What Is Mercury Retrograde, and How Will It Affect You?
Updated: Apr. 03, 2024
Here's exactly what happens when Mercury is in retrograde
“Mercury must be in retrograde” has become a kind of catch-all phrase for explaining why something has gone haywire in our lives. It’s basically the Murphy’s Law of astrology: Everything that can go wrong will go wrong during this planetary movement. At least, that’s how we use it in common conversation. But what is Mercury retrograde, and what does it really mean in astrological terms?
To find out what happens when Mercury is in retrograde, Reader’s Digest spoke with Emily Ridout, an astrologer and astro-yoga specialist, and learned how this phenomenon can affect not only our sun sign but also our rising sign. Read on for the details on how Mercury in retrograde will impact you in 2024, including how it may affect your relationships and daily responsibilities.
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About the expert
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What is Mercury retrograde?
Mercury retrograde is an optical illusion where the planet Mercury looks as if it’s moving backward from our view on Earth. The illusion occurs multiple times a year because it takes just 88 days for Mercury to circle the sun, compared with Earth’s 365 days. As such, astrologers think that the areas of life ruled by this planet can also take a step in the wrong direction. According to Ridout, that means complications surrounding communication and travel.
“Mercury is the winged messenger of the gods in [Roman] mythology,” she explains. “That imagery indicates the intellect, because we use our intellect to communicate: writing, spoken word, email, contracts, agreements, etc.” The planet closest to the sun is associated with conveying messages, as well as means of conveyance (as in transportation). So while a Mercury retrograde may get you into an argument with your significant other or delay your train, it’s not the reason your toaster broke this morning.
When will Mercury be in retrograde in 2024?
For 2024, these are the dates for Mercury in retrograde:
- Dec. 13, 2023, to Jan. 1, 2024
- April 1, 2024, to April 24, 2024
- Aug. 4, 2024, to Aug. 27, 2024
- Nov. 25, 2024, to Dec. 15, 2024
What happens when Mercury is in retrograde?
Don’t jump into panic mode prematurely. “Nothing about Mercury in retrograde is catastrophic,” Ridout says. “It’s just annoying.” That being said, communication and travel are essential parts of life—especially modern life. “The modernized, technological world is very dependent on Mercury,” she notes. “Ours is a culture of hyper connectivity and hyper productivity.”
Today’s working world revolves around emails, press conferences, forms and shipping labels. We keep in touch with friends and family through texts, calls and social media. Throwing a wrench in any of these aspects of life can cost dollars and patience, which is why taking time to think carefully during a Mercury retrograde can be the difference between success and failure.
“We’re so busy panicking because we want to move forward that we forget about the importance of reflection,” Ridout explains. “Maybe the way we’ve been moving forward is not the most optimal way.” When Mercury is in retrograde, evaluate your decision-making process instead of simply going about business as usual. Consider all the possible consequences of your words before sending a confessional text to your crush or standing up to your boss. And don’t forget to consider your zodiac compatibility before making important relationship decisions during this time.
Ridout also says to look out for the effects of Mercury in retrograde in the material world. And pay special attention to inconveniences that pop up or people from the past who seem to show up out of the blue. “These situations tend to arise to spark your inner mind to work in new ways,” Ridout explains, “thereby overcoming past challenges with the inner reflection and insights you’ve had since the last time you faced similar situations.”
Does Mercury retrograde affect relationships?
Communication is the heart of any relationship. Whether it’s a romantic relationship or a friendship, poor communication can lead to hurt feelings, frustration and arguments. A Mercury retrograde makes these setbacks more likely, as it is a time when messages can get lost in translation.
“You might realize your partner communicates in a very direct way and tells the facts,” Ridout says, “and you communicate in a very feeling-centered, roundabout way. Sometimes there’s a mistake where they don’t hear your message or you take theirs as being too harsh.” It is easy to lose patience and storm off in a huff, but that usually just makes matters worse. Instead, be mindful about how to articulate opinions without pushing the other person’s buttons.
“Take this time and use it to make the relationship stronger,” Ridout suggests. “We always have that choice when things aren’t working the way we planned. Are you going to say, ‘How can we look at how we’re communicating to make this run more smoothly in the future?’ Or are you just going to blow up and blame someone else?”
What should you not do during Mercury retrograde?
Ideally, you shouldn’t make any significant life decisions when Mercury is in retrograde. Contracts should not be signed, and it’s probably not the best time to publish a controversial opinion piece. “It’s a time of reflection,” Ridout says, “not a time of initiating new conversations or activities.” If you can, give yourself time and space to rest before jumping into action.
However, avoiding responsibilities until the planets realign is not always realistic. “You might not have the luxury of completely planning things around [the retrograde],” Ridout says, “so I would say if you do choose to move into a new venture, take an extra beat to deeply consider it.”
Similarly, take extra precautions when planning a trip. Don’t assume that a bus will be on time or have a seat open for you. Commuting to work? Be at the subway station 15 minutes earlier than usual. Catching a flight? Triple-check your itinerary and leave plenty of time for traffic. “Traveling can have way more hiccups if you aren’t sufficiently reflective about it,” Ridout says. “Have extra patience.” That’s a worthy New Year’s resolution for any zodiac sign!
Which signs will be affected by Mercury retrograde?
According to Ridout, each sign will feel the impact of these retrogrades in certain ways, but some signs will definitely feel their influence more. For example, since Mercury rules Gemini and Virgo, these two signs will always be heavily affected by this planetary retrograde. However, other signs aren’t entirely out of the woods. According to The Old Farmer’s Almanac, Aries can expect to be “frustrated and frazzled” during the Mercury retrograde in April; Leo is advised to avoid “speculative investments” in August; and Virgo should be aware of increased challenges in August, especially in the workplace.
“For the most part, no matter what your sign is, you can look forward to a period of inner reflection and external reminders to take your time to rest,” Ridout explains. Spoil yourself by lighting your favorite candles, reading some inspirational quotes that speak to your sign and simply relaxing during Mercury in retrograde in 2024—and that’s an order from the stars!
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. For this piece on Mercury retrograde, Taylor Markarian tapped her experience as an astrology writer and spoke with Emily Ridout, an astrologer and astro-yoga specialist based in Eugene, Oregon. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experience where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing, and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies. Â
Sources:
- Emily Ridout, astrologer and astro-yoga specialist based in Eugene, Oregon
- The Old Farmer’s Almanac: “How Mercury Retrograde Affects Each Zodiac Sign”
Originally Published: January 11, 2021
