What it Means When You Have Mercury Retrograde in Your Birth Chart

Understanding Mercury Retrograde

Ahh, the dreaded Mercury retrograde. Those two words may easily make you nervous and have you looking over your shoulder, wondering how you will be affected. What exactly does it mean when a planet is ‘retrograde’? Basically, this is when a planet seems to float through the sky from east to west, rather than its normal path from west to east. All planets do this at different points throughout the year, so it is a very natural occurrence. Mercury does this backward dance three to four times a year.

Mercury rules over all forms of communication: speech, reading, writing, research, and negotiations. This is why it is recommended that you postpone important conversations or negotiations until after the retrograde is over. If things cannot be put off, it’s always a good idea to take things slowly and really think and read things through.

Born Under a Retrograde

So, what does it mean when you have Mercury retrograde in your Birth Chart? Well, you might have some challenges getting your point across to others and have most likely learned some creative ways of expressing yourself. You might find technology to be a hassle and prefer to do things in your own fashion. For those born under a Mercury retrograde, it’s not uncommon to feel like an outsider. These feelings may be extremely prevalent, opening the door to thinking differently than most members of the population.

According to astrologer Jan Spiller, Mercury retrograde can also indicate a past life in which you were not able to speak the truth but instead towed the company line, so to speak. She writes “In this lifetime, they are not allowed to speak superficially. To feel ‘straight’ with themselves, they must communicate fully, from the authenticity of their entire being. Naturally, it takes time for them to get in touch with this level of authenticity.”

A More Personal Effect

In general, having a retrograde planet (or several) in your natal chart simply indicates karmic lessons that you need to work on during this particular lifetime. Where Mercury retrograde falls in your chart determines how you will demonstrate the effects of the retrograde and how they express themselves in your personality.

Earth Signs

For Earth signs, a Mercury retrograde in the natal chart can indicate someone who is more philosophical than the average Earth sign. Earth signs are known for being grounded and practical, but in this case, the individual will find themselves constantly questioning and questing for new truths and experiences. They love to shake things up and do so intentionally to get a reaction.

Water Signs

For Water signs, they might be a bit more in control of their emotions and intuitive abilities. They are able to see possibilities easier and not let themselves be taken away by them. They may actually try to ignore or subvert their intuitive abilities which can lead to flashes of their gifts breaking through at inopportune times.

Air Signs

Air signs might demonstrate clear insight in spurts rather than in a linear pattern. These mental gymnastics can be both a blessing and a curse, as others may not be able to follow the rhyme or the reason. They can often see the end result without the beginning or middle steps or jump into the middle of a project without any of the prep work. Whatever their approach, it’s almost a guarantee they’re perfectionists.

Fire Signs

Fire signs usually present themselves exactly as they are, there is no guile or deception. They don’t have any frills about them, and they can’t tolerate being around fake people. Thanks to this quirk, they can sometimes come off as aloof or haughty, which is far from the case. In life, the journey is more important than the destination.

Nothing to Fear

Retrograde is not synonymous with bad or problematic, even though that is the first thing most people think of, especially when it is Mercury that is twirling backward. Approximately 19 to 25% of the population are born during a Mercury retrograde. If you’re not certain whether you were born under one, you can check your natal/birth chart here. You can also receive a complimentary Birth Chart if you don’t have one yet when you sign up for California Psychics’ Karma Rewards program. Look for Mercury, which is symbolized by this glyph ☿, and if there is an Rx next to it that means that you were born during a Mercury retrograde. One of our gifted Astrology Psychics can elaborate more on this.

Although it might seem as if having Mercury retrograde in your chart may be more of a pain than it is worth, one huge plus is that you experience a boost of energy and intelligence whenever Mercury enters retrograde and you’re not as prone to falling to pieces or getting overwhelmed as other people. Retrograde planets in a natal chart aren’t something to dread or fear. They are only one facet of who you are.

Astrology plays an important role in your day-to-day life. The planets are responsible for your moods, experiences and more, which is why you should get a psychic astrology reading. Our astrology psychics can calculate your natal chart and tell you about the important dates in your life (past, present, and future) that will massively impact you.

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