Ancient astrologers believed when Mercury was retrograde it was traveling through the underworld, uncovering hidden messages, lost intuitive insights, and higher truths.
For this reason, it was suggested to wait before signing contracts, booking travel, and making big life decisions when Mercury was in retrograde, as when Mercury eventually emerges with all these hidden messages, we would have a higher understanding of the truth and a new perspective on how to proceed forward.
Today, many believe Mercury Retrograde is an unlucky time of year of miscommunications and mishaps, but we can just think of it as a different energetic expression. Mercury ebbs in and out of retrograde at least three to four times a year, it’s natural, it’s normal, and the Universe within us always knows how to follow its rhythm.
Mercury Retrograde can become a challenge when we are impatient, have a lot of mental clutter, ignore our intuition, push forward without all the facts, fail to communicate clearly, or try to mess around with technology!
It is also important to remember that whenever we experience the effects of Mercury Retrograde, it is often a sign that we need to pay attention to.
Mercury Retrograde wants us to slow down, it wants us to pause, it wants us to listen to our subconscious and intuition. So many of us are always in a rush, with a constant slew of thoughts racing through our mind, which is why it can be hard to pause and really pay attention to the messages that Mercury is trying to unearth for us.
When Mercury is in Retrograde, it is actually a good time to go back over things and review and reflect on the past. Old projects, even old relationships can sometimes come back into our lives under a Mercury Retrograde, usually because there is some unfinished business that needs to be resolved or a final lesson to be mastered.
If you want to work with the energies of Mercury Retrograde in an empowering way, check out the Mercury Retrograde and Dreams workbook.
Mercury Retrograde May 2022
The second Mercury Retrograde of 2022 begins on May 10th, right in the heart of the Eclipse portal. The Eclipse portal is already a sensitive time, so having Mercury dip its toes into the underworld during this window will heighten our sensitivity.
As Mercury is the ruler of the mind, we may also feel any mental fogginess intensifying. We may find it hard to really make sense of how we feel, what we think, and what our intuition is trying to communicate with us.
For this reason, we have to move slowly, be patient, and use this energy to pause before rushing ahead. Eclipses tend to guide us to the next best step anyway, so this is really a period of surrender and trusting the flow.
The Blood Moon Eclipse on May 15, is all about ending and closing a cycle, and Mercury Retrograde may assist us in this process by unearthing deeper insights and intuitive messages. On the surface, Mercury Retrograde can slow things down and create delays, but any extra time we are given can be used a gift.
Mercury will enter retrograde in its ruling sign of Gemini, which will also intensify its energies. By May 24, 2022, Mercury will be back in Taurus, and we may feel things settle a bit before Mercury stations direct again on June 3, 2022.
Keep in mind the day a planet goes retrograde and stations direct again are the most powerful for feeling into the energies.
Your Mini-Horoscope for Mercury Retrograde May 2022
Aries
This is a time for reflection and to think carefully about how you are choosing to communicate with those around you. Part of being a good communicator is learning how to listen. If you need to have any difficult conversations, be careful what you say. Align with your heart’s intention first and then allow the words to flow from this place.
Taurus
You may have a lot of unfinished business that needs to be tended to under this Eclipse. This Mercury Retrograde can bring to your attention things that you haven’t completed that need to be resolved and wrapped up once and for all. While this can be challenging, you will feel a sense of accomplishment once it’s all done.
Gemini
Mercury is your ruler so you will always feel its effects. Your mind is always bright with ideas, but under this energy, you are being asked to slow down and get clear on what you really want. What was true for you a week, a month, or a year ago, may not be your truth today.
Cancer
Mercury may unearth some surprising information either from deep within your own subconscious or from someone close to you. Your intuition will also be extremely heightened during this time, so trust any nagging feelings or nudges.
Leo
Under this Mercury Retrograde, it is important to trust your instincts. If someone feels like they are lying or trying to pull the wool over your eyes, pay attention. Be careful about what you promise to others, or what you choose to take on, you may find it more overwhelming or more difficult than you realized.
Virgo
Mercury is your ruling planet, so you are always closely connected to its retrogrades. You may find yourself needing to assert your boundaries when it comes to your work environment. Be sure all expectations are made clear. If you have to resolve a miscommunication or contract dispute, be patient but stick with it!
Libra
This is a time to reflect on all you have learned. What has life been trying to teach you? Spend some quiet time going over all the Universal lessons you have been working on. What new insights and new awareness come to you?
Scorpio
Pay attention to your dreams and the quiet voice of your subconscious during this Mercury Retrograde. You may actually benefit the most from the Mercury Retrograde and Dreams workbook. You may find yourself needing to withdraw and go within. This quiet time of reflection and contemplation will be good for your soul, and will help you to determine how you really feel.
Sagittarius
You may find yourself wading through paperwork or needing to re-organize things in your life. It is not your job to fix the messes that others create, however you may find yourself needing to do just that. Just be sure to set boundaries along the way.
Capricorn
Don’t bite off more than you can handle. Be picky about the projects you choose to take on at this time, they may not be what you expected. If you have any nagging health concerns that you have not been addressing, use this energy to make the time. Practicing lots of self-care will help to keep you grounded, especially as Mercury enters fellow earth sign, Taurus.
Aquarius
You may find yourself needing to revisit relationships of the past or to address patterns that seem to be repeating themselves in your relationships. If an old relationship comes back into your life during this time, it’s ok to set boundaries and say no, but also make it a point to ask yourself- what do I need to learn or take away from this? You can learn what you need to learn and move on.
Pisces
You are a sensitive sign, and the space you surround yourself in matters. Under this retrograde, you may find yourself needing to set boundaries or open doors, particularly when it comes to who you surround yourself with. This retrograde may also highlight your living situation, if you can, avoid making any big decisions until Mercury is traveling direct again in June.
