Mercury Retrograde: What It Is and What It Means
Mercury retrograde is the period when Mercury appears to move backward in the sky. What it really is and what astrology attributes to it.
What it really is
From Earth, a planet sometimes seems to move backward along its path across the sky. It's an optical illusion: it happens when the Earth, which moves faster in its orbit, passes another planet or is passed by it. Mercury, the closest planet to the Sun, does this about three or four times a year, for about three weeks each time.
What astrology attributes to it
Mercury symbolizes communication, thinking, short trips and agreements. During its retrograde, popular tradition advises reviewing more than starting: going over contracts before signing them, confirming plans, backing up your files and picking up unfinished business.
It's a symbolic belief. There's no scientific evidence that the apparent motion of a planet affects gadgets or people, but many take it as a good excuse to slow down.
How to check it
The dates change every year, so it's best to check them in an up-to-date source. On Portal Místico you can see which planets are retrograde today and until when, along with a practical tip for each one.
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