HAVE you ever had a friend blame something on Mercury being in retrograde?
Some find themselves feeling more needy, reaching out to their exes, or suddenly experiencing bad luck. When these things happen, some say it’s because Mercury’s in retrograde.
You may have even scrolled through this term a couple of times on your Twitter feed or your TikTok FYP, especially since the last period of Mercury retrograde ended just last September 15.
If you’re not an astrology buff or simply aren’t chronically online, you may find yourself wondering: “What the hell does that mean?”
More importantly, what does this phenomenon have to do with one’s daily life?
Mercury retrograde
From a scientific perspective, Mercury retrograde refers to the position of planets in the solar system. When a planet is in retrograde motion, it looks like it’s going backward in orbit.
Often, Mercury retrograde happens three to four times a year and lasts up to about three weeks. So far this year, these have been the last few periods that Mercury’s been in retrograde:
- December 29, 2022 – January 17, 2023
- April 21 – May 14
- August 23 – September 15
- December 13, 2023 – January 1, 2024
And if you’re wondering when this phenomenon is going to happen again, then you better keep your calendars marked for December 13 up to January 1st.
Yep. Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!
Over the years, Mercury retrograde has picked up a bad reputation on the internet; people have started to associate it with rough patches in their lives, or times when they make bad decisions. Why is that?
According to 24-year-old graphic designer Isabel Acot, who has been studying astrology since she was in the 7th grade, retrogrades often have a strong impact on people. During these times, there are truths, conflicts, and a number of other intense energies that suddenly rise to the surface.
She explained: “Mercury is a planet that represents communication, technology, travel, business, and mental thinking. Mercury in retrograde will affect your state in these areas; if there are any habits, ways of thinking, or choices that you need to re-think or correct, they will be brought up, whether through accidents, arguments, or any cause of conflict or tension.”
Twenty-three-year-old astrologer Janeeka Corpus also notes that this is a time when people often experience delays and setbacks in their daily lives.
Is it as bad as people make it out to be?
For Corpus, the new generation has formed a rather negative notion of Mercury retrograde over the years as an impact of what she calls “mainstream astrology.”
Here, she feels that the media has exaggerated the meaning of this cosmic event, doing so without any proper research to back up their claims.
“People see Mercury retrograde as bad luck, and they usually blame [their] challenges and problems [on] this,” she stated.
“Some views may be right, but I see Gen Z’s don’t truly grasp the reason behind them.”
One example she cites is a common trend wherein people want to get back into old relationships, blaming it on Mercury retrograde.
Corpus insists that it has nothing to do with this particular transit targeting your relationship, and has more to do with misunderstandings and unfinished communication instead.
Despite this, she empathizes with those who may have been uninformed, given that there are only a few astrologers on the local scene. She also states that most of the influencers, or most of the people with a large reach, only see astrology as a means of entertainment, sometimes even boosting the stereotypes and misconceptions that surround the practice.
As a fellow Gen Z, Acot says: “As Gen Zs, we love our freedom, and being down to earth in our reality. I feel Gen Zs have a negative notion of it because we don’t want to base how the motion or alignment of planets will affect our day-to-day life.”
Acot sees Gen Zs as creatures of free will, and blaming the stars for certain issues they may have instead of facing reality is what she thinks Gen Zs hate the most about the whole ordeal.
Some do’s and don’ts
While the last transit of this phenomenon has come to an end, there’s still another one to look forward to in December, so it’s best to be prepared.
Acot reminds people that Mercury in retrograde is a time that forces you to re-think how your communication affects others – a time wherein it would be good for you to reprogram your mindset.
As such, this is also a great time to reflect: take the time to meditate, make fresh new insights, research, learn more about what you’re interested in, and expand your skills in them.
And for the list of things to avoid, here are the top things you shouldn’t do during Mercury retrograde.
- Avoid arguments.
When it comes to arguing with people, Acot recommends just avoiding them altogether. Instead, be diplomatic; reflect before diving into certain topics, especially if they’re important to you.
Writer Ginelle Testa notes that this is often a time when people start to feel more short-tempered, moody, or stressed. You may get easily upset over things that usually don’t bother you at all.
This is also a time when issues from the past are suddenly brought up, which may cause some arguments as you feel the sudden urge to bring up fights that have already been resolved.
If you feel like fighting, remember to take a step back and breathe. In any relationship – whether it be with your parents, your friends, or your partner – it’s important to remember that proper communication is key.
- Think twice about making big changes in your life.
Though it may seem kind of ridiculous, it’s not recommended to make new connections during this time. This means holding off on hanging out with random people. When it comes to signing contracts or partnerships, maybe hold them off until the end of Mercury’s retrograde.
Why? It’s believed that connections made in these periods often lead to miscommunication or short, fleeting relations.
“Whatever you put into writing may require serious revision when Mercury goes direct,” writes Larry Schwimmer of HuffPost.
“There may be something you don’t know that you will only know when Mercury goes direct.”
- Postpone your upcoming trip.
If you have a big trip coming up, especially one in a far-off place, try to reschedule and stay where you are, instead.
Corpus explains that this is a time when you’re more prone to accidents as well as vehicular malfunctions. Flight and transportation delays also happen more often during this time.
If you still plan on going, just be sure to double-check your vehicles.
- Keep your things to yourself.
Corpus recommends that while Mercury’s in retrograde, you shouldn’t lend money or other items to other people.
In this transit, there’s a bigger chance that they’re not going to return your things or your money, and of course, you don’t want that to happen.
Or, to be safe, just don’t lend anything to anyone you don’t 100% trust. Better safe than sorry!
- Maybe don’t buy that new iPhone just yet.
It’s recommended not to buy gadgets or other forms of technology. In one of her TikTok posts, Corpus states that technology and gadgets bought during this time often get damaged or stolen.
It’s also suggested to be careful with your gadgets in general or to not buy things until this transit is over, period.
This also extends to the technology you already have access to—avoid changing your social media information or any other data you have about yourself online.
“One time, I changed my password during Mercury retrograde, and I never had a chance to get it back,” shared Corpus.
“Just leave your social media alone.”
