Mercury Retrograde: What They’re Not Telling You
The pop astrologers of the internet have done a great job at branding Mercury Retrograde with a big “BEWARE” sign as if nothing could go right during this time of year.
While being aware of possible interruptions and delays is certainly useful, the fear-mongering around this transit has got to be stopped. It’s all too common to see trendy TikTokers misinforming their audiences for the sake of clicks and views.
What is Mercury Retrograde?
In Greek mythology, Mercury is Hermes. Hermes is the only God who can travel between both worlds, the mortal and divine, delivering messages to all. Therefore, this planet is associated with things like travel and communication (written, verbal, etc).
When Mercury is Retrograde, it appears to be moving backward in the sky. Therefore, all the things Mercury rules seem to move backward as well. This could mean travel plans get delayed, or your words don’t come out as you meant them.
If you want to understand the why behind Mercury Rx, I explain the astronomy in this article.
For context, Mercury Retrograde lasts 2 weeks and occurs 4 times a year. That means 8 weeks out of every year, Mercurial subjects get a bit wonky. …we adjust.
We survive.
Let’s Demystify
Mercury Rx does not mean:
Your ex is going to come back (or you’re meant to ‘finish business’ with them if they do)
Your travel plans are doomed
Your relationship is too
You can’t sign any contracts, or start anything new
Might there be unfinished business between you and your ex? Perhaps.
Will your flight get delayed? It’s possible.
Mercury’s Retrograde asks us to slow down and rethink what’s already been thought. Rather than fearing the what behind every Retrograde, start considering the why.
Why are my partner and I fighting right now? I wonder if there’s something from our past that I’m now getting the opportunity to make right.
This new project I’m starting… is it new? Or is it a product of an unfinished idea? Maybe it’s finally time for me to try it out.
Retrogrades are an opportunity to go back and mend the parts of our plans that need it. This is not a new concept; almost any motivational speaker will preach the importance of failure and setbacks.
“The path to success is not a straight line.”
Mercury Rx is not about shutting yourself inside and not coming out until it’s over. It’s about remaining flexible and being open to new approaches.
A Personal Example
My friend’s business is new and in the stage of expansion. (Yippee!) She’s hiring her first employee and signing a new client — both of which require contracts to be signed. Hello, Mercury.
The day these services were engaged was the day Mercury stationed Retrograde. There was no chance to begin before.
To me, this means one thing: these contracts are her Mercury Retrograde.
She’s not running for the hills just because this Retrograde is underway. She’s not meant to hold off on signing this client or hit pause on all her new employee’s tasks; for her business, this wouldn’t make sense.
(For others, it might! But she’s not rushing things. This is the necessary timing.)
My friend is approaching these new ventures as something that she will likely have to go back and revise. The contracts she’s issuing are being reviewed 10x over, and she’ll still probably have to go back and change some things.
What new business hires their first employee and gets everything right the first time? That just doesn’t happen!
If anything, this Mercury Rx is letting my friend know it’s okay that she’s doing due diligence and still missing some details.
She’s not fearful of this growth, but instead aware of the story as it unfolds.
The path to success is not a straight line; she is prepared to make mistakes and is eager to learn from them.
TL;DR
During Retrogrades, doing nothing means learning nothing.
Seek out the lessons each Retrograde comes to teach you and keep it pushing.
Schedule a Reading
If you like my perspective on astrology and would like to hear my take on your chart, you can schedule a reading here.
The people I meet through my readings always feel so aligned — so if you’re inclined to book, please do!
Can’t wait to chat with you. :)
