Mercury retrograde and the astrology of anxiety

If a cycle happens three or four times a year, every year, as Mercury’s retrograde cycles do, should it really be cause for great concern? Should you really put your entire life on hold?

Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn, January 2022
Mercury stationed retrograde at 10 degrees of Aquarius on January 14. It will retrograde back to 24 degrees of Capricorn before turning direct late in the evening of February 3 (dates EST).

I often talk with people in states of high anxiety over something they’ve read about astrology—including Mercury retrograde periods. It saddens me to see astrology adding to the heavy load many of us already carry.

Y’all, here’s the thing. Astrology is about cycles. Moon cycles, planetary cycles, life cycles. So if a cycle happens three or four times a year, every year, as Mercury’s retrograde cycles do, should it really be cause for great concern? Should you really put your entire life on hold?

I’m not, personally, inclined to say so. It’s important to keep retrogrades in perspective. The outer planets are retrograde for four or five months of the year, every year. And yet life goes on.

During Mercury Rx periods, sure, it’s wise to be cautious about correspondence and other forms of communication. Proofread more carefully than you usually might. Make sure your texts are going to the right person before you hit send. Delay a major communications-related purchase, such as a laptop or cellphone, if you can, until Mercury has moved direct.

If Mercury goes retrograde a few times each year, maybe that’s how often it’s a good idea to spend some time reflecting, reminiscing, slowing down.

But we can also use a Mercury retrograde to pause, renew, and review all the positive in our lives. Mercury retrograde is a great time to go back and edit something you’ve written or return to review and put the finishing touches on something you’ve created. It’s also a good time to journal or do anything communication-oriented, such as learn a language.

If you’re concerned about a major decision you need to make during this time—such as, say, signing a contract or closing on a house—then, it’s true, it’s a good time to consult with an astrologer. A good electional chart can mitigate possible retrograde-related hassles.

If Mercury goes retrograde a few times each year, maybe that’s about exactly how often it’s a good idea to spend some time reflecting, reminiscing, slowing down. Why not make #slowliving Mercury’s retrograde tagline?

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Mercury retrograde and the astrology of anxiety