Prepare for the Chaotic Energy of Mercury Retrograde 2023

What is Mercury Retrograde?

The year 2023 brings a total of three Mercury retrograde periods coming up, which can impact our daily lives. Retrograde is a phenomenon that occurs when the planet appears to move backward in its orbit, disrupting communication, travel, and technology in our lives. Therefore, it's crucial to know the retrograde dates and how to prepare ourselves to minimize the disturbance.

The retrograde periods for Mercury in 2023 are:

• April 21, 2023 - May 14, 2023 (in Earth sign Taurus)

• August 23, 2023 - September 15, 2023 (in Earth sign Virgo)

• December 13, 2023 - January 1, 2024 (in Fire sign Sagittarius and Earth sign Capricorn)

What Happens During Mercury Retrograde?

Mercury is the ruler of communication and technology, and when it goes retrograde, it can disrupt all areas that Mercury governs. It's common to face miscommunications, misunderstandings, delays, and technical glitches during this time. Mercury retrograde can cause difficulties in important areas of our lives, such as work, travel, and relationship dynamics.

Looking at the past, revisiting past events, and resolving them are themes that are emphasized during the retrograde period. It's a time to reflect and rethink plans and decisions before making any forward moves. The positive aspect of Mercury retrograde is it allows us to slow down, focus on ourselves, and revisit anything that needs attention.

How to Prepare for Mercury Retrograde?

There are a few things you can do to prepare yourself for Mercury retrograde:

- Slow down and get organized before the retrograde period begins

- Communicate clearly and double-check things before making final decisions

- Back up important data and double-check appointments and travel arrangements.

- Be patient and flexible with delays and miscommunications.

Ideas to Stay Positive during Mercury Retrograde

Despite the challenges Mercury retrograde presents, there are some ways to stay positive and make the most of the energy:

- Take the opportunity to reflect on past events and situations

- Revisit old projects, hobbies, interests, and goals

- Connect with people from your past that you may have lost touch with

- Be open-minded and flexible with delays and changes, and go with the flow.

Pre-Retrograde and Post-Retrograde Shadow Periods

It's also essential to be aware of the pre-retrograde and post-retrograde shadow phases. During the shadow periods, you can feel the energy of the retrograde approaching or departing. The shadow period often brings a preview of what the retrograde is all about. It’s an opportunity to plan and prepare ahead of the retrograde or resolve any loose ends before fully moving forward.

The pre-retrograde shadow phase for Mercury retrograde in 2023 are:

• April 7, 2023 - April 20, 2023

• August 3, 2023 - August 22, 2023

• November 25, 2023 - December 12, 2023

The post-retrograde shadow phase for Mercury retrograde in 2023 are:

• May 15, 2023 - May 31, 2023

• September 16, 2023 - September 30, 2023

• January 2, 2024 - January 20, 2024

Additional Information

If you are interested in additional information on Mercury Retrograde, there are so many books and other sources out there.

Three books I recommend are:

• The Mercury Retrograde Book - One of the things this book explains is that once you comprehend how the pattern functions or the cycle works, you can use the retrograde to your advantage.
• Mercury in Retrograde - This book teaches you how to look beyond your natal chart and zodiac sun sign to improve relationships, align your energy with the universe, and develop valuable self-care routine.
• The Power of Mercury - It talks about using the retrograde as a chance to slow down in our tech-obsessed world by being cautious when entering into agreements and speaking with purpose.

And for those who - like me - love candles, there is actually a Mercury Retrograde Aromatherapy Candle.

The Mercury Retrograde Aromatherapy Candle is made to assist you in purging your energy and creating room for creation. Even though the retrograde may appear chaotic to you, it is beneficial for experiencing this inner calm. So, use this candle to let go of your negativity and restore harmony to your mind, body, and spirit. It even has a cool mantra.

Conclusion

Mercury retrograde can disrupt our daily lives, and we need to be prepared ahead of time. By knowing the dates and understanding what's happening during the retrograde period, we can take precautions and be more mindful during the retrograde. The pre-retrograde and post-retrograde shadow periods can also be crucial times to prepare and reflect on what we want to achieve during the retrograde period. By staying open-minded and flexible during the retrograde, it can present opportunities for growth, reflection, and positive change.

Links

If you would like to learn more about the books and the candle that I mentioned, click on the links below:

The Mercury Retrograde Book

The Power of Mercury

Mercury in Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde Aromatherapy Candle for Soothing and Calming