IN GENERAL
Mercury retrograde is frequently associated with electronics, communication and technology failures and mishaps, nervous anxiety, travel delays, and lost items. It’s also known for returning persons and situations.
RETROGRADE MOTION
All the astrology “planets” exhibit apparent retrograde motion, except the Sun and Moon. (No planet actually moves in reverse, of course, it’s just an apparent movement).
ORBITAL PERIODS
Mercury’s orbit around the Sun is 88 days, its inner orbit relative to Earth has a synodic period of approximately 116 days.
Each Mercury retrograde cycle has three (3) phases: pre-shade, retrograde motion, and post-shadow. Each cycle lasts roughly eight (8) weeks, with the actual retrograde (i.e., middle) phase spanning about 24 days. While the days that mark the beginning and end of the middle phase are commonly believed to be the worst, many people observe that the days marking the beginning of the pre-shadow and the ending of the post-shadow are equally vexing.
Although Mercury goes retrograde three to 4 times each year, Mercury is retrograde less than 20% of the time, much less than Jupiter, but more than Mars or Venus.
Mercury
Gemini and Third House
Virgo and Sixth House
Affairs, Spheres & Qualities Affected by Planet, Zodiac and House
Communication, verbal expression, speech and writing. Intelligence, cognition, mentality, thought, thinking, reason, analysis, discernment and logic. Mobility, travel, commuting. Other: androgyny, alchemy, insight, epiphany, electricity, medicine, commerce.
Commuting, day-to-day travel, neighbors, friends, peers, local connections and siblings. Curiosity, adaptability, diversity, duality and attention. The Cadent house (adaptability-oriented) of Relationships.
Health, healthcare, hygiene, wellness, vitality, strength, food and diet, work, jobs, employment, daily routines, tasks, duties, service, skills, training, habits, hobbies and schedules. Statistics, data, details, introspection, self-analysis. Health professions, agricultural sciences and labor, small and domesticated animals, pets. Clothing and textiles, crafts and artisans, military service. Production of physical and material goods; the fruits of our efforts and labor. The Cadent house (adaptability-oriented) of Wealth.
Periodicity, Frequency and Duration
Pre-Shadow Period
Principal Retrograde Period
Post-Shadow Period
Total Retrograde Period Each Cycle
Cycles Per Year
Days Per Year Subject to Rx Effects
Percentage of Year Under Rx Effect
Actions to Avoid (if feasible)
Recommended Action
approx. 12-22 days
approx. 24 days
approx. 14-21 days
50-67 days
3-4
174 - 232 days each year
48 - 64%
Practice Pointers
New undertakings and launching new projects.
New meetings and introductions.
Executing (signing) contracts.
Starting negotiations.
Commencing sales pitches and presentations.
Embrace the “re’s”.
Re-strategize, re-develop, re-think, re-imagine, re-consider, re-view, re-discuss, re-establish, re-draft, re-work, re-evaluate, etc.
Continuing with stalled-out projects or relationships and reviving former plans, efforts and affairs are often ideal during Mercury Retrograde.
Check and re-check facts and figures.
Confirm understandings.
Verify receipt of communications.
If contracts or legally operative instruments are to be executed or filed, double-, triple- and quadruple-check key points and provisions.
Test and question assumptions.