The Mercury Retrograde - How Does It Affect Me?

A Mercury Retrograde happens three to four times a year, depending on the orbits of Earth and Mercury, and lasts for about 3 weeks each time. Because Mercury is closer to the sun than Earth is, it orbits the sun faster than Earth does. A Mercury Retrograde occurs when Mercury appears to be moving backward in its orbit; it's really just an optical illusion caused by Earth's orbit actually catching

up to and passing Mercury's solar orbit.   

I'll be honest, I never really considered the effects that ANY energy had on me, much less a planet, until I started learning about and paying close attention to the ebbs and flows of my own frequency/vibration and how that affected how I was feeling. Everything is made of energy, everything in the cosmos, every earthly thing, including you! We all know and accept that our Moon has a gravitational impact on our Earth, like the tides going in and out, the Earth's rotation, and animal behavior, to name just a few. Well, Mercury's energy also impacts the Earth's energy.  

This last Mercury Retrograde of 2025 is now - November 9th-29th. A Mercury Retrograde is a time of renewal, review, reflection, repair, recovery - all those 're' words, you get the idea. Our amazing cosmos actually provides for us a built-in schedule for rest, ch-deserved and revisiting.  It's a time of review and for making any adjustments that may be in our highest and best interest!!!  This slower vibration/frequency can be a bit irritating if we defy or push against it.  However, if we become aware of when the Mercury Retrogrades occur, we can plan for them, much like looking forward to that much deserved vacation! 

Just prior to the retrograde, you may have noticed a little more chaos, a quick reactive energy amongst others, or even within yourself, or simply a real push to 'get things done' and completed by some self-imposed deadline.  That's great active energy that moves us all forward to achieving our goals.  However, during a Mercury Retrograde, it’s time to refocus our efforts towards time spent taking a 

break for reflecting, renewing, reviewing, or repairing, etc...

The holidays are right around the corner. Give yourself permission to take a breath, slow down the pace, and, just as importantly, allow those you interact with the same respite. Take the time to take a bow and congratulate yourself for what you have accomplished. It's ok and healthy to compliment yourself for a job well done, even if it's not 100% completed yet!

Ask yourself, is there anything I have to finish before the holidays? 

 Would it be of benefit to re-prioritize that proverbial 'to-do' list?

Is there anything that could use a review before I move forward? 

Does 'xyz' or 'abc' need one more round of polish before I give it my good housekeeping seal of approval?

Is there anything I need to revisit, re-initiate in my routine that I've slacked off on that really makes me feel better when I actually do it? 

Maybe during this retrograde, it's a time for you to actually take the time to relax and allow yourself time to heal. If you answer 'yes' to any of these or other 're's that you think of, then use this retrograde to 'slow down the jet engine', regroup, and move forward with meaningful diligence and care.

Be sure to take that bow for a job well done and for listening to your higher self and the messages you are receiving.

As for me, I'm going to use this last retrograde of 2025 to methodically finish off and do a final review on a major business project that I started working on in September - wish me luck, please.  

This gift of the Mercury Retrograde is yours to define to make its impact real and worthwhile.