or twice when you are
tired or sleepy.
Dim lighting can be helpful so you don't strain your eyes. Put a solid
colored background behind the object. Gray, white, brown, and dark
colors work well because they are not visually distracting.
Multiple Layers
The aura has multiple layers, like an onion, but with each layer
reaching from the very center of the person outward. Close to the
body, all of the layers overlap. Each layer out reaches farther away
from the body and becomes less dense, lighter, subtler, and more
difficult to see.
First, practice seeing the inner layers. As you improve, let your
awareness expand, growing lighter and softer. Reach outward with your
aura to feel the aura you are looking at. Feel your vision shifting
more strongly toward the third eye and clairvoyance. Remain relaxed
and feeling light as your vision expands to include the outer layers.
Common Problems
Question: I can't feel the shift in focus.
Answer: Relax and keep trying, but gently. If you still have
difficulty after a lot of practice, try learning some other psychic
skill first to awaken your abilities. This will make aura vision
easier to learn.
Question: I can feel a shift in focus but I still can't see anything.
Answer: Try looking at different energy levels. You may be below or
above what you are trying to see. Do this by varying the amount of
energy you have in yourself, adding more or letting some go to adjust
to different levels. It may feel like getting lighter or heavier.
The more you practice, the easier this becomes.
Summary
*Relax.
*Look gently or feel with your mind.
*Shift your focus to looking psychically.
*Watch the movements and details of the aura.
Success
*You can perceive the aura either visually or in your mind.
*You can tell apart details in the aura.
*You can see how auras affect personal communication.
See more of my work and assistance in advanced Metaphysics and Pagan Issues here on my website, and please like and share with your loved ones of the crafte:
http://www.ravenstarenchantments.com/

Monday, December 21, 2015

From Raven's Nest Dec 21, 2016

Scanning the Future

One of the great advantages of regular meditation is that it enhances your sense of intuition. The more you practice meditation, the more you gain insight into every aspect of your life. Insights can relate to present or past events, leading to a greater understanding of your life's path, or they can relate to future events.
Insights into future events can be challenging in four ways:
1. The future is not fixed. Until you experience it, the future remains as an array of possibilities with a "most likely" scenario based on what holds the greatest energy.
2. Viewing the future can change the outcome. Even a 100% accurate view of the most likely scenario will trigger questions about whether you want that scenario to manifest, and that change can influence the outcome. This can give the illusion of inaccuracy in the original prediction.
3. Inner impressions come into your awareness through your imagination. However, a fertile imagination can create images on its own, almost for pure entertainment. True impressions of a future event arrive while you are in a meditative state, or sometimes while performing a monotonous task such as driving at a constant speed. They don't fire up with the great energy of a dramatic imagination. They slip in quietly and have to be examined and unraveled to see what each impression contains.
4. When you first start scanning the future, your predictions will be less accurate than they will become later after constant practice.
Sometimes, lack of self-esteem can be a barrier to the development of your innate abilities. In that case you need to be aware that everyone is everything that Infinite Being is. The universe is holographic by design, meaning that while the many make up the One, the One is also mirrored within each of the many. So, each person, each spark of Infinite Being, contains all of the qualities of Infinite Being.
Lack of self-esteem, therefore, is only a personality trait and not reflective of your true self.
You have a perfect sense of intuition or insight, just waiting to be developed. One of the hallmarks of the global shift to higher consciousness is that, with each passing year, more and more people will develop more and more of their inner abilities.
While you are practicing your intuitive skills, it is a good idea to make written notes for later reference. Insights arrive in your consciousness while you are in an altered, meditative state, so their memory dissipates quickly just like the memory of your dreams. If you keep notes, then re-read them weeks or months later, you will be amazed at how accurate many of these insights were.
Sometimes, you will also see how insights into less than desirable scenarios caused you to make a decision to steer your life in a different direction. When faced with decisions about which direction to turn, the best barometer is always your highest joy. Ask yourself:
"What scenario would represent my highest joy?"
When you follow your highest joy, you are following the path through life which is most closely aligned with your true essence - your soul or inner self.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

FROM RAVEN'S NEST Dec 16, 2015

The Nature of the Soul
Dr Raven Dolick MsD
Oct 19, 2015
All rights reserved
crystaleye.jpg
Your soul is your immortal inner being. It existed before time began and it will always exist, even when you merge back in your ultimate spiritual home as a conscious aspect of Infinite Being.
Out of the 12 levels or density layers of existence, we, in this physical realm, are in 3rd density. The soul is in 5th density, and Infinite Being is beyond the 12th. Your soul is your individualized spiritual presence, operating in 5th density and it maintains communication with the souls of everyone with whom you interact in daily life.
The soul world of 5th density is non-physical; our dense physical world is in 3rd density, while 4th density - the afterlife or spirit world - is quasi-physical. The term quasi-physical means that the spirit world is solid to its residents, even though they are etheric or ghost-like when compared to our dense physical structures. Spirits can, and do, bump into each other in the spirit realms because they are solid relative to each other.
Life in the spirit world is much like life in our dense physical world, except that there are certain freedoms that come with having a less dense body. The ability to levitate is one such freedom and, better still, spirits can project themselves almost instantly to another location and suddenly appear there. It just takes mental focus and - whoosh - they appear at the target location.
You don't see people wearing spectacles in the spirit world because their sense of sight works as a direct perception rather than through their eyes in the way that we use our eyes. They can focus telescopically on distant objects to make them appear near, and they can focus microscopically on a nearby object, right down to its atomic structure. Their sense of hearing, too, can be focused to pick up sounds at great distances.
When we in the physical world are able to replicate the principles behind 'astral projection', we, too, will have instant transportation to other locations. Then, it'll be bye-bye to cars, trucks, trains, planes and rocket ships.
5th density is the start of non-physical existence, so your soul is a non-physical sphere of consciousness. It has the freedom to relocate both in time and space but it spends most of its time catering to the needs of its physical, incarnate self.
In 5th density, when one soul meets another they recognize each other, not from any physical appearance, but from their unique signature vibration. Each soul emits a unique signature tone which is a form of mental energy that is perceived as a subtle sound.
Your soul is the recorder and cataloger of all of your experiences as you add your contribution to the vast array of human experience on earth. A major portion of your soul consciousness lives right here in 3rd density with you, tending to your every spiritual need. As your inner self, your soul knows you better than anyone else in the world does, and it's available for consultation 24/7. The limiting factor is how much your physical mind will allow and accept intuitive, soul-originated thoughts.
In order to live a life inspired by intuitive, inner wisdom you need only make a decision to do just that. Open up your awareness to the whisperings of your intuitive nature. Practice following your innermost hunches. Make a note of them so that you can look back later and see how accurate they have become.
Most of all don't be deterred if your hunches seem inaccurate during your early attempts. It happens that way to most people. Just keep practicing and very soon your hunches will start turning into a resource so valuable that you'll wonder what you did without it.
See more of my work here:
ravenstarenchantments.com

