Mercury RX and Practices to Soothe the Nervous System

If you're reading this around the time that it is posted, Mercury is in the depths of its' current retrograde in Leo. If you're reading this some other time, keep reading becase Mercury goes retrograde 3- 4 times per year, and Mercury RX is always a good time to check in with your nervous system, your communication and your mind. This past week (July 31- August 1, 2025), There was a Mercury cazimi, which is where the Sun and a planet (Mercury in this case) come together in the sky from the perspective of earth. Cazimi means "in the heart of the sun" and it is a time when the sun's rays amplify and purify the planetary forces that it comes in contact with; a cazimi also starts a new planetary cycle. Although we are in a new cycle, Mercury is still retrograde, so read on for more about Mercury and how/why to care extra for your nervous system during these times.

Mercury is the planet of communication, the mind, the lungs and the nervous system, it is also associated with technology and travel. When Mercury goes retrograde, it invites us to slow down our minds, rejuvenate our nervous systems and to rethink, reflect, revise, reserach, reorganize and reevaluate in general and specifically in the area of our charts that Mercury is transiting. Mercury rules the signs Gemini and Virgo, so if you have strong placements in either of these signs, you are likely to feel Mercury retrograde more in general. This specific retrograde is in Leo, so anyone with natal placements in Leo or its opposite, Aquarius, is likely to feel it more as well. If you are interested in delving deeper into these nuances, I recommend signing up for some health coaching or a reading via this link.

Here is a little share to help us drop into the body/ mind practices to soothe the nervous system and incorporate during Mercury RX. 👇

To be honest I wasn’t really thinking about the astrology much at the beginning of Mercury RX, but since traveling a couple of weeks ago I have been feeling a bit overstimulated, not sleeping great and really just not feeling my best. So yesterday I decided that I was going to pay attention to my “sleep hygiene”. In the evening I decided to pick some nervine herbs for tea from the garden. Catnip and chamomile are two nervine herbs that I am growing that are ready for the picking right now and Nina, my boyfriend’s daughter wanted to add some mullein, which is high in minerals- which are great for the nervous system, so we did, along with some peppermint and made up a really nice and relaxing nervine tea. After tea time, rather than watching the movie that was playing on the living room tv, I put my phone on airplane mode so I wouldn’t be tempted to look at it to close to bed time, took a shower and gave myself a full body oil massage afterwards- including the soles of my feet and my ears. During the massage is when it dawned on me- of course, Mercury went retrograde today, no wonder I need a big nervous system reset. And guess what, even though the dogs were barking at bear who was interested in our chicken coop for most of the night last night, I slept better than I have in some time.

So, why I shared this little snippet of my evening is to remind us that even just one evening of holistically caring for ourselves can make a big difference.

During this Mercury Rx- July 17- August 11th (or whenever you feel a little extra exhausted, fried or you just need it), some key practices for taking care of our nervous systems are:

~ Practicing proper “sleep hygiene”, which includes:

- no screens 30 mins before bed

- decrease exposure to artificial light in the evening time

- replace alcohol with water and/or a nervine herbal tea several hours before bed

- opt for non-caffeinated beverages after noon

- be mindful of how much liquid you are drinking in general before bed

- finish eating dinner several hours before bed, opt for a protein rich snack 30 mins before sleep if you feel hungry

- create a calm and clean sleeping space for yourself

- create a rhythm of going to sleep around the same time and waking up around the same time each day

- napping no more than 20 mins in the afternoon (for adults)

- introducing calming scents in an essential oil diffuser or natural candle in the bedroom before bed

- gentle self massage before bed

~ Get out in nature

~ Make sure you are nourished- this includes vitamins, minerals and macros (protein, carbs, fats)

~ Pranayama or breath practices

-I really enjoy the ujjayi breath counting the inhale in through the nose for 4, retain for 2, exhale out through the mouth for 4, retain for two. Join my Hatha Sun and Moon Subscription for yoga practices which include breath practices sprinkled in.

~ Abhyanga self massage

Steps for Body Oiling the Self; based on the practice of abhyanga in Ayurveda

    -Select your body oil, there are some herbal massage oils available in the Self-Care Shop, but good quality oil will do- olive, avocado, coconut, etc.

    -Gather a robe/clothes and socks ready that you don’t mind getting a little bit oily.

    -Place glass oil bottle in a cup or bowl of warm water or on a not too hot hot plate to warm the oil (make sure water doesn’t enter the oil bottle).

    -Brush skin with a dry brush- removes dead skin, increases circulation and prepares the skin for receiving oil. Brush towards the heart, covering the entire body, including top of head, palms of hands and soles of feet, brush very gently on the face.

    -Begin applying oil on the top of the head massaging in a circular motion, moving to the face and important to remember massaging the ears (I believe you will love the ear massage).

    -Moving down to the body massage the full body with oil, massaging in the direction of the heart. On the belly massage along the path of the large intestine, moving up on the right side, across and then down on the left side. Remember to massage the bottoms of the feet, each toe and in-between as well. The feet contain many nerve endings and conjunctions of prana or life force energy.

    -Let the oil sit for 5- 15 minutes. The deeper benefits of abhyanga depend on the body’s absorption of the oil and herbs, it takes a bit of time for the oil to penetrate the skin and the deeper tissues of the body. Put your socks on and your robe/clothes and let the herbal oil work its magic. Drink a cup of cosmic alignment tea (available in our self- care shop!) while you relax.

-Rinse off in the shower, being mindful that the bottom of your feet may be a bit slippery, and as you gently dry off, savor the feeling of being calm and fully nourished.

Abhyanga is traditionally practiced in the morning, but sometimes I love to practice in the evening as I unwind from my day. You choose! (just make sure to not go to bed with wet hair) Practice regularly to receive full benefits.

~Magnesium and fish oil supplementation

~Herbal allies for the nervous system include: (can be drank as a tea, taken as a tincture or capsules or infused in an essential oil diffuser depending on the herb)

- Catnip

- Chamomile

- Skullcap

- Oat tops and straw

- Tulsi, holy basil

- Lemon Balm

- St. John’s Wort

- Passionflower

- California Poppy

- Blue Vervain

- Lavender

- Mugwort

- and more!!

- From the Self Care shop I would recommend the Gemini or Capricorn teas for nervous system support.

~ Since this particular Mercury RX is in Leo, it points to our nervous system being more calm when we are living fully in alignment with our individual truth, and approaching life authentically from the heart.

These are some key nervous system practices that are sure to aid in nourishing the nervous system on some level of anyone who implements them. Be mindful, that often it takes time and consistency for them to settle in. One reason why I feel like after just one night of “re”minding myself of these, that they worked for me is because I have been implementing them for years in general- sometimes I stray, but always come back.

May you and your nervous system be calm, collected and nourish this retrograde season ☿♡.

~Jordan Moon

Health Coach, Yoga Instructor and Evolutionary Herbalist

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