Leaving the writing prompt aside today, since no one really wants to talk about when they were 5. It would be like maybe 2 sentences anyways.

So, that being said, I’m choosing to write about a topic that either makes people roll their eyes in disbelief or groan out loud in frustration. (Maybe both?)

Mercury Retrograde.

Yeah, I’m sorry.

My first love will always be astrology/astronomy and constellations/planets (I didn’t decide to name my blog Black Moon Lilith for nothin’) since I was very young (not quite as young as 5, though) perhaps in order to not only understand myself but other people as well.

How energy in the universe affects others, and how that impacts us as a whole.

There are lots of articles written about the subject of Mercury Retrograde and people are now more open to the idea, so it’s become a concept more familiar than say maybe, 20 years ago (possibly closer to the age when I really started getting into this type of stuff).

So, what is Mercury Retrograde?

Retrograde in itself means “moving backward.” So, is the planet itself actually moving backwards?

No. (Confused?) Well, a planet can’t move backward. Astronomers coined this term because the planet appears to move backward. It’s an optical illusion.

Since Mercury is closest to the Sun and has the fastest orbit, it only appears to move backwards in the sky as opposed to any other planet.

Also, all planets go “retrograde,” at some point, some less than others. But they all have effects on the atmosphere or energy around us.

Mercury retrograde happens approximately 3-4 times a year. There is a shadow period of approximately 2 weeks before and after (called pre-shadow and post-shadow, respectively) and the time in between the shadow periods is the retrograde.

During this transition we are experiencing now, Mercury goes retrograde on April 1st (that’s right, Happy April Fools’ day!). It’s already been in its shadow period since March 18th.

During shadow periods, the effects of Mercury Retrograde can still be felt, but to a lesser degree.

So what happens during a Mercury Retrograde?

I believe we should always be moving forward, not regressing, not going backward. What often happens when we go backward just in our everyday life?

Well, shit gets a little crazy, for lack of a better way to say it.

Mercury is the ruler of communication.

It encompasses all things such as electronics, phones, computers, communications, travel, and caution is advised while making decisions without carefully looking at all factors – some information may be well hidden.

During a retrograde, technology goes haywire, communication breaks down, flights are sometimes delayed and cars have mechanical issues.

People may be more prone to arguing, and may be frustrated or restless. It can lead to heightened anxiety and brain fog. There may be a general funk in the air or the energy just seems “off.” Information is often missing or things are not all as they seem. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.

So, how does Mercury retrograde affect me at this time?

Well, it may not. Mercury can wreak havoc and affect all different types of energies, but you may come out completely unscathed. I often find that people born under the sign of Gemini and Virgo (or people with those signs very prominent in their birth chart) have a harder time with Mercury retrograde, due to Mercury being their ruling planet.

Still, you can take the precautions needed to avoid unnecessary turmoil during this period or its after effects. It’s normally recommended to avoid travel if you can, avoid signing any contracts if possible, avoid mechanical repairs, don’t make any major purchases at this time, double and triple check any communications you send out, and avoid making any life changing decisions if at all possible since all the information may not be available (it’s not what it seems or may present completely different from what you thought).

Mercury retrograde also often conjures up junk from the past. That toxic AF ex-friend you thought fizzled out months ago suddenly appear out of nowhere and now sending you messages? Block. Delete.

That’s not to scare anyone. You can’t base your entire life on Mercury Retrograde. When I bought my house, I made it a point not to sign anything or have any inspections done during a retrograde. I came out mostly ok, but the house still had issues like any other.

So, what can I do during Mercury Retrograde?

However, the next 3-4 weeks of your life doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. I’ve heard that the key is to observe the “Re” part of “retrograde.” Reflect, relax, recharge, rejuvenate. We all have our responsibilities and things we need to get done, but if you can, it’s a great time to clear out the clutter and refresh. This is also a good time for revising and finishing up any projects you may have already started.

In conclusion

So, now that this is the longest post I’ve ever written, what do you think?

Think we can make it the next 3-4 weeks without self-imploding?

We have also just come off the high intensity of a very strong full moon, which has left some volatile energy up in the air, so keep that in mind as well.

Hopefully, things will simmer down a bit and all will be well.

Thank you for taking the time to read my crazy thoughts and musings, as always.

You are appreciated.