Dates, Meaning and What to Expect

Keep track of Mercury retrograde dates and learn what they mean for you.

Mercury retrograde periods often coincide with disruptions, interruptions and misunderstandings, but with a little cosmic knowledge you can beat this planetary prankster at his own game.

After all, Mercury Retrograde isn’t a crisis. It’s an inconvenience, albeit one that occurs three (and sometimes four) times a year. Moreover, while its retrograde (Rx) period lasts for about three weeks, its stationary periods often create havoc in our lives, and the shadow periods that precede and follow it affect us as well.

However, given the dual nature of Mercury, although there is much that can go wrong, there is also much that can go right during this time.

The house-by-house analysis at the end of this article will help you understand how Mercury’s visit to your birth chart may affect you personally.

Mercury Stations: Potential for Mayhem

When a planet makes a “station” it means that it has reached a point where it appears to change its direction. When planets “station retrograde” they appear to be moving in reverse motion, and when they “station direct” they appear to be moving forward.

The days immediately before and after either Mercury station – retrograde or direct – are often the most turbulent. Travel, negotiations, contracts and important decisions should be avoided during this time because they are more likely to be disrupted.

During the Retrograde period, Mercury appears to be moving backwards. As it approaches the degree where it will station direct, it will once again slow down. It will then pause, station direct and begin moving in forward motion.

Shadow Periods: A Need for Caution

Shadow periods occur before Mercury goes retrograde and after Mercury goes direct.

By the time Mercury stations retrograde, it has already traveled past the degree that it will eventually station direct (go forward). This degree marks the beginning of the Pre-Rx shadow that will be in effect until Mercury stations retrograde. From this point forward until it actually stations retrograde, Mercury appears to be slowing down.

During this period, the fleet-footed messenger is losing momentum, and as it begins to falter, delays, misunderstandings and mechanical or technological breakdowns become more common. Eventually Mercury appears to come to a stop and stations retrogrades. This marks the end of the pre-Rx shadow phase and the beginning of Mercury Retrograde, which lasts approximately three weeks.

Once Mercury stations direct, you’re ready to start your engines and hit the gas, but caution is again warranted. From the time it stations direct until the time it reaches the degree where he stationed retrograde, Mercury is in the Post-Rx shadow period and is not functioning at full capacity and is still experiencing some of the ill effects that previously brought it to a grinding halt.

Mercury Retrograde

During this cycle, Mercury-ruled matters such as communications, travel, technology, cars and other ground vehicles, clerical work, education, logistics and decision-making, may be delayed or disrupted in some way.

However, Mercury Retrograde isn’t just about delays and disruptions. It also has an introspective nature that can be very useful for reviewing, revising, reconnecting, rethinking and resolving unfinished business.

How to Work With Mercury Retrograde

Since forewarned is forearmed, below are some of the most common challenges and potential benefits associated with Mercury Retrograde and its shadow periods.

Potential Challenges

Lost or misdirected mail
Vanishing voicemails
Computers crash
Internet connections fail
Smartphones malfunction
Purchases are defective
GPS systems fail
Travel is delayed or interrupted
Appliances stop working
Email and websites are hacked
Secrets are exposed
Medical tests are inconclusive
Negotiations drag on
Contracts may omit terms
New jobs turn out differently
Cars break down unexpectedly

Potential Benefits

Reorganize your home or office
Review, revise or edit written work
Reconnect with people from your past
Revisit old ideas, hobbies or interests
Discover past errors or oversights
Revive old projects
Reconsider or redefine your goals
Review your finances
Re-establish your priorities
Conduct research or investigations
Uncover confidential information
Recover lost information
Revisit unfinished conversations
Reconnect with former clients or contacts
Rework plans that need refinement
Rediscover hidden talents or skills

Mercury Retrograde and You

When you think about it, we have all been experiencing — and surviving — Mercury retrograde transits and shadow periods since the day we were born, whether we realized it or not.

Although those with a Gemini or Virgo Sun or Ascendant may feel as though there is a target on their back whenever Mercury goes retrograde, the Cosmic Trickster views everyone as fair game.

To determine how Mercury retrograde is likely to affect you on a personal level, look to the house Mercury is transiting in your natal chart:

1st House

Since this is the house of the physical self, you may find yourself reassessing your image and contemplating a new hairstyle, wardrobe or cosmetic procedure.

However, it is best to wait until after this transit is over, as you may change your mind, return those purchases or be unhappy with the results. If you undergo a cosmetic procedure at this time, you are likely to be unsatisfied with the results or will need to return for some type of correction or “touch up.”

2nd House

This is the house of earned income and assets (excluding real estate). Pay careful attention to your financial statements, especially your bank accounts as miscalculations, overdrafts and ATM errors are more likely to occur at this time.

If you are anticipating a raise, expect it to be delayed or less than expected; and even if one is promised, it may not come to pass. Since this house also rules our value system and self-esteem,.some of you may be examining, and perhaps reconsidering, who and what means the most to you.

