Everything You Need to Know about Mercury Retrograde

When it comes to understanding Mercury retrograde, there tends to be a lot of misconceptions, confusion, and outright lies. This blog post is designed to set the record straight. Continue reading below to learn everything you need to know about Mercury retrograde.

What is Mercury Retrograde?

OK, let’s start with the basics. Mercury retrograde occurs when Earth passes Mercury on its trajectory around the sun, making it appear as if Mercury is traveling backward in the sky. Astronomically, this is not the case. Mercury is not changing the direction of its orbit. It is simply the way it appears.

Mercury retrograde is a phenomenon that has long created interesting energy shifts for those of us here on Earth. People report experiencing everything from technological snafus and communication mishaps to travel delays and business contract debacles. These issues are real, and they do happen. Part of the reason has to do with the energy that the planet Mercury emanates.

Astrologically, Mercury is responsible for your thoughts, writing, communication, short-range travel, learning and technology. Planets in retrograde are a call to go inward and reflect on the areas of life that the particular planet influences. So, when Mercury retrogrades, we are asked to spend a lot more time, energy and attention on how we think, write, communicate, travel, learn and use technology.

What does Mercury Retrograde mean for me?

All this is well and good, but you want to know the important stuff, right? You want to know how Mercury retrograde impacts your life. This is good to know because when you understand this astrological event, you can work with it instead of against it.

The most important thing to do during Mercury retrograde is to slow down. This means being conscious of how you’re communicating, traveling, signing contracts, and using technology. So, for example, if you’re planning on taking a short flight to see a friend, give yourself a lot of extra time in case there is a traffic jam on the way to the airport or a delay that could negatively impact your layover.

Similarly, when negotiating a contract, try not to sign anything during this period. That sounds dramatic, but communication can be particularly fraught. If that’s not possible, be sure to review it multiple times and potentially ask for a second set of eyes. More than anything, take time to reflect inward to ensure you’re honoring your thoughts and acting accordingly.

Want to learn more about Mercury retrograde and what it means for you? Check out my YouTube video on the topic.