MERCURY is in retrograde, meaning it is moving backward in the sky for the second time so far this year, and it may impact your zodiac sign.
Because the planet dictates communication, travel, and technology, all of the signs can experience some chaos during a planetary retrograde.
Mercury’s complete retrograde movement started on May 10 and will continue until June 3.
When it comes to relationships, this movement happens to fall in the signs ofGeminiand Taurus, meaning communication with an ex may be likely during this time. But that doesn’t mean you should give in to the temptation.
Astrologers advise against doing several things during this period, including signing any contracts, going on big trips, or entering situations that could cause miscommunication or toxicity — including reaching out to your ex.
“Planetary retrogrades are moments of collective pause and reflection. When Mercury retrograde occurs, we are being asked to slow down and double-check the details,” astrologer Ellen Bowles told the media outletWell and Good.
Read our Mercury Retrograde 2022 live blog for the latest news and updates…
What to do during Mercury retrograde, continued
According to Well and Good, the list includes:
- Holding off on signing any contracts
- Be prepared for traffic and other travel mishaps
- Avoid situations that can lead to misunderstandings
- Try not to rely on technology
- Refrain from starting something new
- Delete that toxic “U Up?” text
What to do during Mercury retrograde
Mercury is the planet of communication in astrology, and while it goes retrograde, some think connections can become screwed up, causing confusion and technological problems.
Astrologer Ellen Bowles told the media outlet Well and Good said: “Planetary retrogrades are moments of collective pause and reflection. When Mercury retrograde occurs, we are being asked to slow down and double-check the details.”
According to Well and Good, there are six things you should avoid at this period.
Mercury’s distance from sun
The average distance between Mercury and the Sun is 36million miles, but it depends on where Mercury is in its orbit.
Mercury has an egg-shaped orbit and can get as close as 29million miles to the Sun.
Its maximum distance away from the solar surface is 43million miles.
In comparison, Earth’s average distance from the Sun is 93million miles.
How many moons Mercury has explained
Planet Mercury actually has no moons.
The only other planet in our Solar System with no moons is Venus.
Earth has one, Mars has two and Saturn could have a staggering 82 moons.
Mercury’s retrograde in 2022
In 2022, the planet will be in complete retrograde movements during the following dates:
- January 14 to February 3
- May 10 to June 3
- September 9 to October 2
- December 29 to January 18, 2023
Mercury dictates communication
Mercury is known as the planet of communication, travel, and technology.
Mercury Retrograde can cause frequent misunderstandings, scheduling problems, and disagreements with friends and family.
Mercury’s retrograde explained
Mercury completes its orbit around the Sun in about 88 days, while the Earth takes 365 days.
Since Mercury moves faster, it circles past the Earth around three to four times each year.
As the planet nears Earth, it appears to slow down, stop, move backward, stop again, and then move forward.
When Mercury is in retrograde, it appears to move backward in the sky.
The dates for each star sign
The dates used by Mystic Meg for each sign are below, however, those are not exact as no one can fully determine the specific dates.
What classifies as a planet
The International Astronomical Union set out three characteristics that define a planet:
- The object must have an established orbit around the sun
- The object must have a strong enough field of gravity to make it “round-ish”
- The object must have a gravitational pull strong enough to “clear the neighborhood” around its orbit.
Calculating the planet position in a horoscope
To generate your birth chart online and find out the position of the planets when you were born, you will need your date of birth, your exact time of birth, and the location.
You can create your free chart online on websites such asAstro Chartsafter inputting your details.
The planets are then plotted onto a wheel to see which horoscope sign they fall into.
Each planet can offer insight into your individual character and give you clarity about what you need to do for growth.
Experts on reading horoscopes, conclusion
She added that while not all people of the same sign are the same, there does tend to be familiar patterns.
“A flexible Gemini isn’t going to be as confounded by that Mercury retrograde interfering with their communications as the steady Taurus, who will find it maddening” she said.
“As for generalization, all people of the same sign aren’t the same, but I’ve yet to meet a Scorpio who wasn’t secretive, for instance!”
Experts on reading horoscopes, continued
Susannah Cavill, a former astrology columnist, has attested to this theory.
