Brace yourself, everyone. Mercury’s doing that thing again.
Three or four times a year, the planet of communication, travel and technology appears to reverse through the sky. And suddenly, seemingly, your life implodes.
But remember: while it’s easy to blame every mishap on the cosmos, Mercury retrograde is not out to get you. It’s reminding you to slow down and move with a bit more care.
And with the following recommendations, you’ll be able to get through it just fine.
What is Mercury retrograde, really?
In short, Mercury retrograde is an optical illusion.
From Earth, it looks like the planet is moving backwards through the sky – but it’s really not. It’s just an effect of perspective.
Mercury orbits the sun faster than we do. So, when it laps us, it briefly appears to backtrack. It’s a bit like when a faster train passes a slower one and the world outside your window seems to move in reverse.
Astronomically, it’s a cool phenomenon. But astrologically, it’s treated like a mini apocalypse.
Why? Because Mercury rules communication, travel and technology – basically everything that makes modern life (and Rocks and Soul Facebook lives) tick. So, when the planet’s movement appears to rewind, those parts of life can feel a little glitchy, too.
Suffice it to say, not ideal.
The most common retrograde chaos
If things start feeling slightly cursed, you’re probably not imagining it. Here are a few familiar retrograde signatures:
- Messages that sound fine in your head but, once you’ve sent them, read… not great.
- Tech fails, from frozen screens to mysterious internet dropouts.
- Missed trains, delayed flights or booking mix-ups.
- Ex-partners or friends reappearing after months (or years) of hiding in the shadows.
- Mood swings that leave you feeling slightly vindicated but mostly embarrassed.
Take a breath. These little interruptions are temporary – and there are ways to combat them.
Your retrograde survival toolkit
A few good crystals can make this season easier to navigate – not as magic fixes, but as touchpoints for staying balanced when life feels off-kilter.
Here are three to keep close:
Blue lace agate for clear communication
When words start tangling, Blue lace agate helps smooth them out.
Known for its calming, steady energy, it supports thoughtful conversation and keeps emotional reactions in check. Perfect for hard talks or misread texts.
Keep it near your phone or laptop to curb the urge to send that message you’ll regret later.
Smoky quartz for grounding and patience
Smoky quartz is the calm in Mercury retrograde’s storm.
It’s known for grounding scattered energy and easing frustration when things don’t go to plan.
Keep it on your desk, in your pocket or hold it during moments of stress. It’s especially handy when travel or tech gets chaotic.
Fluorite for focus and mental clarity
Retrograde has a way of scattering thoughts. Fluorite cuts through the noise, helping you prioritise what actually needs your attention.
It’s ideal for work, study or creative projects that require focus when your brain feels like it has 27 open tabs.
Place it near your workspace or carry it when you need a mental reset.
How to handle it yourself
Mercury retrograde isn’t all bad – it’s a perfect excuse to slow down and get intentional. Here’s how to move through it like a pro:
- Double-check everything. Flights, appointments, emails, text threads. It’s less about paranoia and more about mindfulness.
- Hold off on big launches or decisions. Save them for later. Use this time to refine, not reinvent.
- Journal instead of venting. This season brings reflection to the surface – journaling helps you catch patterns before they catch you.
- Set small, clear intentions. Retrograde energy is introspective; it supports inner work, not massive external change. Write down what you’d like to rework, revisit or release.
- Take digital breaks. Step back from screens when tech chaos strikes. Go outside, touch your crystals, breathe.
The goal isn’t to avoid disruption – it’s to move through it with calm awareness.
A mini retrograde calendar
Think the only thing you need to think about this retrograde is the retrograde itself? Think again. Each retrograde has three key stages:
Pre-shadow: This is the warm-up phase, which typically occurs over the two weeks before full retrograde. Subtle miscommunications may start showing up – which makes this a good time to notice patterns before they peak.
Full retrograde: This is the main event. Expect delays, tech mishaps or resurfaced conversations. Focus on patience, not productivity, during this time.
Post-shadow: For about a week after full retrograde, a cool-down period emerges. Things start smoothing out, but the universe still wants you to move slowly. Lessons from retrograde will begin to sink in here.
What not to do
Mercury retrograde doesn’t need rules – but a few gentle boundaries can’t hurt.
- Don’t send that ‘just wondering how you’ve been’ text.
- Don’t buy a new phone to fix your current one’s retrograde glitch.
- Don’t sign contracts without a second (or third) look.
- Don’t assume silence means conflict – communication’s just lagging.
- Don’t take it all too seriously. It’s a phase, not a prophecy.
Need some help staying grounded (and sane) this retrograde? Stock up on your Mercury-proof crystals available now at Rocks and Soul.