It’s that time of year again when drama abounds and exes lurk!
Beginning on May 10 and lasting through June 3, 2022, Mercury Retrograde is one of the most common explanations for why everything in your life seems to be going wrong. Expect substantial problems, particularly in the areas of technology and communication, during this chaotic moment.
This year, precisely at the start of Mercury’s retrograde phase, there is also a Friday the 13th, which only serves to heighten the spookiness. You’ll feel uneasy on Friday the 13th, which is universally despised as a day of bad karma and eerie vibes.
However, Mercury has been slowing down since the very last day of April, which means that since then, we have been enveloped in a fog. Until the middle of June, this ominous mood will also persist, so take a deep breath and trust that you’ll make it through.
Always try to avoid stressing out during a Mercury retrograde phase by being quiet, relaxing, and being quiet. There will undoubtedly be delays, uncertainty, and drama, but we will all have to deal with it. Go with the flow, avoid signing any contracts, and most definitely avoid starting any significant projects during this period.
Find out below how your zodiac sign may be impacted! See the section beneath the horoscopes for further details on the Mercury retrograde in spring 2022. Read your 2022 zodiac sign predictions or your 2022 love and relationship horoscopes now, or follow me for daily insight!
In This Article...
Is Mercury currently in retrograde in 2022?
Mercury can go retrograde multiple times this year since it completes a solar orbit faster than Earth does: January 14February 3, 2022, is the first retrograde period. May 10June 3, 2022, is the second retrograde period. September 9October 2, 2022, is the third retrograde period.
When Mercury is in retrograde, what happens?
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.
What days will Mercury be in retrograde in 2022?
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.
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.
Mercury Retrograde:
- 2022 from September 9 to October 2. This retrograde has a Libra start and a Virgo finish. August 20 marks the start of pre-shadow, while October 16 marks the end of post-shadow.
- 2023 from December 29 to January 20. This retrograde is entirely in the sign of Capricorn. The pre-shadow phase starts on December 12 and ends on January 26, 2023.
Mars Retrograde:
- 30th October 2022 to 12th January 2023. This retrograde only occurs in Gemini. The pre-shadow phase starts on September 3 and finishes on March 15, 2023.
Jupiter Retrograde:
- 2022 from July 28 to November 23. Beginning in Aries and ending in Pisces, this retrograde. The post-shadow phase will finish on February 14, 2023, and the pre-shadow phase will expire on May 4.
Saturn Retrograde:
- between June 4 and October 23, 2022. This retrograde is entirely in the sign of Aquarius. Beginning on February 26, the pre-shadow period will last until January 26, 2023, and vice versa.
Uranus Retrograde:
- from January 23, 2023, until August 24, 2022. This retrograde is fully in the sign of Taurus. The pre-shadow phase started on May 7 and finishes on May 9, 2023, for the post-shadow phase.
Neptune Retrograde:
- between June 28 and December 3, 2022. This retrograde is fully in the sign of Pisces. The post-shadow phase will expire on March 24, 2023, and the pre-shadow phase started on March 7.
Pluto Retrograde:
- October 8, 2022, until April 29, 2022. This retrograde is entirely in the sign of Capricorn. Pre-shadow started on January 6 and ended on January 29, 2023, respectively.
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:
What actions are prohibited in 2022 when Mercury is in retrograde?
An optical illusion causes Mercury to appear to move “backwards” or go into retrograde. The globe is simply slowing down; it is not literally moving backwards. Mercury often orbits the sun more quickly than the earth does. Mercury completes its orbit around the sun in 88 days as opposed to the earth’s 365 days. This gives rise to the optical illusion of it moving ‘backwards’ from west to east, instead of east to west.
Astrologers claim that this remote celestial event frequently has effects on Earth as well. When Mercury slows down or appears to “dance backward,” the realms it ordinarily oversees seem to be disrupted.
Mercury retrograde 2022: The things to expect
Given that it is taking place in the middle of eclipse season, this Mercury retrograde may be a little bumpy. Be prepared for minor hiccups, protracted delays in acquiring critical information, or paperwork that is crucial to your career. If you are prepared to travel during this time, you can run into issues like losing money, receiving duplicate bills, or breaking your electronic gadgets. An unwelcome former acquaintance or opponent, or even an ex-partner, may briefly reappear, causing tension and conflict.
You must be ready for disruptions in travel, communication, the news, and other aspects of your life. The retrograde may also encourage untrue rumors, tantrums, misunderstandings at work, technological failures, missed flights, and travel delays.
Since Mercury prefers being in Gemini, the first phase of the Mercury retrograde, which lasts from May 10 to May 22, is a better time than the second phase, which is in Taurus. According to astrologers, it is advised to take care of your mental welfare during the first 12 days, practice yoga and meditation, and calm yourself to achieve clarity and prevent feeling overwhelmed. During this time, you will have the option to make adjustments to your life while you go through challenging but profound changes.
On May 22, Mercury makes a significant mood change and moves into Taurus, which, in contrast to Gemini, is associated with attributes like intransigence, diplomacy, and indulgence. Due to their opposing natures, Mercury does not especially enjoy being in Taurus, thus you might feel compelled to slow down even more in opposition to Mercury’s wishes. You can get a bodily sense of being physically exhausted and abnormally sluggish.
During this time of the retrograde, watch out that you are not putting off important tasks to your detriment. Spend your time wisely and resist letting leisure develop into indolence.
Mercury retrograde 2022: The ways to cope
Taking a cue from Mercury’s sluggishness, now is a wonderful time to refocus, take stock, and unwind in your personal life. Avoid doing activities that make you feel overwhelmed and take some time to concentrate on what matters most. You must be cautious and deliberate when talking and commuting during Mercury retrograde because these things tend to happen more frequently during this time.
During this stage, it’s possible that emails and text messages won’t arrive or the GPS won’t work. Therefore, double-check any technology-related items as well as your professional emails. Editing is crucial, and in this case, less really is more. Instead of rushing into a conversation, it is best to take a moment to relax and consider what you will contribute. This will prevent misunderstandings.
Mercury retrograde 2022: Ways to avoid failure
It may be challenging, but Mercury retrograde is unquestionably not unbearable. You will navigate the entire period with few snags if you equip yourself with the proper mental tools. Avoid rushing through jobs or projects and pay attention to the details to achieve this.
Avoid speeding while traveling and be especially cautious when driving. Make sure you have your passport and any necessary paperwork with you, and make sure your electronics are fully charged. It is best to proceed more slowly so as not to miss any crucial information.
Utilize this time to transform and mend previous wounds, connections, and friendships. Release the held negative energies and let go of old grudges. If you disagree with someone nearby, try to put yourself in their position before making snap judgments and picking a fight. As the retrograde encourages you to review, reassess, and refocus, consistently practice patience.
The retrograde is nothing to fear, to say the least. This celestial shift is here to point you in the right direction and provide you with new insights and clarity about your current situation. If you take this event in stride and consider it an opportunity to develop a higher level of consciousness and a better understanding of others, new situations, and yourself, you won’t be affected by it.
What zodiac signs are impacted by Mercury’s retrograde motion?
Nothing in astrology is more notorious than the dreaded 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:
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 post, she advised followers to “give yourself extra time, go with the flow, and follow intuitive signs.”
How does Mercury’s retrograde motion impact people?
According to Daisy, Mercury being in retrograde could cause huge relationship challenges, such as cheating, betrayal or loss of intimacy. 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 activities should you avoid when Mercury is retrograde?
Ellen Bowles, an astrologer and co-author of Astrology SOS, claims that “we can experience technical or mechanical issues, and our wires can feel crossed in all our forms 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.”