Mercury Retrograde Guide: What It Means & How To Deal With It

Mercury Retrograde has become increasingly popular to talk about over the last few years. Finally, something we can really blame for all of our problems! Mercury Retrograde certainly knows how to cause havoc in our lives. 

It can cause all kinds of disruptions to our daily lives, but you’ll have to keep on reading if you’d like to find out more about that. It is good to know what to expect and how to prepare yourself for this disruptive time. The more you know, the better equipped you are!

Nowadays it is quite popular to blame any kind of mishap on the dreaded time that comes around about three times a year called Mercury Retrograde. It is a short period of time when everything feels a little crazy and out of control.

But what exactly is this planetary phenomenon, and what can we learn from it? Continue reading to find out more, and how to survive it.

Mercury Retrogrades in 2022 – Save The Dates

2022 is going to feel like quite the rollercoaster because we have four Mercury Retrogrades waiting for us! Every three months it is time for Mercury to add a bit more spice to our lives. Here are the dates to remember:

• January 14 to February 3, 2022: The pre-retrograde shadow beings December 29, 2021, and the post-retrograde shadow ends on February 23, 2022. It is occurring in the signs of Aquarius and then Capricorn.
• May 10 to June 3, 2022: The pre-retrograde shadow beings April 25 and the post-retrograde shadow ends on June 18. It is occurring in the signs of Gemini and then Taurus.
• September 9 to October 2, 2022: The pre-retrograde shadow beings August 22, and the post-retrograde shadow ends on October 16. It is occurring in the signs of Libra and then Virgo.
• December 29 to January 18, 2023: The pre-retrograde shadow beings December 12, and the post-retrograde shadow ends on February 23, 2023. It is occurring in the sign of Capricorn.

What Is Mercury Retrograde Exactly?

When a planet is in retrograde, it appears to be moving backwards in its orbit. Mercury is the fastest planet in the solar system, which means that it appears to move backwards more often than any other planet – at least three to four times a year.

If you didn’t know, Mercury is the planet of communication, travel, self-expression, and technology. It governs all our day-to-day tasks like planning, sending emails, getting to work on time, or simply having a conversation.

During Mercury Retrograde, you will find that these parts of your life suddenly start slowing down, but because we depend so heavily on Mercury to help us get our daily tasks done, it can really cause havoc when things just aren’t working the way it is supposed to. 

You can expect flights to be delayed, emails getting stuck in your outbox, misunderstandings between friends, and what Mercury has become known as; the time when your exes come out of the woodwork. Don’t be too surprised when you receive a text from an ex after midnight during this period.

How Will Mercury Retrograde Affect Me?

Some people might look at Mercury Retrograde and feel their palms sweating. It can really be a stressful time if you let it consume you, but the way I see it, it is the perfect opportunity for us to deal with any unfinished business.

No two Mercury Retrogrades are alike, every retrograde happens in a different sign, which means the energy changes subtly depending on where it is, and depending on your chart you could have a totally different experience than someone else.

The signs that usually feel Mercury Retrograde the most are Gemini and Virgo, especially if one of these signs is on your Ascendant. This is because Mercury rules these two signs, and if the ruler of your chart is going haywire, it would make sense that your life goes a bit out of control every time Mercury Retrograde comes by.

But it really depends on which sign that particular Mercury Retrograde is in, and which houses in your chart Mercury is in during the retrograde. It is also safe to say it also depends on which element Mercury is in.

Example, if it is in a Fire sign, you can guarantee that Fire signs like Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius will be most affected. The same rule of thumb applies to Earth, Air, and Water signs as well. Therefore, some Mercury Retrogrades affect you, and why others don’t.  

How Does Mercury Retrograde Affect Relationships?

Because Mercury is the ruler of communication and how we relate to other people, you can only imagine the amount of drama that can come from not being able to communicate clearly. Misunderstandings and miscommunications are everywhere!

There is a tendency to become a little lazy with communication during Mercury Retrograde. You might be less careful of the things you say, and not consider what consequences your words have. It is easy to put your foot in your mouth during this time.

This makes it really easy to unintentionally hurt someone else’s feelings, which is never a good thing when it comes to romance. 

It is also incredibly common to contact an ex during this time, but don’t get your hopes up. The rekindling rarely lasts that long, so take the opportunity to say what you need to say, and make peace that the relationship is over. 

But if you’re really keen to get back with your ex, give it time, and wait until the retrograde is over. You might be thinking differently in a few weeks.

Mercury Retrograde is also a fantastic time for you to sort out any annoyances in your current relationship. It can be seen as a relationship review period, you can figure out what is working for you, as well as what isn’t.

Try your best to not act too impulsively, think carefully before making any drastic decisions. You really don’t want to regret the choices you made and how they affected your relationship over this period. The best course of action is to take things slow.

Is Mercury Retrograde A Good Time To Start A Relationship?

I would say it is best to avoid starting a new relationship during a Mercury Retrograde. Remember, starting a new relationship would be considered a rather big decision, and big decisions are better to be made once the retrograde is over.

I would suggest you take your time and get to know the person you are dating. Things may not be as they appear to be during a Mercury Retrograde, and you might get a rude awakening once this period is over.

It is fine to continue dating, and to have fun, you don’t want Astrology to govern your life. But just be mindful and keep your wits about you!

How To Get The Most Out Of Mercury Retrograde?

This really isn’t a time to panic. There is a lot you can learn from stepping back and slowing down your life. Sometimes we take for granted everything that is so easily accessible to us, like texting or sending an urgent email. 

When these things are no longer working as well as it should, it can really frustrate even the most patient person out there. But this is a fantastic opportunity to be grateful for what you have, but also to remember to slow down and kind of surrender to what is happening to you. 

