What Happens When Mercury Goes Retrograde?
Today’s fast-paced world relies on email, conference calls and shipping labels – we rely heavily on them! Astrologers believe that when Mercury retrogrades it leads to chaos.
However, scientists contend that Mercury is simply an optical illusion, and there’s no basis to believe this astrological event has any influence over our behavior here on Earth.
What is a retrograde?
Mercury, which governs communication, travel and technology, goes through an apparent retrograde motion three to four times each year. According to some astrology enthusiasts, this may cause computer crashes, misinterpreted texts as well as relationship drama and lost luggage – yet what does this really mean and how can it help us all?
Though astrologists don’t see Mercury retrograde as being responsible for complete chaos and devastation, it can make communication more challenging during this period. Technology, in particular computers, mobile phones, and gadgets may become obstacles during this period governed by Mercury; due to this factor astrology experts advise avoiding major purchases during this time and double checking important documents before sending them off.
Mercury stations retrograde in your house of love and career, prompting you to reevaluate how you prioritize these areas of your life. At the same time, however, this time could bring opportunities to reconnect with old flames or revive lapsed hobbies – potentially helping restore balance to both relationships and work life.
As is true for any time a planet stations retrograde, it’s wise to exercise patience and kindness toward yourself and others during these periods, according to Caves. Use this opportunity to slow down and be intentional with your choices.
As part of your reflections on past successes and future goals, take some time to examine where you have put your energies. Take stock of relationships, work, hobbies and goals – are you dedicating enough energy toward family and faith or overextending in other areas? Now is an opportune moment to assess balance and make any necessary adjustments.
Mercury retrograde periods can be frustrating, but you should remember this is simply one of many planetary cycles that happen throughout the year. All of the faster orbiting planets such as Venus and Mars become retrograde as they approach and pass by Earth, leading ancient astronomers to think the planets were moving backward until Nicolaus Copernicus introduced his heliocentric model and we realized they actually orbit around it circularly instead.
How does it affect me?
Mercury retrograde brings with it all sorts of strange behavior, from unexpected urges to reconnect with an ex to technical glitches and confusion over making plans or decisions. You might feel off-balance and that something doesn’t feel quite right – this may be your body telling you something is off. Now is an opportune time to reassess priorities and make changes for a healthier and happier lifestyle!
If you work in the tech field, it is wise to avoid starting any major projects during Mercury retrograde periods. Computers, high-tech items and even automobiles are especially vulnerable since Mercury rules their moving parts. Mercury retrograde periods may cause delays and frustrations that cause job seekers to reconsider their options altogether; but with patience it’s possible that once Mercury stations direct again, things will move more efficiently and your efforts more successful.
Mercury retrograde affects more than just technology; relationships also tend to suffer during this period, particularly as we bring up past disagreements or arguments that we had. Now is an excellent opportunity to practice forgiveness and let go of negative aspects in your relationships.
Professionally speaking, now is not the ideal time for business owners or managers to sign contracts or launch important marketing campaigns. Furthermore, travel for work should also be avoided due to potential communication delays and travel disruptions.
As Mercury retrograde approaches, the best way to navigate it successfully is to stay at home, avoid signing any major contracts and focus on tasks that don’t require too much brainpower. Also important: taking extra steps before sending anything out. On personal matters, now may be an ideal opportunity to reconnect with family members and improve home life; just make sure not to overdo it as Mercury retrograde may bring up old wounds that need healing.
What is the best way to deal with a retrograde?
Mercury Retrograde can be dangerous to new contracts and major life decisions; instead, double-check emails and travel reservations before setting out or booking that flight, and allow for delays or miscommunication in both business and personal relationships.
Mercury Retrograde can also provide an opportunity to take stock of what matters most in your life: be it family, faith or career – make sure each area receives enough consideration and time.
As the Queen of Order, you have an affinity for organized spaces. So when Mercury Retrograde hits this month in your sign, take this as an opportunity to indulge in some pampering wellness rituals such as crystal sound baths and turmeric oat milk lattes to help ease tensions and find relaxation.
