How Mercury in Retrograde Affects Your Sun Sign
In the planetary lineup, Mercury’s placement makes it a rapid revolver around the sun. How you deal with how Mercury in retrograde affects your sign can determine to what extent you have ease or disease. We all deal with its dance on our energies three or four times a year. Often, in tandem with an eye roll, we blame some quirky kerfuffle that happens (computer glitch, missing a glaring error on an email, cell phone not operating) as Mercury in retrograde affects our zodiac signs.
Yet, its bad effects are not necessarily the whole truth. Mercury in retrograde is a blessing for those who understand its influence and learn to dance with, not against it. Thus, it is important to understand what Mercury is like in retrograde and how you can expect it to impact your sun sign.
If Mercury in retrograde affects us, what is a retrograde?
At times, Earth in its orbit moves faster than another planet. Sometimes other planets move faster than Earth. In either case, the slower planet looks like it moves backward in relation to the stars. So, really, the seeming reverse direction is simply a change in perspective from the Earth.
All retrogrades remind us to pause and view life from a wider perspective. We are cyclical beings, which means that we move in cycles. We may think we move forward constantly, but we cycle through many things regularly–sleep, hormones, routine, etc. All retrogrades remind us that we are in cycles, not on a straight linear path. Depending on the sign that the retrograde is in, the retrograde brings a combination of the retrograde planet and the qualities of the sign.
Mercury in retrograde affects all signs
An astrological influencer of our minds, Mercury impacts our memory (short and long term), learning, communication, and mental processing. When it appears to move forward in our skies, it enhances and enables our ability to think and communicate. However, Mercury in retrograde appears to move backwards or stand still (which is actually an optical illusion), which then Mercury slows down those same abilities. Communication moves more slowly. Our memory seems to falter. Creating a process is harder to develop.
This faltering makes us pause. The retrograde of Mercury beckons our attention to the things Mercury rules. Our minds are made to reflect on the connections we care about. Those connections may be electronic or personal or anything in between. Mercury gives you a chance to refuel and realign with those things that best serve you, and disconnect from those things that no longer serve you.
How does Mercury in Retrograde affect a specific sign?
At the time of this writing, Mercury is retrograde in Leo. Leo is ruled by the Sun and the self. Leos are here to experience and teach us about loving self and self-expression, and creating attention to self. Thus, Mercury in retrograde in Leo makes us reflect and pause with respect to ourselves. Mercury retrograde asks us to ask ourselves where we are dimming our light that we shine on ourselves.
Mercury in Retrograde Affects Each Sign
In Aries – Don’t panic if your ability to think quickly is impaired when Mercury in retrograde affects Aries. Panic can create impulsiveness and second-guessing. This is a great opportunity to scruitiize past relationship patterns. You are great at identifying what you want. Use this retrograde to go deep into your wants and desires in love and career to see what needs adjustment.
In Taurus – Taurus rules banking and money matters and mental processes. With your unhurried demeanor, a Mercury in retrograde affects and slows your thinking even more. Take this time to review finances and set yourself up for growth.
In Gemini – The ruler of communications combined with a disrupter of communications can create the perfect storm of frustration. Your usual eloquence may seem sputtery. Phone calls and emails may get lost or deleted, or misplaced. Use the retrograde time to find value in your relationships.
In Cancer – Home may not be where the heart is during Mercury in retrograde in your sign. You may find fault with the repairs you’ve performed, and your baking may not go as planned. However, use this time to reflect on where you may be losing yourself in your home and family. Where do you need to come out of your shell?
In Leo – If you feel your light is dimmed, realize this is a temporary state. Impulsive acts in investments are not advised. Use this time to help your friends and family prosper.
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In Virgo – Meticulous as you are, double-check and triple-check your work. Mercury in retrograde in your sign can cause problems in your work life. Expect extra crankiness and fussiness among people. However, as a master of introspection, know that everything is not your fault, and sometimes, the universal energies control those around you, not necessarily you.
In Libra – This is not a good time for a makeover. You may be tempted to doubt how you present yourself to the world. Don’t let your charm and grace and beauty toggle out of permanent balance. Use this time to refresh your spirit, and it will rejuvenate you.
In Scorpio – Common sense is not in control in your sign with Mercury in retrograde. Avoid situations that could let out your secrets. Heartfelt ovations may go ary. Use this as a time to evaluate who you ultimately want to be.
In Sagittarus – Your usual travel mood may need to be suppressed during a retrograde in your sign. Too many things could go wrong. Take care of what is close to home and use that great sense of humor to get you through it.
In Capricorn – You’ll have to put extra scrutiny on your usually fast-moving work ethic. Paperwork may not be correct, and avoid buying and selling. Instead, reunite with family close to home.
In Aquarius – The sig that covers friendships and relationships may feel they are at risk. Watch out for silly fights and miscommunications. That is all they are. Don’t take them personally. Your true friends will show themselves.
In Pisces – As a sign that can get lost in your daydreams, be careful and midful of becoming lost in your own headspace. Let your creativity free you from feeling out of control.
Peace, Y’all–Leah
