Mercury retrograde 2023: What the planet’s movements mean for YOU according to astrologers

Get ready to brace for impact because an astrologer has warned that this Mercury retrograde may cause extra mayhem – since it is taking place during the eclipse season.

Roughly four times a year, for a three-week period, Mercury goes into retrograde – which means that it appears to stop and go backwards in the sky – and during that time, many people believe that the planet’s movements can make things in their life go amiss. 

From getting fired at work to facing problems in their love lives, tons are convinced that Mercury going into retrograde can spark a slew of misfortunes. 

Some even feel that it affects their mood, their emotions, and how they communicate with others – and according to an expert, the current Mercury retrograde is going to be even more ‘intense’ than normal since it’s happening at the same time as a full moon eclipse. 

Get ready to brace for impact because an astrologer has warned that this Mercury retrograde may cause extra mayhem – since it is taking place during the eclipse season 

Roughly four times a year, for a three-week period, Mercury goes into retrograde - which means that it appears to stop and go backwards in the sky

Many believe the planet’s movements can make things in their life go amiss – and according to an expert, the current Mercury retrograde is going to be even more ‘intense’ than normal

Yasmin Boland, an astrologer and author based in the US, recently spoke to DailyMail.com about the negative effects that this Mercury retrograde may have on us

Yasmin Boland, an astrologer and author based in the US, recently spoke to DailyMail.com about the negative effects that this Mercury retrograde may have on us

Yasmin Boland, an astrologer and author based in the US, recently spoke to DailyMail.com about the negative effects that this Mercury retrograde – which kicked off on April 21 and will conclude on May 14 – may have on us, as well as how you can protect yourselves from the eerie consequences.

She warned that people may notice themselves ‘second’ guessing everything while the planet is moving backwards, and that things or people from your past may try to wiggle their way back into your life during this time. 

But does the planet’s motion really have such a large impact on our lives? What exactly is the science behind it? Why is this one worse than the others? And what can you do to help ease the effects? From how it works to why it happens, here’s what you need to know about Mercury retrograde.

Why is this Mercury retrograde more intense than others and what can you expect? 

According to Yasmin, this particular Mercury retrograde is going to be even more dramatic than some of the past – since a lunar eclipse is expected to occur smackdab in the middle of it, on May 5.

Lunar eclipses take place when the Earth is positioned directly between the sun and the moon, causing a shadow to cast over the moon. 

And when it occurs at the same time as Mercury retrograde, Yasmin – who offers a free chart reading on her website – warned that it can cause trouble.

‘One of the standout things about this Mercury retrograde is that it’s taking place in the eclipse season,’ she told DailyMail.com. 

According to Yasmin, this particular Mercury retrograde is going to be even more dramatic than some of the past - because a lunar eclipse is expected to occur during it

According to Yasmin, this particular Mercury retrograde is going to be even more dramatic than some of the past – because a lunar eclipse is expected to occur during it

‘In other words, life is already all over the place, we just had a New Moon eclipse and the Full Moon eclipse is looming – and now Mercury is going backwards.’

Yasmine pointed out that eclipses are often viewed as a great time for people make decisions or embark on new endeavors, but Mercury retrograde is known for making it so that it’s hard for you to ‘make up your mind’ – a bad combination.

‘Expect to have some second thoughts, renegotiations or confusion in this department,’ she explained. 

‘There could also be someone or something from your past in this area coming back to the present.’

A second astrologer, named Lisa Stardust, reiterated Yasmin’s claims, adding that both the eclipse and the retrograde happening at the same can cause ‘miscommunications’ and spark trust ‘issues.’

She also pointed out that the current retrograde is occurring during the Zodiac sign Taurus, which means you may notice yourself changing your spending habits.

‘We can expect to see a change in people’s stubborn attitudes, finances, spending, and relationships,’ she said.

‘Things that once were of value may change, as we are learning that materialism doesn’t define us. Who we are and what we do is what does.’

What even is Mercury retrograde and how does it work?

Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System and the closest one to the sun, which means it also moves the fastest and that a few times a year, the planet laps us

Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System and the closest one to the sun, which means it also moves the fastest and that a few times a year, the planet laps us 

Mercury is the smallest planet in the Solar System and the closest one to the sun, which means it also moves the fastest.

It takes only 88 days for Mercury to orbit one full time around the sun (while it takes Earth 365 days), which means a few times a year, the planet laps us.

While all the planets in the solar system move in the same direction around the sun, when Mercury passes Earth – which happens every four months or so – it appears to reverse course and go in the opposite direction.

