What occurs and how does Mercury’s retrograde phase impact us? Many proponents of astrology think that the retrograde motion starts a cycle of bad luck, but what does it actually mean?
Mercury retrograde is an optical illusion, which implies that from our vantage point on earth, it appears as though the planet is travelling backward. Astrologers think that disruptions in electronics and communication during this alleged backward motion could dampen everyone’s summer attitude.
Find out what Mercury’s retrograde means for you, how to use its power, and anything else you need to know about it here.
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What does Mercury being in retrograde mean for me?
Mercury must be in retrograde has evolved into a sort of catch-all explanation for why everything in our life have gone awry. The Murphy’s Law of astrology basically applies here: During this planetary phase, anything that may go wrong will. At least, that’s how we talk about it frequently. But what does Mercury going backwards actually entail from an astrological perspective?
When Mercury appears to move backward in its orbit, it is in retrograde. The fact that Mercury orbits the sun in 88 days as opposed to Earth’s 365 days causes this optical illusion to happen more than once a year. Astrologers believe that this planet’s spheres of influence can move in the wrong direction as a result. Emily Ridout, an astrologer, interprets that indicates difficulties with communication and travel.
She says, “In mythology, Mercury is the winged messenger of the gods.
Because we use our intelligence to communicate via writing, spoken word, email, contracts, agreements, etc., this imagery alludes to our intellect. The planet closest to the sun is linked to sending messages and using transportation (i.e., transportation). Therefore, a Mercury retrograde is not the cause of your toaster breaking this morning, even though it might cause you to argue with your significant other or delay your train.
What zodiac signs are impacted by Mercury’s retrograde motion?
Nothing in astrology is more notorious than the dreadful Mercury retrograde. Because it rules both cognitive and communication processes, Mercury has a significant impact on how you live your daily life. This quick-moving, very intelligent inner planet tends to confuse people and lead to errors in judgment when it goes retrograde, which can derail all of your goals. Fortunately, you don’t have to prepare for total disaster if you belong to one of the zodiac signs that will be least affected by Mercury retrograde in spring 2022: Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn.
On May 10, as Mercury is transiting through Gemini at a 4 degree angle, the next Mercury retrograde will start. As a result of this mutable air sign’s propensity to think more quickly than it speaks, miscommunication is a major theme of this erratic and capricious retrograde. Mercury won’t stay in Gemini for very long, though, as on May 22 it will turn back into Taurus and travel through that sign’s obstinate and slow-moving zone once more. Mercury is returning to this fixed earth sign, so you may find yourself second-guessing every choice and finding it difficult to look past your attachments to particular beliefs and viewpoints. Be careful you know what you’re talking about and try to have an open mind.
Despite the fact that Mercury retrograde can throw your life for a loop, you must keep in mind that it only lasts for around three weeks. This retrograde, which will terminate on June 3 at 26 degrees Taurus, could transport you back in time and bring up unfinished business that has to be attended to. Let this retrograde give you another chance to attempt because there might still be things you need to say or decisions you need to make.
In either case, cardinal signs might not experience the full effects of this retrograde. This is why:
What actions should be avoided when Mercury is retrograde?
Ellen Bowles, an astrologer and co-author of Astrology SOS, claims that “we can have technical or mechanical troubles, and our wires can seem crossed in all our channels of communication.” “Planetary retrogrades are occasions for everyone to stop and think. We are being advised to slow down and double-check the details when Mercury is retrograde.” The urge to meticulously examine every last aspect extends beyond the three to four weeks of the retrograde period itself. The same guidelines for what not to do during Mercury retrograde also apply during this time, which lasts for a week or two before and after the actual retrograde. This period is known as Mercury’s shadow phase or “retroshade.”
Can the Mercury retrograde period be beneficial?
However, according to astrologers, intentionally embracing this period may be advantageous since it presents a chance to pull back from immediate decision-making and make place for something completely different.
Also, we are aware that chaos can strike at any time, not just while Mercury is in retrograde. Therefore, it could be a good idea to start putting in place the safety nets that will catch you if you fall, whether that means backing up your computer or phone or fixing broken things.
