​https://www.almanac.com/content/mercury-retrograde-dates

Mercury Retrograde Dates 2018Mercury retrograde starts on July 26! Learn what Mercury retrograde is and how it can affect your everyday life in our Mercury Retrograde Calendar.
What is “Mercury Retrograde”?We are all influenced when Mercury is in retrograde. 
Due to the way our own orbit interacts with those of the other planets, they might sometimes appear to be traveling backward through the night sky with respect to the zodiac. This is, in fact, an illusion, which we call apparent retrograde motion.
Several times a year, it appears as if Mercury is going backwards. These times in particular were traditionally associated with confusions, delay, and frustration.
Perhaps Mercury’s retrograde periods can cause our plans to go awry. However, this is an excellent time to reflect on the past. It’s said that intuition is high during these periods, and coincidences can be extraordinary.
Mercury Retrograde Dates 2018In 2018, Mercury will be only be retrograde during the date ranges of:

• March 23 to April 15
• July 26 to August 19
• November 17 to December 6

What to Do When Mercury is RetrogradeThe planet Mercury rules communication, travel, contracts, automobiles, and such. So, when Mercury is retrograde, remain flexible, allow time for extra travel, and avoid signing contracts. Review projects and plans at these times, but wait until Mercury is direct again to make any final decisions.
About a week or two before Mercury retrogrades, finish any tasks or projects at hand. You can’t stop your life, but plan ahead, have back-up plans, and be prepared for angrier people and miscommunication.
Some people blame Mercury retrograde for “bad” things that happen in their lives. Instead, take this time to sit back and review where you put your energy in your life. For example, if family and faith are important to you, are you putting your energies there or just overextended in other areas? Take a moment to reflect.
Mercury and YouThe type of influence you feel depends on which of the 12 zodiac signs Earth is in when Mercury goes retrograde.
What’s your Zodiac Sign? Click here to find out: “Mercury Retrograde and Zodiac Signs.”
Learn more about zodiac sign profiles in general and check out our monthly horoscopes. Make sure that your gardening does not go awry when Mercury is in retrograde, and check out your zodiac profile for gardening.

 On a recent gemstone sourcing shopping trip, I found this amazing Herkimer Diamond at one of my favorite vendors. After doing some research on the gemstone and wearing it a few days, the stone's healing abilities really came through to me.  Its called the Attunement Stone and because it's a double terminated quartz it's master healing properties are very strong. 
Unusually transparent with a brilliant sparkle, they manifest pure, solid Light and are powerful amplifiers of spiritual energy. As perfect conduits of the universal Life Force, they are exceptional healing crystals, and are used in meditations, dream and vision work, and advanced spiritualization applications. (https://www.crystalvaults.com/crystal-encyclopedia/herkimer-diamond​) 
Herkimer Diamonds are ascension stones, and they will take you to the highest spiritual vibration possible while still being in your physical body. These crystals have powerful metaphysical properties and are strong stones to aid astral travel, as they help to connect the astral plane to the physical plane. They are beautiful and powerful high vibration crystals, that boost clairvoyant and clairaudient abilities. They act as powerful amplifiers when you are using them with a small stone. (https://www.healing-crystals-for-you.com/herkimer-diamonds.html)
You can visit the Herkimer Diamond Mines in Herkimer NY.
www.herkimerdiamond.com/herkimer-diamond-mines/

​Buddhist prayer beads or malas (Sanskrit: mālā "garland"[1]) are a traditional tool used to count the number of times a mantra is recited, breaths while meditating, counting prostrations, or the repetitions of a buddha's name. They are similar to other forms of prayer beads used in various world religions and therefore the term "Buddhist rosary" also appears.
Conventional Buddhist tradition counts the beads at 108, signifying the mortal desires of mankind. The number is attributed to the Mokugenji Sutra wherein Shakyamuni Buddha instructed King Virudhaka to make such beads and recite the Three Jewels of Buddhism. In later years, various Buddhist sects would either retain the number of beads, or divide them into consecutive twos, fours, for brevity or informality. A decorative tassel is sometimes attached to the beads, flanked by talismans or amulets depending on one's local tradition. Because prayer beads are often painted in pigment, various traditional schools attribute a consecration ritual by the Sangha to the beads, to "open the eyes" for the purpose of achieving Enlightenment unique to the Karma of each believer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_prayer_beads