The Sky At Night: Book Of The Moon was written by Dr. Maggie Aderin-Pocock, a prominent space scientist, science communicator, and author. The science underlying Mercury retrograde is explained in the book A Guide To Our Closest Neighbor. When compared to Earth, Mercury is closer to the sun and has a shorter orbital period (88 days as opposed to 365.25 days). This implies that for each of our orbits, Mercury circles the sun more than four times. Mercury appears to move through the sky from west to east when Earth and Mercury are on the same side of the sun in their orbits. It appears as though Mercury has changed directions and is traveling backwards as it passes Earth in its inner orbit. Three times a year on average, this occurs.
In This Article...
Why does it matter while Mercury is in retrograde?
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.
What transpires while Mercury is in retrograde?
You and your spouse are arguing, you misplaced some crucial documentation, and out of the blue, an old friend calls. unusual occurrences in succession? Perhaps, although other people might blame Mercury being in retrograde.
Mercury retrograde occurs when, as seen from Earth, the planet Mercury appears to be travelling backwards (or retrograde). According to Time, the changes in orbit create an optical illusion. Mercury going backwards, however, is quite important to astrologers.
Georgia Nicols, an astrologer based in British Columbia, says Mercury is regarded as the planet that governs all communication. As a result, when Mercury is in retrograde, people may encounter difficulties in their ability to communicate, challenges with technology, or even misplaced mail.
What is the meaning of Mercury’s retrograde?
First things first: Mercury is never in retrograde, despite what you may have read online. Mercury is moving backward, or retrograde. When the planet Mercury is in retrograde, it looks to us humans on Earth to be travelling backwards. But Mercury isn’t really going backwards. A similar optical effect occurs when two cars are traveling at the same speed extremely close together on a roadway. As you pass the other car, it could seem as though it is going backwards, but you are actually merely very near. Mercury is closest to the Earth during Mercury retrograde, which occurs around three times a year during its orbit around the sun. This emphasizes the Mercurial nature of everything, including technology, communication, and transportation.
What causes motion to move backwards?
Due to variations in the orbital speeds of the planets, retrograde motion is an optical illusion.
Take Mars as an illustration. In comparison to Earth, this better planet orbits more slowly. Mars appears to be moving as we pass it “We are moving faster than it is, so we are going backward. The similar thing happens when you briefly pass a slower-moving car on the highway; it seems to be moving the other way.
Every superior planet can use this process. Periodically, Venus and Mercury, the inferior planets that orbit the Sun more quickly than the Earth, also seem to be moving “backward. The Sun’s glare obscures the inferior planets as they pass us in retrograde because they are situated between the Earth and the Sun, making it difficult to see them.
The retrograde motion phenomena baffled ancient astronomers, especially those who believed that the Earth was the center of the universe. It wasn’t until the 16th century, with the introduction of Nicolaus Copernicus’ heliocentric theory, that scientists realized retrograde motion was a misunderstanding.
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.
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 effects will Mercury’s retrograde have on 2021?
Mercury is regarded as the planet responsible for all communications, cognitive processes, and it also stands for reasoning, rationality, and other things. Mercury entered a retrograde phase on September 27, 2021, moving backwards into the astrological sign of Libra. Since then, it has had an impact on people’s life, causing a great deal of instability in their relationships, businesses, finances, health, and other areas.
People can finally exhale in relief that the planetary retrogression is over and anticipate things to calm down. Following that, let’s take a look at what each zodiac sign might anticipate now that Mercury Retrograde for this year has ended.
Do ex-lovers return during Mercury’s retrograde?
Ex-lovers are among the people from the past who frequently return during Mercury retrograde. Although now is an excellent moment to address old grudges, a reconciliation is not a given. However, it can offer some resolution and insight into what went wrong in the first place.
Is there such a thing as Mercury in retrograde?
Mercury’s apparent retrograde motionor, to be more precise, its retrograde motionis a true occurrence. Astronomers can see an optical phantasm as Mercury passes the Earth a few times each year. However, it has no impact on your personal life.