Your emotional side makes you an excellent listener who is adept at reading the emotions of those around them, which can both be an asset and liability during Mercury Retrograde. Have compassion for yourself and those close to you during this period, limit exposure to those who drain energy or cause stress, and choose carefully who you spend time with.
Since outer planets orbit much longer than our own Earth, those nearest it often overlap as they make their journeys around the sun. When one passes another it appears as though it has moved backwards and enters its retrograde phase – thus coinciding with Earth moving toward it and away from other solar bodies.
Aquariuses can expect their annual Mercury Retrograde period from April 21 to May 14. Although it can be challenging, try not to expect too much out of yourself during this period and approach life with humor and playfulness. Take this chance to reconnect with creative energies and express yourself creatively!
What can I do to avoid a retrograde?
Those familiar with popular astrology know that Mercury retrograde can bring miscommunications and explosive drama, as it seems everything goes haywire. Yet despite warnings and forecasts about how bad Mercury retrograde can be, it actually doesn’t have to be.
Make the most of this downtime by taking some time for self-reflection and reviewing your situation. Now is an excellent chance to assess whether what you are doing will provide long-term benefit.
Prior to Mercury turning direct again, it is wise to wait before making any major decisions or undertaking major projects that could cause complications during retrograde periods such as signing contracts, getting haircuts or making formal declarations in relationships. You never know what kind of havoc can ensue when making such decisions during Mercury retrograde; therefore it is better to wait until this planet moves forward again before making such decisions.
Keep in mind that Mercury retrograde can trigger people to be more emotional. Be kind and patient with yourself and others during this period; don’t judge yourself for feeling what you do. Use this opportunity to practice mindfulness and focus on what truly matters in your life.
Expect delays, frustrations and technology mishaps during this time. But this should not be seen as an excuse to abandon your dreams or goals altogether – rather a time to consider what elements will bring happiness and which parts should go.
Mercury retrograde provides an opportunity to assess how your different areas of life, such as career and home life, are balanced. Are you devoting enough energy towards family and faith matters, for instance? Mercury retrograde provides the opportunity to reassess priorities so you can live an easier and more rewarding existence.
Mercury, known for his messenger role, governs communication, travel and technology. Astrologers speculate that Mercury goes retrograde several times every year, creating instability in daily life.
Mercury Retrograde can cause texts with typos, unanswered emails and missed phone calls to become unintelligible – but what exactly is Mercury Retrograde and when is its runover over?
1. The Moon is Direct
Mercury Retrograde may seem like an inconvenience, but it shouldn’t be seen as a time of doom and gloom. On the contrary, it provides an invaluable opportunity to take some time for reflection on areas in your life that need additional focus – and by accepting and learning from its lessons you could emerge even stronger and better prepared to face what lies ahead!
Mercury will enter its final leg of retrograde motion in Virgo this week, which should begin to clear away miscommunication and technology glitches that had caused delays, missed trains, car trouble and missed appointments – an ideal time for travel; just make sure all plans and arrangements are up to date to avoid surprises along the way!
Mercury, as the planet of communication and information, can become especially susceptible to misinterpretations when retrograde, leading to miscommunication as well as mental stagnation. But all is not lost: according to astronomer Carolyn Ernst, Mercury actually orbits faster than Earth so that any optical illusion that it appears moving backwards is actually an optical trick; “imagine being on an overcrowded freeway with slow lanes; you might perceive another car passing you suddenly appear to move in reverse!” Ernst points out.
Mercury, being closest to Earth and closest to our solar system, experiences this illusion more frequently than any of the outer planets. Due to their closeness to the Sun, their relative position from our line of sight changes frequently, giving an impression that they may be moving in different directions. As its orbit changes oftener than others in our solar system, Mercury suffers most from this deception.
Ancient astrologers believed that planets moved according to certain patterns, while modern astrology has its followers today. However, it’s important to keep in mind that planets do move in a uniform pattern around our Sun and they all orbit on an equal plane in an identical manner; astrology simply uses science as a way of translating this data and applying it in our lives.
