Mercury Retrograde Dos and Don'ts

Every year, 3 to 4 times, Mercury begins his three week long retreat, each time in a different sign and house (see below for the sign per retrograde).  During this time period, it's as if Mercury, Messenger of the Gods and the ruler of transportation, communication, electronics, expression, coordination, takes a nap.  Can you see the confusion coming? 

In Astrology, when a planet appears to be moving backwards, or is in retrograde, it is considered weakened, off it's game and not at it's best.  For us earthlings, this can create some joyful times.  When Mercury is napping, you can cue the misread emails, lost checks, broken phones, cancelled flights, delayed trains, etc.

Which is why Mercury Retrograde can seem like one of the worst times during the year for many people, because it seems like everything might be going backwards, even though you might be making efforts for going forward, or trying something new. That’s why it’s important to know when Mercury is retrograding, and to know the do’s and don’t’s during it.

2019 Mercury Retrograde - 31 October- 20 November

Mercury is the swiftest planet that can go retrograde, which he does three or four times every year. Mercury rules the mind, communications, short trips, but also our perceptions: the stuff that every usual day is made of. Things that normally go smoothly can now become messed up, making us wonder what we did to deserve such bad luck.

The good news is that it isn’t you, it’s Mercury! During this time, we might encounter delays or schedule changes in our trips, problems with our car, technology breakdowns or software malfunctions. Communication is generally more awkward than usual as if we’re speaking a different language from our partner, friends, family or co-workers.

Mercury is a swift, extroverted, chatty planet and retrogradation doesn’t suit him well! It’s difficult for him to stay still, silent, patient- which is exactly what we have to do during the retro time and a couple of days before and after if we want to successfully graduate this three-week course in disasters.

MERCURY RX- DON’T:

- sign contracts (without thinking twice and understanding all the implications)

- buy a new car or new technology

- start a new long-term project

- plan a trip/book tickets

- go with the “first thought, best thought” or “first version, best version” philosophy

MERCURY RX- DO:

- read carefully if you really have to sign something

- fix your car or problematic tech equipment

- reorganize your e-mails, your PC, documents at work

- continue working on projects you already started

- double check the things you write and think twice before speaking

- rest, reflect and regenerate