What You Need To Know In Astrology About Mercury-Retrograde
- Sarah Hennessey
- Mar 11, 2022
- 7 min read
Updated: Aug 1, 2023

Mercury Retrograde: Everything You Need to Know
The planet Mercury is the ruler of communication of all forms- listening, writing, reading speaking, as well as some activities also related to communication- negotiations, contracts, etc. Mercury is also the ruler of travel, automobiles, shipping, and mail. It is suggested that we take certain precautions while Mercury is in retrograde, so take note:
allow extra time for travel
avoid signing contracts
double check email and text responses- what it says and if it sent
wait until the retrograde ends (goes direct) to make final decisions
avoid making big purchases

This is a time period we’re people have shorter fuses and miscommunication issues. So it is a good time to take the moments spent in Mercury Retrograde to take a step back from everyday life and reanalyze who you are and what you’re doing and try to maintain balance in the different parts of your life. Losing this balance can and will cause you and those areas in your life to suffer - so be aware of the connection between them.
What is Mercury Retrograde?

Mercury is one of the planets in our solar system, orbiting the Sun about every 88 days, and every now and then, Mercury has a seemingly backward motion in its orbit around the Sun.
That’s what you call Mercury retrograde… “retrogrades.” Many not so normal things end up happening” in our daily lives can occur during this time—some more prominent in certain signs than others.
The Shadow Period

For a period of two weeks prior to a Mercury retrograde officially beginning, astrologers say that the planet slows down, and for two weeks after Mercury goes direct the planet needs to regain the regular momentum.. These time frames are referred to as the pre-and-post shadow. .
How often does Mercury Retrograde happen?

It seems like you always hear about how Mercury is in retrograde, but, that’s also because Mercury’s orbit is quicker than our Earth’s rotation along with the majority of the other planets, so the retrograde is more frequent than other planets. By the time we recover from its mayhem, , another one is just around the corner!
However, Mercury going retrograde happen three or four times a year, for three weeks at a time. This year, in 2022, it just so happens to be 4 times..
When will Mercury be in retrograde in 2022?

According to Astrology Zone, in 2022, Mercury’s first retrograde begins on Jan 13 and ends on Feb 3. So, that one’s over with. The next and second time Mercury turns retrograde will last from May 10 to June 2. And the third period will begin on Sept. 9 and last through Oct. 1. The last retrograde of the year begins on Dec. 28 and end in the following year on Jan. 18, 2023. These date were confirmed using the Farmers Almanac's website on almanac.com. Please take note that the dates mentioned above reflect Eastern Time U.S., and not Universal Time.
How does Mercury retrograde affect people?
Mercury retrogrades can be a confusing time as people begin to speak and write more loosely than usual or run into issues when it comes to computers or cell phones.
If the retrograde of Mercury appears in your astrological house, you will be more affected than usual in the next few weeks by this planetary motion. So, if Mercury retrograde begins on January 30 and lasts until February 20, 2022—that is considered to be Aquarius days, so an Aquarius sign will experience it more strongly than other air signs.
Astrology signs are also more strongly influenced by the planet’s wanderings. Those signs are hell-bent on productivity and progression—Capricorn, Aries, and Virgos.
The least disturbed zodiac signs are Cancer and Pisces. Cancer is regarded as a sign of meditation by nature and Pisces are known for going with the flow, resulting in these signs being not being affected to any noticeable point.
Ultimately their are different types of influences that we can feel under the 12 zodiac signs that Earth is in when Mercury goes into retrograde.
How Mercury retrograde could affect each sign

Capricorn:
As a Capricorn,
you might be reconsidering your most important professional goals and action plan during this retrograde period.
It may be time to reassess an ambition that isn’t any more beneficial to you or consider how you can best develop leadership qualities. You’re all for taking a measured, cautious, and deliberate approach, so delays aren’t going to upset you much.

Aries:
For Aries, the Mercury retrograde period will emphasize your current and past relationships with people—be it
personal, business, or partnership. It’s how you present yourself and the balance you’re maintaining for deeper bonding.
In any kind of one-to-one relationship, this retrograde will necessitate patience, calmness, and balance. Accepting or taking any possible opportunity in a rush is unwise. Re-evaluate the offer letter or business proposal you receive if you need to cancel or modify it.

