What Does Mercury in Retrograde Mean?
Mercury Retrograde gets hyped as a horrible thing; I'd like to reframe that. Mercury Retrograde is manageable when we have foresight and understanding. Let's unpack what it can actually mean when Mercury is in retrograde.
Mercury Retrograde is a time when, from our view here on Earth, Mercury seems to slow down, come to a stop and then slowly move backward. We know that astronomically this is not the case, but in astrology, we look at how the planets appear from the earth’s perspective. Planets in the sky never stop moving, but from our geocentric perspective, sometimes they appear to.
Mercury Retrograde
Allow me to share an example of a real-life Mercury Retrograde experience. My mom bought a house during the last retrograde. The closing date was pushed back three times, ultimately to a time when Mercury was direct. I could have advised “Don’t buy! Don’t sign!” But that's not always an option. She still got the house, it was just a strange process. Mercury Retrograde can slow processes down and create tricky little side quests that can absolutely be frustrating.
Note: Remember that Mercury goes retrograde three or four times per year. The magic here lies in understanding a situation that is bigger than us so that frustration doesn’t consume us. We’re able to adapt and roll with it. We are prepared for the unexpected because we realize this time period offers another way to engage with life.
During this Mercury Retrograde time, anything relating to communication may be stalled or slowed down. This could be mental but it could also relate to technology, travel, release dates, closing dates, appointments, results, confirmations and any other types of correspondence.
Mercury Retrograde tends to shift our mental energy inward, which will be an exciting and nuanced addition to the tension created this week. Retrograde Mercury opposite the moon speaks to a heightened internal dialogue and to revisiting stories and situations from the past. This could show up as realizations around a personal relationship history, one's family line or the institutions one belongs to. The vibe this week is deeply retrospective. Mercury Retrograde is a resurfacing time.
Mandee Sheeler is The St. Louisan's resident astrologer. Photo by Caleb George.