It’s that time of the year again. The latest Mercury Retrograde begins on Tuesday May 10 and goes through June 3.

Remember that retrograde periods are always times for reflection and heightened inner awareness. Since Mercury symbolizes communication, transport, the way we learn, our siblings, and our neighborhood, this period can yield great insights in these related areas of our life. Mercury Retrograde lasts about three weeks and occurs three to four times per year; the last one took place January 14 - February 4.

Mercury represents the bridges and channels that allow us to connect varied pieces of information in order to synthesize them into the whole of understanding. During Mercury Retrograde periods, inherent weaknesses of these conduits may be revealed so that we can bolster their foundations in order to recraft approaches that will be more efficient and effective.

While this may give us opportunities to bolster their connectivity, strengthening their core foundations, it also may result in this period being one in which we experience the breakdown of tools that help us to share information (such as phones, computers, and printers). Therefore, do what you can to make sure that those under your purview are in good working order; also be aware of the possible need of having a contingency plan for getting your message across should there be challenges in the systems that you usually use for communicating.

Given that transportation is also a conduit, as it assists people and things in moving from place to place, we could find that means of travel could be challenged or disrupted. As such, pay attention to personal transport vehicles—whether it be your car, bike, skateboard, et al.—making sure they have what they need to function efficiently. (And if you’ve been putting off getting them looked at by a professional, consider scheduling an appointment over the coming weeks.) Double-checking airplane departure times, leaving ample time during transit for potential (and unforeseen) traffic, and reading the fine print of rental car contracts are some examples of good transportation strategies to follow during Mercury Retrograde.

Any planetary retrograde reflects a period where the energy is focused more internally. Therefore, it’s a wonderful time to turn communication inward to seek insights and understanding. Meditation, journaling, nondominant handwriting, and using oracle cards are especially great activities to do during Mercury Retrograde to help you find the pieces of the puzzle and the teachings of wisdom that you seek.

While inner reflection is heightened, external communication may be stressed. Therefore, try to avoid misunderstandings by being extra diligent about the words you use, while also making sure to listen even more attentively than usual. Whether it be with writing, speaking, or design, put a little extra effort into dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s. Be especially aware of this if you have to sign any contracts or make binding agreements during Mercury Retrograde, as oftentimes all of the information we need in order to make a decision isn’t readily available or especially clear; ask questions if doubts arise, sussing out details to uncover facts that may be shielded on the surface from view. If you do make an agreement during Mercury Retrograde, just consider that things may turn out differently than anticipated (different isn't necessarily bad, it's just distinct from what expectations may have been).

When you think of how to approach this period, just remember the first two letters of the word retrograde—“re”—and apply it to the activities you undertake. As such, Mercury Retrograde periods are a great time to reassess, review, reanalyze, revisit, rethink, re-edit, and recommunicate. Looking at it through this lens, you will begin to see how this time period can actually yield great benefit as you can discover things that you may not have previously seen, things that allow you to refine the integrity of your creativity and communications.

During this retrograde period, Mercury travels from 4 Gemini to 26 Taurus. How Mercury retrograde will impact you personally will depend upon the connections it makes to your individual astrology chart. You would look to see where this span of signs/degrees falls in your birth chart to see the realms of life that are being brought to your attention owing to Mercury going over this area three times during the pre-retrograde shadow, the retrograde period, and the post-retrograde shadow. What lessons this Mercury Retrograde can yield for you is also related to what planets and/or pivotal points (i.e., Ascendant/Descendant or Nadir/Midheaven), if any, in your birth chart to which it may make a connection. (If you don’t know your chart, you can cast one at SoDivine.Us.

Mercury Retrograde: May 10 - June 3, 2022