Mercury retrograde: what it means and how to use the slowdown

Mercury goes retrograde about three times a year. Astrologers say it’s a time when things feel slower. That doesn’t mean the world is ending, or that you’ll have bad luck for weeks. Many astrologers see it as an invitation to slow down and look at what needs to change in your life.

What’s actually happening in the sky

Mercury doesn’t really move backward. It orbits the Sun much faster than Earth does, and around the time it passes between Earth and the Sun, our view of it shifts quickly enough that, seen from Earth, it seems to drift backward against the stars. After about three weeks it seems to move forward again. The planet never changes direction. Retrograde is how its path looks from where we stand.

What astrologers say to expect

Things move slower than usual

Have you been feeling stuck? Astrologers would point out that Mercury often isn’t alone: some seasons they count several planets in retrograde at the same time. If you feel like you aren’t moving forward, that’s normal, and you don’t have to panic about it.

It also doesn’t mean you should do nothing. Blaming the retrograde is easy. Try going with it instead, and use the slower pace for some introspection. What is the stuck feeling pointing at? What needs to change in your life for you to become the person you want to be?

People and events from the past come back

Astrologers say this is common during a retrograde. If you didn’t learn a lesson the first time, here’s another chance. It’s a good season to look at what didn’t work before and restructure your life around what you’ve learned.

Each retrograde happens in a zodiac sign, and sometimes Mercury slips back from one sign into the one before it. Astrologers read the sign as the theme of that retrograde. When it touches Virgo, for example, they link it with analyzing and organizing. Use that, and watch for its other side: overthinking and perfectionism.

Expect a few hiccups

In astrology, Mercury is the planet of travel, communication, technology and the intellect. Astrologers say that when it’s retrograde, things can feel slower, and there may be miscommunications or problems with technology. Many recommend holding off on life-altering decisions like starting a relationship, getting married, buying a house or signing contracts. Some also say not to travel.

But Mercury goes retrograde about three times every year, so you’ve been living with it your whole life. Okay, you might miss a flight. A fuzzy, distracted mind is usually the reason. Slow down, double-check things, and be a little more careful.

Questions for a retrograde season

Any retrograde season is a good time for self-reflection. Ask yourself:

• What have I been doing these past months?
• Are my actions taking me where I want to be?
• How are my thoughts and feelings influencing what I do?

Libra is a good example of how astrologers read the sign. They call it the sign of romance and relationships, and also of balance and the law. When a retrograde falls in Libra and you carry old hurt from relationships, astrologers say it may be a hard time.

So sit down and meditate on what’s happening in your life. What do you need to learn from it? What do you need to let go of? Astrologers see a Libra retrograde as a season for learning what we need to learn about relationships. Whatever you believe about the stars, the learning comes from paying attention to what keeps coming up between you and other people, and owning your part in it.

Don’t rush it

Are relationships hard for you right now? Are you feeling overwhelmed? Take a breath. Retrograde season can feel incredibly slow, and you may get frustrated and want to force things to happen. Don’t rush. Take the time you need to restructure your life. That, astrologers say, is what this season is for.

If what you’re carrying is heavier than a slow few weeks, or it won’t lift, talk to a doctor or therapist.

Happy retrograde season.