Monday, December 14, 2015

From Raven's Nest Dec 14, 2015

This Week Under the Moon
For the week of December 13 through 19.

Sunday, Monday am: the Moon is in Capricorn
Mercury is now in Capricorn, a conjunct (same sign as) connection with the Moon. This could be a rather chatty time, however the subjects will not be frivolous. With Capricorn energy prominent, practical, logical and sensible matters will likely be the focus.
Monday pm, Tuesday, Wednesday: the Moon is in Aquarius
Things are speeding right along, in fact zipping right along in some cases and it might seem hard to stay on track or catch up (if need be). It would be a good idea to give yourself a day off from all that has to be done and simply step off the grid for a little while. This will likely renew both your physical & mental energy toward all the things that are on your to-do list.
Thursday, Friday: the Moon is in Pisces
The planet Jupiter is in Virgo, a sign that is opposite (across the zodiac wheel) Pisces where the Moon is currently. FYI: in jyotish (Indian astrology) Jupiter is the ruler of Pisces. This planet is said to be the bearer of good tidings, good fortune, and good times. You may wish to do something really good for someone else and be like Jupiter yourself.
Saturday: the Moon is in Aries
The planet Mars, which rules (is associated with) the sign Aries, is in the opposite sign of Libra right now. This brings up two possible scenarios: 1) contention or frustration will be quite present or 2) you will receive a much-needed helping hand with something pressing.
Check your astrology chart to find which house (section of your chart) has the current Moon sign on the cusp (the beginning edge) & apply forecast information to that area of your life as well.
For example, the Moon is in Leo and one of the suggestions is to entertain - however Leo is located in the 12th house of your chart, which is an inward energy place...then have a small, quiet gathering. By contrast, if Leo is located in the 1st house of your chart, an outward energy place...have a party!
It is interesting to note when the current Moon is in the same sign as your birth Moon and to see how the flavor of that day carries through the following 30 days.
Current Planet Positions:
Sun - Sagittarius until Dec. 22
Mercury - Capricorn until Feb. 14
(retrograde Jan. 5 - Jan. 25)
Venus - Scorpio until Dec. 30
Mars - Libra until Jan. 4
Jupiter - Virgo until Sept. 9
Saturn - Sagittarius until Dec. 20, 2017
Uranus - Aries until Mar. 6, 2019
(Taurus - May 16, 2018-Nov. 7, 2018)
Neptune - Pisces until Mar. 30, 2025
Pluto - Capricorn until Nov. 20, 2024
Current Asteroid Positions:
Ceres - Aquarius until Jan. 29
Pallas - Capricorn until Jan. 23
Juno - Scorpio until Nov. 7
(back into Libra again June 9 - July 9)
Vesta - Aries until Mar. 9
Chiron - Pisces until Apr. 22, 2018
(Chiron usually stays in one sign for about a little over two years, very similar to Saturn's travels. However this time it is making an extended visit to a sign.)
Current Asteroid Transits:
Ceres - Alternatives and offbeat ideas may be more viable than you think.
Pallas - Check out what resources your ancestors used when they were faced with projects or challenges.
Juno - Intense partnership emotions are in the air.
Vesta - Seek out activities that relate to your basic belief system.
Chiron - Transcend wounds and negativity through compassion.
Note: Timeframes for Moon signs, void-of-course periods, and current planet & asteroid positions are noted for Eastern time zone (USA). Please adjust according to your own location. Times are not given if the void-of-course Moon occurs for a very short period or if it occurs during the night (based on same Eastern time zone).
▪ v/c = Void-of-Course - When the Moon is void-of-course, spend time working on projects already in progress, creative endeavors, or self-improvement. Void-of-course simply means that no planets are aspecting the Moon as it gets ready to change signs; there won't be a configuration of astro energy available to utilize. It's best not to start new projects, sign important agreements, or go shopping when the Moon is void-of-course because the result will probably be unsatisfactory in some way.
Mercury Retrograde - the speed of the planet slows down considerably. Communications, paperwork, electronics, traffic and mail can become very mixed-up, delayed, or go on the 'fritz' during this time. A situation will be in the process of changing, so wait until Mercury is direct to finalize anything. In general, maintain a slower, more cautious pace in daily affairs. Always allow at least two days before (to slow down) and after (to resume regular activities) a Mercury retrograde period.