3rd House

This is the house of communications, short trips, contracts, transportation, neighbors and siblings. Misunderstandings can occur easily now, especially with siblings and neighbors. If you are involved in a writing project, you may encounter writer’s block. Although not a common occurrence, laryngitis has been known to afflict those involved in teaching, singing or lecturing at this time.

Be certain that any contract contains all of the terms that were agreed upon before you sign it. Make sure that your car’s maintenance is up to date, and allow extra time for traveling as trains, planes and automobiles are not likely to cooperate with you. Neither is your computer, the US Post Office or cyberspace for that matter.

4th House

This house represents your home, family, real estate, and one parent. In terms of your home, be alert for dead batteries in your smoke and fire detectors. If you have a security system, it is a good idea to test it. Appliances are more likely to break now, and if repairs are needed, be clear about what the warranty covers or you may wind up with an unhappy surprise. If you are a landlord, you may encounter issues with tenants, such as rent checks that get “lost in the mail” or a need for unexpected repairs.

You may have contact with relatives that you haven’t seen or heard from in a very long time. Another possibility is that unresolved issues with your parents are revived.

5th House

This is the house of children, romance, hobbies and creative expression. You may experience a renewed interest in a former hobby or creative pursuit during this time. Reconnecting with former romantic partners is also possible, though in some cases you may simply hear news about them.

In current relationships, unresolved issues from the past may resurface now, and if they do, an extra effort may be necessary to get your point across. Children may cause disruptions in your life now, or you may find yourself feeling nostalgic about your own childhood.

6th House

This is the house of health and work. If you undergo medical testing during this time, especially x-rays or imaging studies, do not be surprised if something has to be repeated because the images are unclear or the results are inconclusive. However, an upside of getting a checkup during Mercury Retrograde is that anything previously hidden is likely to be seen.

At work, extra care is warranted because clerical and accounting errors are more likely to occur, and there is also a greater chance of misunderstandings with co-workers. If you accept a new job during this period, unless you are returning to a past employer, something about the position is likely to turn out differently than you expected or were promised.

7th House

This is the house of marriage, committed and business partnerships, competitors and professionals that we consult. You should exert extra care now when communicating with partners, especially in connection with unresolved past issues that may resurface during this transit. Although it does not guarantee a lasting union, reconnecting with past partners is a possibility now.

In addition, it is best to avoid consultations with professionals at this time, because what you are being promised is likely to change. If you must do so, be sure to obtain any fee quote in writing. If competitors have been behaving in an underhanded manner, now is the time you are likely to learn about it.

8th House

This is the house of jointly-held assets, certain financial investments, psychic occurrences and “other people’s resources.” Pay close attention to any assets you own with another person, as well as investments that you do not handle directly such as brokerage accounts, pensions, 401(k)’s, etc. Extra care is also warranted when completing forms relating to medical, unemployment, disability, insurance or Social Security benefits, as well as scholarship, mortgage or grant applications.

There is also the possibility of receiving notice of a tax audit or discovering that you are the victim of identity theft.Latent psychic ability may also reveal itself during this time.

9th House

This is the house of long distance travel, legal affairs, education, marketing, lecturing and publishing. Affairs connected to foreign cultures or long-distance travel may be subject to delays and interruptions. If you are involved in a legal matter, do not expect much progress at this time, as adjournments are likely.

Those involved in publishing or marketing need to carefully proofread their materials, while those who lecture need to check their presentations and projectors. If you are a teacher or student and require textbooks, they are likely to be backordered. If you are graduating from college (or higher) during this period, be sure to confirm that all of your paperwork is in order.

10th House

This house rules our career, destiny, public status and the other parent. Tread carefully when dealing with superiors because missteps now will affect your future. This is not the time to change jobs or career direction unless you are returning to a past connection. If you are promised a raise or promotion, expect it to be delayed.

Since this house also relates to destiny and life direction, you may be questioning or reassessing your path,you may be questioning or reassessing your life path. Avoid making decisions during this time because your judgment is not at its best. If you deal with the public, you must strive to be as clear as possible. Do not engage in any questionable actions now because they are likely to be exposed after Mercury turns direct.

11th House

This is the house of friends, acquaintances, and large groups. During this time, you need to listen well and choose your words carefully to avoid misunderstandings with others. Friends may be unreliable now, or you may discover that someone is not the friend you believed them to be.

There is a strong possibility that old friends and contacts will return to your life now. If you are a member of a group, club or fraternal organization, meetings and/or events may have to be cancelled or postponed. Since this house also presides over our hopes and goals, you may find yourself re-evaluating your objectives.

12th House

This house rules the subconscious mind, past associations, and things that are hidden. Exercise caution when dealing with others because you may be more susceptible to deception, and your intuition may not be as reliable as usual.There is a strong likelihood that you will hear from, or at least hear news about, someone from your past.

It is also possible that psychological issues stemming from your youth or childhood will re-emerge. This is a good transit for looking within, and therapy or past-life regressions can be very beneficial now. Secrets from the past may be revealed to you at this time, which may be to your benefit. However, bear in mind that if you try to hide anything now, it will likely be exposed after Mercury turns direct.