Whether you like to indulge in reading your weekly horoscope or openly chart the course of your life based on your zodiac, there's no denying that, to a certain extent, we're all fascinated with astrology. But of all the planetary prose out there, none is proving more popular than writings on Mercury retrograde.

The term 'Mercury retrograde' is being searched for by millions of women, whose interest in all-things cosmic has been piqued by Mercury retrograde's apparent impact on our lives. But what is Mercury retrograde, and do you really need to be concerned about it?

If you are unfamiliar with astro-terminology, Mercury retrograde is a phrase used to describe when the planet Mercury appears, from our vantage point, to come to a standstill, and then moves backwards. The phenomenon, however, is merely an optical illusion. In reality, Mercury is speeding past the Earth, and the magnitude of its energy is believed by some to have consequences on our planet.

Because Mercury is the fastest planet in our solar system, it enters retrograde between three and four times a year, for about three weeks at a time—the first retrograde of 2021 being between October 31 and February 21—so right now. That's the scientific part—but how does it affect our daily lives?

Generally, retrograde has negative connotations—it's said to be a time when the universe is out of kilter. In ancient Roman mythology, Mercury is the god of communication. Therefore, one of the main effects of Mercury retrograde is messages getting lost in translation; cue rife misunderstandings, emails being sent to wrong recipients, seemingly-endless scheduling problems, and even disagreements between friends.

It's also said to be a time when you're more likely to hear from people in your past – often those you'd like to remain there – again owing to the out-of-kilter, anything can happen impact Mercury retrograde is said to have.

While some may be sceptical, a growing number of people are beginning to take Mercury retrograde very seriously. Many will avoid making plans or commitments during the retrograde spells, worried the associated misfortunes could come to fruition. Anxiety is a common off-shoot from Mercury retrograde, too, so if you’ve found yourself sweating the small stuff this weekend, or have an unsettled feeling in the pit of your stomach that you can’t explain, many would put this down to the astrological enigma, too.

That said, astrologists also believe that retrogrades present the perfect opportunity to explore what is known as 'The Three Rs': Review, reflect, and reassess. Mercury retrograde is thought to be an advantageous time to slow your pace, turn inwards, and align your thinking and attention to the things that matter most to you.

However you feel about Mercury retrograde, we believe that taking time to rediscover what makes you happy should always be of the utmost importance. So instead of the stress and anxiety often connected to Mercury retrograde, let's instead look to the skies, and see the endless possibilities.

HOW TO EMBRACE MERCURY RETROGRADE

Now isn’t a good time to start new projects, to use it to finish off any outstanding things you’re working on. Starting March with a clean slate is the best way to come out of mercury retrograde, particularly when the days get lighter and you’ll have more energy to take on new tasks.
Embrace the slower pace; don’t fight the fact that you feel lethargic or run-down. Make self-are your priority, and while you can’t completely shrink your responsibilities, make sure you balance them out with “me time”.
Don’t make any drastic changes to your life; Mercury retrograde can skew your usual thought process, so you’re more likely to make a decision that you ordinarily wouldn’t. Put a pin in it, and see if you’re still thinking the same way at the end of the month.
Take extra care with your emails and texts; the typos will triple, and what is being said can be misconstrued. If you notice communications getting a little wonky via text or email, it might be better to call and discuss things rather than have misunderstandings. Similarly, if a friend or colleague says something that doesn’t sit right, don’t jump to conclusions; clear things up over a call—they might not have meant what the said the way you’re digesting it.
Be gentle with yourself, and others. Not only is it Mercury retrograde right now but the stresses of the pandemic mean anxiety and stress are at a peak. Up your self-care and know that everyone around you is in the pressure cooker, too, so be gentle with them also. We’re being asked to grow and forced out of our comfort zones so breathe, surrender, and make positive steps forward.

Could Mercury retrograde be the reason you don't feel yourself today?