Mercury appears to move backward across the sky three times a year. These intervals are referred to as Mercury retrograde or simply Mercury retrograde periods. These times in particular were traditionally regarded by astrologers as being marked by uncertainty, lag, and frustration. Think of unfinished love letters, careless emails, and hurried travel arrangements! However, it is thought that intuition is strong at this time, making it a great time to think back on the past. Exceptional coincidences can occur.
In This Article...
What Is Retrograde Motion?
Comprehending that the planets in our solar system orbit the Sun at various distances and velocities is the first step in understanding the astronomical reason for retrograde motion. We can see the other planets traveling across our sky along their own courses while we ourselves round the Sun.
From our vantage point, a planet may occasionally seem to have abruptly reversed course and begun to move backward across the sky. The fact that Earth is positioned so close to the planet creates this illusion since a planet in orbit cannot suddenly change its course and always moves in the same direction. Because it merely appears that the planet is traveling backward (“retrograde motion”), this phenomenon is known as apparent retrograde motion.
When Is Mercury in Retrograde in 2022?
Mercury will appear to be moving backwards in 2022 between the dates listed below.
- 13 January to 3 February
- October 1 to September 9
- 28 December to 18 January (2023)
What You Should Do When Mercury is Retrograde
Mercury is the planet that governs all forms of communication, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening, as well as activities that are closely tied to communication, such as contracts and negotiations. It also governs transportation, motor vehicles, shipping, and mail.
As a result, when Mercury is in retrograde, strive to maintain your flexibility, patience, and understanding. Also, give yourself extra time to travel. Before you take that vacation, double verify your email responses and contact the bookings.
Review projects and plans during these times, but don’t make any decisions that are definitive until Mercury is direct once more. You can’t stop life, but you can prepare for it by planning ahead, having backup plans, and being understanding of other people’s shorter attention spans.
Take a Moment to Reflect
Some people attribute all the upheaval in their life to Mercury being in retrograde. But now is a good moment to take a step back and consider what you focused your efforts on.
If your faith and family are essential to you, for instance, are you investing enough time and effort in them, or have you become overcommitted to other activities like your job or a hobby? Being conscious of the links between different aspects of your lifeespecially during Mercury retrogrademay help you keep that equilibrium or at the very least, better understand how it functions. Losing that balance can have an adverse effect on all of them.
Think about that for a moment. When Mercury is in retrograde, it can be a great time to sit back and reevaluate who you are and what you are doing, but wait to make any significant changes until after the retrograde is over.
Mercury and the Zodiac
The zodiac sign Earth is in when Mercury turns retrograde affects the kind of effect you experience as well. There are 12 zodiac signs.
Check out our monthly horoscopes and learn more about the characteristics of the various zodiac signs. By consulting your zodiac profile for gardening, you can make sure that nothing goes wrong with your gardening during Mercury’s retrograde.
What happens when Mercury goes direct again?
In short, it’s our first pass at the situation, while the retrograde is the second time we deal with the same story. Mercury is aspecting the same degrees and signs now that it is retrograde as it did before the shadow zone. The post-retrograde begins immediately after the retrograde and lasts for two weeks after that. The same circumstances that occurred before the retrograde period must be handled and managed throughout that third pass.
Do relationships resume their regular patterns after Mercury goes direct?
Breaking up with someone is a significant transition, and it often takes a long time when Mercury is retrograde.
A couple may choose to end their relationship permanently or end it temporarily, depending on how strong their connection was before it broke down. Not just until the retrograde is overit can take years! Even worse, if retrograde has a stronger impact on their natal chart, they may believe that all is over.
When the retrograde is through, do things return to normal?
It slows down for two weeks before a Mercury retrograde officially starts, and it needs to speed back up for two weeks after a Mercury direct. Retroshade, also known as the pre- and post-shadow periods, is the term used to describe these times. Mercury will pass directly through a specific area of the sky known as degrees during the pre-shadow (e.g. it could be something like 2o Scorpio). As the retrograde progresses, it will go back through those angles and, you guessed it, through that location once it is on the way to full speed recovery.
