Uhoh, it's that time again: it's Mercury retrograde season and, if you take the astro memes at their word, you could be forgiven for thinking the world is about to implode into cosmic chaos! Don’t start new projects! Don’t buy anything electrical! Don’t sign contracts! Don’t expect your train to arrive on time! Don’t press reply all on that email! It’s Mercury retrograde! Chaos! Disaster! Panic!
Mercury’s thirdpin of 2022 begins in Virgo on 9 September and ends on 1 October, heralding – if you choose to see it that way – three weeks of unavoidable tech F-ups, communication issues and dodgy exes sliding into your DMs. Yes, you read that right. If you’ve been wondering why those shady messages seem to come along like buses, you can totally blame Mercury.
But let’s take a back track of our own for a moment to get clear on what exactly Mercury retrograde is. And why, despite the doom memes, it can be a positive and reflective time if you play your cards right.
The smallest planet in our solar system (since Pluto got downgraded) and the closest to the sun, Mercury is known as the messenger planet, astrologically associated with communication, information, learning and travel. It orbits the sun in just 88 days, spending an average three weeks at a time in each zodiac sign.
This is, of course, great news when it’s spinning through your sign making all your jokes hit right and your chat-up lines charming! But during the planet’s three annual retrogrades – and there are actually four in 2022 – when it appears to be moving backwards (note: it’s an optical illusion and not actually moving backwards) it can feel like a different story entirely.
The thing is, those memes aren’t all wrong. Mercury retrograde – and the shadow phase before and after – can be a tricky time for anyone used to rushing from A to B, reliant on tech to tick off their never-ending To Do list (so most of us then!). It’s a prime time for miscommunication, misunderstandings, lost wallets, forgotten passwords, creative ruts, and WiFi issues.
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But does that mean you should put your life on hold, cancel plans and refuse to set foot on a plane for three weeks? Of course not! If we all did that the world would come to a standstill.
I am a firm believer that there’s magic to be found in Mercury retrograde once you learn to use it to your advantage. In fact, if like Steve Jobs and Lady Gaga you were born during Mercury Retrograde (find out if you were here) you may already have a leg up.
According to Yasmin Boland co-author of The Mercury Retrograde Book (a great read if you want to dive deeper into this misunderstood cycle): “Some people born with Mercury retrograde claim that Mercury retrograde life actually works in their favour and makes them feel normal. They might even find they feel sharper, clearer and more able to make sense of the world, while the rest of us struggle through the fog.”
Ignore the hype and Mercury retrograde can actually work like a mini cosmic reboot: a chance to press pause, think again or reconsider your options. It’s also an opportunity to embrace second chances, revisit old projects, and learn to take obstacles in your stride. Pay close attention and you might even find it works in your favour.
What does your lovescope look like this year?
Seven ways to make Mercury Retrograde work for you:
Mercury retrograde is the ideal time to embrace life in the slow lane. Postpone anything that doesn’t feel like a ‘Hell, yes’, book a few days off work and make the most of this retrograde’s reflective vibe. Do some journaling, practice meditation, ditch the tech, spend time outdoors, and allow yourself the time and space to get to grips with where you’re at in life right now – and where you want to be going.
Consider these your Mercury retrograde buzzwords. The idea that we can just avoid new projects while Mercury backspins is obviously impractical (try that one on your boss!) but what this cycle does present is an opportunity to take a second look at something. Dig out that unfinished novel, take another look at that business idea or revisit an opportunity you declined the first time! Retrograde vibes are perfect for editing, tweaking and (careful!) finishing touches.
Those rethink and reconsider vibes can also apply to your personal life. Mercury retrograde loves a blast from the past so don’t be surprised if you bump into an old friend, rediscover a forgotten photo album or even find yourself rekindling a romance. If you’ve been hoping to put your differences to one side with someone who matters to you, now might just be the time.
Just because they’re all charm in your inbox doesn’t mean you need to go there again. If they belong in the past, keep them there. There’s a reason Mercury is also known as the zodiac’s trickster – don’t fall for it.
The ultimate astro intel on your emotional inner self.
Mercury retrograde’s press pause vibe is ideal for a life reboot. Take some time to consider what you might need to let go of to make space for better times ahead. Detox your social media feeds, mute the haters, Marie Kondo your wardrobe and make plans that prioritise your goals and dreams. And if the internet goes down, try to embrace it!
Avoid Mercury retrograde misunderstandings by listening more than you speak! And choose your words carefully. Now is not the time to rant about your boss on social media, jump to angry conclusions or accidentally send a thirst trap to the family WhatsApp group.
Make light work of travel delays and tech troubles by planning ahead. Reconfirm plans before you set off, have a good book or podcast on the go for slow-mo commutes, take the time to back up your files and don’t leave the house without a spare charger/power bank.
And, when it comes to work, Charlotte Davies, Careers Expert at LinkedIn, comments: “Mercury retrograde can make everything seem a little ‘off’ and wreak havoc on our lives - work included. While some people don’t believe in astrology, others find that movements like Mercury retrograde can really impact their day-to-day life.
"Even if it’s not something that’s usually on your radar, being aware of what’s going on and putting things in place to alleviate any potential mishaps at work - and the stress that comes with it - can make a big difference. Communication is always crucial in the workplace, so taking a little extra time to make sure you’re communicating clearly and effectively with colleagues is never a bad thing!”
Below, she shares her top tips for keeping the pesky side of the moon at bay in the office.
You may not be the only one feeling the effects of Mercury retrograde, so it’s more important than ever that we take the time each day to contact colleagues and talk about how we’re feeling. Whether it’s WiFi troubles, frustrations with hybrid working or the endless emails you have to get through, casual check-ins can really help with how you’re feeling and how you deal with work related stress over the next few weeks. If you find communication gets harder during this time, make sure you’re keeping your colleagues in the loop to try and take extra time to be more mindful and check in regularly.
In order to give ourselves the buffer needed in case of a Mercury organisational or communication mishap, make sure to set a realistic to-do list. Taking the time to adjust our list of actions can make us much more productive and motivated. Add (flexible) time slots for completing each task which will help to manage expectations of yourself and your colleagues, and also give you more time to fix anything that doesn’t quite go to plan the first time round.
With Mercury retrograde being a time of reflection and slightly chaotic, erratic energy, it can actually be a really good opportunity to bite the bullet and try something new, using this energy to create positive changes. Whether that’s starting a new course or simply re-looking at your working space - why not try mixing it up?
If you want to take it up a notch why not boost your motivation and productivity by taking an online learning course. LinkedIn Learning has nearly 17,000 courses in total across business, creative and technical categories and adds around 60 new courses every week. There are over 600 hours of free learning courses available on a range of helpful topics, such as Time Management tips and Building a Better To Do List.
As things may feel more chaotic than usual during this period, it’s important to set work boundaries to achieve a better work-life balance. We’ve seen lots of examples on LinkedIn of people sharing what they do to achieve this, ranging from blocking out time on their calendars for scheduled breaks or virtual coffees, or making sure to remove yourself from your desk on your lunch hour While there’s lots of chaotic energy around, it’s really important to be strict with yourself and set aside the time to re-energise and relax during the working day and beyond.
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