Explaining how the planets impact a sign, she toldThe Loop:“It’s a combination of looking at what the planets are up to and then working out intuitively how it’s going to affect a sensitive Piscean that week if there’s going to be a tricky full moon, or disruptive Mercury transit that will affect their day-to-day relationships.
Experts on reading horoscopes
Experts atAstrolutelyhave said that the origins of reading horoscopes are widely debated, but the practice has remained the same.
They wrote: “The traits of the signs and planets and the meanings of the various angular relationships (aspects) have been handed down through the ages.
“The astrologers of the ancient world believed there was a connection between the ‘stars’ and life on earth.
“They named the planets and the signs after their gods, based on a combination of observation and intuition. Even today, the myths that correlate with the planets and signs tell us almost everything we need to know about them.”
Zodiac signs have changed
In 2019, it was revealed that the stars have shifted, so our zodiac signs have changed too.
The constellation named Ophiuchus was not included in the original zodiac.
How horoscopes work
Horoscopes are based on the 12 signs of the zodiac.
Zodiac is the term used to describe the circle of 12 divisions of celestial longitude that are centered upon the path of the sun.
The 12 divisions share the names we know as our star signs, which are based on our birth month.
Throughout history, the zodiac has been used to predict or echo characteristics of personality.
What to do during Mercury Retrograde
As Mercury dictates communication, travel, and technology, experts advise you do the following when the planet is in retrograde:
- Double-check everything
- keep back-ups of important information or documents
- make sure to be clear in conversations with others
What not to do during Mercury Retrograde
There are six things you should try to avoid during this time, Well and Good reported.
According to the media outlet, the list includes:
- Holding off on signing any contracts
- Be prepared for traffic and other travel mishaps
- Avoid situations that can lead to misunderstandings
- Try not to rely on technology
- Refrain from starting something new
- Delete that toxic “U Up?” text
Expert on Mercury Retrograde
“Planetary retrogrades are moments of collective pause and reflection,” astrologer Ellen Bowles told the media outletWell and Good.
“When Mercury retrograde occurs, we are being asked to slow down and double-check the details,”
Mercury Retrograde impacts four signs most, continued
When it comes to Virgo, “Mercury retrograde is infringing upon your fourth house of home and family,” Style Caster’s Marielle Marlys warns.
Virgos, the outlet notes, should address their home situation and expect some physical issues in the home like broken appliances that need to be dealt with with a little patience.
Finally, Pisces should prepare for their tenth house of public image to be impacted. Public embarrassment may be on the horizon, and faulty communication could be an issue during Mercury Retrograde.
Pisces are advised to go easy on themselves and let go a little bit during this time.
Mercury Retrograde impacts four signs most
Gemini, Taurus, Virgo, and Pisces may be the most impacted by Mercury Retrograde, Style Caster reports.
“We highly encourage you to sit back and listen,” chatty Gemini is warned. That sign is encouraged to instead offer space to others to start up conversations and make connections.
Meanwhile, Taurus is told to deal with whatever they’ve been “avoiding” during this tumultuous time, and to take a second look at their finances.
Move at a slower pace
Astrology experts suggest that people communicate clearly and move at a more relaxed pace while Mercury is in retrograde.
“Don’t rush through projects or speed when driving to work,” TODAY‘s astrology expert Lisa Stardust advised.
“Take a breath and move at a slower pace. Use this time to heal and transform old relationships and friendships.
“And, if you’re fighting with people, try to see matters from their perspective. The keyword is “patience” as we reassess, refocus and revise.”
Pisces celebrities
- Justin Bieber
- Albert Einstein
- Millie Bobby Brown
- Camila Cabello
- Rihanna
- George Washington
- Drew Barrymore
- Bruce Willis
- Jessica Biel
Aquarius celebrities
- Harry Styles
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Ed Sheeran
- Ellen DeGeneres
- Michael Jordan
- Justin Timberlake
- Shakira
- Oprah Winfrey
Capricorn celebrities
- Kate Middleton
- Ryan Seacrest
- Timothee Chalamet
- Zayn Malik
- Gayle King
- LeBron James
- Kate Moss
Sagittarius celebrities
- Miley Cyrus
- Brad Pitt
- Nicki Minaj
- Taylor Swift
- DJ Khaled
- Tina Turner
- Britney Spears
- Christina Aguilera
- Jay-Z
- Lucy Liu
- Julianne Moore