Mercury Retrograde Explained: What It Is and What to Do

Mercury retrograde is one of the most talked about things in astrology, and most people only hear about it when something goes wrong. Here's what it is, and what's worth doing about it.

What it actually is

Mercury always moves forward around the Sun. But Earth and Mercury travel at different speeds, so sometimes, from our point of view, Mercury looks like it's drifting backwards in the sky. That's the retrograde. It's an optical effect, like when a faster car passes yours and your own car seems to slip back.

How often and how long

It happens three or four times a year, and each retrograde lasts about three weeks. The dates change every year, so check a current calendar.

What astrologers say

Mercury is the planet of communication, thinking, travel and technology, so astrologers link its retrograde with mix-ups in those areas: missed messages, travel delays, tech problems and old contacts getting back in touch. There's no scientific evidence that it affects events, and plenty of people find that it helps to treat it as a reminder to slow down.

Practical things to do

• Back up your phone and computer. Good advice all year.
• Double-check dates, addresses and what people actually said.
• Avoid rushing big purchases or contracts if you can wait.
• Use the time to revisit things: old projects, old plans, unfinished conversations.

Tip: Sussa warns you when Mercury is retrograde and when it's about to start and end, so you know before the three weeks begin.