Mighty Mercury is a small planet closest to the Sun and is named after the Roman messenger God Mercury who had wings on his helmet. He ruled luck, travel, divination, communications, commerce, trickery and financial increase.
Mercury Retrograde Occurs Several Times a Year
Several times every year, it appears from the Earth that Mercury is going backwards. This is due in part to its elliptical orbit, but Mercury moving backwards in the night sky is actually an optical illusion. When Mercury goes retrograde misunderstandings and miscommunications can reign supreme. Cognition is also affected, so you may feel confused and fuzzy headed with your head in the clouds, especially if you are an Air sign – Gemini, Libra or Aquarius.
If you have a work presentation, it’s best to put if off until a more favourable time if you can. Often important seminars, presentations and business meetings can go skew-iff along with your credibility if you’re not very careful. In fact, save all important things until a time when Mercury is moving forwards again (known as going direct).
Technology Can Be Affected
Not only do communications suffer, but equipment can also fail. Your emails go ta ta’s, your computer has the blue screen of death or your mobile goes pear-shaped. Often technology and Mercury retrograde are not an item… they just don’t gel together. If you’re doing something important, then double check your equipment beforehand to be absolutely sure you can do what you intend during Mercury retrograde. Back up your hard drive!
Dealing with Unfinished Business
If you do something important under Mercury retrograde, you may have to go back and redo it when Mercury turns direct. An example would be – you sign a contract for a new white car. Several weeks later you are advised there are no white cars in the country so now you have to choose another colour. Under Mercury Retrograde, we sometimes have to revisit things we thought we were finished with such as old relationships!
The past can come back and you may hear news of old friends, school reunions or an old lover returns to your life. If an ex comes back, just remember why they are an ex!
A Great Time to Finish Old Projects
It’s not all doom and gloom under Mercury Retrograde, if you have something that was started pre-retrograde, it is likely to complete during the retrograde with a good outcome. However, if you start something during the retrograde, you may have to go back later to revisit, re-tweak and renovate what you’ve already done. So it is a good time to finish up old projects that have been hanging around for a while but not so good to start brand new jobs. Real estate that has been for sale for a while can complete while Mercury is retrograde but sales made under Mercury Retrograde may fall through or at least have lots of delays, twists and turns.
Mercury Retrograde dates for 2021
Our old friend in charge of communications, fast moving M/s Mercury goes retrograde three times in 2021. Zodiac signs most affected in 2021 are Gemini and Virgo (both are ruled by the planet Mercury and Gemini, Libra, Aquarius (all air signs). There is also a ‘shadow period’ from several days to two weeks leading up to and coming off these dates:
January 30, 2021 – February 19, 2021 in Aquarius
Likely to influence you to be somewhat detached and looking at the big picture. Your analytical thinking may be fuzzy or confused and it may be more difficult to come to terms with details. Big picture concepts and abstract ideas appeal more at this time but technology may have glitches especially as Aquarius is co-ruled by Uranus who loves science, technology and innovation.
May 29, 2021 – June 22, 2021 in Gemini
Miscommunications and misunderstandings could occur as people get their ‘wires crossed’. Mercury rules Gemini so chatty Geminis could be feeling more sensitive than usual. Someone might get the ‘wrong end of the stick’ and misinterpret a situation, therefore do be a little careful or arguments may blow up. Lucky Geminis are extraordinarily adaptable so you can find creative alternatives to resolve problems.
September 28, 2021 – October 18, 2021 in Libra
REALationships may be tested due to misunderstandings or something weird happens, like your ex coming back! Libra loves love so you two might get back together? The ball is in your court, however, do be aware of reoccurring patterns in relationships. Libra is ruled by Venus who also looks after finances and business, so take extra care in these areas and watch your spending. Check your receipts and invoices during Mercury Rx.
If you pay attention to how you are feeling and what is going on in your life, you can quite literally feel the energy when Mercury goes retrograde and when it turns direct, restoring order to your life once again.
If you pay attention to how you are feeling and what is going on in your life, you can quite literally feel the energy when Mercury goes retrograde and when it turns direct restoring order to your life once again.
There’s a whole lotta air going on during Mercury retrograde in 2021 which is the realm of the mind. Your thoughts may go backwards, forwards and all over the place generally! Your sense of timing might also be affected and you lose time or misconstrue how much time you have. Do watch what you say also, as it could be misconstrued and thought of as just ‘hot air’ without meaning or substance.
Ensure Clear Communication
Mercury retrograde can cause miscommunications, misunderstandings, delays, travel problems, restrictions, malfunctions in equipment, problems with contracts and negotiations. With all these potential problems, it’s no wonder that can relationships suffer. Try to ensure you are very clear with everyone during Mercury retrograde. It’s a good idea to write everything down and send emails to confirm when Mercury is retrograde.
Try to find a silver lining when Mercury goes retrograde, there might just be something there that you can salvage if a situation goes belly up. Completing old projects should stand you in good stead. Remember, every cloud has a silver lining… we just have to find it!
