Print
EmailWe are all influenced when Mercury is in retrograde. See retrograde dates for 2013.
When Mercury is Retrograde
Sometimes the other planets appear to be traveling backward through the zodiac; this is an illusion. We can this illusion retrograde motion.
Mercury's retrograde periods can cause our plans to go awry. However, this is an excellent time to reflect on the past. Intuition is high during these periods, and coincidences can be extraordinary.
When Mercury is retrograde, remain flexible, allow time for extra travel, and avoid signing contracts. Review projects and plans at these times, but wait until Mercury is direct again to make any final decisions.
2013 Retrograde Dates
In 2013, Mercury will be retrograde from:
- February 23–March 17
- June 26–July 20
- October 21–November 10
A Man With a Message
Mercury comes from the Latin word merx, or mercator, which means merchant. Mercury is the name given by the ancient Romans to the Greek mythological god Hermes.
Mercury is depicted as a male figure having winged sandals and a winged hat, indicating the ability to travel quickly. He was the official messenger of the ancient gods and goddesses and, as such, governed communications.
In 1782, Mercury became the first symbol of the United States' postal service. Today, he is the Icon of an International floral delivery service.
In astrology, Mercury influences travel, literature, poetry, merchants, and thieves. He is cunning and witty at a moment's notice. But he is also recognized as a trickster and prone to misbehavior.
Zodiac Profiles
In Aries: Expect to be frustrated and frazzled. Assertive, impulsive Aries wants to move ahead, and all of the energy is going backwards. Watch what you say and how you say it. Pay attention to what people say to you; you might be pleasantly surprised.
In Taurus: Take time to formulate your thoughts. Taurus, an unhurried sign, slows down the mental processes. He also governs banking, so delay money matters. Review financial matters, and position yourself for growth.
In Gemini: Because Gemini rules communications, be prepared for miscommunications. Expect lots of phone calls or none, and lost or misplaced mail. You may not articulate clearly. At the same time, old friends may reconnect.
In Cancer: Expect annoyances at home with baking, gardening, and household duties under domesticated Cancer. Complete repair projects that weren't finished or done correctly.
In Leo: Avoid speculative investments. It is not a good time to buy or sell or do any trading. Instead, analyze your investment portfolio. Use your know-how and advisory skills to help friends and associates.
In Virgo: Challenging situations arise, especially in the workplace. Expect product delays and equipment breakdowns, as well as crankiness among coworkers under finicky, detailed Virgo. Double-check your work before you call it finished.
In Libra: Accept your physical attributes; do not have a makeover. Indecision resigns, so limit purchases—or risk returning them. Libra, representing beauty, grace, charm, and diplomacy, is out of balance. Refresh, relax, and rejuvenate.
In Scorpio: Emotions rule—not common sense—so beware. Avoid affairs of the heart. Passionate Scorpio is also secretive, and your secrets may seep out. Keep them in a diary.
In Sagittarius: It is not a time to travel, so reschedule or just expect delays, lines, and lost directions. Instead, take care of local affairs. Patience and a sense of humor are needed.
In Capricorn: Avoid buying, selling, or renting real estate under Capricorn, the sign that governs property matters. Expect problems with paperwork, packing, and movers. Reunite with family or vacation at home.
In Aquarius: With Mercury retrograde in Aquarius, the sign that governs relationships, friendships are put at a risk. Petty squabbles, misunderstandings, and miscommunications abound. Know who your friends are.
In Pisces: Foggy thinking, daydreams, and escapism are the norm; day-to-day realities confound otherwise clear heads when Mercury, the planet that rules logic, is in Pisces, which governs illusion. Practice creative pursuits—writing, dancing, photography, film, or painting.
Do you know your Zodiac sign? Click here for our Zodiac Profiles tool and just enter your birthday.
From The Old Farmer's Almanac: Sign up to receive a FREE guide (A $4.95 value!) plus updates from Almanac.com.
Comments
Better not to have surgery
- reply
By katmama on May 5
Better not to have surgery when the moon is in scorpio if you have a choice. ditto for mercury retrograde.
I do not expect anything
- reply
By Carol39
I do not expect anything furing MR I roll with it, work with the Trickster Gods and enjoy new adventures. In my head that is xD.
I got a job offer before MR,
- reply
By frustrated
I got a job offer before MR, however started the job during it. I'm having a lot of problems with my boss, it's almost like she hates me. I'm wondering if this will get better. Ugh
I am wondering what influence
- reply
By GINA PONTI
I am wondering what influence the election of a new Pope and the Conclave has during retrograde Mercury. I feel this bears watching very closely and is significant for millions of Catholic followers as well as the world news. Could 1978 repeat itself again or will the Church's “Sexual Scandal” rear its ugly head again. This unusual timing (retrograde Mercury) will have far flung effects on many areas of the election process via the spoken and written word (the casting of ballots). I wonder if any other recent Conclaves were done during retrograde Mercury. Certainly would be interesting to research this information!!
I am wondering what influence
- reply
By GINA PONTI
I am wondering what influence the election of a new Pope and the Conclave has during retrograde Mercury. I feel this bears watching very closely and is significant for millions of Catholic followers as well as the world news. Could 1978 repeat itself again or will the Church's “Sexual Scandal” rear its ugly head again. This unusual timing (retrograde Mercury) will have far flung effects on many areas of the election process via the spoken and written word (the casting of ballots). I wonder if any other recent Conclaves were done during retrograde Mercury. Certainly would be interesting to research this information!!
my bike was stolen during
- reply
By PemaDorje
my bike was stolen during this March 2013 Mercury Retrograde ... I rode it to University 25k there and back again everyday ... now I'm unable to ...
