Soul Energy Insight
Three or four times a year, Mercury appears to move backward through the sky for about three weeks. This is Mercury retrograde, astrology’s famous time for miscommunication, tech glitches, travel delays and people from the past reappearing.
Why Mercury retrograde matters
Mercury rules communication, thinking, contracts, travel, technology and commerce. When it is retrograde, those areas can slow down or need a second look. Mercury isn’t actually moving backward; it only looks that way from Earth as it passes us in orbit.
What to do
- Review, revise, reread and re-edit
- Reconnect with old friends and unfinished projects
- Back up your devices and double-check plans
- Reflect before you react
What to avoid if you can
- Signing important contracts without reading the fine print
- Buying new electronics or launching something brand-new
- Making big decisions based on incomplete information
The shadow periods
Astrologers also watch the “shadow” weeks before and after a retrograde, when Mercury travels the same degrees. Themes often begin in the pre-shadow and resolve in the post-shadow.
Frequently asked questions
How often is Mercury retrograde?
Usually three, sometimes four, times a year, for about three weeks each time.
How does Mercury retrograde affect me personally?
It depends on the sign and house where it happens in your chart. Soul Energy Insight shows every current retrograde and what it means for you.
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