Mercury Retrograde: Myth or Fact?

Does Mercury Retrograde really have an effect on our life? For years I had no idea it even existed. Sure, there were periods of time when things didn’t go my way, but I always dismissed them as “bad days” or “difficult weeks.” Yet, once I learned about this phenomenon… I began to take notice of certain patterns that repeated themselves three times a year. In Retrograde,…. communication, technology and transportation all seemed to go haywire. Interestingly enough, I was not the only one experiencing this….so was everyone else!

During Retrograde, my computer would often act up or simply freeze. There were frequent misunderstanding where people assumed things I never said. Not to mention mistakes at the bank and online where my information got mixed up. It appeared that when Mercury was around… life did not run smoothly. Once I began to observe this, I realized that there might be some truth to this marvel!

Mercury Retrograde Dates 2024

From April 1st to April 24th

August 4th- August 27th

From November 25th- December 15th

Typical Mercury Retrograde Day

On Monday morning, my friend woke up to find her young son complaining of an ear infection. She immediately called the Doctor to make him an appointment. What should have been a quick 15 minute drive to the Hospital turned out to be much more! The nearby parking structure was undergoing construction which led her to drive around for 20 minutes without luck (transportation). Reluctantly, she decided to pull up to the valet only to find out the car in front of her took the last space. Thirty minutes later she finally secured a spot and ran to the appointment.

The Doctor prescribed her son the medication and she proceeded to the pharmacy. When she tried to fill it, the Pharmacist was unable to read the Doctor’s handwriting (communication) and asked her to wait while they called. An hour later they finally got a response, but apologized that they didn’t have it in stock. She was informed that the prescription was sent to another Pharmacy to be fulfilled. By 6pm she realized that no one had contacted her to pick up the medication. She was shocked to find out the second pharmacy never received the email (technology). After a few frustrating calls, she was finally able to get her son the medication.

What is Mercury in Retrograde?

To understand why Mercury seems to influence our lives so much, we should look at its meaning and the planet’s position in the Solar System. The name Mercury originated from the Latin word “Mercurius,” who was the God of Merchants, Travelers and Transportation of goods. He was often associated with the Greek God Hermes who was known for his speed in delivering messages. The word retrograde literally means “moving backwards.” When you combine the two together you end up with “transportation & communication moving backward.” This is a pretty much what we experience during this time.

Since Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system and is positioned closest to the Sun, its orbit is much shorter than Earth’s. Put into perspective, a year in Mercury is 88 days compared to our 365. About three times a year, Mercury passes Earth causing the illusion that it is orbiting in the opposite direction across the sky. This is similar to when we drive on the freeway and pass a slower car, which to us appears to be moving backwards. Yet, when this occurs in our Solar System….the effects we feel are difficult to deny!

This period usually disrupts our life partly because of our fast paced lifestyle but mainly due to our dependence on technology. In the Mid-18^th Century, when Mercury’s first effects were noticed, farmers used this time to help guide their planting schedule. Fast forward to today, when most of us are using our phone to call, text, or search online, issues with technology become a real problem. Throw in miscommunication and slower transportation and you have a perfect mixture of frustration and anger!

What to Expect

Mercury rules everything that relates to Communication, Technology and Transportation. So what can we expect to see when it appears in Retrograde? Basically….a slowdown in all these areas! We see increased arguments and fighting among those closest to us, leading to more breakups. Words seem to be completely misinterpreted when Mercury is present. Thus, trying to negotiate during this time can lead to disagreements and frustrations. In addition, learning may be more difficult, as we may interpret things differently than they actually are.

When it comes to technology, computers seem to operate much slower, glitch or completely crash. Even while writing this blog, I saved my draft often, but somehow it disappeared! I have experienced emails, texts and faxes not being received, despite seeing a confirmation. Projects with deadlines can also appear to stall with schedules thrown off. Many household appliances, electronic devices and machines might suddenly stop working, requiring repair. I seem to misplace things more than usual around this time. Astrologists claim that finding solutions depends on what element (earth, fire, air or water) Mercury favors that year. In addition, some argue that Mercury’s effects are more predominant at the beginning and end dates of the period.

During Mercury, we also experiences longer than normal delays when commuting, causing increased frustrations. I have seen GPS Systems get scrambled and directions sent incorrectly during these periods. Thus, I try to be patient and allow extra travel time when Mercury is around. In addition, this period is notorious for messing up flights and travel, causing delays and lost baggage. Similarly, letters and packages appear lost in transit to their destination. This was exactly what happened when I sent a certified letter which seemed to be lost, but was really misplaced by the recipient.

Things to Avoid

Given the profound effects of Mercury Retrograde, it is advised not to start any new projects or make major career moves during this phase. With that in mind, I usually plan ahead and wait until Mercury is over. Since communication is affected, entering into contracts or agreements- whether written, verbal or by hand shake- is not recommended. When possible, avoid buying/selling a house or securing a new lease during these three weeks. If you plan on having an elective procedure, try to schedule it after these dates. With technology also affected, I personally avoid making any electronic purchase during this time. New phones, computers or TVs often appear to be defective or malfunction.

Of course…. life continues despite these times. Yet the general rule of thumb is, unless there is a sense of urgency, it is better to wait! In the event that you find yourself needing to take action, make sure to check all the details carefully and thoroughly.

A few years ago my daughter decided to have an elective surgery. Yet, the only day the Doctor had available happened to fall during Mercury Retrograde. With that in mind, we tried our best to reschedule to a later date, but were unsuccessful. Knowing Mercury’s effects, we made sure to go over all the paperwork slowly and diligently and understand the process clearly. In addition, we gave our selves extra travel time on the day of the surgery to avoid delays. I am happy to say that despite my hesitation, everything turned out well!

Things to Avoid

Perfect Time

With all the negative connotations surrounding Mercury Retrograde, you might ask yourself….Is this a cursed period? The answer is No! This is a great time to revisit the past, reflect, and address unfinished business. Since Mercury forces us to “slow down,” it gives us the opportunity to pause our busy life and rethink. Many times I find myself reconnecting with people from my past or resolving a previous feud. Just this week, my friend spontaneously decided to reach out to her sister that she hadn’t spoken to in years. This is a wonderful period of time for us to seek closure with family or friends.

Mercury Retrograde is also great time to reorganize any space or area in our life. I recently decided to clean out my closet and donate clothes and shoes that I don’t wear. Likewise, you might find yourself rearranging your home or office and getting rid of old stuff. I usually get creative around this time and find myself wanting to break out of the day to day routine and do something spontaneous!

Taking a road trip or planning a daily escape are other beneficial activities we can do during Mercury Retrograde. With work delayed, tapping out of the daily grind is sometimes just what we need in order to recharge. It’s no surprise that I recently decided to spend an entire day carelessly with a good friend, despite having a ton of office work.

Perfect Time

Mercury Retrograde is also a great time to reorganize any space or area in our life. I recently decided to clean out my closet and donate clothes and shoes that I don’t wear. Likewise, you might find yourself rearranging your home or office and getting rid of old stuff. I usually get creative around this time and find myself wanting to break out of the day to day routine and do something spontaneous!

In Closing

I have always felt that knowledge is power. With that in mind, understanding the “effects” of Mercury Retrograde has given me the tools to cope during this time. If there is an important decision I need to make, I wait until the phase is over. Knowing that there is a breakdown in communication, I don’t take things to heart. I back up and save important data more often to avoid technical problems. And, if I need to drive somewhere, I give myself extra time and double check new directions. Lastly, I remind myself not to take things personal during this period. I might see them with a fresh outlook in a few weeks.

Hope You Enjoyed this Post!