The Benefits of Mercury Retrograde: A Positive Look at a Challenging Period

Mercury isn’t a hugely controversial planet but it is one of the most influential personal planets. It impacts our daily life more than we realize. This small yet powerful celestial body shines its energy over the matters we deal with each and every day from communication and technology to the large and small decisions we make.

Its energy is wonderful, fascinating and complex, but then there are those infamous retrogrades that seem to set us all back or put the brake on our lives. But are Mercury retrogrades all trouble and strife? As someone who has studied the movements of the stars and their impact on humanity for over two decades, I don’t think so.

Let’s look at the brighter side of this planet moving backwards in the sky around us and form a clearer picture on how it can help us to improve our lives.

The Cosmic Magic of Mercury

Mercury rules the air sign of Gemini and the earth sign of Virgo. Gemini benefits from the intuitive, quick-thinking and curious energy of Mercury. These air sign natives are friendly and adapt quickly to difficult circumstances. Virgo natives embody the logical and analytical side of Mercury. Virgos have a detailed and systematic thought process and are known for their incredibly organized lifestyles.

The energy of this planet affects our minds in the same way that the Moon affects our emotions. It governs our intellect, communication and thought process. It has an energetic say in the way you express yourself in your daily life. It’s the planet that helps you convey information and process your ideas and feelings through a rational lens. Considering all this, it should come as no surprise that Mercury is associated with the swift-footed messenger of the Gods, Hermes.

What is Mercury Retrograde, Technically?

I want to stress that no planet moves backward or slows down in the heavens. That would defy the laws of physics! No, instead, we perceive the planet going backward as we see it from Earth, but its trajectory doesn’t change one bit.

It’s essentially an optical illusion created by the different speeds of the planets involved, in this case, Earth and Mercury. It takes Mercury 88 days to complete its orbit around the Sun, while the Earth needs 365 days to do the same, as it’s a slower moving planet.

From our earthly perspective, this happens three to four times each year on average and each one lasts around three weeks. The sign it is in can guide us through this energetic wave and warn us about its influence. For instance, in Aries can make us impatient and impulsive. In Pisces, it can make us more nostalgic and thoughtful.

From an astrological point of view, this is certainly not the most praised period of the year. But remember that astrology is a very intuitive practice. It works a lot with how we interpret and manifest the cosmic energy of a celestial body. Therefore, nothing is entirely negative or positive in the cosmos. Each aspect brings its share of blessings and challenges.

So, while this period can bring communication difficulties, make us struggle with the use of tech and even bring up difficult memories, there’s also an uplifting, helpful and wise energy associated with this phenomenon.

For those who are really interested in making the most of these periods, I highly recommend reading Mercury Retrograde: it’s Myth and Meaning by Pythia Peay. In her fascinating book, she explains how this time is not to be feared and how to make the most of it, in great depth.

Embrace the Energy of Mercury Retrograde

This period, like most, if not all astrological events, is what you make of it. Its energy can get your life back on track, as long as you manifest it in your favor. And here are a few ways that enable you to do just that:

A Time for Reflection

This is an ideal time to turn your focus inward, reflecting on yourself and your life. Use this period to analyze your life, embrace your progress and exercise self-compassion.

You won’t like everything you see during this eye-opening self-awareness phase, but it will help you to better understand who you are and where you stand. And more importantly, it will help you identify the changes you need to make to reach your potential.

As Mercury rules communication and intellect, consider writing down your thoughts and feelings. In a journal, express yourself in the most unfiltered, honest manner. You’ll probably notice a lot of things, including thought patterns that you weren’t aware of before.

Learn to control your mind through meditation and use Mercurial energy to practice mindfulness. Meditation can help you order your mind and make space for new perspectives.

Welcome Positive Change

If you go through a time of reflection, you’ll very likely identify the things that need to change. But rather than making drastic decisions that could turn your life upside down, focus on changes that will support your personal growth.

The most important and positive changes you can make during these retrogrades are those related to learning. Use your mind to perfect a skill or learn a new one and read more about the things you’re interested in. 

This might surprise you, but this may be an especially fortuitous time begin paying more attention to your health or starting a new diet. For many people, starting a new diet means correcting bad habits through positive changes. And remember that the most successful diets are those that create a healthier lifestyle, as opposed to very restrictive ones like crash diets. So, don’t plan on following a temporary, unsustainable diet but on changing your lifestyle for the better altogether.

If you feel the need to implement change in your relationships, do it by improving the way you interact with others first and foremost. Remember that every external change starts within us. Focus on improving your communication to nurture your relationships.

Make Realistic Plans

Once you go through a self-evaluation process, you become more aware of your strengths and weaknesses, which is why you will find it easier to establish realistic plans and objectives. This period can bring with it an increase in self-awareness so you understand better what you are capable of doing (and what you are not).

Use the analytical energy of Mercury to break down your objectives into small steps and create patience. Most likely, you will adjust your plans along the way, but Mercury gives you clear direction.