Everything serves a purpose, and everything is a learning opportunity, and that is exactly how you should approach Mercury Retrograde. Take it as a growing experience, and see how strong you are, even in the most trying situations.

5 Self-Care Tips To Remember During The Mercury Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde can be quite a stressful time… Your head is running around, feeling confused and out of sync with the world. There is nothing more annoying than being misunderstood and this can lead to all kinds of negative feelings.

This is why it is so important that your self-care rituals are on point and that you take special care of yourself during this time. Basically, you want to mitigate any of the negative effects and flow through this time with grace and ease.

1. Be Okay With Slowing Down

If there is one lesson you need to learn through Mercury Retrograde then it is being okay with going at a slower pace. Remember that one of the best lessons you can learn in this time is how to reconnect with yourself when your external world seems a little crazy.

When there is chaos around you, then it is best that you step away from all of that up and down energy and just find a pace that is more suitable to what your mind, body, and soul currently need.

You don’t have to do anything or force anything, all you really need is to be in flow and let your inner guidance be the light you follow.

2. Don’t Sign Any Contracts Or Commit To Anything

When Mercury Retrograde is around then it isn’t advisable for you to sign any contracts or make decisions that can really impact your life. There is the possibility that something could go wrong, or that you regret this decision when the Retrograde is over.

Events that occur over a Mercury Retrograde have a way of not working out. So, this is a wonderful test of your patience and your capacity for delayed gratification. Things will work out a lot smoother if you just give it a little time and gain more clarity.

3. Face Your Shadow

It is quite possible for your demons to really show up during Mercury Retrograde. All those yucky parts of yourself that you have been avoiding may rear their ugly head. However, this isn’t something to fear, because it can be a beautiful opportunity for growth and expansion.

Each and every one of us has a light side and a dark side within us. It is just about making peace with both and finding the balance between the two. When Mercury Retrograde comes along, you are more likely to be aware of your shadow side.

Don’t avoid diving deep, do it, surrender to this, and allow yourself to feel what it is you need to feel. This should give you a beautiful release and help you to give yourself the permission to let go and accept every part of yourself.

Mercury Retrograde can provide you with the opportunity to experience greater self-acceptance, but you are going to have to be willing to do the work by surrendering to the process.

4. Re-connect With People From Your Past

Mercury Retrograde is synonymous with having people from your past come back to “haunt” you. Some Astrologers may recommend not to allow this to happen, but I disagree. If someone makes their way back to you, then obviously there is some unfinished business you need to resolve.

Reconnect with these people, and see what lessons you can learn from this experience. It may be as simple as, “I am really over this person.” Sometimes you just need a little reminder of the person you once were, and who you have become.

And there is no better mirror to show you this than a person from your past! See what the person has to offer you, but be really realistic with your expectations. Remember that anything that starts with a Mercury Retrograde is unlikely to have any longevity attached to it.

Recognize that this is probably going to be a temporary thing, so don’t get your hopes up too high!

5. Nourish Your Body

As you may have guessed, Mercury Retrograde can be quite a cerebral time with a lot of thinking and a hell of a lot of overanalyzing. This is why it is so important for you to drop into your body to help you get out of your mind.

Do activities that support this, like prioritizing your meditation or committing to your yoga practice over these three weeks. Move your body, remember that movement is medicine and your body is a wonderful inner healer and guide.

Eat super nourishing foods, purge yourself from any processed foods and try to eat as clean and pure as possible. This is guaranteed to help mitigate any anxiety or stress that may come up in your mind. The stronger you feel within yourself, the easier the process should be.

What Are The Retrograde Shadow Periods?

A retrograde shadow period is a short amount of time before and after the actual retrograde. This is when the planet slowly slows down before the retrograde and when it slowly starts speeding up after the retrograde.

This usually happens about two weeks before, and two weeks after the actual retrograde. 

Many Astrologers, including myself, think that the pre-shadow retrograde can sometimes feel like the worst part of the retrograde. It is as if this time sets the stage, and during the actual retrograde we are given the opportunity to work through the kinks.

I always try to determine what the theme of a particular retrograde is going to be like for me during the pre-shadow phase. Perhaps it has to do with family, work, or my personal relationships. This just makes it easier for me to figure out what to focus on during the actual retrograde. 

The post shadow is fantastic at tying up any loose ends and to take stock of what the Mercury Retrograde could teach you over the period.

Read next: Venus In Astrology: What Does Your Venus Sign Mean?

Do You Need Help Finding Out Your Mercury Sign?

I hope this article was somehow meaningful to you, and that you understand more about yourself during the Retrograde cycles.

You are now better equipped to approach this time with as much patience and understanding, and you may come to realize that it is truly an invaluable experience that can actually make you much closer to your existing relationships.

Remember to embrace your strengths and work on your weaknesses, and always be open to growth and expansion.

But if you still don’t know your Mercury sign, I would never leave you hanging without giving you a helping hand in this process. I realize that not everyone knows Astrology.

You may not even what you’re seeing when you look at your birth chart!

Lucky for you, you have me…

Let me help you with clarification about why things are happening this way now or what the future holds regarding the most important issues you are facing.

In fact, if you click here now, you’ll see what I mean <<

Only you can do this but you’ve got to be fully informed. You have to take control and action.

Don’t walk in the darkness anymore. Come into the light with me! I can help you and want to help you!

>> Click now to see how much I can do for you.

I promise you’ll get more insight than you ever could have dreamed.

Do what is right for your heart and soul!

Wishing you so much love on your journey.

Your friend and Relationship Astrologer,

Anna Kovach

xoxo