Whoa, Mercury is Retrograde?!
Misconceptions about Mercury retrograde & how to work with these cycles
An earlier version of this post appeared on The Girl with Moxie in 2020.
Perhaps you’ve already read that Mercury went retrograde on Monday, April 1, and you either skeptically rolled your eyes at the news or you moaned in exasperation. There’s a common misconception that Mercury retrograde is a horrible time to get anything done: sign contracts, take a trip, buy new gadgets or electronic devices, move. But Mercury goes retrograde 3-4 times a year, which might be more often than you get your oil changed in your car, and that means you’re inevitably going to be faced with decisions during a Mercury retrograde cycle. There are ways to cope, however, and while Mercury retrograde may seem like an excuse for some folks to avoid decisions or commitments, it’s also a great time to slow down and focus on activities that Mercury rules.
Mercury: The Basics
Mercury (Hermes) is the messenger of the gods in Greek and Roman mythology. He did a lot of dirty work for Zeus, a serial cheater who had a vengeful wife, Hera. He also saved the lives of several mortals and demi-gods who found themselves in difficult positions. In his role as a messenger who could cross boundaries, Mercury acted as a psychopomp, guiding souls to the underworld. Mercury is also a trickster and shapeshifter. He loves a good joke or prank. Some of the things Mercury rules1 includes:
Advertising
Bees and beekeepers
Books and literature
Carrots and celery
Communication—written, oral, and electronic
Computers
Desks and offices
Keys
Licorice
Mirrors
Schools and teachers
Sewing
Stationery—pencils, pens, paper
Travel (particularly short trips)
Transportation—buses, trains, cars, bicycles
Writers and editors of all kinds—journalists, newspaper reporters, proofreaders, editors, novelists
In astrology, the term retrograde refers to when a planet appears to move backward through the signs. Retrograde cycles for the planets2 vary—and Mercury’s retrograde cycles are among the shortest, logging in at approximately three weeks. If it feels longer, that’s due to the shadow period, an approximately two-week period when Mercury is moving along a path that it will revisit later. There’s a pre- and post-retrograde shadow period: typically the post-retrograde shadow is not as intense as the pre-retrograde shadow and is more of a final review of everything that occurred during Mercury retrograde.
Astrologers will tell you that when a planet goes retrograde, it’s a time to move inward. It’s an opportunity to slow down and take time to carefully evaluate our behavior, decisions, and situations. Mercury managed to get the best PR team out of all the planets, because so many people are aware of Mercury retrograde cycles and how it affects traffic, electronic devices, and communication.
As a Gemini rising, I am all too aware of my love-hate relationship with Mercury, my chart ruler3. I cannot tell you how many times I have cursed Mercury out while dealing with a phone issue, broken wifi, car issues, or some other shenanigans. But I have also learned the necessity of planning ahead and being extremely organized before Mercury retrograde cycles. Once Mercury goes retrograde, I do my best to slow way down with projects, taking the time to read through anything I write multiple times, whether it’s this post or an email. I will review plans and task lists with clients and colleagues both verbally and in writing, so that we eliminate any possible confusion. I try harder to shut my mouth and listen to other people, too.
Mercury also rules Wednesday, and a few years ago I decided to honor this trickster planet by celebrating Mercury Retrograde Wednesdays during Mercury retrograde cycles. I take some time to do an activity that’s in Mercury’s wheelhouse—more often than not, it’s writing. I’ve compiled a list of activities you can try out during Mercury retrograde cycles. You might find these activities enjoyable and an excellent way to not lose your cool should you have any wonky mishaps.
Activities for Mercury Retrograde Wednesdays
Write it down. Get a notebook or journal and write down what’s on your mind. Give it all to the page – it can handle what you have to rant or rave about. You can also try out 750words.com to get into a writing habit.
Take a little trip. Get in your car or on a train—whatever feels safest for you—and set off on a day trip. To really honor the free-spirited, impulsive nature of Mercury, don’t plan out where to go (but do make sure the car is full of gas, tires are properly inflated, your phone is charged up, etc.). Allow yourself to be surprised. Bonus points for bike rides!
Read. Mercury rules the written word, so grab a book or magazine or newspaper, your favorite beverage and maybe a snack, and settle down in a comfy chair to read. For this activity, I recommend going analog—Mercury may decide to zap your phone or tablet just when the action gets exciting, because he is a jerk like that sometimes. Do not ask me how I know this. Mercury also rules humor, so a collection of humorous essays or a satirical novel is an excellent choice.
Reorganize your office/work area. This includes your desk, files, shelves and bookcases. Definitely keep this activity to physical items—otherwise you may end up deleting computer files you needed. Again, do not ask me how I know this.
Watch something funny. Mercury loves to laugh, so scratch that itch by watching a movie or sitcom that makes you laugh. A standup comic special is also an excellent choice.
Writing, cleaning off your desk, and watching funny shows are very on brand for Mercury. Image courtesy of moxieastrology.com Clean the mirrors. Get some window cleaner or a spray bottle of white vinegar (my personal choice), a soft clean rag or paper towels, and clean all the mirrors in your home. You may even want to set up a new mirror somewhere, or perhaps buy a compact mirror for your go-bag or purse.
Handwrite a letter or note to someone. Mercury rules handwriting, pens, pencils, and stationery, so this is an activity he can totally get behind. If you have no idea what to write, here’s a list of ideas.
Call a relative. Pick up the phone and call your mom, dad, sibling, your favorite uncle, the aunt who sends you care packages, and check in with them. Doesn’t have to be a long conversation, nor does it have to be a heavy one. Just keep it light and loving, and you’ll both feel good by the time you hang up.
Sew. Mercury rules sewing machines AND needles, so if you enjoy sewing, set aside time on Wednesdays to sew a small project or work on a longer one. I love to sew, and I do this as much as possible during a Mercury retrograde period—but you best believe I’ll be having a chat with Mercury ahead of time about not dicking with my machine, breaking needles, or jamming up the bobbin. Brand new to sewing? I highly recommend Crafty Gemini’s tutorials for beginners.4
In any given year, there will be planetary transits & activity posing some major challenges for a wide population, and Mercury retrograde is one of those transits. But if we come at this cycle from a place of honoring the shift in perspective that’s required during Mercury retrograde, it can be a much easier transit to manage. Laugh along with Mercury as much as you can!
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The only planets used in tropical astrology that do not have retrograde cycles are the Sun and Moon. Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto all have retrograde cycles.
The rising sign is the zodiac sign that was ascending on the eastern horizon at your time of birth. As Chani Nicholas writes, “Because the eastern horizon is where the Sun reappears every day, it represents birth and vitality. Thanks to Earth’s 24-hour rotation, the signs rise over this point really fast — every two hours or so, to be exact. This speed is important because it’s part of what makes your ascendant so specific to you. Your rising sign reveals the exact segment of the sky that was emerging when and where you entered the world. Not five minutes later. Not 50 miles away. But from the precise instant and geographical coordinates of your birth. That’s why your ascendant represents you — even more than the Sun or the Moon.”
Of course a Gemini, one of two signs ruled by Mercury, started a business involving sewing. We love to see it.