Tips on How to survive Mercury Retrograde!

What is Mercury retrograde and why does it occur?

Mercury Retrograde occurs because Mercury cannot be more than 27° away from the Sun. When he nears beyond the 27° mark, he has to retrograde back so that he can be closer to the sun. Retrogrades happen every three months (or round about), and they can last for up to three weeks.

In truth, planets don’t retrograde backwards or travel backwards as described, nor do they ‘slow down’. However, planets can ‘appear’ in the sky as if they are moving backwards.

Mercury in Rx (how it appears in an astrological chart) is marked by one significant event or a set of incidences which forces you to reflect on an area of life where Mercury is moving in your chart.

The area may centre around your image, identity, finances, communications, appointments, work, or technology.

You experience a setback, delays, accusations, mistakes, and items becoming faulty. You get a chance to repair history or put things right that went wrong, probably making changes to some area of your life you should have changed long ago.

Should I be concerned about Mercury Retrograde?

If you think you only need to worry about Mercury going retrograde, think again, because there is a build-up of tension occurring at least two or three weeks “before” Mercury goes retrograde, and the name of this period is known as the “Pre-shadow period’.

During this time, you’ll have minor issues which you’ll seek to reverse (make changes). Then when Mercury goes retrograde a few weeks later, you must fix things involving Mercurial themes. Furthermore, change things relating to where transiting Mercury is in your chart.

Mercury themes involve

• Technology
• Social Media, talking, writing, editing, texting, recording, speeches, music
• Travel (travel arrangements, all modes of transportation)
• Nervousness

Mercury causes havoc. There is one aspect of your life that you need to start over. This is especially true if you feel you’ve been stagnant . Mercury Retrograde will coincide with being productive, especially in communication.

If you’re not in the mood to revise or write, technology will fail. Thus, you couldn’t edit, write, or talk if you wanted to. You regret not finishing when everything worked. When everything is repaired, you’ll be more motivated to do what you have been avoiding, i.e. write more, etc.

If you’ve had ongoing disagreements with neighbors, siblings, or cousins but haven’t spoken up, an event forces you to act. You’ll resolve a long-standing conflict with someone.

Mercury Retrograde Example

Let’s say you have always wanted to get a PO box, or you no longer want to have your mail delivered to your home. Perhaps it’s too expensive, or you haven’t bothered to check your delivery options.

Well, an unrelated thing crops up a few days later—usually three weeks before Mercury goes retrograde, and let’s say you need to order a hardback book (because your dissertation is too big to fit through the letterbox) from Amazon, but you’re not a Prime customer.

Unbeknownst to you, at the time of ordering, transiting Mercury is now in the 3rd house of your chart, in Capricorn, and as a result, the Amazon standard courier has difficulty (Capricorn) with delivery (the 3rd house). 

Well, you’re going to need to contact Amazon, look at alternative options, and consider joining Prime to get it delivered to a locker or the post office, etc.

The experience has motivated you to explore postal and delivery alternatives, and you now have the drive and information to adjust your Amazon delivery options and how you receive your normal mail. 

Perhaps you can find a cheaper alternative where you can get both your mail and Amazon packages delivered there instead of your home.

Mercury-related events get you to investigate or reconsider specific areas in your lives. Consider Mercury retrograde as a time to change an aspect of your life that wasn’t working.

Perhaps you’re not supposed to order a specific book because you may not even need it, or it becomes cheaper in a few months’ time. When there are blocks in your life, it may be out of unavailable to you for good reasons. Similarly, overcoming challenges builds character.

Therefore, look at a Mercury retrograde, as a positive, not as a negative.

Are there other phases other than pre-retrograde and retrograde?

Yes, please read our main post: How Mercury Stole the Light from the Sun!

Nothing has ever happened to me during Mercury goes Retrograde!

We’ve already mentioned in previous posts that not everyone will feel Mercury retrograde every single time it occurs.

Nevertheless, some people dread when planets go retrograde because we often do not want to repeat what we have already done before. Society tells us to go forwards not backwards if we’re want to progress.

Tip one in regard to buying technology!

The best tip during Mercury retrograde, especially if you’re planning to buy technology, is to acquire technology during the pre-shadow period. However, I would then quickly cancel the item (make sure you keep proof of return, i.e. a receipt).

You can rebuy the item returned during Mercury retrograde. Although if you decide to buy anything make sure you do not rebuy during the Pre-shadow period only during Mercury retrograde or Post-shadow.

Again, buy an electronic item ahead of time. But if bought near or during an Rx buy it with the intention of returning and then re-buy at a later date.

Do the above because, during the pre-shadow period, your order won’t be delayed or even declined, but it won’t work or is unlikely to show up. In astrology, retrograde stands for anything beginning with an RE, such as research, revise, refund, return, etc. Therefore, that’s what you should aim to do. Return it to get a refund.

Tip two regarding buying technology!

If you buy technology near the conclusion of Mercury’s pre-shadow phase (a day or two before retrograde), don’t turn it on until Mercury’s post-shadow period.

Post-shadow occurs directly after Mercury is no longer retrograde, and Post-shadow period can last anywhere from one to two weeks.

If the return window is 14 or 30 days, make sure the item works because you may not be able to replace or return it afterward.

If you cannot wait until Mercury goes out of post shadow (a short time after he is no longer Rx should Return/Cancel your items (if they are technology) and re-buy it.

Remember, retrogrades and pre-shadow periods are meant to be a time to research things because clarity is not guaranteed.

Other tips connected with technology:

• Buy a small toolkit (screwdrivers designed to fix laptops and small gadgets).
• Don’t switch computers/devices on unnecessarily.
• Don’t put computers into sleep or hibernation mode.
• Make backup copies.

Tips when signing a contract or getting married during Mercury retrograde!

If you must sign a contract, consider asking for a break clause in the contract just in case you change your mind, or more likely, in case the terms and conditions won’t be what meets the eye.

Try to renew a contract with the same company and the same terms as previously agreed upon. Renewing is okay, but signing a new contract is a no-no unless you put in a break clause.

Avoid marrying during Mercury retrograde and instead remarry, i.e. renew your vows (or prepare to remarry at a later stage). Use the time for rehearsal dinners, rehearsing your vows, etc.

General information and tips regarding Mercury Retrograde

Just remember that people and situations can return. Similarly, you may find yourself returning to particular locations.

• *Keep and photocopy all your receipts.
• Wear your USB around your neck.
• Do not carry around money unnecessarily.
• Don’t focus on new topics, instead work on things you want to change
• Expect delays.
• Keep calm.
• Retrogrades are useful for anything that starts with RE (repeat, receipt, recite, research, renew, redo, rejected, returned, redelivered, reused).
• Do not book a holiday or make travel arrangements.

Lastly, check out our calendar of when Mercury goes retrograde.