Mercury retrograde: a calm guide
Mercury appears to go backwards about three times a year, and it gets blamed for everything from lost emails to travel delays. Here is a calm, practical guide to what it means and how to use it well.
The full deep dive
What it is
Three or four times a year, for about three weeks, Mercury appears to move backwards through the zodiac. It is an optical illusion caused by Earth and Mercury moving at different speeds. The full explanation is in Retrograde planets.
Why astrologers pay attention
Mercury rules communication, travel, contracts and technology, so astrologers traditionally see its retrograde as a time when those areas need extra care: messages go astray, plans change, gadgets misbehave. There is no scientific evidence for this, but many people find it a useful reminder to slow down.
The “re” rule
Mercury retrograde is a good time for anything starting with “re”:
- Review plans and documents before you sign them.
- Revise that half-finished project.
- Reconnect with old friends; people from the past often get in touch.
- Rest and reflect before the next push forward.
- Back up your files, and leave a little extra time for journeys.
The shadow periods
Astrologers also talk about the “shadow” for a couple of weeks either side of a retrograde, when Mercury is passing over the same stretch of sky. Things set in motion in the shadow may come up again during the retrograde.
Keep it in proportion
Life does not stop for three weeks. Babies are born, weddings happen and businesses launch during every Mercury retrograde, and many go wonderfully. If something goes wrong, it is probably just life.
Sources and perspectives
- Robert Hand, Planets in Transit