Our minds are wonderful tools that enable us to travel. Within the sphere of the mind, we can be anywhere or in any time. The mind travels seamlessly between past and future. It can take us to far off lands and different eras.
In the mind we can be in multiple places at once.
But the body exists only in the present: this time, this place.
As Mercury enters Taurus,(May 10 8:15 am ET), it reminds us that when the mind races with thoughts, ideas, or rumination, we can find grounding by coming into the body.
When the mind spins stories, we can find truth within the body.
Mercury in Taurus doesn’t necessarily seem like an ideal match.
Mercury, the messenger planet, generally moves fast; it has a lot to say. It buzzes with messages and insights. It is the planet of the mind.
Right now, Mercury is moving at full speed: it will zip through Taurus in only 15 days, compered to its typical 21 day trip.
Taurus is a sign for being slow, methodical, and deliberate. It is a place of embodiment: an Earth sign associated with love of sensual pleasures and savoring experiences.
As Mercury transits through Taurus, it reminds us of the power of coming back into our bodies — especially when we find ourselves in a head trip, or lost in another place and time.
Dropping into the body and connecting with our sensory experience helps us slow down time, stop the spinning thoughts, and come into presence. In the grounded stillness of our embodied connection we can gain deeper insights and more profound messages.
The mind may spin stories, but the body is the ultimate messenger of truth.
Here are some techniques to help you come back into your body when you notice your mind is spinning in thoughts, ideas, and stories:
(1) Intentional Breathing
When you notice your mind is spinning, pause and bring a focus to your breath. Often, when we’re lost in thought or involved in cognitive-intensive tasks, we forget to breathe. In fact, studies have shown that people often hold their breath while checking email—a condition known as “email apnea.”
When you hold your breath, your nervous system goes into fight-or-flight mode. Bringing awareness to your breath for a couple of minutes can help you come back to to your body and the present moment.
When you make your exhale longer than your inhale, you signal to your nervous system that it’s safe to relax, triggering the parasympathetic response.
(2) Connect With Nature
It’s easy to get caught in your head and lose track of time when you’re staring at a screen all day, or rushing around town.
When you find yourself spinning in thoughts or going into the past or future in your mind, step outside and connect with nature. You don’t need to go for a hike or spend a long time doing this.
Simply stepping outside is a good first step. Open your eyes and look around: at the grass, trees, and flowers. Listen to the birds or the wind. Put your feet on the earth.
If you can’t get outside, find a window and observe nature from inside.
(3) Return to Your Senses
If you tend to sit in a chair all day or spend a long time looking at screens, you can forget all about your body.
Take a pause to reconnect with your body.
- Bring awareness to your feet. We often forget our lower body because we are sitting on it and can’t see it.
- Stand up and feel into your feet — what does it feel like to stand on your feet? Ideally remove your shoes to make contact with the ground.
- Move your body, noticing the different sensations it is giving you.
You Are More Than a Mind
Mercury in Taurus reminds us that we are more than a mind. Messages and information come through all our senses. In fact, the body is the greatest messenger we have.
But to receive messages from the body we must slow down our pace and attune to what is coming through.
Love it? Hate it? What do you think? Don't hold back...