Decoding the Effects of Mercury Retrograde in Pisces

Welcome to our exploration of Mercury retrograde. This Mercury retrograde isn’t about anyone else.

In astrology, Mercury rules the mind. It is communication, mental processing, learning, and memory. Because it is the quickest planet to orbit, Mercury retrogrades more than any other cosmic body, entering its backward spin three and sometimes four times a year. We know this energy well.

All planetary retrogrades remind us that life-and, by extension, we-move in cycles. Our path is not linear. Retrogrades are the necessary step back that brings us a vaster perspective from which we can take a more expanded intention, consciousness, and alignment with what lies ahead. They are an inward reflection and reconnection with what truly matters to us.

During planetary retrogrades, we have the opportunity to revisit, reclaim, redefine, and reconnect with the energy represented by the retrograde planet. Retrograde periods invite us to slow down and re-vision how we want to go forward. If we keep pushing in all the same ways we have been, we’ll hit walls of resistance in all forms. This is true personally and collectively.

The backward motion of any planet in the zodiac is actually an optical illusion from our perspective on Earth. The relative positions of Earth and Mercury and how they move around the Sun make it look like Mercury spends time in reverse.

Read also: Exploring Pisces Flower Symbolism

Each retrograde cycle has a “shadow period” before and after the appearance of backward motion. Mercury’s shadow period is approximately two weeks before and two weeks after the retrograde.

How Mercury Retrograde Affects Communication

Mercury rules all forms of communication, logical thinking, signals, travel, and connections of all kinds. The success of business partnerships, creative projects, friendships, and romances are dependent upon effective communication. Mercury Retrograde impacts all forms of communication and the way we think about things.

During these periods, we often experience delays, mix-ups, and accidents when it comes to communication, transportation, and technology. Connections of all kinds don’t seem to follow the rules we’ve become accustomed to.

So are we fated to conversations, meetings, and everyday exchanges going backward during Mercury Retrograde? Will our cars breakdown and computers crash? Not exactly. It means things can go awry more easily than usual, but there are lessons to be learned during these phases.

Astrologers recommend easing off certain pursuits, like starting new projects, signing contracts, completing tasks, and building new relationships. Mercury Retrograde is one of the best times to pick up old ideas and bring them back to life. Anything you’ve already started in the realms of writing, speaking, teaching, and learning are great things to focus on during this period.

Read also: Unveiling Aquarius

Reworking existing plans and projects fit with this energy perfectly. Mercury Retrograde is a cosmic do-over. If you want to try again - at a relationship, a project, an idea, a conversation - you get a second chance with Mercury who (from our view) stops, backs up, and gives you another shot.

Mercury Retrograde also brings communication from old relationships so I’m often revisited by people who have been out of my life for days, months, or even decades. I love seeing old faces again and hearing familiar voices that for now live only in my memory. So for me, the medicine of Mercury Retrograde is that we can always go home. We can always try again.

If you’ve been chasing the future in full-steam-ahead mode and stressing yourself out like crazy, Mercury Retrograde says “Let Go!” You don’t control everything. Generally, take this time to be mindful, stay calm, and reflect. Practice compassion with yourself and everyone else. That way, when Mercury Retrograde comes to an end, you can get back on your path full speed ahead, with few casualties.

While pausing certain activities during Mercury Retrograde is good advice, if your heart 100% tells you to go for something, throw out the rule book. You don’t need to miss out on an amazing opportunity waiting on Mercury.

During retrogrades, we’re called to stop and be fully present before resuming forward motion. When planets resume their apparent forward motion, we also make a 180 and have a chance to progress with new awareness and direction. When we just keep going, par for the course, it’s easy to go through the motions and not pay attention to major signals trying to get our attention.

Read also: February 19 - March 20 Zodiac

When it comes to communication, are you speaking your truth clearly? Do you really listen to others? To your inner voice? What’s going on with those thoughts in your head? Are they supporting your true desires or stuck in a negative loop?

When Mercury goes direct, check yourself before hitting the accelerator. This is the time to choose your words carefully, spoken and unspoken. Think of The Magician in the Tarot, Mercury’s card.

Mercury Retrograde Effects by Zodiac Sign

When Mercury enters retrograde motion within the range of dates for a given astrological sign, be wary of the listed effects.

Note that the planet Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo, so these two signs are most heavily affected.

