Mercury’s first period of retrograde motion in 2021 lasts from January 30 to February 20! According to the age-old practice of astrology, we are all influenced by the effect of Mercury in retrograde. What exactly does it mean for each of us, though? Read on to find out.
What Is “Mercury Retrograde”?
Three times a year, the planet Mercury appears to travel backward across the sky. We refer to these periods as times when Mercury is in apparent retrograde motion, or simply ”Mercury retrograde.” To those who practice astrology, these times in particular were traditionally associated with confusion, delay, and frustration. Think undelivered love letters, email blunders, and frazzled travel plans! This is an excellent time to reflect on the past, however, and it’s said that intuition is high during these periods. Coincidences can be extraordinary.
What Is Retrograde Motion?
The astronomical explanation for retrograde motion starts with understanding that the planets in our solar system orbit the Sun at different distances and speeds. While we orbit the Sun ourselves, we can observe the other planets moving across our sky, following their own paths.
Sometimes, it can appear (from our perspective) that a planet has abruptly switched directions and has started to move in reverse across the sky. This is, of course, an illusion caused by the position of Earth in relation to that of the planet, since a planet in orbit always travels in one set direction and can’t suddenly reverse course. This is why we call the phenomenon apparent retrograde motion, as it only looks like the planet is moving backward (“retrograde motion”)!
When Is Mercury in Retrograde in 2021?
In 2021, Mercury will be in apparent retrograde motion during the folowing ranges of dates:
- January 30 to February 20
- May 29 to June 22
- September 27 to October 17
Please note that dates reflect Eastern Time U.S., not Universal Time.
What You Should Do When Mercury is Retrograde
The planet Mercury rules communication in all forms—listening, writing, reading, speaking, and so on—as well as activities closely related to communication, like negotiations and contracts. It also rules travel, automobiles, shipping, and mail.
So, when Mercury is retrograde, try to remain flexible, patient, and understanding, allow extra time for travel, and avoid signing onto any new contracts that you’re unsure of. Double check your email responses and check in with reservations before you take that trip.
Review projects and plans at these times, but wait until Mercury is direct again to make any final decisions. You can’t stop your life, but plan ahead, have back-up plans, and be prepared for people’s shorter fuses and miscommunication.
Take a Moment to Reflect
Some blame Mercury retrograde for all chaos that happens in their lives. However, this is a good time to sit back and review what you put your energy toward.
For example, if family and faith are important to you, are you putting enough of your energy into them or have you become overextended in other areas such as your career or a hobby? Losing the balance between different parts of your life can cause all of them to suffer, so being aware of the connections between them—especially during Mercury retrograde—can help you to maintain or at least better understand how that balance works.
Take a moment to reflect. Mercury retrograde can be an excellent time to take a step back and reanalyze who you are and what you are doing—but do refrain from making any drastic changes until after retrograde has ended.
Mercury and the Zodiac
The type of influence you feel also depends on which of the 12 zodiac signs Earth is in when Mercury goes retrograde.
What’s your Zodiac Sign? See here: “Mercury Retrograde and Zodiac Signs.”
Learn more about zodiac sign profiles in general and check out our monthly horoscopes. Make sure that your gardening does not go awry when Mercury is in retrograde by reading your zodiac profile for gardening.
Reader Comments
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Seriously......your big
Seriously......your big question is whether this is a good time to buy a house when you are with a married man? OMFG.
Good girl for sharing your
Good girl for sharing your relationship. Many folks dont understand the dilema of being a very good person yet having a most debilitating situation to the statis quo. Buy the house! But not during mercury rx. The house is for your soul and spirit. This is for u! You know the rules of a mistress by now. The house is a comfort zone. Go for it! Hugs. Kathi
Thank you so much for sharing
Thank you so much for sharing your comments,its not easy for me to have this situation,actually i need advice,this house is for me.
when is the mercury rx？thanks
when is the mercury rx？thanks kathi.hug and kisses
Yes! It is a great time for a
Yes! It is a great time for a taurus woman who is with a capricorn married man to buy a home. But only if you have 8 dogs and 8 cats, if you don't, you simply must get 8 puppies and 8 kittens first, or you'll be sorry.
thank you i will do your
thank you i will do your advice...
???? What the hell does the 8
???? What the hell does the 8 cats or 8 dogs have to do with it???? I would break up with someone if they had that many!! That was CRAZY advice!!
I want to know what is the
I want to know what is the meaning of this kittens and puppies? Thanks
Is he married to you? Are you
Is he married to you? Are you married to him?
That is what I'm thinking.she
That is what I'm thinking.she isn't married to him and he will have her waiting forever!! everever, everever!! Like all Capricorn men do!
