It's that time of year again, you know that period when you feel just a bit off? Of course, we're talking about the time when Mercury is in retrograde.
The much-memed phenomenon is an astrological expression that refers to a whole bunch of chaos occurring during certain periods of the year.
In 2022, Mercury went into retrograde four times (!) but thankfully we'll get some respite from the madness this year as it’s only set to occur three times in 2023 — phew.
As we head for our second Mercury retrograde of 2023 on 23 August to 15 September, we take a look into what it means, when other 2023 dates land and how best to navigate the mayhem during this time.
What does Mercury in retrograde mean?
Besides being a meme-worthy expression, when someone says Mercury is in retrograde, they are referring to the name for an astrology transit that sees a period of time where Mercury moves slower than the Earth around the sun.
The planet closest to the sun normally moves faster than ours — it takes Mercury 88 days to make its way around the sun compared to the Earth’s 365 days — so when it goes slower it creates a sort of optical illusion that it’s moving backwards.
In astrology, Mercury is said to rule communication, news, travel, technology, gossip and information which means, when it is in retrograde, we can expect a whole bunch of mishaps to occur, such as missed connections and miscommunications.
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When is Mercury in retrograde in 2023?
Mercury is in retrograde three times in 2023:
21 April to 14 May: The first retrograde of the year will occur under the Taurus sign, but we might have started to feel the effects of the pre-retrograde shadow that occurs before the transit happens from as early as 7 April. The post-retrograde shadow will last until 31 May.
23 August to 15 September: Virgos, don’t despair that the second Mercury retrograde is happening under your sign — just do what you do best and plan for the cheerful mishaps instead. The pre-retrograde shadow will begin on 3 August and the post-retrograde shadow will linger until 30 September.
13 December to 1 January, 2024: The third and final Mercury retrograde of the year will take us all the way to the new year as it moves from Sagittarius through to Capricorn. Pre-retrograde shadow will begin from 25 November and the post-retrograde shadow will last well into the new year as it’s set to end on 20 January, 2024.
How does Mercury retrograde affect us?
If you've ever wondered why people seemingly freak out when Mercury retrograde happens, it's because Mercury is the planet that influences communication, with it generally thought that the retrograde motion signifies negative undertones for the astrological world.
This can lead to everything from emails getting lost to travel disruptions, with astrologers also believing that it can result in:
- Shifts in friendships or falling outs
- Miscommunications and general misunderstandings
- Brain fog, anxiety and headaches
- Uncertainty around work and personal projects
Sounds lovely, huh?
What to expect when Mercury is in retrograde in Virgo (23 August to 15 September)
It's official — the year's second Mercury retrograde is upon us. While every retrograde affects all star signs, it's the sign that each retrograde falls under that sees the deepest effects.
This year, earth signs Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo will be the most affected by Mercury being in retrograde.
And though this retrograde will be very similar to the others this year, there are a few things to know about Mercury retrograde in Virgo.
According to Tarot.com, it will see all areas of life ruled by the sign impacted. These are: work, health and routine. This means you could see delays or missed deadlines, as well having difficulty with communication in personal and professional partnerships. Given that Mercury and Virgo are both linked to information, misunderstandings can also crop up during this time and you may feel a little aimless in general.
“This Mercury retrograde is distinct due to its occurrence in Virgo, a sign that naturally emphasises details, critique, health, and perfection,” explains life coach and astrologer, Betty Andrews. “The energy is further intensified with multiple planets also in retrograde, magnifying reflection across various life areas and complicating dynamics.”
According to Andrews, not only is Mercury due to go into retrograde, other planets will be in retrograde, too.
“Mercury will be joined by Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter, Venus (for a part of it), Saturn, and Pluto,” she tells us. “That's a hefty lineup of retrogrades happening concurrently. The confluence of these retrogrades creates a cosmic cocktail of energies.”
During this Mercury retrograde, you may find yourself feeling pulled in many directions — “asked to reflect, reassess, innovate, and transform all at once,” she says. “The atmosphere could be charged with introspection, with many of us feeling the urge to dive deep into our psyche, relationships, and life paths. The combined energies encourage both internal reflection and external re-adjustment."
The cosmic shake-up is here.
How to make Mercury retrograde in Virgo work for you
According to Andrews, this Mercury retrograde is the perfect time to recalibrate and ensure you're on the right path.
“While this may seem overwhelming, remember that retrogrades are not about hindrances but about helping us grow,” she says.
“It’s the universe’s way of saying, 'Take a moment, breathe, and ensure you're aligning with your true north.' Embracing this period with an open heart, patience, and a dash of adaptability can lead to profound insights and lasting positive shifts.”
The energy and themes associated with each Mercury retrograde can differ, depending on which astrological sign it is transiting through. This one’s a lil different because it’s happening in the season of Virgo which means it's grounded, practical, and detail-oriented. It's ruled by Mercury itself, so when Mercury goes retrograde in its home sign, the themes are particularly pronounced.
Attention to detail: Mercury retrograde in Virgo amplifies the focus on details, prompting a reevaluation of overlooked aspects in projects and communication.
Critical thinking: Virgo's analytical nature intensifies critique, benefiting refinement but risking overthinking.
Service and health: Emphasis on health and service grows, signalling a time to reassess health and work habits.
Desire for perfection: The urge to perfect projects peaks, but beware of chasing unattainable perfection.
Every star sign brings something unique to the table.
What else can you do when Mercury is in retrograde?
Mercury retrograde affects everyone differently, and there are ways to make navigating this uncertain time a little easier. Here's what you can do to set yourself up for Mercury retrograde this year:
It's important to remember that potential impacts of Mercury retrograde are ultimately theoretical. So even if it does feel like things might be out of their usual rhythm, don't neglect to acknowledge that this could be due to you being more conscious of potential changes and so paying more mind to these.
Stressing over potential issues ultimately won't change anything so try and roll with the punches as best you can and avoid dramatising. Remaining calm will not only help with your general outlook but will also ensure that you're in a far better position to navigate any unexpected changes during this time.
Given that the planet Mercury rules communications in every form, whether it be writing or speaking, make an effort to pay greater mind to what this encompasses, from things like negotiations and work dealings to travel plans and messaging.
Simple things like reviewing your emails to ensure there's no room for misunderstandings or allowing yourself extra time to look over any new contracts will make all the difference, so bear this in mind and make allowances if people seem to be shorter than usual or are misconstruing your words.
As above, Mercury retrograde is ripe for misunderstandings, so consider pressing pause on any major conversations that will have a long-term impact on you.
Wherever possible it's best to save big chats for when Mercury is back to normal as it will likely save you some trouble down the line.
Where you're able to, give yourself some leeway for things to not go as planned. If you're getting a train at a particular time then consider giving yourself ten extra minutes, if you're unsure of a new contract or agreement, be conscious of that and take the time to check in with yourself before making any decisions.
While you can't put your life on hold altogether, it's wise to have backup plans and make allowances for any misunderstandings.
While Mercury retrograde is an easy scapegoat for general chaos in day-to-day life, it also makes for an apt time to look back and reflect on what you invest your time and energy and into.
Perhaps you've found yourself caught up with work which has meant less family time, or equally you might be neglecting to give yourself the space to get stuck into a favourite hobby. Balance is important at all times, not just during Mercury retrograde, so it's a good point to take stock and review if you're content with your current balance.
Mark your calendars now so you don’t get any unwelcome surprises down the road. Godspeed.
Your birth chart will give you all sorts of cosmic clues.
