Preparing for Mercury going into Retrograde

Sometimes in life, you just feel like everything is working against you. You may be feeling misunderstood, unable to properly communicate your feelings, or just generally in a funk. The stars may have an explanation for it - it’s called Mercury in Retrograde and this cosmic event can feel like it’s flipping your life and emotions upside down. In 2022, there are four Mercury retrogrades, each lasting for a few weeks. Although most people dread this time, there are certain practices you can put into place that can create opportunities to further your growth and realignment in the future, so it’s not all bad.

It’s important to understand that Mercury isn’t actually traveling backward in its orbit; it just looks like it is. While Earth takes 365-days to orbit the Sun, Mercury is much faster at only 88-days, but during this retrograde, it appears to be slowing down and moving backward from West to East, rather than the usual East to West. Given that Mercury rules our communication, technology and helps us transmit information to others, Astrologers have explained that retrogrades will cause disruptions in all of these realms.

If you’ve been frustrated with your thoughts getting misconstrued, your texts not getting delivered, or your social media going down, it may be because the normal flow of energy has been reversed. This backward movement can also evoke anxiety, brain fogginess, and confusion, making you feel lethargic and restless. Taking all of these emotions into account, the weeks leading up to Mercury retrograde might feel like impending doom, but there are some healthy ways you can prepare for it. Below are some valuable tips to manage this time effectively and help you emerge as a stronger person.

Plan ahead

If you’re planning to travel or see friends during Mercury retrograde, there’s every chance something may throw a spanner in the works. Add in extra time for delays and abrupt changes, and accept that things may not go as you’ve planned. Also, we are much more prone to missing details and forgetting arrangements, so remember to double-check your calendar and set reminders. Try to stay as flexible as possible and have compassion for others if they run late or forget about an arrangement. Time can be difficult to manage during Mercury retrograde, so having flexibility is the best way to go about it.

Think before you speak

Communication can easily get lost in translation during Mercury retrograde. You need to be careful with your choice of language and take a few moments to think about what you want to say before you say it. Try not to leave anything open to interpretation, so if you think something could be misunderstood, don’t send the message over email or text; try to speak in person or on the phone and clearly express your intentions. When you do text, proofreading is your best friend. You may find more typos than usual, so make sure to amend them before pressing send.

Reconnect with old friends

Mercury retrograde can be a retrospective time, and you will undoubtedly look at your circle of friends and question who is meant to be there and who isn’t. Some people positively influence your life, while others drain you of your energy and zest for life. Consider who matters and invest in those friendships. The friendships that lift you up, give you encouragement, support, and believe in you are the ones to keep around. If there are people from your past who you’ve lost touch with, now is the time to rekindle the friendship and check in with them.

Connect with nature

It’s common to experience malfunctions in your technological devices during Mercury retrograde. So instead of getting frustrated when systems go down, use the time to disconnect and be at one with nature. It could be a walk by the ocean or a river, a hike through the wilderness, or stargazing. Remind yourself that digital belongings aren’t important and that taking a break to connect with yourself is how you will grow as a person and realign your mind, body, and soul. Embrace the digital detox, unplug, and immerse yourself in beautiful nature.

Tune into your emotions

One of the benefits of Mercury retrograde is that your energy and communication will flow inwardly instead of outwardly, allowing for deeper access to your heart, intuition, and emotions. Rediscover yourself, exhale any negativity, take a moment to reflect, and tune into what really matters. Spend time journaling, reading your horoscope, speaking to a spiritual advisor, and meditating. Practice your affirmations and write down what you are grateful for each day. Gain the clarity you need to make it through Mercury retrograde without letting your mind feel scattered and out of control.

Embrace realignment

There’s every chance that Mercury retrograde will throw something off its axis in your life, but in many ways, this can be a positive thing - even if you don’t see it at first. Mercury will not have any effect on the energies in your life that are perfectly aligned. However, if Mercury manages to wreak havoc, it means your energies were off-kilter in the first place. Now is your opportunity for a clean slate. You have the power to build a new foundation and create a brighter future for yourself. Try to concentrate on the gifts Mercury retrograde can bring and embrace this moment to realign your life.