Surviving Mercury Retrograde 2022

What is Mercury Retrograde anyway?

Three or four times a year, the planet Mercury passes the earth in its orbit. As Mercury comes into our view, it appears to slow down, stop (station), and spin backward (retrograde). The planet isn’t moving backward, of course, but much like the optical illusion created when two trains or cars pass one another, Mercury, from our perspective, is moving in reverse.

Since it is believed that Mercury rules technology, travel, and communication, all of these things tend to go off the rails during a retrograde period. Suddenly, our heads are foggy, communications become a game of telephone, and getting anything to go as planned requires extreme flexibility and patience.

When is Mercury Retrograde?

This year Mercury Rx occurs from May 10 to June 2, September 9 to October 1, and December 28 to January 18, 2023.

Why is Mercury retrograde important?

How can we expect to communicate effectively if we don’t even understand ourselves and our motivations? Taking this time to dig deep into our emotions and see how we are feeling can provide much-needed insight into how to move once the retrograde passes.

With Mercury Retrograde just around the corner, writing down your thoughts, feelings, and ideas becomes a top priority. The work must be done. Otherwise, we can bet on Mercury not being kind.

Mercury’s energy allows a brief chance to step back and survey our situation before making a move. This means leaving space for meditation, journaling, creation, and self-care, giving ourselves time to recharge so that we can grow from a place of renewed perspective. Anything less could lead to a rough retrograde.

Surviving Mercury Retrograde doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here are a few ways to make Mercury Retrograde a positive experience.

• Reflect on how you communicate with family, friends, and your work. How could you improve your communication in the future?
• Unplug yourself. Set aside a day each of the three weeks of retrograde to spend a day with friends or nature without any technology. Read a physical book outside to recharge. Put your bare hands and feet on the ground.
• Take things slowly. Act carefully and conscientiously, admit mistakes when you make them, and get everything in writing.

Ground Yourself for Mercury Rx

Put your feet on the earth. This is the easiest way to ground yourself. Take off your shoes and put your feet on the ground.

Meditate. Sit down and quiet that mind. If traditional meditation isn’t your thing, try yoga. Let the practice help you feel rooted. Specific grounding poses include: mountain, lunges, eagle, plank, cross-legged seat, and seated forward fold.

Eat grounding & seasonal foods. Root vegetables, pumpkin, nuts, seeds, and high-quality meat are great to support your grounding.

…and when all else fails…

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