It’s that time of year once more!
This is your quarterly chance to blame all of your problems on Mercury retrograde. Mercury will begin its apparent three-week moonwalk across the sky on Friday, April 21 (just a day after the solar eclipse in Aries and the start of Taurus season, for those keeping track), and will continue until May 14.
Because each Mercury retrograde is unique — each has unique properties that alter how we experience this disaster-prone transit — what you can expect from this upcoming Mercury retrograde isn’t the same as what you can expect from the last one. But don’t be alarmed!
I’ve got your back!
But first, what is Mercury retrograde all about?
Mercury moves quickly — in fact, it only takes 88 days for Mercury to complete an orbit around the sun — which is why Mercury was named after the Roman messenger god of commerce, who also governed communication, travel, and transportation. (Today, Mercury’s role includes technology, digital expression, thoughts, and ideas.) Given Mercury’s impressive scope, it’s no surprise that we place a high value on this planet in astrology.
Of course, not everything can run smoothly all the time, and Mercury goes through a three-week-long retrograde cycle on an almost quarterly rotation, during which the planet appears to stop, change direction, and move backward in the sky — appears being the operative word, because retrograde motion is an optical illusion. Although the planet is not moving backwards, it appears to be from our perspective on Earth.
But don’t underestimate the chaos of an optical illusion! Mercury retrograde, like funhouse mirrors, can be a complete mindfuck. Mercury’s apparent backward spin wreaks havoc on all those areas of life because Mercury governs so much of our day-to-day reality… or so it appears!
Okay, so what do I need to know about this one?
While Mercury retrograde may appear chaotic, it’s important to remember that you can always get ahead of it by knowing which aspects of your life will be most affected by this infamous astrological occurrence.
Mercury will be in reverse in the sign of Taurus from April 21 to May 14. Taurus (the first earth sign of the zodiac), symbolized by the bull, is associated with the material world: objects, money, food, environmentalism, and resources of all kinds (including, um, financial institutions). Taurus is also known for its stubbornness, which means that this sign prefers to keep systems in place rather than disrupt them.
You may have noticed an urge to double-down on certain beliefs and points of view when Mercury first entered this sign on April 3, adopting a “my way or the highway” approach that feels a little… stifling? Or perhaps even insufferable? For example, perhaps you’ve made the arbitrary decision that you’ll never make the first move. Or your boss doesn’t understand you, so you’re not going to bother explaining yourself. Listen, having convictions is great, but in this economy, flexibility is everything! But don’t worry, Mercury retrograde will assist you in breaking free — there’s always a method to the madness!
What should I do to prepare?
While Mercury retrograde may appear to be a stressful time (e.g., getting on the wrong train, then sending your boss a text meant for your mom, all while slipping on a banana peel), there are some truly magnificent lessons baked into this astrological occurrence. For one thing, we learn to give up. Mercury’s retrograde motion through stubborn Taurus will implore us to think outside the box, embrace spontaneity, and go with the flow because it challenges our personal status quo. And, while it may appear to be a detour, keep in mind that these mystical optical illusions provide dynamic ways of viewing an old situation from a completely different perspective. During Mercury’s retrograde in Taurus, we’ll realize that resting on our laurels is never a good idea: people can and will surprise us. Situations can shift. Yes, unexpected events may temporarily disrupt our equilibrium… but that’s okay. Over the next few weeks, you may discover that your perceptions of a specific person or situation were incorrect, and you will begin to shift your perspective. Remember that nothing is set in stone, especially when Mercury is in retrograde.
Help! My Sun (Or Moon! Or Rising!) is in Taurus!
If you have personal planets in Taurus (sun, moon, or rising, as well as Mercury, Venus, or Mars), you should buckle up. Mercury will be slowly but steadily rattling your chart over the next few weeks, which can feel a little unsettling. Indeed, you may begin to feel as if no one understands you — why is it so difficult for you to express yourself? Hello… is anyone there? And, while this backward spiral may have you seeing red, keep in mind that you have some unique opportunities to grow and, perhaps, even… mature? For example, are you willing to delegate planning responsibilities or change your mind about a difficult situation? Perhaps if you look at it from a different perspective, you’ll discover that it’s not what you thought it was! After all, Mercury is changing, so why not you?
How should I prepare for this?
This Mercury retrograde pre-shadow period (during which Mercury moves through the same degrees that it will later retrograde) began on March 30… So now you know why things have felt off the last few weeks. However, the more you can plan ahead of time for the backward motion, the better! If you’re traveling, allow plenty of time for delays, cancellations, and transportation mishaps. If you’re about to sign an important contract, make sure to read the fine print thoroughly or seek a second opinion if you need a fresh set of eyes. If you’re thinking about reconciling with an ex, don’t. Mercury may be retrograde, but that doesn’t mean you should! Remember that while Mercury Retrograde will end on May 14, the shadow period will last until June 1, so stay alert. Don’t be surprised if you’ve adopted some radically different points of view by the end of this transit.
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