‘Due of the way the planets orbit the Sun, there are times when, from our vantage point here on earth, it looks like Mercury is retrograding or reversing through the zodiac,’ explained Yasmin during a previous interview with DailyMail.com.

In reality, its all an optical illusion and Mercury is still moving the same way as us.

‘If you were in a car and another car passed you, you could tell it was going faster than you,’ astrologer Susan Miller wrote in an essay for Astrology Zone.

‘But if it slowed down and you then passed it, it would appear that that car was actually going backward.

However, during the three-week period that it’s happening, some people believe it can impact the way we think and interact with one another.

While the planet is not actually moving backwards, it is passing us during that time, and some astrologers believe that it can make waves here on Earth – like a boat that leaves a wake in its path.

‘As Mercury speeds by, it is like a train flying past, creating a powerful, turbulent gust of “wind” in its wake,’ Susan said.

While the planet is not actually moving backwards, it is passing us during that time, and some astrologers believe that it can make waves here on Earth - like a boat that leaves a wake in its path

While the planet is not actually moving backwards, it is passing us during that time, and some astrologers believe that it can make waves here on Earth – like a boat that leaves a wake in its path 

‘The turbulence and disruption Mercury creates when it retrogrades can affect what we feel on Earth in our everyday lives 

‘In astrology, we always believe the following rule is true: “As above, so too below.” By that we mean there is a fractal relationship between the orbits and human activity down here on Earth.’ 

The planet was named after the Roman God of commerce, financial gain, communication, travelers, boundaries, luck, trickery, and thieves – so many are convinced that the planet has an especially strong effect on all of those things.

‘This means that we can expect meltdowns, false gossip, miscommunications, technology fails (which is why it’s best to back up files and contacts before the retrograde), issues in travel, missed connections and delays in hearing pertinent information,’ the Today show previously reported.

‘If you’re expecting a raise or promotion, it could take longer to get the paperwork in motion. 

‘If you’re planning a vacation, you may experience issues while away. Your smartphone could break, you could be accidentally billed twice by the cable company or an old friend or ex could even resurface in some capacity. 

‘An argument could also create tension in a relationship that will be all consuming during this transit.’

How will this Mercury retrograde affect certain Zodiac signs?

Astrologer Lisa Stardust said that people who are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius will likely feel the consequences even more than others during this Mercury retrograde

Astrologer Lisa Stardust said that people who are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius will likely feel the consequences even more than others during this Mercury retrograde

According to the astrologers, certain Zodiac signs can be greatly affected by the retrograde depending on when it takes place – and Lisa said that people who are Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius will likely feel the consequences even more than others this time around.

‘Taurus may feel lost in the shuffle, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find peace of mind if you allow yourself to relax,’ she told DailyMail.com.

For Leos, Lisa warned that ‘issues at work could have you in a tailspin, urging you to reassess projects and personal aspirations,’ while Scorpios need to ‘prepare for exes and old issues in relationships to come back now, forcing you to deal with the past.’

As for people who are Aquarius, she said that ‘issues in the foundation of the home could require immediate renovations and attention.’

What you can do to protect yourselves from the affects of Mercury retrograde?

First and foremost, many astrologers have recommended that you don’t freak out when Mercury retrograde hits, but rather, proceed with caution. 

'There is no need to worry,' Yasmin insisted. 'Mercury retrograde is not dangerous. It's more about annoying glitches and events happening which are somehow related to the past - like the coming of a full circle'

‘There is no need to worry,’ Yasmin insisted. ‘Mercury retrograde is not dangerous. It’s more about annoying glitches and events happening which are somehow related to the past – like the coming of a full circle’ 

‘There is no need to worry,’ Yasmin insisted. ‘Mercury retrograde is not dangerous. It’s more about annoying glitches and events happening which are somehow related to the past – like the coming of a full circle.’ 

And according to the astrologer, both the eclipse and the retrograde happening together can actually ‘work in your favor.’

‘Mercury retrograde is a time to redo things,’ she explained. ‘In other words, if the eclipse seems to have brought major changes you’re not happy about, you might get a second chance to sort things out later, once the eclipse season is over.

‘This is the ideal time to have a rethink about what really matters to you. Who and what do you really value and are you living your life accordingly? 

‘What gets you out of bed in the morning and are you giving that enough time and attention?’

She added that because Taurus ‘is such a sensual sign,’ it’s also a good time to ‘bring sexy back’ if things have been ‘a little lacking in that department.’

In the end, her best advice is to ‘stay patient’ and have a ‘good sense of humor’ even when things do go amiss.

Lisa also suggested ‘thinking before you speak’ and spending extra time ‘reading emails before sending them to avoid issues’ during the retrograde. 

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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk