It’s that time again, the infamous Mercury Retrograde! So, I know in Astrology Mercury Retrograde can get a bit of a bad rap. I’m writing the post to break it all down and reveal why it’s actually a blessing in disguise.
What you’ll learn in this Mercury Retrograde guide
What is Mercury in Astrology?
When we think about Mercury in Astrology, we need to keep in mind that the cosmos is a reflection of life here on Earth. It corresponds to one of the cosmological laws, as above so below. Each planet, therefore, has dominion over certain areas of life.
So, What is Mercury in Astrology?
Well, Mercury governs our brain's software if you will… Mercury rules over messages, communication, and how we process all information. This includes emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and so on.
Mercury in Astrology is the bridge between worlds. It’s how we process and express how we feel about all we experience in life. Mercury in Astrology works in unison with your Moon. It’s how we process information and stimulus, and how we puzzle things together and make decisions.
Think of Mercury as your personal assistant, running the headquarters of your human vehicle. Mercury is that little voice that lives in your head.
What is Mercury Retrograde?
Now you get an idea as to what Mercury in Astrology represents, let us talk about the “Mercury retrograde meaning”.
When any planet including Mercury goes retrograde, it appears to move backward through our point of vision. So, what does it mean? Well, it means that we experience a shift in perspective. Life on Earth is, after all, a mirror to that of the cosmos.
We live in a place that's very fabric is based on the fundamental law of duality. Night and day, good and bad, Masculine and feminine. In other words, you can have two sides of a coin but there is only one coin.
So, What is Mercury Retrograde?
Well, Mercury Retrograde acts as a lever to offer us a new perspective. We all do things in a certain way, right, it’s borderline automated. Thanks to Mercury when we form habits we don’t really think about them.
Some people are more left-brained (favoring logic), while others are more right-brained (favoring the creative side). When Mercury Retrogrades we essentially flip to our less dominant side of the brain for the cycle.
What this does, is it allows our brain to convert data. Much like your mobile phone, or electronic devices need to upgrade and update, so do we. Mercury Retrograde is a time when we are in a state of moving short-term memory and long-term. What do you need and not need?
Essentially you can think of Mercury Retrograde as a time when everything Mercury governs goes offline to consolidate information and upgrade our systems.
The Magician's Big Reveal: Mercury Retrograde Explained
Mercury has many traits, but the one I’d like to focus on here is the magician archetype. The reason is that Mercury in reality is not moving backward. It just appears to be from our limited perspective on Earth. What Mercury retrograde in astrology offers us is an opportunity to see something from a new lens.
It’s a trick. Yet its magic is felt throughout society when Mercury is retrograde. It slows things down, delays matters, and things are not working as they normally do… why? Well, it’s because we’re all not in our right minds so to speak.
If Mercury retrograde is the bridge between worlds, then it offers us an opportunity to uncover something about something/ourselves that we just couldn’t see before.
If Mercury is our habits, then this is the ideal time to manifest. Why? because to manifest means to change, and to change means doing new things. As such, breaking the cycle of pattern in Mercury’s domain.
The 6 Most Impactful Effects of Mercury Retrograde
What are the effects of Mercury Retrograde?
Let us discuss the 6 top things you’ll likely experience during a Mercury Retrograde transit.
Delays! Plan ahead folks
The number one thing that everyone experiences during a Mercury Retrograde is a massive delay in the plans they make. It could be as simple as delays getting from point A to point B. You might experience a delay with deliveries and communications.
Things will take time so, BREATH, and take your sweet time.
Losing Things/Finding lost things!
I cannot count the number of times people comment to me that they’ve lost something or found something once lost. It’s literally TOO MANY to count!
When Mercury retrograde comes to visit expect you might misplace things, forget things and maybe find something you thought was lost forever.
You can lose your items, keys, phone, car, money, jewelry, and yourself. It's a time when things seem to go missing, and you misplace things and lose time.
Misunderstandings
Unfortunately, misunderstandings are high up on the list of experiences you’re likely to have when Mercury is retrograde. So, it’s important you make a conscious effort to think before you speak so that you communicate effectively.
People (including you) hear what they want to hear, and not always what’s intended. So it can lead to arguments, hurt feelings, and crossed wires. It’s even worth mentioning that dates/times/places get muddled up, and messages can get sent to the wrong people. Therefore expect that people can overreact, even you.
Watch out for Reversals!
Anything new that’s initiated during this time takes to take ten steps back Mercury retrograde is over. So, It's best to focus on the past or the present during this time because anything new will get returned or taken back after it’s over.
It’s great for second chance matters, to retake a test, rekindle a flame or resubmit an application. I’d just watch for beginning brand new things because we tend to change our minds when Mercury Retrograde is over.
A note on rekindling old flames. The connection can be great for closure, for coming to a true understanding of what went wrong. The relationship will only make it past the cycle if both are committed to a better way.
Should I start a New Job during this time?
What I’ve noticed with this subject matter is that if you’ve been looking prior and it’s not a new thing then yes ‘’Green light’’. If it’s a reapplication for a position, again, ‘’Green light’’.
Let’s say you’re applying to all the branches of a company you’d like to work for. The first interview you didn't hear back from, and you get a 2nd interview in another branch - Greenlight.
The only “amber light” I’d give you is if it’s something you decide to do during the retrograde. You suddenly decide to make an immediate change but haven't thought it through. I’d wait before committing. Usually, it’s not what you thought it would be. And commonly, you’ll be looking for a new position when the retrograde is over.
However, if you’ve been really unhappy (prior) and then make the change to switch jobs then yes, that's also a green light to go ahead.
Spotty Wifi - Expect a lack of focus
When Mercury is in Retrograde our minds are not functioning at 100%. We’re all in new territory, and as such our mental processes are wonky, to say the least.
Accidents are more likely during this time, hence why there can be more traffic. One because people are always running late, and two because they are not paying attention with their minds elsewhere.
Mistakes often happen during Mercury retrograde so be such to triple check important things!
Broken Promises
It’s more of a heads-up, but don’t expect people to fulfill prior plans. When Mercury is Retrograde commitments, plans, or promises can get broken.
Try not to take it personally, we’re all working through stuff during this time. Remember Mercury is bringing forth past events to keep or let go of to make space for new things.
And then there’s the fact that people are more forgetful at this time.
The Easy to Remember Mercury Retrograde Meaning so you don’t lose your sh**
In case you didn’t read the entire post I wanted to give you a little something to bear in mind for when Mercury is retrograde.
Mercury in Astrology governs our brains, it's not the brain itself but manages it. Think of Mercury as the software to our human vehicle... and just as all technology and software need upgrades and updates for the system to function optimally, so does our human vehicle.
When Mercury is Retrograde we essentially flip to our less dominant side of the brain. In essence, we are not performing at our usual pace as we enter a time of upgrades, updates, and clearing of mental space.
It's as if we internalize the function of Mercury, and we relive old memories, thoughts, and things to do with the past. Thoughts and situations come back up for reflection and analysis.
In many ways, it acts like a software glitch, Control, Atl, and delete, or a bit like when you run out of space, and you have to go through files and data to see what you want to keep and let go of what you're ready to release.
Try not to take it personally, we’re all working through stuff during this time. It’s time to see what’s taking up space in your mind & clear what doesn’t serve you.
Remember Mercury retrograde meaning so you don’t lose your Sh** - Your welcome.
What not to do during Mercury Retrograde: The number 1 thing you shouldn’t do
I get asked a lot by new Astrology enthusiasts, what NOT to do during Mercury Retrograde, so let’s get into it.
Before we get to the Number 1 thing you shouldn’t do, let's cover some basic things that are NOT Greenlights for Mercury Retrograde.
Traveling
So, it’s not that you shouldn’t travel, but expect headaches. There are higher reports of people experiencing chaotic trips during this time.
Whether you lose your luggage or passport, miss your flight or flights are delayed… or you reach your destination to be heavily disappointed. Travel works best if you’re returning to a place you’ve already been.
The reason is that Mercury is still going to mess with the things that he rules and travel is one of them.
Trigger happy texting!
Then there’s sending a message to someone you shouldn’t have sent it to. Double-check who you’re messaging. It would also be wise to double-check your messages before pressing send.
I cannot count the number of times people have sent me messages that were intended for someone else over the years.
I do. I do. I. Do - don’t commit!
I do, I do, I - do! You shouldn’t commit to things under the influence of Mercury Retrograde because 9/10 times you regret it after the fact. So, wait it out before making anything official.
You want to safely weigh both sides of your mind to avoid love hazes or signing your life away. I’ve known people who’ve signed contracts not realize the clauses in the fine print.
So, practice caution. You don’t want to lock yourself into anything that you’ll later regret.
The #1 thing you shouldn’t do!
So, that leads us to the #1 thing you shouldn’t do during mercury retrograde.
Don’t make future plans.
Why?
Well, Mercury Retrograde is a processing time, it’s not intended to focus forward. Most people regret things they commit to about the future when Mercury Retrograde is over.
Use Mercury Retrograde to journey inward, to gain new awareness/perspective on what is, not on what will be. It’s great for breaking bad habits, anything that can support a future vision you’re building but not to focus on and make choices on the future itself.
The 6 Blessings of Mercury Retrograde
Now that you know what not to do during Mercury Retrograde, how about we look to the blessings?
When Mercury is retrograde, it's epic greenlight times for the following 6 things. Let's go!
Spring Clean!
There’s nothing more therapeutic for the mind than physically representing what’s occurring inside of us. It's a great time to clear things out.
Make time during the 3-weeks to have a spring clean. Try getting around to the things you have been putting off because you had no time to do them. Give your physical space a refresh and renewal - you’ll be so glad you did!
Make Improvements!
Another blessing of Mercury Retrograde is you can take something great and make it epic. You could turn an old idea into something magical.
When Mercury is Retrograde it becomes the perfect time to reorganize, rework and improve old projects that you have been working on. Let's say you're a blogger, it would be great to go back through old blog posts and improve them.
Essentially you can level up old bodies of work.
Bargain hunter!
One of the best blessings in my eyes is the shop-around blessing. When Mercury is retrograde you can find a steal for something you’ve had your eye on at a fraction of the price.
If you're in the market to purchase something, look around, and you might catch yourself a bargain. I must add that it's not the time for impulse purchases. That said, usually, things break during a retrograde, so we often need to make new purchases so be sure to shop around first.
Mend Fences
When Mercury is retrograde we gain perspective. As such, we gain perspective on past relationships and how they might have broken down. It’s not about making you feel crappy, it’s about improving the quality of your relationships.
So, speaking of breakages, this is the perfect time to mend fences and reconnect with people you haven't seen in a while. If something has been broken for a while, it's time to fix or make repairs.
Upgrade/Update
Mercury Retrograde is for improving the existing. As such, it’s the perfect time to refresh anything that’s outdated. It could be things like updating your social media profiles, sprucing up your dating profile, or developing your CV.
You can upgrade/update anything that’s Mercury ruled, like taking your car in for checks, or renegotiating terms of old contracts/subscriptions. It’s about getting around to the things you have not had the time for up until this point.
Reflection!
The MOST key thing for a Mercury Retrograde is to make a note of what resurfaces for you. Journal it, process it and look for ways to improve or release it.
What’s bubbling up to the surface is happening for you. So if you don’t like the old story, create a new one. Your past doesn’t need to be your future. So, when something happens, talk with yourself about it. Is it still relevant, do you need to hold on to it and is it serving you?
When I say “Serving you”, I mean, is it helping you get closer to what you ultimately want to manifest? Does it take you further away from your desires, creating distance?
It's time to double-check everything. Reassess the old and see if there are ways to improve those situations. Try to find gratitude, fall into nostalgia, and celebrate what’s working.
It can be easy to fall into the trap of obsessing about what’s not working in your life. Which only creates more of the thing you don’t want. Don’t focus on what YOU can’t control.
How to Manifest even during a Retrograde Season
I’m going to keep this really simple when it comes to manifesting anything, your inner work is MOST important. Your identity is what propels you to success or keeps you safe.
You cannot manifest anything without action, and you cannot achieve what you do not believe.
So, where does Mercury Retrograde come in?
Well, Mercury retrograde is the bridge between the inner world and how you navigate the outer world. So, if belief is a key to manifesting, then when Mercury is retrograde it’s prime time to rewire your subconscious.
You could begin a cycle of hypnosis, mirror work, and journaling to find the blocks to what you’re trying to call in.
When is Mercury Retrograde?
So when is Mercury Retrograde? Well, it retrogrades about 3 to 4 times a year moving through a single element and the corresponding 3 zodiac signs.
Every year and a half it makes a transition transit. Where it moves out of the element and sign into a new element and corresponding sign.
You can find a separate post, I’ll link it here, where I share with you when is Mercury Retrograde for this year. I also show you where this Retrograde is taking place for each sign.
So, if you do not know how each Mercury Retrograde will activate you, I highly recommend you check that post out as it’ll show you.
Mercury Retrograde dates 2024
When is Mercury Retrograde over?
A Mercury Retrograde cycle is weird, in that it’ll be retrograde for about 3-weeks, but in “shadow” 3 weeks before and after the retrograde itself. You can find the shadow dates over on the Mercury Retrograde 2024 Post.
What is Mercury Retrograde Shadow?
The Mercury Retrograde shadow is twofold. The Pre-Shadow and the After-Shadow. The Pre-shadow happens a few weeks before the retrograde will actually takes place. It sets the tone for things likely to re-emerge during the retrograde.
The Retrograde acts as the resurgence of situations that have popped up and not been dealt with in the shadow. Sometimes it even activates matters connected back to 7 years prior to when it last activated this space.
The After-Shadow is the coming to peace or correcting the situations of the retrograde that manifested.
So yes technically the retrograde ends on the dates above, but expect an after-shock situation, after the retrograde, and a few weeks prior to the subtle shifts in perspective before the retrograde.
Does Mercury Retrograde really affect us?
As an eclectic Witch, I believe in the cosmological signs that are presented to us. So, I see and experience the effects of Mercury Retrograde, but I am a Mercurial person.
So, yes If Mercury is an important planet in your life map, it will have a significant impact on you. The same could be said if you’re running your personal 5-year in numerology, or you’re in a profection year that is governed by Mercury.
That said, The heavenly energies are just one of the forces that determine the results of our lives. We have environmental factors as well as personal will. So, if the last two are solid and you’re in the energy of personal/profection 5, then you may not experience the effects of the retrograde.
Alas, I’m a believer in making your own conclusions. So, monitor the cycle, and see what comes up for you during each of the cycles. We each of us have our own patterns, it’s a wonderful practice to uncover your own.
How will Mercury Retrograde affect you?
If you’d like to take this post to the next level and use the Mercury Retrograde, I’ll link a post here, that will share where the Mercury Retrograde will activate for you.
Thanks so much for reading - K