

Sometimes, it can appear (from our perspective) that a planet has abruptly switched directions and has started to move in reverse across the sky. While we orbit the Sun ourselves, we can observe the other planets moving across our sky, following their own paths.

The astronomical explanation for retrograde motion starts with understanding that the planets in our solar system orbit the Sun at different distances and speeds. Think undelivered love letters, email blunders, and frazzled travel plans! This is an excellent time to reflect on the past, however, and it’s said that intuition is high during these periods. We refer to these periods as times when Mercury is in apparent retrograde motion, or simply ” Mercury retrograde.” To those who practice astrology, these times in particular were traditionally associated with confusion, delay, and frustration. Three times a year, the planet Mercury appears to travel backward across the sky. What exactly does it mean for each of us, though? Read on to find out. Mercury enters retrograde motion starting on April 21, 2023! According to the age-old practice of astrology, we are all influenced by the effect of Mercury in retrograde.
