From May 10 to June 2, 2022, Mercury will be in retrograde — yet again. Everyone’s favorite excuse for “everything going wrong” is back: You can’t seem to get along with your best friend, your text doesn’t go through to your crush, and suddenly, your laptop crashes. Mercury retrograde is notorious for making the world turn upside down, from communication and tech issues to forgetfulness. But what is Mercury retrograde, and what does it mean, exactly? Is retrograde as tumultuous and threatening as it seems? I asked a professional astrologer to find out.
According to Sofia Adler, MA, a professional astrologer and certified coach who helps clients demystify the stars, Mercury retrograde is a time when the planet Mercury appears to move backward in outer space. The period typically lasts around three weeks, and during this time, many people report experiencing frequent miscommunications, tech mishaps, relationship challenges, travel issues, and more. People tend to blame Mercury retrograde for everything going awry; however, Mercury retrograde is actually widely misunderstood, and there’s more to the astrological phenomenon than most of us realize.
Whether you’re new to astrology or you’re simply wondering why the planets are causing your laptop to crash, here’s what Mercury retrograde really is, and why it matters, according to astrology.
What does it actually mean when a planet is “in retrograde”?
According to NASA, planetary retrograde is when a planet appears to travel backward in the sky. It operates like an optical illusion: Instead of actually moving backward, Mercury merely appears to move in the opposite direction due to our point of view on Earth, since we’re also orbiting the sun. Mind-boggling, right? National Geographic reports that Mercury is the fastest-moving planet in our solar system — moving around the sun every 88 days and traveling at nearly 29 miles per second — so when it goes into retrograde, let’s just say we feel it.
According to Astrostyle, there are three separate phases of retrograde: pre-shadow, retrograde, and post-shadow. Pre-shadow is when the planet begins to appear to travel backward, retrograde refers to when the planet is in the midst of its backward travel, and post-shadow refers to when the planet begins to slow down its backward travel. The phases of retrograde are helpful in understanding the timeline of challenges that may occur here on Earth; many “challenges” start to pop up during pre-shadow, peak during retrograde, and subside during post-shadow.
When does Mercury go into retrograde this year?
Planets go into “retrograde” at different frequencies and durations throughout the year, meaning that no retrograde is the exact same. For example, Mercury retrogrades for three consecutive weeks, three to four times a year while outer planets such as Jupiter and Saturn retrograde for four to five months a year. During these time periods, people may experience intense emotions, have dramatic shifts in energy, or feel a sense of inner transformation. In 2022, Mercury will be in retrograde from May 10 to June 2 — and since retrograde represents the opposite of “normal” planetary movement, things may feel out of the ordinary.
why does Mercury retrograde cause so many communication issues?
In astrology, it is said that each planet “rules” a different aspect of life; for example, Venus is connected to love and relationships, Mars represents physical energy, Saturn is associated with structure, and Pluto speaks to the idea of rebirth.
When a specific planet goes retrograde, you may experience a change that’s directly related to the planet’s main “theme.” For instance, Mercury is associated with communication and reason, so during Mercury retrograde, you may have trouble effectively communicating with others, understanding others, and remembering important details. Issues like misinterpreting a text or forgetting an appointment may begin to pop up during the pre-shadow phase of retrograde, peak during retrograde, and resolve during the post-shadow phase.
mercury retrograde can be a good time for self-reflection.
Mercury in retrograde is usually perceived as a “bad thing” or something to be feared. However, Mercury in retrograde can actually be a powerful time for self-reflection and introspection — and according to Adler, it isn’t something to be overly alarmed about.
“Generally, I believe that Mercury retrograde is not something to fear or dread,” Adler tells Her Campus. “Yes, we will feel it differently, but Mercury retrograde is a real opportunity rather than a hindrance.”
Adler encourages people to embrace Mercury’s backward motion and view it as an opportunity rather than an inconvenience. “Mercury retrograde is all about looking back so you can ultimately move forward,” she says. “These periods are an invitation to slow down, review, reflect, reassess, and reconsider.”
Major cosmic shifts like Mercury retrograde can cause people to feel overwhelmed. However, Adler says this is a common misconception. “These phases are often villainized or sensationalized because we live in a world that values speed, efficiency, and productivity above all else, but they can actually be a positive experience,” she says.
Adler explains that all planets go retrograde at some point, excluding the sun and moon. “The slower, outer planets (outer = farther away from the sun) – Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto – have longer retrograde cycles, whereas the faster, inner planets (inner = closer to the sun) – Mercury, Venus, and Mars – have shorter retrograde cycles,” she says. “Mercury retrograde is simply one of the most well-known retrograde phases – it’s not an issue of better or worse!”
Should you change your behavior around Mercury retrograde?
You may have seen TikTok astrologers call for people to change their behavior because of Mercury retrograde. However, according to Adler, this might not be the best advice. Instead, she recommends viewing astrology similar to the weather. “You can prepare for it every day, but you don’t need to derail all of your plans completely,” she says.
“I personally believe [changing your behavior] isn’t necessary and robs people of their personal agency,” she says. “Astrology is about learning how to work with the stars, in harmony with your own energy. You don’t need to stop your life for Mercury retrograde — or any retrograde, for that matter.”
Adler tells Her Campus that altering your life completely based on the planets isn’t realistic, and if anything, you can simply be more mindful of what might be more likely to occur around you. “Simply remember that things may take more time,” she says. “Double-check your work, contracts, and agreements, and over-communicate your needs and messages. When you know what the ‘astrological weather’ is, you can feel confident regardless of what happens because you are prepared.”
if you’re feeling on edge, be kind to yourself.
So, if Mercury retrograde is nothing to be afraid of, should you simply wait for planets to figure themselves out, or are there any actions you can take to lessen Mercury retrograde’s impact? Adler says to start by taking a deep breath.
“Be kind to yourself, and don’t overthink it,” Adler tells Her Campus. “Mercury retrograde is an opportunity to deepen your communication skills and move slowly. Notice how the planets are affecting you; tune into your own innate rhythms. When something does go awry if it does, can you be kind to yourself about it? Can you laugh it off? It’s not about being perfect…it’s about doing the best you can.”
mercury retrograde is nothing to be afraid of.
Since retrograde happens in the solar system, Mercury retrograde is — quite literally — unavoidable. Similar to the weather, if you know that rain is in the forecast, you can prepare by packing a jacket or umbrella rather than letting the drizzle deter your entire day. Likewise, if you know Mercury is about to be in retrograde, try to be a little more conscious of your behaviors. As Adler suggests, double-proofread your texts, read the fine print on any contracts and take your time when having important conversations with others to avoid miscommunications.
Despite the collective fear and hesitation that comes with Mercury retrograde each year, Adler says that Mercury being in retrograde is nothing to be afraid of. Instead, you can use it as a time to better understand yourself and grow in a positive way.
“Mercury retrograde is a necessary period that comes three times a year for three weeks so that we can slow down, reflect, review, and reassess,” Adler tells Her Campus. “It’s part of a larger cycle – we slow down to speed up. We’re meant to change!”
While Mercury retrograde might sound scary, it’s actually something that can be viewed positively. When Mercury retrogrades on May 10, I’m going to try and use the time as an opportunity to slow down and reflect, and I hope you can, too. Try a calming practice like meditation, listening to a podcast, taking time for yourself, or being intentional in your interactions with others. However you choose to approach Mercury retrograde this season, remember: It’s not something to fear.
Experts
Sofia Adler, MA, Professional Astrologer & Coach
www.sofiaadler.com/
@sofiaadler_