On Instagram, astrology influencer Stacy Quast addressed the issue and offered some advice for surviving the Mercury retrograde phase.
In a recent article, she advised followers to “allow themselves extra time, go with the flow, and follow intuitive indications.”
How does Mercury going backwards impact us?
According to Daisy, Mercury’s retrograde phase could lead to serious marital problems like infidelity, betrayal, or loss of closeness. It may seem like everything is going wrong in your love life when you bring up old concerns and disagreements, the astrologer warns, as this planet looks to be moving inside.
Communication is essential, but it’s especially important right now because Mercury, the planet of communication, seems to be going backwards. By communicating and being open-hearted and honest, put your attention on strengthening your relationship.
Who is impacted by Mercury’s retrograde motion?
One of the most well-known astrologers in the world is Susan Miller; whose website Astrology Zone receives 309 million page views annually, has 11 million unique users, and that doesn’t even count her wildly popular app of the same name. “According to Miller, the only occurrence that has an impact on everyone equally is the retrograde of Mercury. “However, because they are under the planet’s dominion, Virgo and Gemini are more impacted. When Mercury retrogrades, the conditions are shifting, but we can’t yet perceive the direction things are headed in. This is a time of change in the world. Hence the confusion.
How does sleeping when Mercury is retrograde?
There is no proof, according to science, that mercury retrograde can interfere with your sleep. However, the assumption that Mercury retrograde can affect your daily life may result in a nocebo effect, which is more accurately described as a placebo effect.
A nocebo makes you feel as though you are experiencing unpleasant consequences, whereas a placebo causes you to believe that you are experiencing beneficial results.
It’s possible that your uncertainty over Mercury retrograde’s propensity for negativity will keep you up at night. This is because instead of dealing with whatever problems that Mercury retrograde’s antics may have caused, you’re internalizing them.
This might seem incredibly familiar to people who routinely experience nighttime worry. It can be difficult to get a restful night’s sleep when your mind is racing or distracted with tension. But it’s not necessary to be.
What zodiac signs will be impacted by the 2021 Mercury retrograde?
The other cardinal signs in the other elements will feel this particular backward turn the most because it is occurring in cardinal Libra. Aries (cardinal fire), Cancer (cardinal water), and Capricorn are included in this (cardinal earth). Aries, it will manifest in your fourth house of domestic life, Cancer, your seventh house of partnerships, and Cap, your tenth house of careers.
Don’t get a new haircut.
Not exactly the finest time to begin something new is while Mercury is retrograde. Instead, the emphasis throughout this time is on redoing, reevaluating, readjusting, etc. Avoid getting a radical haircut for your hair at this time. You should avoid committing to a new look during the transit, but you can conduct your study for when the retrograde is finished. Speaking from personal experience, we have never enjoyed a haircut during a Mercury retrograde.
Don’t dye your hair a different color.
In keeping with the aforementioned concept, you should refrain from making any drastic hairstyle modifications. Keep your existing shade or at least tint your hair a similar shade. Platinum instead of jet black might not be the best choice. Save those hairstyle modifications for after the retrograde, if possible.
Don’t switch up your haircare routine.
Use the stuff you already have instead of throwing away all your go-to items and buying new ones. You can certainly reevaluate which elements of your routine are and are not effective, but hold off on making any significant choices just yet. Wait until Mercury retrograde is over before making any necessary changes to your haircare routine. As Lina points out, “I would go for it as long as it’s not anything permanent.
Don’t rush into anything.
Mercury going backwards can make us feel powerless and uncontrollable. When that occurs, we tend to act hastily in order to feel in control. Lauren emphasizes not to “rush into things” because this is particularly true when it comes to our strands. She advises waiting or “investing the time and money it takes to getdone right” as an alternative.
This argument also refers to significant haircare purchases. Lina recommends you hold off on buying anything pricey during this time. Wait until early February when Venus and Mercury are both still straight if you’re considering buying a Dyson Airwrap because, as they point out, devices bought when Mercury is in retrograde might be glitchy.

