Mercury retrograde is a phenomenon that occurs several times a year when the planet Mercury appears to be going backward in its orbit. Mercury retrograde is an optical illusion caused by Earth’s alignment with Mercury and the Sun, giving the appearance that the planet is backtracking in its orbit while observing from Earth.
Planets always travel in one direction and are unable to switch directions suddenly.
What Does Mercury Retrograde Mean In Astrology?
While Mercury’s motion doesn’t actually disrupt the Universe, this astrological event is often reported to coincide with disruption and confusion. Throughout history, it has been reported that strange and unusual events may occur during Mercury retrograde, such as breakdowns of communication systems, misunderstandings between people, interruptions in travel plans, and technical malfunctions. Many people take special precautions during these times to ensure they’re not affected by the potential issues related to Mercury retrograde.
When Is Mercury Retrograde in 2023?
Starts December 28, 2022 and ends on January 18, 2023.
2023 Mercury Retrograde Dates
- April 21 to May 14, 2023
- August 23 to September 14, 2023
- December 13 to January 1, 2024
2024 Mercury Retrograde Dates
- April 1 to April 25, 2024
- August 4 to August 28, 2024
- November 25 to December 15, 2024
View the Naturalist’s Guide Celestial Calendar for iCal for lunar dates, moon names, meteor showers, comets, and more celestial events here✨
Sources
What does it mean for Mercury to be in retrograde? (n.d.). NASA.Gov. Retrieved December 28, 2022, from https://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/questions/question46.html