Taurus:
As a Taurus, these 3-4 weeks of Mercury retrograde periods will focus more on your health and the challenges you regularly encounter in all aspects of life.
The demand will create equilibrium in one’s diet and change one’s perspective about the world. Relationships may put your self-esteem to the test. When dealing with family and loved ones, be mindful, sympathetic, and accommodating.

Virgo:
Your messenger planet, your ruler, will be moving backward through your income plan,
which means you’ll be compelled to enter the race, analyze, reorganize, and possibly modify your approach to money accumulation, dear Virgo. Perhaps you’re ready to reconsider and update your CV to land a higher-paying, more satisfying job or rework your long-term savings or debt plan.

Gemini:
This transit will call for a Gemini to concentrate on self-love and care. In this retrograde, you may attract more attention than
usual, but you could lose self-respect if you don’t focus on yourself and stay true to your values. The new relationships and perceptions coming from the extra attention may be affected if you don’t put yourself first.
Sagittarius:
It’s more likely that long-forgotten pals, coworkers, and acquaintances you met on a group date in 2016 reappear for a Sagittarius. They may want to work together or discuss long-term aspirations that might be achieved through collaboration.
Although you’re usually all about diving into an exciting opportunity with a lot of enthusiasm and joy, Mercury retrograde will always create some chaos and perplexity. Make sure you’re not committing yourself to anything that appears to be better than it really is. Don’t sign any contracts or form any business connections in this transit, as tempting as it may be.
Scorpio:
For Scorpios, people will seem more agitated than usual, so try not to take it personally. If you’re a selfless person, this transit will be a good time to reevaluate your emotional support system and see if there’s anyone who could benefit from your care.
The Retrograde planet appears to also bring up long-term concerns that have been buried deep in your subconscious. Now’s a good time to face them head-on. You need to keep a close watch on your health and work out to control your behavior.
Libra:
Because you’ve always got an eye on the bigger picture, a Libra may have difficulty concentrating on the details during Mercury retrogrades. Remember that looking at the full picture is what’s important. Almost anything that seems so important right now is likely to bring you the greatest satisfaction if you plan it out well.
Cancer:
For a Cancer, now is a great time to focus on your goals. You may experience more people-related issues now or find yourself obsessing over things that happened in the past. You may be tempted to travel or relocate, which might bring up memories of someone you cared about. That’s because you’re incredibly emotional during this period.
Be prepared for many misunderstandings and miscommunications that could lead to conflicts with others if you’re not careful. This is an ideal time for solitude and introspection as well as the company of loved ones.
Aquarius:
This astrology sign can be very intense; expect even less structure and organization with Mercury retrograde than usual. Don’t set yourself up for failure. You can and should take risks and chances, just not right now.
Pisces:
A Pisces’s emotional state will be unpredictable during this period—some individuals may feel extra irritable and sensitive while others might find themselves feeling unusually calm and centered.
It might be easier to connect with others right now if you take the time to contemplate their intentions before jumping to conclusions or taking action.
This could also be a fantastic time to stop your bad habits and practice introspection regarding your values, relationships, and future. If you can stand the wait, you’ll likely benefit at least twofold from your effort now.
Leo:
For a Leo, this transit may help you tighten your social circle and focus on self-worth. Old friends, neighbors, and coworkers may appear out of the blue, eager to catch up. Just keep in mind that when life gets tough as it inevitably will during a retrograde, your time and effort are precious, so invest them wisely.
What should you not do during Mercury retrograde?
Since Mercury rules over communication, avoid initiating major communications when it’s in retrograde motion. Even if you think you’ve figured out your message clearly in your head, the person on the receiving end may not understand what you’re trying to say.
It’s best to stick to the basics, avoid signing contracts or legal documents, and put off major decisions. It’s also not recommended that you go on first dates; since your communication is not at its best, you’re more prone to picking the wrong person or making a bad first impression.
You can still do minor things in your areas of life, like plan a party for after the retrograde is over. But, always wait at least two days after Mercury moves ahead to normal direct speed before you start executing projects or buying expensive things.
Thanks for reading about Mercury Retrogrades!
So there you have folks! A simple informative guide to overcome the chaos that follows the Mercury Retrograde. Being aware of what it is and it’s effects on us, we gain the ability to overcome the challenges so that we can continue to live a more successful and abundant life.
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