Mercury Retrograde Myths and Truths

These are the most controversial times of the year, when astrologers warn about potential issues and people stay on guard to keep their lives on track. But let’s clarify the myths and truths of this period:

Myths

Challenges in Communication

As soon as Mercury goes retrograde, you’ll hear left and right that communication is negatively affected. Warnings of malfunctioning technology, lost documents, poorly worded letters and emails or lack of understanding are only partially true. While there’s a risk of such hiccups, they aren’t inevitable.

This period calls for us to slow down, chill and take the time to think before we speak. Impulsive communication is only likely to create negative outcomes. But if you’re especially patient during this time, and you make sure to listen before you speak, your conversations can thrive.

Avoid Signing Contracts

Life doesn’t pause during this phenomena, and while you might need to alter it a bit, you can still go on with your plans. Plenty of people still buy and rent property, travel great distances during and so on during these periods. But if you want to be doubly certain of everything going according to plan, take a look at the aspects in your sixth and tenth houses. If Mercury forms a positive aspect in transit with planets in these two houses, you’ll be far safer to sign everything you need.

If there are negative aspects like squares or oppositions, perhaps consider waiting until Mercury goes direct. Though, we all know that not everything can be postponed. So, if that isn’t an option, read every line of the contract closely and maybe consult a lawyer to make sure everything is in order. You should be fine!

Challenges with Travel

If you plan to travel during this period, the myth says that you’ll experience delays or problems with your documents. Again, I would look at your tenth house aspects before jumping into anything.

This period can make traveling challenging if you decide to go on a trip suddenly. It becomes risky if you don’t pay attention to the details and don’t plan your trip thoroughly. But if you’re well-prepared for your trip, even if you face a setback, you’ll have a solution ready for any issue that may arise. It’s important to consider all the potential risks and be patient if any trouble crops up.

Personally, I’ve travelled plenty of times during Mercury retrogrades without any issues at all.

Truths

Learn From the Past

These periods are some the best times of the year to reflect on your past experiences and potential traumas and see what lessons they’ve taught you. If there are certain situations which need closure then you might get it. It’s also not uncommon to experience exes reaching out during these times. But how you respond to them is totally up to you.

Use this period to see how far you have come and why you had to go through certain obstacles along the way. I recommend making a pros and cons list about your life. If you’re a Virgo, you’re probably used to making these kinds of lists anyway. As questions like what have you achieved in the past six months, and what did you lose? What are your latest strengths and weaknesses? And which areas of your life could do with some improvement? Focus on these questions and learn from your past in a way that will lead you toward a better future.

Do all of the things that start with “re” —Re-evaluate, reconsider, reconcile (if possible), revisit your past projects, relationships and ideas. Thank yourself and the Universe for all of the positive things in your life and identify what could do with improving and what needs to be done away with completely.

Practice Self-awareness

Try your best to think, act and speak from a self-aware perspective. Be present and think of the impact your actions and words can have. This isn’t the time to be impulsive. It’s the time to be patient, careful and provide measured responses.

Attention to Detail

Act like a Virgo as much as you can! Regardless of your Sun sign, we all have Virgo in our birth chart somewhere. Focus on that energy and work with the meticulous attention to detail that this earth sign inspires you with. This is a good time to observe things that would otherwise would go unnoticed and make more educated decisions.

Think Twice

Look at the sign which Mercury is in while to goes retro and find the house ruled by that sign in your natal chart. This is the life sector in which you will need to give things a second thought. For instance, if Mercury is retrograde in Aries and your seventh house of relationships and partnerships is ruled by Aries, you’ll probably want double think your interactions with your partner and others.

Be Flexible and Open

Enjoy life and the small pleasures that come with it. Don’t rush things, but rather take this time to focus on them and feel grateful for them. Things might change during this time but you have to embrace the change even if you’re not the one initiating it. Maintain a flexible approach and allow yourself to indulge in the chances that life brings you.

Tips for Navigating These Periods

Double-check everything. If you go on a trip, check your ticket, documents, itinerary, luggage, insurance and all other essentials just to be on the safe side! Also, have some cash with you just in case something goes wrong with your cards or you can’t find any ATMs when you need them.

Focus on yourself. This is the time to put yourself on the main stage of your life. Objectively look at yourself as much as possible. Analyze your thought patterns, overall mindset, life goals, achievements and failures to date. Use your past experiences, good and bad, to build the best version of yourself!

Look at the other astrological aspects that impact your chart. Mercury retrograde by itself, doesn’t say much for a native and you certainly can’t alter your life if needed based on this celestial occurrence alone. Take a look at the aspects in your chart that Mercury impacts so you get a better picture. And even more importantly, look at the area of life where Mercury retrograde points.

Oh, and last but definitely not least, I highly recommend that you pay attention during the full Moon and new Moon phases. These two potent phases during this time can further color things.