• IN AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): With Mercury retrograde in Aquarius, the sign governing relationships and friendships is at risk. Petty squabbles, misunderstandings, and miscommunications abound. Know who your friends are.
• IN PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): Foggy thinking, daydreams, and escapism are the norm; day-to-day realities confound otherwise clear heads when Mercury, the planet that rules logic, is in Pisces, which governs illusion. Practice creative pursuits-writing, dancing, photography, film, or painting.
• IN ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): Expect to be frustrated and frazzled. Assertive, impulsive Aries wants to move ahead, and all of the energy is going backward. Watch what you say and how you say it. Pay attention to what people say; you might be pleasantly surprised.
• IN TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): Formulate your thoughts. Taurus, an unhurried sign, slows down the mental processes. He also governs banking, so delay money matters. Review financial matters and position yourself for growth.
• IN GEMINI (May 21-Jun 20): Because Gemini rules communications, be prepared for miscommunications when Mercury is in this sign. You may not articulate clearly, and gossip abounds. Old friends may reconnect.
• IN CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22): Expect annoyances at home with baking, gardening, and household duties under domesticated Cancer. Complete repair projects that weren’t finished or done correctly.
• IN LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): Avoid speculative investments. It is not a good time to buy, sell, or trade. Instead, analyze your investment portfolio. Use your know-how and advisory skills to help friends and associates.
• IN VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): Challenging situations arise, especially in the workplace. Expect product delays, equipment breakdowns, and crankiness among coworkers under finicky, detail-oriented Virgo. Double-check your work before you call it finished.
• IN LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22): Accept your physical attributes; do not have a makeover. Indecision reigns, so limit purchases-or risk returning them. Libra, representing beauty, grace, charm, and diplomacy, is out of balance. Refresh, relax, and rejuvenate.
• IN SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21): Emotions rule-not common sense-so beware. Avoid affairs of the heart. Passionate Scorpio is also secretive, and your secrets may seep out. Keep them in a diary.
• IN SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): It is not a time to travel, so reschedule or expect delays, lines, and lost directions. Instead, take care of local affairs. Patience and a sense of humor are needed.
• IN CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): Avoid buying, selling, or renting real estate under Capricorn, the sign that governs property matters. Expect problems with paperwork, packing, and movers. Reunite with family or vacation at home.

How to Navigate Mercury Retrograde

Mercury Retrograde often has a reputation for leading to chaos, but it's not all bad! This retrograde period could actually lead to profound clarity! Every Mercury Retrograde is a time when misunderstandings and mishaps are common. When Mercury retrogrades through Pisces specifically, it targets the areas of life ruled by this sign, including the subconscious, fantasy, dreams, and spirituality.

But there’s always something good you can take from Mercury Retrograde, too! A retrograde in Pisces is a great time to think through parts of life where you'd like to exercise your intuition, for example, or ways in which you're beholden to something addictive.

Here’s our official list:

Your Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide

Do…

• Expect delays. Schedule buffer time for everything. When things go smoothly, you’ll have space to relax - and when they don’t, you’ll be grateful to have plans B and C.
• Back up all your files. Get ahead of potential technology glitches. Your future self will thank you.
• Reflect, review, revise, reorganize, and take note of anything you repeatedly think about. There is meaning in what keeps entering your mind.
• Streamline your life and update your systems, both internal and external.
• Focus on long-term solutions. Off-the-cuff decisions don’t always support your highest self. Commit to making deliberate choices that align with your broader goals.
• Pause, rest, and belly-breathe through mounting frustrations.
• Edit your ideas before you express them. The fiery arguments you’re tempted to start or spicy quips you want to share might not be the most tactful or accurate. If you’re not sure whether it’s the right moment to give an impromptu TED Talk, read the room first.
• Laugh at yourself when you make obvious mistakes. The point of this transit is to keep you humble and open to learning.

Don’t…

• Fear Mercury retrograde. It may be annoying, but remember that worrying is simply fixating on what you don’t want. Instead, treat this period as an opportunity to reassess your strategies.
• Buy tickets, sign contracts, or organize events during this time, if you can avoid it. If you can’t, stay flexible and assume that adjustments may be needed after - or even before - this retrograde cycle is over.
• Plan any big launches or make major life changes, if you can - unless you schedule them around the Mercury cazimi on March 24th. (That said, you may still want to work with an astrologer to pinpoint the most fruitful moment possible.)
• Put your life on hold. If you can postpone some things, great, but if not, just brace yourself for hiccups.

There is a time to let things happen and a time to make things happen. -Hugh Prather, American writer (b. 1938)

tags: #pisces #mercury #retrograde