How long do the effects of Mercury’s retrograde last?
You’ve probably heard of Mercury retrograde, the planetary phenomenon we’ve all learned to dread, even if you’re not a big fan of horoscopes and astrology. It is said to have an impact on technology and communication, and things may feel a little off. You might find yourself forgetting appointments, losing your keys, or noticing your computer has suddenly stopped working.
Mercury retrograde, according to science, is merely an optical illusion in which the planet appears to reverse its course and move backward in the sky. What time does it occur? The crucial dates in 2022 are: 13 January to 3 February 3, 10 May to 2 June, and 9 September to 1 October. This occurs often three or four times a year.
The three retrogrades this year are all between earth and air signs, reflecting the fact that we are currently in the Age of Aquarius, a sign that is characterized by “abrupt change, building communities, fighting for causes that you care about, and achieving technological achievements.” It will be an excellent time to assess finances and relationships in a year that urges us to make significant love and financial decisions, spanning Capricorn to Aquarius, Taurus to Gemini, and Virgo to Libra.
Why does Mercury going backwards make me feel worse?
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.
What zodiac signs will be impacted by the 2022 Mercury retrograde?
When you believe you have everything under control and your troubles solved, Mercury retrograde seems to mix things up. There’s always a problem lurking around the corner when it comes to astrology, and nothing illustrates this more than when Mercury, the planet of thought and communication, starts to move backward through the zodiac rather than ahead. Taurus, Gemini, Scorpio, and Sagittarius are the zodiac signs that will be most impacted by Mercury retrograde in spring 2022, so you *might* want to get ready for some technical issues soon.
Mercury usually stirs up temporary turbulence and commotion when it stations retrograde. This retrograde, which occurs three to four times a year, is nothing new to you because you’ve already encountered it numerous times. In other words, there is no need to be concerned; the world will not end, and you will survive it unharmed. Although miscommunications and misunderstandings frequently occur when Mercury is retrograde, it is also a lovely time to reflect on your life, look back on previous endeavors, and take care of any unfinished business.
Mercury retrograde this spring starts on May 10 at 4 degrees Gemini, going backwards. Mercury rules this mutable air sign, so this will be a typical retrograde experience marked by confusion and diversion. Think carefully before you speak, especially if you’re twisting the truth. On May 22, Mercury will reenter Taurus, slowing down the intensity of this retrograde and making it more frustrating for Mercury, who already finds it difficult to move through this rigid fixed earth sign. Fortunately, everything will finish on June 3 just as swiftly as it began.
What the astrological signs listed below should be aware of is:
Do relationships end during Mercury’s retrograde motion?
In all honesty, if you do decide to leave your relationship with a partner during this time, it was probably meant to bethe universe’s way of telling you that you weren’t on the correct course. The outcomes would not have been affected by Mercury in any manner. Even if it’s terrible, an ending could be what you need to change and move on.
We know you’ll take Mercury’s shenanigans gracefully, whatever happens. As tumultuous as we’ve been led to believe, the crazy retrograde is not as chaotic as it seems.
Retrograde splits last forever, right?
Nevertheless, being aware of one’s emotions is one thing; acting on them is another. Is it wise to make significant decisions during Mercury retrograde? You must, of course, follow your heart, but be aware that any significant choices made while Mercury is retrograde may not feel the most steady going ahead. “Sometimes indicates a permanent break. Sometimes it just implies that both parties sway back and forth “What Stardust means “The discussion about the breakup won’t be ended quickly, and that is the only thing in common. It might continue for months or even years.” If you choose that path, don’t anticipate a tidy break because retrogrades may be messy.
When Mercury is in retrograde, do you yearn for your ex?
believes that this is the case because retrogrades bring our love baggage from the past into the present.”
According to Potter, Mercury’s retrograde is pulling the past into the present and back to us, including previous relationships. “I discover that things frequently come back when they aren’t finished. So, a former lover who has unfinished business with you may get in touch with you because they’ve been thinking about or missing you.
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.

