Mercury Retrograde – A Complete Guide to What to Avoid and What to Do Instead

Mercury retrograde is one of the most misunderstood yet powerful astrological events. Occurring 3-4 times a year, and taking approximately 3 weeks for this period to pass, Mercury retrograde represents that "annoying" yet "insightful" period where things go wrong and lessons are learned. If you’ve ever wondered why things suddenly go wrong, such as emails vanishing, plans collapsing, or exes popping up out of nowhere, that might be Mercury retrograde playing its role.

That being said, it can be useful to track when Mercury is retrograde so you can prepare for any pitfalls in the communication, travel, and technology department. At the same time, there are some things that are recommended to be done during this "troublesome" period, as Mercury retrograde is not here to make our life hard, but rather to push us to reflect on how we communicate and engage with technology.

Let's go through what Mercury retrograde actually means, what you should avoid during this time, and what you can do instead to stay grounded and aligned.

🚫 What to Avoid During Mercury Retrograde

1. Avoid signing important contracts

During Mercury retrograde, details often get lost or misinterpreted. As such, it is best to avoid, or push back on signing important documents, especially those that include the purchase of a significant item (such as a car or house), and those that relate to a significant partnership or work opportunity. If you must sign a contract, read everything twice and consult a professional if possible.

2. Delay starting new projects or relationships

Launching something brand new—whether it’s a business, course, or relationship—is risky during Mercury retrograde. Miscommunications or tech hiccups could derail your efforts. Wait until Mercury goes direct to launch with clarity. Furthermore, each new project will have its own birth chart - and having a chart that includes Mercury retrograde can reflect a project journey where miscommunications and technological issues can have a prolonging effect.

3. Hold off on tech purchases

Thinking of buying a new phone or computer? It’s best to wait. Mercury retrograde often brings glitches, system crashes, or buyer’s remorse. If you must make a tech upgrade, keep the receipt handy. You may feel the need to return it.

4. Don’t travel without flexibility

Travel disruptions are common during this transit. Double-check your bookings, confirm appointments, and allow for extra time. If you have to get somewhere by flight and you need to have a layover, ensure there is enough time between the flights to allow for any possible delays.

5. Avoid emotional outbursts

Mercury retrograde can stir up unresolved emotions. Pause before sending that angry message or making assumptions. Misunderstandings are more likely now, so choose your words with care. By assuming the worst you can set yourself up for failure.

✅ What to Do During Mercury Retrograde Instead

1. Review and Reflect

This is a great time for introspection. Revisit your recent choices, journal your thoughts, and align with your long-term goals. Self-awareness is your greatest tool during Mercury retrograde.

2. Reconnect with the Past

Old friends, ex-partners, or even forgotten passions may reappear. Don’t ignore these reappearances—they often hold valuable lessons or second chances. However, don't jump into these connections thinking that they are all meant to last. Take everything with a grain of salt, and look to understand where there remained unfinished lessons. Awareness is key and can save you from heartbreak.

3. Edit and Reorganize

Rather than starting something new, improve what already exists. Edit your website, reorganize your home, or tweak a work project. Mercury favors refinement over reinvention, and this is a great time to notice the adjustments that needed to be made.

4. Back up important data

Do you have a single point of failure for your most important data? If so, this is a great opportunity to think about making an emergency copy and uploading it to a cloud, or a secondary storage device. Tech glitches happen, so be proactive. Save your documents, update passwords, and make digital backups to prevent data loss.

5. Practice Mindful Communication

Be extra clear in your conversations. Ask follow-up questions, listen deeply, and confirm appointments. Clear communication is key to surviving Mercury retrograde.

🌕 Final Thoughts: How to Survive Mercury Retrograde

The most important thing to take from here is: Mercury retrograde isn’t here to punish you. Instead, it brings a chance to pause, clean up the past, and realign your path. If you’re wondering how to survive Mercury retrograde, the answer is simple: don’t panic, stay present, and embrace the process. Avoid starting new things, and focus on refining the ones that exist. And if that message pops up from your ex... no, you're not restarting the relationship. There may just need to be something for you to review about the past of your connection - but that's it!

With the right mindset, Mercury retrograde can actually become a powerful time for healing, growth, and reconnection.