Hooray, as of yesterday, Mercury is no longer in retrograde! If you've ever heard someone say their plans were “ruined by Mercury in retrograde,” you may have had a few questions. What is this mysterious phenomenon? How can it affect us so profoundly? Is it real or just an old wives’ tale? Let’s dive into the astrological world of Mercury and answer: What is Mercury in retrograde!

When is Mercury in Retrograde in 2023?

For this year, Mercury is in retrograde:

• Dec. 28, 2022 -- Jan. 18, 2023


• April 21 -- May 14


• Aug. 23 -- Sept. 14


• Dec. 13 -- Jan. 1, 2024

What Does "Mercury in Retrograde" Mean?

Simply put, Mercury in retrograde is when the planet appears to be moving backward from our point of view here on Earth. This occurs three times each year, usually lasting for around three weeks each time. It's an optical illusion caused by the fact that the orbits of Earth and Mercury are not perfectly aligned—but astrology fans believe that this cosmic shift affects our lives in many ways.
During these periods of retrograde, some people experience a variety of strange occurrences, including breakdowns with technology (like your laptop or phone suddenly refusing to work), misunderstandings with friends and family, delays with projects or travel plans, and more. Some will even blame all their misfortunes on Mercury—but hold up! Not everyone believes in its power.

Believers vs Non-Believers

Some people take astrology seriously and live their lives based on its predictions—while others think it’s complete nonsense and don’t pay any attention to it whatsoever. Those who do believe strongly in astrology often make sure they avoid making big life decisions while it's happening because they fear that they might end up regretting them later on down the line. Meanwhile, non-believers scoff at such superstitions and continue living their lives as usual without giving it a second thought.
No matter which side you’re on, one thing’s for sure: understanding why mercury goes into retrograde can help us prepare for what lies ahead. By understanding what this optical illusion means we can make better preparations for when it occurs; whether you believe in its power or not is entirely up to you! Knowing what to expect during these periods can help us all make better choices when faced with life changes—so if nothing else, having knowledge about what happens during mercury retrograde will never hurt anyone!