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.”
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How should one get ready for a retrograde?
Simple steps can help you get through Mercury retrograde: double-check everything, use precise language, avoid signing contracts (or study them very carefully), back up your data, and prepare for unexpected travel delays. The truth is that Mercury retrograde isn’t all terrible, cosmic warrior; in fact, it might work as your yearly self-evaluation. How well-equipped are you for annoyances? How effective is your self-care regimen when things go wrong? Mercury retrograde is the best period for introspection, but it’s not the best time to make significant changes.
The need of keeping up with letters, particularly with close friends and family, is a major subject surrounding the first Mercury retrograde of the year, which begins on Friday, January 14. This retrograde is motivated by the special energy of Aquarius. This compassionate sign, which inventive Uranus controls, can also be distant and forgetful when it comes to texts and phone calls. We are more prone to zone out, miss a crucial email deadline, or leave a lover hanging when the communication globe moves backward. Mercury, though, is content when in this sign. We can take a step back and maintain our composure during any communication hiccups thanks to Aquarius’ rational and intelligent air sign characteristics. On Tuesday, January 25, when Mercury retrograde enters the diligent Capricorn sign, which is controlled by the rigorous Saturn, it is your responsibility to stay on top of business correspondence. If a business-related document needs to be signed at this period, think about having a second party, such as a lawyer or trusted partner, review it as well.
What actions should you avoid during Mercury’s retrograde?
There are various reasons why you shouldn’t buy a big-ticket item like a car, computer, appliance, or even a piece of jewelry when Mercury is in retrograde. First of all, there’s a considerable probability that you’ll find a bug if it has moving or electronic components. On pre-existing equipment, repairs are OK (and a fantastic prefix), but nobody should ever have to mend a brand-new thing! Additionally, if you make a purchase in a hurry during Mercury retrograde, you might not get the greatest deal. It will be wiser to shop once Mercury is direct if you can wait for your stuff. Compare prices and take additional time to consider what you actually want while you wait. By the time Mercury turns direct, you might discover that you’ve completely changed your mind!
Receive FREE guidance on things to be mindful of during this retrograde Find out what you need to know about this retrograde.
Make no life-changing decisions, verbal agreements, or contracts. DO renegotiate, mediate, and reexamine current agreements.
Perhaps the most well-known Mercury Retrograde suggestion, although it has to be clarified. Avoid making any new agreements at all costs! Because as soon as you shake hands or sign on the dotted line, something will probably happen to cause the original agreement to shift or break apart. Instead, now might be an excellent moment to think about renegotiating. Is your apartment’s lease up for renewal? When Mercury turns direct, now is the moment to look about or do research on a better lease to present to your landlord.
Are you thinking about requesting a raise? Use this cycle to assess your worth while also questioning if you’re giving your all to the business you work for. If you’re not, this is the time to make changes. Are you prepared to part ways with your partner? Wait even if your decision has already been made. Implementing a significant choice while Mercury is retrograde causes waffling. It may be exhausting to go through a “make up and break up” phase. Wait until Mercury is direct if you’re certain you want a clean break. There won’t be any ambiguity or doubt!
During Mercury Retrograde cycles, preparation and patience are essential. Don’t stop living if you have plans, like a trip, and you find out it’s going to be during Mercury Retrograde. Instead, take into account the increased possibility of accidents and plan accordingly. Make sure you have everything necessary in your luggage by checking it again. Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork before you go. Expect delays as a result of the additional issue of improper communication. Just go with it!
How can you maintain your composure while Mercury is retrograde?
Meditation is a go-to coping mechanism for any retrograde. Meditation is clearing the mind of all thoughts and allowing it to remain silent and tranquil. If any private thoughts surface, admit that you’ve lost concentration, let go of the notion, and then regain mental calm. Your intuition and subconscious mind will provide you with answers more readily the longer you can maintain a condition of mental blankness. Try a guided meditation to help you focus if this feels too challenging for you.
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 idea also applies to significant investments in haircare. Lina advises you to postpone making any pricey purchases at 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.
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.
In which retrograde are we currently in 2021?
