As an astrologer, some of the most common questions I get are about Mercury Retrograde tips. And this is for a good reason. So, here’s my go to list on the top 14 Do’s & Don’ts for this period. Mercury Retrograde (MRx) affects everything approximately 12 weeks/year. So, it’s essential to know how to ride this cosmic wave, so you can come out sailing…
What is Mercury Retrograde (MRx)?
With MRx, Mercury appears (an illusion) to be going backwards in the sky due to Earth’s orbit passing by it. Astrologically speaking, this disrupts all energies related to Mercury leading to problems with technology, transportation, travel and communication. However, if you align with the shift, this can be a productive period to transform, so your energies flow even better after Mercury goes direct. MRx happens for approx. 3 weeks every 3 months. It is best handled by planning for disruptions in your life during this time. (2022 dates at end of blog) to adapt.
MRx is not a negative thing; it’s just a shift and if we align with the energies, this can be a very productive time.
During MRx the cosmos asks everyone to slow down and check in with how we manifest Mercury in life. Where are you spinning your wheels or inefficient? Overall, it’s not a time to start something new. Instead, it’s a pause in life for reintegrating, reprocessing and recycling our lives to learn from the past. The Roman God, Mercury, is the Messenger. Being the fastest moving planet, this astrological maverick corresponds with important things, such as, speed, travel, technology, information, communication, transportation, education, thievery & commerce. With their winged hat and shoes, loftily they carry the winged, healing staff or Caduceus. Mercury also rules our health related to the nervous system, eyes and upper limbs.
14 Do’s & Don’ts for Mercury Retrograde Tips
Do Manifest the “Re” Words: This is the perfect time to slow down and enact the “re” words, such as, relax, reflect, rejuvenate, research, rethink or reintegrate. The prefix “re” means to do again, go back or repeat. In other words, this is a time to take pause and remap our lives in all endeavors and not a time for spontaneous splurges of any kind.
Do Use Retrograde Energies to Your Advantage: This can be a productive time to reintegrate our past experiences and overall life. For example, it’s a good time for editing old photos and memorabilia. Also, it’s a good time to write or journal, enabling us to process experiences. Furthermore, it’s an innovative time to refine our technology skills with cameras, phones and computers. The overall theme is polish up the past projects and don’t start any new ones till Mercury goes direct.
Do Not Sign any Contracts: Because you are more vulnerable to miscommunication during this period, this is not a good time for signing ANY contracts.
Mercury Corresponds with Travel, Speed and all Transportation…
Don’t Do Spontaneous Travel: Mercury rules travel and may disrupt travel plans. However, this may be a good time for a rejuvenating retreat to relax or recharge your health and well-being. If you keep this in mind and plan for delays, this can be an excellant time for wellness travel.
Do Slow Down & Arrive Early: For appointments and arrivals give wiggle room for schedule changes or cancellations.
Don’t Rely on and Do Back up Technology: There’s more likely to be computer crashes, technological problems, WIFI issues, miscommunication in e-mails and texts and other electronic disruptions. Therefore, this is a great time to pretend it’s 1990 and unplug from technology and communicate in person. Overall, plan for delays and glitches with technology. Then, you can develop a solid tech-proof strategy that will weather any storm, even after Mercury goes direct. Therefore, this is the ideal time to back all your data up, from photos to important documents.
Polish Your Communication Skills: This goes for all levels of communication, such as, conversational, relationships, writing or public speaking. It’s a great time to revisit your grammar, vocabulary and general style of communication in all facets of life. Also, don’t forget to cultivate your listening skills.
Fun Fact: Mercury is also the “Trickster” reminding us to have a sense of humor!!!
Do Recharge Your Sense of Humor and Fun Factor: Mercury the “Trickster” reminds you to have a little fun and not forget your sense of humor. Therefore, this is an ideal time for a stress-relieving, laugh worthy activities.
Do Check in with Your Eye Health: Mercury rules the eyes and vision, so this is a good time for an eye exam or purchase of new glasses. Consider getting shades with blue light filter to protect from technology. Lutein, bilberry, vitamin A and omega-3 fish oils are nourishing for eye health.
Do Take a Time Out with Social Media: It’s a conducive time to slow down and reassess your persona on Social Media. Are you authentic and portraying yourself in the best light? Are you spending too much time on it? Overall, be more cautious with posts, to avoid miscommunication and unnecessarily offending others.
Do Reexamine Relationship with LGBTQ Community: We are all connected to the LGBTQ community, whether through a friend, relative, co-worker or self. Even though classically, Mercury was a male God, he’s considered to be androgynous, meaning fluid with gender. Furthermore, Mercury and Venus procreated their androgynous child, Hermaphroditus. So, take this time to understand and relate to the social and modern outlook of this community.
Do Strengthen and Optimize Upper Limbs: Mercury rules the upper limbs, so this is a productive time to update your ergonomics. For example, this is the perfect time to address computer (prevent carpal tunnel and tendonitis) posture to avoid “Tech Neck,” and reassess the longevity of your upper limbs.
Another Fun Fact: Mercury is the smallest and fastest planet, that is closest to the sun
Do Relax or Recharge your Nervous System: Mercury rules the Nervous System, so this is a wonderful time to relax, rejuvenate and recharge your Nervous System through retreats, time-outs, nature breaks, adaptogens (ex. rhodiola, ashwaghanda) to lower cortisol, and Vitamin B-complex supplements. Mentally, this is an ideal time to improve attitudes and belief systems to ensure less stress for our nervous system. Additionally, explore ways to manage stress with meditation and Energetic Medicine.
Do Ramp up your Security: Because Mercury also corresponds with thievery, consider your security system for work, home, car, travel, phone and computer. What needs to be ramped up or improved? This is a great time to get those passwords stronger to prevent hacking. Also, for traveling or even riding public transportation reassess your backpack and modes of transportation to be thief proof.
Mercury Retrograde Schedule 2023 -4
December 29 – January 18, 2023 in Earth sign Capricorn
April 21 – May 15, 2023 in Earth sign Taurus
August 23 – September 15, 2023 in Earth sign Virgo
December 13 – January 2, 2024 starts in Earth sign Capricorn and ends in Fire sign Sagittarius
Afterwards, “Retro-shade”
After reading this article, you hopefully won’t blame Mercury, but harness this time period for productivity and creativity. The 14 important Do’s and Don’ts help navigate Mercury Retrograde. I chose 14 because this adds up to 5, the number for Mercury in Numerology. Cleverly mercurial, right?
Also, do be mindful that 2 weeks following retrograde is a “Retroshade Period.” This picks up the pieces from MRx fallout, as the universe readapts to Mercury going direct. Overall, during MRx remember to review these Do’s & Don’ts. Then, this time period gives you an opportunity to revamp your life path in a more streamlined and efficient flow!!