November 25th, 8:42 pm CT
Let's get straight to the point. How does Mercury Retrograde affect you? The short answer is that it makes you think. Now, let's move to the long answer.
Mercury retrograde is surrounded by myths and legends. When astrology got more popular in the 1970s, thanks to the 'New Age' movement, its most eye-catching bits and pieces were taken, subsequently sensationalized, and then spread in daily conversations and newspaper horoscopes. Astrology always follows the culture - the traffic delays, which are constantly attributed to Mercury Retrograde, sounded awful to an average American. And problems with technology? In the 70s, for many, electronics and computers were a new exotic form of life. It was wise to open your ears to any article saying you need to handle electronics carefully.
The next step in the evolution of this myth was the rise of early internet blogs and later social media platforms. You probably heard about Mercury Retrograde for the first time from a meme. And if you haven't, I would love to hear about it, so shoot us an email. Memes are responsible for the majority of trends 10 years ago, and their popularity is only increasing, so the Mercury Retrograde myth isn't going anywhere.
Of course, these stories about Mercury Retrograde wouldn't spread if it didn't have any effect on your life! So yes, Mercury Retrograde does affect your daily life, however, it greatly depends on your individual chart. This transit happens 3 times a year and lasts 3 weeks every time. *Takes out calculator* which means that 17% of the year Mercury is Retrograde! You might feel disoriented and with little control over traffic and technology for more than 17% of your life, but I bet you don't feel that way only for 3 weeks straight 3 times a year.
Related Product
December Zodiac Birthday Candle
$49.00
The Truth
When a planet is retrograde, it moves over the same area of the sky twice, this time just backward. The planet basically doubles its presence, making itself and its traits noticeable. Mars wants to remind us how important it is to fight, Venus is teaching us about loss and love, and Mercury wants us to use our brains. When exes come back into our lives it prompts us to analyze our inner world, technology will break so we can use our brain more, and being stuck in traffic makes us question the entire reality...
Another important trait of a retrograde planet is how it makes us revisit the past and improve upon our habits. Mercury is trying to teach us better ways to think, observe the reality around us, communicate, plan, organize, and enjoy little moments of introspection. If you think about it, anything we do more intensely as a desired result has improvement.
A retrograde planet wants us to follow its energies, and sometimes that is impossible without little disasters here and there. But, if you activate your brain at your own will, you might avoid some, if not all negative manifestations of Mercury retrograde. Stop and think more often. Write and read. Learn a new language, or improve the one you know already. Learn about technology, don't just mindlessly use it. Trade and exchange goods, Mercury also represents commerce.
Mercury stands for intellect, as long as you respect yours and that of others, everything should be fine. But just in case you are still worried here are some of the answers to the most frequently asked questions when it comes to Mercury Retrograde.
- Should you contact your exes? Yes, but only if it will help you think.
- Should you buy new technology? Yes, but if it will improve your well-being, not just make your day easier.
- Should you travel? Of course, but to learn, communicate, or exchange something valuable.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
Written by Diego T.