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.
In This Article...
What causes a retrograde?
A change in the planet’s apparent motion through the sky is referred to as retrograde motion. Because the planet doesn’t actually begin to revolve backward, it is not REAL. Because of how the planet and Earth are orbiting the Sun and their respective positions, it only seems to do so.
The planets typically go through the sky at night from west to east. This is known as retrograde motion. Perversely, the motion alters, and they now traverse the stars from east to west. We refer to this motion as retrograde. After a brief period of retrograde motion, the motion returns to becoming prograde. Within the context of a solar system that is centered on the Sun (heliocentric), this seemingly odd behavior is easily comprehended. In a heliocentric model, retrograde motion is explained by the fact that it happens roughly when a planet moving more quickly comes up to and passes a planet moving more slowly.
The graphic below illustrates how the planet Mars would appear to move in both prograde and retrograde motion. Keep in mind that this is all a result of the Earth’s orbit moving across space more quickly than Mars does. Therefore, the motion seems to go through the pro-retro-pro cycle as we close in on and eventually pass that planet in its orbit.
This effect is something you can see for yourself. Start off by standing next to a friend. Ask a friend to advance carefully. You now go forward more quickly. Consider how your acquaintance is moving in relation to you while you watch them. They initially walk away from you before appearing to be walking backward as you pass them, even though they are actually still traveling ahead.
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.
What is now 2022 retrograde?
Knowing when Mercury will turn retrograde is very significant since, like every year, Mercury will turn retrograde in 2022 as well. In fact, based on the above table, Mercury will turn retrograde three times this year.
What kind of retrograde are we currently in?
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. December 29 until January 18, 2023, is the fourth retrograde.
What planet is now 2021 in retrograde?
One revolution of Mercury, one of the planets with the shortest orbits around the sun, takes about 88 days. Mercury is one of the planets that moves the fastest. The aforementioned aspects of a native’s life are impacted by Mercury Retrograde in 2021.
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.
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 activities are prohibited during a 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.”
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:
Do every planet enter a retrograde phase?
You’ve certainly heard of Mercury retrograde, the quarterly mayhem that happens when the messenger planet passes the Earth and appears to go backward from our vantage point, unless you happen to live under a chunk of meteorite that fell to Earth. Every Internet outage, small argument, and postponed brunch date for the next three weeks can be attributed to a spinning rock 48 million miles away. During Mercury retrogrades, even the most ardent critics of astrology begin to change their minds.
But did you know that every planet experiences a period of retrograde motion? All of the planets, with the exception of Venus and Mars, undergo annual retrograde cycles.