2. The Sun is Direct
Mercury, the planet responsible for communication and information flows, throws its influence onto everything it touches during its three to four times per year retrograde cycle. Affectionately known as Roman messenger god Mercury, this swift planet oversees everything from emails and texts to contracts and travel arrangements – at any one time or all simultaneously! During a retrograde cycle miscommunication is more likely, ideas don’t flow as freely, people become forgetful or absent-minded and mistrust arises more quickly.
Mercury appears to move in reverse due to Earth’s different orbital speed than any other planet; hence it seems as if Mercury is constantly going backwards from our point of view.
As Mercury moves forward in Leo and out of its retrograde shadow period, it will retrace any steps it took in reverse during its retrograde shadow period. Therefore, it is advised to wait at least two days after Mercury directs before starting any major projects or making major purchases.
Now is an ideal time to get back into action and complete projects, just be sure to leave yourself some leeway before Mercury enters another retrograde cycle. Before sending proposals or creative efforts for approval, double-check them carefully since errors could linger unnoticed during this chaotic phase.
Once Mercury changes direction again, it will enter Virgo – an intensely analytical sign known for providing introspection into relationships and communications. With Mercury back in this intimate sector of your chart, making meaningful relationships is much simpler; now that lessons learned during Mercury retrograde have come full circle you could even work towards solidifying new partnerships or refreshing stale ones! Whatever happens from here forward you will emerge stronger and wiser – with an appreciation for what makes for healthy, happy connections!
3. The Sun is Direct
Mercury, as the planet that rules communication and its associated activities such as emailing, contracts, travel plans, shipping and even emails, controls communication activities from emails to contracts to shipping arrangements and even shipping. Astrologers claim it plays an integral role in technology as well as our daily lives – and its retrograde motion often throws us off when going backwards causing things like lost mail and luggage as well as technological mishaps, misunderstandings or issues with communications, news or travel plans.
Mercury orbits Earth at an extremely short distance, meaning it encounters it several times annually and appears to move backwards as it laps around it several times annually. It’s like passing by a car traveling in your direction that suddenly slows down before passing you again — they appear to be going in reverse when in fact their speed has actually been increasing all along!
Mercury’s return brings renewed energy into our lives, often prompting a reflection and examination of relationships, to identify what we value most while considering any necessary adjustments or discards that need to be made in order for us to move forward. It can also serve as an opportunity for resolution as any issues raised during Mercury Retrograde are tackled head on.
Allow at least two days after Mercury shifts back into direct mode before starting any major projects or making major purchases, this way giving yourself enough time to detect any possible glitches that might arise – as first week Mercury direct can still be somewhat unpredictable!
After a three-week hiatus, Mercury is back at work. Over the next several weeks, as Leo gives way to Virgo on September 9 – it should bring with it more clarity than chaos! This Mercury Retrograde marks its second appearance of 2019.
4. The Moon is Direct
As Mercury returns to direct motion, much of the miscommunication that plagued this period begins to subside. Mercury governs all forms of communication: written, spoken and transmitted over devices and the internet. With Mercury back on course again, now would be an opportune time to increase your attention on correspondence – check it thoroughly for any possible misunderstandings, and take extra time reviewing any documents or contracts that need signing before signing them off.
Mercury retrograde provides an opportunity to evaluate your priorities and reconsider what works and doesn’t work in life, such as devoting too much energy to work while neglecting important parts of life like family and spirituality. Mercury retrograde can also provide a good time for taking stock of how balanced your life really is.
One important thing to keep in mind when Mercury goes direct is that he’s back in its element – air. This offers the perfect opportunity to discuss any concerns that have come up over this time with others and gather possible solutions from them. Air signs tend to be highly communicative, which often leads them to come up with innovative and creative ideas when Mercury directs.
As an interesting sidebar, Mercury usually becomes a trending topic online every three or four months for no scientific discovery or space mission; but due to the innermost planet’s apparent backward movement in its orbit for some weeks every four months.
Lisa Caves of Astrological Perspectives notes that Mercury’s apparent retrograde movement is only an optical illusion due to speed differences. When Mercury moves more quickly than Earth, its orbit can sometimes slip past our perspective making the planet appear to move backward. Ancient astronomers were well aware of this phenomena which helped advance heliocentric beliefs which eventually overtook earth-centric beliefs of their day.