Mercury Is In Retrograde, But What Does That Mean Exactly?

Whenever things don’t seem to go right or when there is a general uneasiness in the air, you have definitely heard people blame it on Mercury being in retrograde. Well, buckle up because Mercury is officially in retrograde until March 28th!

While the term “retrograde” is defined as directed or moving backwards, planets in retrograde are not actually traveling backwards, but only seem to be because planets traveling at different speeds creates an optical illusion in our point of view on Earth. In astrology, each planet rules over different aspects of life, and when a planet retrogrades, those areas in your life seem to be off-balance. In this case, Mercury is the ruler of communication, travel, and technology, so expect trouble in those departments during this time.

Since Mercury orbits the sun at a faster rate, it retrogrades two to four times a year, and is scheduled to occur again in July and October of 2019. Currently, Mercury retrogrades during Pisces season, and the traits of the zodiac sign will have an effect on this period of transit. Last on the wheel of the zodiac, and ruled by Neptune, Pisces is known to be one of the more sensitive, compassionate, and emotional signs which counters Mercury’s practical and intellectual nature. Since Pisces is a water sign, the water signs, which also include Scorpio and Cancer, as well as the signs ruled by Mercury, Virgo and Gemini, will unfortunately feel the effects of the retrograde the most.

Photo by Jim Strasma on Unsplash

So, how to survive Mercury in retrograde?

The best thing for you to do is to take it easy—catch up on rest, take a break, and since Mercury is the planet of the mind, try to ease your mind as well. During this time, it is key to think carefully before taking any actions. When Mercury retrogrades in a water sign, as it is in this case, it is best for you to follow your intuition. This is also a great time to reflect and perhaps reconnect with people from your past.

Although the stars may be partly responsible for the miscommunication, delayed flights, or technology glitches, there are steps you can take to avoid the bad luck. People say not to travel or sign contracts while Mercury is in retrograde, but sometimes that is unavoidable, so just be sure to plan properly and read the fine print. In any case, stay vigilant and avoid making any big decisions until the end of the month.

If you are ever wondering if Mercury is in retrograde today, you can always check here.