Mercury retrograde
Mercury retrograde is a period when Mercury appears to move backwards in the sky from Earths perspective. Astrologers associate it with communication, technology, and travel glitches.
Mercury goes retrograde three to four times a year for about three weeks. Astronomically this is not real backward motion — it is an optical illusion as Earth "overtakes" Mercury along its orbit. Astrologically, though, the period is notable.
Popular opinion says that during Mercury retrograde you should avoid signing contracts, buying tech, or starting new projects. Among astrologers this is overstated — a better reading is that it is a time to "review, revise, refine" (the three Rs).
If you track Mercury retrograde, make a list of things that need cleaning up or revisiting — not to avoid anything out of fear, but to use the period for looking back. The Täherada retrogrades page shows you the next Mercury retrograde dates.
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