When is Mercury Retrograde? - Naturalist's Guide

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.