Again, Mercury is in retrograde. In astrology, Mercury is the planet that primarily governs communication. Mercury entered retrograde motion on September 27, 2021, and it will remain in that state through October 18, 2021. Mercury looks to be moving backward from west to east while it is in retrograde.
How can you maintain your optimism while Mercury is retrograde?
Mercury Retrograde causes the mind to spin out of control just thinking about it! Everybody has heard about the negative effects of Mercury Retrograde: malfunctions with technology, misunderstandings, and poor business judgment. The list continues. It appears as though everything is absolutely out of control!
Everyone, guess what? Mercury Retrograde has the potential to be GOOD for us! We don’t have to blame this celestial event for the majority of the year and the years to come; we can view it from a different angle. We can all improve how we view this uncertain time. Even better, we can take use of Mercury Retrograde and be thankful for the quiet period!
To start, we must determine precisely when retrograde starts and finishes. Make a note of it in our calendars, be careful, and stay ahead of it to avoid being caught off guard by its effects.
Beginning on February 17 and lasting until March 10, this retrograde. Additionally, you should be aware that there are two-week pre-shadow and post-shadow periods.
This year, Mercury is in retrograde three times. (This is the year’s first.) We have entered a retrograde that is intended to be less intense than the previous two retrogrades. The decade’s first retrograde has begun.
Our intuition will be disclosing our false realities while this energy is there. We’ll find stuff that we’ve never seen before. There will be an increase in psychic powers and premonitory dreams at this period. This is an excellent time to revive a fresh strategy or hone your skills.
Retrograde astrologer Lisa Stardust claims that this retrograde causes a variety of astrological disruptions, all of which revolve on bewilderment. You may not agree with me, but that drives me nuts. Mercury will move into Aquarius on March 7th, making our emotions lighter and more lucid.
The following actions can be taken to keep retrograde on your side:
- During this time, it might be extremely beneficial to be upfront and clear about everything in your life, so avoid living in chaos and confusion.
- We are all entangled in this.
- Don’t be so serious about everything.
- Keep a keen awareness of your surroundings.
- Be on the lookout for confrontational persons.
- DO NOT interact. The burden on your emotions is not worth it! Their issue, not yours, is this. They don’t mean it, you know that. They are also being negatively affected by their tension.
- Be happy and loving.
- Remain above the conflict.
According to astrologer Helen Frost, it is crucial how you direct your energy. Being a couch potato and remaining motionless could have negative and unforeseen effects. I am aware that in the past, I experienced a paralyzing sense of immobility. But once I had clarity, I understood that it was my responsibility to avoid becoming mired in “the Mercury Retrograde rut.”
Take charge by:
- maintaining your everyday schedule
- taking good care of your body and self.
- Ensure your own wellbeing.
- watching what you eat.
- keeping an eye on your sugar and alcohol intake.
- being conscious of excessive indulgence.
Bad decisions, brain fog, nervous feelings, disordered thinking that results in a confused condition, and unconscious big miscommunication and decisions can all be consequences of poor diet and a lack of self-care.
Imagine your friends or coworkers being in the same fog as you if YOU are feeling this way. During the retrograde, use these tips to look for yourself:
- Reduce strain and tension that everyone could be experiencing by demonstrating compassion for others.
- Practice doing kind things at random.
- Learn to listen well.
- Don’t interrupt someone when they are speaking. Listening is a better learning tool than speaking.
- Always start your day with appreciation and be flexible. You can nearly always get through anything by being grateful.
- Be forgiving and slow to pass judgment if someone cancels or misses an appointment.
- Keep an eye on any tension you may be feeling between your heart and your head.
- If you find yourself giving in to your feelings, encourage them with self-love.
- Play some love music
- Go on walks and observe nature.
Mercury Retrograde, according to astrologer Vaness Henry, aids us in identifying mistakes we’ve previously made rather than causing us to make new ones. The perfect time to reflect, renew, relax, rest, slow down, and heal has come.
In addition, the additional retrograde periods in 2020 are from June 18 to July 12 and from October 14 to November 3.
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:
