The Mercury retrograde dates for this year are as follows:
- 2022 January 14 – February 3
- 10 May to 2 June 2022
- 2022 September 9 October 2
- January 18, 2023 until December 29, 2022
In This Article...
How long does Mercury’s post-shadow retrograde last?
The hardest part of the planetary moonwalk isn’t even the actual retrograde, which lasts for around three weeks. Due to the uncertainty and lack of a commitment or clear plan, the two weeks before and after the Mercury retroshade can be just as difficult, if not more so. Do you recall the 2020 election’s delays? That incident took place during a Mercury retroshade.
What does Mercury Retrograde’s Post-Shadow Phase entail?
The shadow periods, which occur roughly two weeks before and after Mercury retrograde, are a particularly perplexing time marked by some of the same hiccups and failures you’d anticipate from Mercury’s periodic rewind. Ash explains that as Mercury slows down, miscommunication and technological issues are more likely to occur. Therefore, expect technological issues, slowdowns, and misunderstandings amongst friends during the pre- and postshadow period of Mercury retrograde.
According to Ash, the difficulties you encounter in the run-up to Mercury retrograde may be a sign of what to expect once it actually begins. For instance, if you’re experiencing conflict in your relationship at this time, you’ll probably notice this pattern as Mercury slows down and appears to move backward. Finding closure for the tensions that arose during retrograde is the goal of the post-shadow phase.
Does Mercury have a shadow time when it is retrograde?
We’re still not out of the woods, but the most recent Mercury retrograde period is finally finished as of Friday, June 3 (phew!). It’s in your best interest to stay on your toes in the upcoming weeks because every Mercury retrograde has a “shadow” period that lasts for two weeks before and after the planet backspins.
Here are some suggestions for handling your relationshipsromantic and otherwiseuntil Mercury retrograde is truly ended, as it is known for impairing communication:
Is the shadow of retrograde gone now?
The pre-retrograde shadow, which lasts from January 14 to February 3, starts on December 29, 2021, and ends on February 23.
May 10 to June 3: The retrograde shadow starts on April 25 and finishes on June 18.
Pre-retrograde shadow starts on August 22 and finishes on October 16; the retrograde shadow lasts from September 9 to October 2.
The pre-retrograde shadow starts on December 12 and lasts until January 18, 2023. The post-retrograde shadow starts on February 23, 2023.
What is the shadow period of Mercury retrograde in 2022?
The retrograde will be in Gemini from May 10 to May 22; from May 22 to June 3 it will move into Taurus. Beginning on April 25, the pre-retrograde shadow will last until June 18, and the post-retrograde shadow will follow. October 2 through September 9.
What activities should you avoid when Mercury is 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.”
Describe the shadow period.
There is what astrologers refer to as a “retroshade” or “shadow time” before and after any retrograde period. Normally, they last for two weeks before and two weeks after the real planetary retrograde.
What do you do during the shadow of Mercury?
Typically, the pre-retroshade gives you a preview of what the retrograde will specifically imply for you. You should act upon any irrational impulses you may have at this time, no matter how slight. When you ignore your intuition while your head is still clear during a retrograde, things get nasty. Preparation for the retrograde should be done during the pre-shadow. Before Mercury Retrograde starts, the AstroTwins advise backing up data, updating your cybersecurity, and paying your bills. If you have a trip planned or a significant contract to sign soon, now is the time to double-check everything. Take use of this opportunity to evaluate your situation, routines, and outlook. Over the next few weeks, eliminate anything that isn’t working in your favor and think through your options.
What time does Mercury go direct again?
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.
When did Mercury’s shadow begin to move retrograde?
About two weeks before and two weeks following the planet’s backspin, Mercury goes retrograde. A planet passes through a time known as “stationing,” where it is adjusting to the U-turn, before and after it is in retrograde. Our perception of its effects may change over time, like the lingering emissions from a car with a damaged exhaust system.
Step 1: Find Where Mercury Retrograde Begins and Ends
The Mercury symbol and the retrograde dates are highlighted in yellow in the example below, which uses the Mercury retrograde of October 426, 2014. If you squint, you can see a little R symbol for a planet turning retrograde and a D symbol for a planet turning direct.
yet another sign of a retrograde? The column’s numbers are reversed. These figures represent the angles at which Mercury transits a given sign. In the given instance, the retrograde began on October 4 at 2o Scorpio and finished on October 25 at 16o Libra. Math time! The 30o space on the spherical zodiac wheel is occupied by one of the 12 zodiac signs. Understand that 12 x 30 equals 360 degrees of the circle? Yes, astrology is unquestionably a sort of geek art.
We can determine where the shadow started and finished for this Mercury retrograde from the ephemeris because it started at 2o Scorpio and moved back to 16o Libra.
Step 2: Find The Shadow’s Beginning
Mercury retrograde is like going backwards when driving, so to determine the start of the Mercury retrograde shadow period, we look at the end date of the retrograde. We turned back in our ephemeris to find when Mercury was last at 16o Libra after it finished its retrograde on October 26 at 16o Libra. Aha! It was on September 14, 2014!
Then, it’s possible that we’ll start to see indications of the approaching Mercury retrograde: fuzzy thinking, jumbled communications, and former lovers and close pals emerging from hiding. This is the perfect moment to prepare for Mercury crazy as well: back up digital data, talk to loved ones about anything that’s bothering you, and make sure all of your key papers and codes are locked up and password-protected.
Step 3: Find the Shadow’s End
Again, since Mercury is in retrograde, which means it is moving backwards, we must look at the START date of Mercury in retrograde to determine when the shadow of Mercury in retrograde ends. We look ahead in our ephemeris to see when Mercury returns to 2o Scorpio after it entered retrograde on October 4 at 2o Scorpio. In this instance, we can observe that on November 11, 2014, it successfully crosses the 200 Scorpio point.
Processing and integration are the main themes of the second Mercury retrograde shadow. Sure, Mercury retrograde might completely upend our life, but what are the priceless lessons to be learned? What necessary gains and modifications did Mercury’s retrograde bring about? Make significant, audacious changes during the period when Mercury turns direct to the end of its shadow. For instance, you might come to see that your abusive lover was merely reacting to YOU when YOU quietly criticized his every move. Eek! You may test out a new, more assertive style of communicating with him and resolving disputes during the second half of the shadow. This might be the solution you need to save your relationship.
Shadows of Other Planetary Retrogrades
You should be aware that EVERY planet experiences retrograde motion. Retrograde has taken on a sinister connotation. These are also crucial periods to fully evaluate, improve, and restructure, despite being rather irksome. These spells are necessary for us to avoid throwing the baby out with the bathwater. While Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto all reverse annually for a significant portion of the year, Mars and Venus only do so every other year. The same method can be used to determine their shadow phases as in the case above. Seize your ephemeris, and get to work!