Mercury retro affects people
- reply
By Philo
Mercury retro affects people differently depending on their signs and charts. Some people seem to go unscathed through a Mercury retro while others like me accumulate delays, unusual incidents, coincidences and obstacles that completely drain all my energy. I have tried all sorts of things to make this period as smooth as possible but as I cannot control other people's actions and needs, I simply cannot avoid Mercury retro's effects.
Things I would not do during a mercury retro are signing important contracts, launch an event, have surgery or medical exams, business travels, purchase equipment especially IT equipment. Things I would definitely do are meeting up with long lost friends, work on tasks and things I have not completed yet and that are long overdue.
I was wondering if I should
- reply
By Chris79
I was wondering if I should buy my paralyzed dog a wheelchair during mercury retrograde. She's been slowly going paralyzed for the last year, but has been confined to just sitting on the soda for the last 3 months, as her disease progressed. I would love to make her mobile again. I think she would be a lot happier too, but I don't want it to fail. It is new, it is transportation I guess. However it is helping her with an old problem. So I'm confused if it will work or not during a MR. Thanks.
Jeepers...expect
- reply
By Deandoe
Jeepers...expect transportation problems and communication problems...might be better to wait, so she understands better that this is not a half-cage. Is she otherwise fit? Is she in pain when she moves? Might be kinder to put her down and let her spirit find a new puppy body to live in. I'm sorry for your situation.
I am a Gemini. I have a job
- reply
By Razz
I am a Gemini. I have a job interview during MR. Will it affect the outcome?
Maybe, maybe not. Just make
- reply
By Philo
Maybe, maybe not. Just make sure you have plenty of time to get to the interview and that you are well prepared.
Everything went well, just
- reply
By Razz
Everything went well, just waiting on a phone call!
Never never do the following
- reply
By SugarMag007
Never never do the following things during merc retrograde if you can help it:
1) Buy new electronics of any kind
2) Start major new ventures
3) SCHEDULE Surgery, esp. new surgery. If you are re-doing things including surgery, that could work.
If fate intervenes and you can't help/reschedule, then don't be surprised if the outcome is less than perfect. Good Luck!
Thanks for yur comment but I
- reply
By Philo
Thanks for yur comment but I know some people who have had their best surgery under a Mercury retro. There are no divine rules that say that Mercury retro's surgery are a no no. It works well for some people
what if you were born under
- reply
By BTV
what if you were born under Mercury Retrograde?
My bday is 2/24 and I was just wondering about if there's a double does of MR or if one is immune.
Thank you.
If you wree born under
- reply
By Philo
If you wree born under Mercury retro, you will feel more at ease going through this period than others.
I have a lease I have to sign
- reply
By Lovesick
I have a lease I have to sign march 2nd- I am concerned with mercury in retrograde. I cannot just not sign the lease because of theses dates of reto because I will not get the space I've been waiting for.
suggestions to being mindful of signing contacts during retrograde periods?
i felt a perfect flow of
- reply
By Sierra Styles
i felt a perfect flow of energy for past two weeks but it seems to be melowing out i think because of mr. What should i do during this time stay productive and positive safely?
Is mercury retrograde a good
- reply
By SolarSun
Is mercury retrograde a good time to do a backpacking trip during which I will be teaching meditation and connecting with spiritguides and nature
? Thanks!
don't go on any trips during
- reply
By ejary
don't go on any trips during MR. you might meditate under an old tree and have a heavy branch fall on you. wait a week later to take your trip. good luck!
Actually, this is a great
- reply
By Stevenredd
Actually, this is a great time to travel! Just don't expect everything to go like clockwork. Expect delays, or changes and roll with it. While Mercury rules travel and communication, it also rules mentation and thinking. What we perceive is what we call reality. During MR, we just need to readjust how we perceive things. Best laid plans, and all that. So, unless you're really obsessive about having everything be perfect, go and have fun.
To Patricia03: Anything I
- reply
By JADE GYPSY
To Patricia03: Anything I have scheduled during a Mercury retrograde has been messed up.Vacations,financial deals,surgeries...I try to schedule things accordingly, but if I schedule without checking the dates, I have a mess.
what time zone to these days
- reply
By nantz
what time zone to these days represent?
The dates represent Eastern
- reply
By Catherine Boeckmann
The dates represent Eastern Time U.S.
Me and my boyfriend are
- reply
By Rochelle23
Me and my boyfriend are having issues and it started last Wednesday.. When asked if we are together or not...his reply is "he isn't getting into that".. So I am left confused as to are we together or not. He just seem so distance but hasn't't said the words we are broken up. Confused.. Help
Check back to see if there
- reply
By Deandoe
Check back to see if there could have been a misunderstanding last Wednesday. We are prone to make very wrong assumptions during Mercury Retrograde times, so double-check to see if that was a possibility for either of you. Be patient for now and dump him in early April if things don't get fine between you by then.
attraction varies over time.
- reply
By Anonymousss
attraction varies over time. the attraction cycle lengths for males and females are different, so you will move in and out of phase. know and respect these cycles and it will add to your understanding and respect for each other.
That means he's a jerk and
- reply
By Anonymous.
That means he's a jerk and doesn't deserve you. Time to move on and find someone who is not afraid to commit.
I applied for loss
- reply
By Ornella
I applied for loss modification and got to different letters in the last 2 weeks one that I got it and one that I was denied.I am s pices
Appreciate knowing that I
- reply
By Madeleine Cloutier
Appreciate knowing that I will have to take special care under mu sign which is Virgo.
Post new comment