Right now would be a good
Right now would be a good time to buy..but please read about Oct 21'st retrograde..You need to avoid that Uranus in the 4th house. It's more about the date you move into the property ..there is so much more going on there.
so I am about to have a baby,
so I am about to have a baby, my boyfriend and I are about to close on a house and our car broke down beyond all repair. we have to buy and new car, sign our housing contract and welcome our lil bundle of joy all during Mercury retrograde... is there any hope for this all to work out okay??
Yes! These are sure signs
Yes! These are sure signs that this retrograde is a time of new beginnings for you. Enjoy!
With or without Mercury Rx,
With or without Mercury Rx, never, ever buy a car or any other large item when you are purchasing a home!! You must wait until after the house deal is completed before purchasing other items that are financed. If you purchase the car before the house deal is done, it will change your approval status with the mortgage company. Your mortgage approval was determined on your credit and repayment ability, prior to having an additional monthly payment for a car. The mortgage company could cancel your loan approval or charge you higher interest. Wait to buy the car!
I am Pisces and Mercury in
I am Pisces and Mercury in retrograde has really negatively affected me in the past. I need to sign a legal document and I may miss a deadline if I wait until July 21st.
Do I have to wait or is it just during the direct phase that legal documents cannot be signed?
I would wait...Pisces.
I would wait...Pisces.
I am also a pisces and I hate
I am also a pisces and I hate mercury retrograde BUT, I hope this time its a good thing.
Sometimes you just have to
Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and continue on with life. Unfortunately, somethings - such as legal documents- cannot wait; if you have to sign 'em then sign 'em but expect delays and/or having to go back on them for changes. For example, It might just turn out that something (thats out of your control) goes wrong when they are being processed that causes a delay - maybe someone misplaced them, the signature was in the wrong spot, someone forgot to sign a line, etc.. causing you to have to sign them all over again or something to that effect. If that were to happen, it could buy you more time to get through the retrograde and face them again when its over. This has happened to me lots of times during Mercury RX.. expect the unexpected and always triple check everything important.
When you have the Sun,
When you have the Sun, Rising, Venus, AND Mercury all in Virgo then you can complain. until then.. just thank God or whoever you worship that you don't. Complaining is Virgos number one speciality by the way...
This is the 2nd of a ten day
This is the 2nd of a ten day lunar cycle that has all gates open across the realms. One should hang ten in meditation and us the energy and opportunities to evolve. !)
I lost primary custody I my
I lost primary custody I my children during this retrograde, does this mean if I continue to pursue custody I have a chance of accomplishing shared custody again?
Only if it doesn't mean
Only if it doesn't mean trying to negoiate during another mercury in retrograde. Tensions rise, and things can become final during these phases.
There is a possibilty but a
There is a possibilty but a higher self action is to consistently, peacefully and lovingly remain in contact with your children esp on important dates. Their love and connection to you can not be severed by the courts. Only you can maintain this parental connection by doing the above, and continuing to work on yourself and your life to prove the courts etc you are the person who desserves shared custody. Blessngs to you.
My friend passed during this
My friend passed during this retrograde; she was only 34... Does this mean she will come back again or will her soul be freed?
No, when she passed her soul
No, when she passed her soul was released from the body. Therefore mercury being retrograde can no longer have any effect on her. However, it actually goes to show how Mercury retrograde can affect our lives, causing miscommunications abound. It basically means that you will remember your past with this friend, more vividly and that she actually meant more to you than you realized. Once Mercury goes direct, you will be able to move forward and let the past go, more readily and easily.
I have been in silence with
I have been in silence with my boyfriend for the last month...I don't know what happened or why we stopped communicating...yet he seems to post things on FB to get my attention and songs that he misses me. So is this going to work itself out? I can't keep chasing him, I always make the attempt . How do I handle this..during this time? He is a Gemini I'm a Leo. He shuts down and won't tell me why when he is mad about something.
It has been awkward between
It has been awkward between me and my bf too, not saying very much to eachother... Drawn out, Awkward moments of silence... I am glad I found this page to help explain why. I haven't been feeling the love lately, and I don't like it :( I am hoping things will improve soon!!!!!! Good luck to you ! We'll get through this...
Cherry Pie... We hate to
Cherry Pie... We hate to break it to you and bless your sweet heart,.. but I doubt he is truly your boyfriend if you have not talked to him in the past month. Please someone who you cant connect with on a deeper and intimate level... perhaps a virgo?
Gemini and Leo geton for a
Gemini and Leo geton for a while, but in the end faithful Leo will get the other twin, and that ain't good.
Rule number one. If you chase
Rule number one. If you chase someone or something, they/it runs! Don't chase him! If he wants you, he knows where to find you. ((hugs))
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