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 and ankles. He rules over luck, travel, divination, communications, commerce, trickery, and transactions.
I named my puppy “Mercury” as he is small and quick! That’s his picture above.
Mercury Retrograde Occurs Several Times a Year
Several times every year, it appears from the Earth that Mercury is going backward, in 2023 this happens 4 times. This is partly due 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.
If you have a work presentation, it’s best to put it 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, endeavour to save all important things until 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 including 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, or renovate what you’ve already done. So it is a good time to finish up old projects that you started before Mercury went retrograde 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 2023
Our old friend in charge of communications, fast-moving Mercury goes retrograde most strongly affecting Zodiac signs Capricorn, Taurus, Virgo and Sagittarius. 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 is also a ‘shadow period’ up to two weeks leading up to and coming off these dates…
December 29, 2022 (24° Capricorn 21′ Rx) – January 18, 2023 (8° Capricorn 08’D)
There could issues with building structures, so this is not the best time to build or renovate. Structures can also refer to internal belief systems as well, so some people could find they are more unclear or confused about what they believe in. For some, their direction in life could be challenged or modified. Any strongly held beliefs such as political or religious could meet opposition and need some tweaking.
There may also be a tendency to hold on stubbornly to those things that could be released due to a fear of letting go of the past. Also it’s not the best time to invest or travel for Christmas or New Year breaks. Be extra careful dealing with legalities and authority figures. Practise being organised.
April 21, 2023 (15° Taurus 37′ Rx) – May 14, 2023 (5° Taurus 51′D)
In Taurus, Mercury retrograde can manifest as a life slow-down. Perhaps, you wish to get on with various projects or investments, yet things don’t go to plan. You could be delayed now in carrying out your plans. It’s a good time to think and strategise rather than taking direct action now. You’ll be able to move forward again soon, so no point in rushing or stressing because something isn’t working out right at the moment.
It is not a good time for Taureans to spend money if they can help it, as Mercury rules over payment systems and financial transactions. Taureans generally love to spend on luxury items, however large or important purchases could get mucked up in some way now.
August 23, 2023 (21° Virgo 51′ Rx) – September 15, 2023 (8° Virgo 0’D)
Miscommunications and misunderstandings could occur as people get their ‘wires crossed’. Mercury rules Virgo, so Virgoans could be feeling more sensitive or confused 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 Virgoans are generally clever so you can probably think your way out of a problem in meticulous detail. The issue is overthinking a situation… it’s like falling down a rabbit hole trying to think of all the options which can then become confusing. Calm down and take a deep breath so your usual clarity can return.
December 13, 2023 (22° Sagittarius 11′ Rx) – January 1, 2024 (8° Capricorn 29’D)
Planning on travelling for Christmas or the New Year perhaps? Think again because there are real possibilities of delays or glitches in travel plans. Sagittarius is ruled by Jupiter who is likely encouraging you to broaden your horizons however Capricorn is ruled by Saturn who wants to keep the status quo. What to do?
Make your plans, allow extra time and extra money. Check everything again and keep an eye on schedules. Especially if you’re travelling abroad, take as little luggage as you can manage. Also keep your receipts and invoices during Mercury Rx. Pay special attention to communications and comprehension of all matters regarding investments, legal matters, government or large corporations. Stay organised.
There’s a whole lotta Earth with a tinge of Fire going on during Mercury retrograde in 2023! These are the realms of the physical world and Spirit. Physical manifestation could be challenged during Mercury Retrograde! Stay in touch with your emotions and allow them to flow in order to avoid getting stuck the mud. Try some exciting and refreshing new things.
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 relationships can also suffer.
Sometimes the energy is internalised so that we have to find another way of dealing with Mercury retrograde… which may involve thinking a lot about things before acting.
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 as there might just be something that you can salvage if a situation goes belly up. Completing old projects should stand you in good stead and do try to find a silver lining if something doesn’t work out how you expect.
