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Mercury Retrograde 2024: What Is It And Dates

You may have heard people complaining about something called Mercury retrograde. But what is it? And when are the dates? We have the answers!

2024 Mercury Retrograde Dates

  • April 1— 25, 2024
  • August 5— 28, 2024
  • November 25, 2024—December 15, 2024

What does “Mercury Retrograde” mean?

Astronomers refer to a retrograde as an “apparent retrograde motion,” because it is an optical illusion.

The term retrograde comes from the Latin word retrogradus, which literally means “backward step.” As the name suggests, retrograde is when a planet appears to go backward in its orbit, as viewed from Earth. Astronomers refer to this as “apparent retrograde motion,” because it is an optical illusion.

The opposite of retrograde is direct or prograde motion. Prograde motion is the term astronomers prefer, while astrologers are more prone to use the term “direct” motion.

Apparent Backward Motion

Every planet in our Solar System travels in the same direction in its journey around the Sun, and none of them ever pause and turn back in the opposite direction. Yet, all of them appear to do just that from time to time.

Mercury and Venus appear to go retrograde when they lap earth.

Because of the Earth’s daily rotation, the objects in the night sky appear to “move” from east to west in the night sky. While the location of the stars relative to the Earth is fixed, at least from our vantage point, the other planets in our Solar System all orbit the Sun at varying speeds.

The outer planets—Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—take longer to orbit the Sun than the Earth does, because their orbits are larger. For this reason, the Earth often laps these planets in its journey around the Sun.

When the Earth overtakes an outer planet, that planet appears to travel backward, as compared to the stars, for a time.

Picture two cars on the highway going in the same direction in different lanes. If one car is driving faster than the other, the slower car will appear to go backward from the perspective of a person in the faster car, even though the slower car is still going pretty fast in the same direction.

For the inner planets, Mercury and Venus, the mechanism that causes them to turn retrograde is the same, but in reverse. Mercury and Venus appear to go retrograde when they lap us.

Because Mercury completes its orbit around the Sun in only 88 days, the Swift Planet becomes retrograde three or four times in a calendar year, for about three weeks at a time. Outer planets have less frequent, but longer-lasting, periods of retrograde motion.

Why Dread It?

So what does all of that have to do with people wanting to hide in their rooms for weeks at a time?

Astrologers believe that the Moon, stars, planets, and Sun affect happenings here on Earth and that each planet in our Solar System rules a different aspect of life. Learn more about this.

Like the Greek messenger god it was named for, Mercury is said to govern transportation and communication.

Those who dread Mercury’s retrograde motion say that, when the planet travels backward, its power to positively influence these domains is stifled, leading to chaos.

Believers in the malevolent power of Mercury retrograde blame the phenomenon for everything from arguments to lost mail or luggage to automobile accidents and technology issues, and warn people to hold back on conducting important business during this time.

The Bright Side

Mercury retrograde gets a bad wrap, but some believe it is possible to use these time frames to learn more about yourself, your community, and others. According to astrology, each Mercury retrograde involves Mercury traveling backward through a different zodiac sign. Learn more about this.

Moon Deck

These astrological cards will teach you how to benefit from a retrograde!

Our “Moon Deck” consists of 52 beautiful watercolor cards that show how the planets, zodiac signs, and houses relate to each other.

Buy now.

You can also use them to understand the current position of planets or to decipher your natal chart.

The astrological information on the cards is kept simple with basic words and high-level themes. Great for beginners.

Related Articles

Other Planets Retrograde And Symbolism

More fascinating facts about Mercury

Join the Discussion!

Do you believe that Mercury retrograde causes disasters?

What is the wildest thing that happened to you during Mercury retrograde?

Let us know in the comments below!

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Rodney Herman

I’m Scorpio/Cancer/Scorpio-so every day is weird lol

Penny

Hey guys ? 14.07.2000 ♈️ Yeah this year has been weird for me too, so totally agree. Saturn has been in retrograde and it has really been affecting my judgement. The last few months I have just been feeling off and things haven’t been going my way. Is there a way to cancel out the effects of a retrograde? Would love any ideas and support ??

SMNA

Lmao! No.. The point is to work with that energy shift. Macro affects the micro. You can get some crystals to help add some of the helpful vibrations to your life and hopefully you’ll tune into those and figure out what needs to shift for you and how to.. Or meditate regularly and see if that helps you be better in tune with what’s going on.

Nana C of dc

“Ignorance is bliss” the old ones say. Like black & red people, astrology is older than dirt.

Ruth Rose

The best well laid plans in travel and signing contracts seem to go awry during Mercury Retrograde. Things seem to not go right or the way you expect them to happen.

Nik B.

Astrology is a well-practiced science that’s existed for thousands of years (and no, I am not talking about ASTRONOMY). There are people who abuse it and make it sound all fantastical and mystical, but the original practice of astrology itself is a real science. The reason it’s seen as hedonistic or taboo today is actually because of early Christian movements that were trying to branch away from the practice, despite the fact that astrology is interlaced in the Bible as well as numerous religious texts around the globe (take the Hindu religion for example, astrology is still largely respected and practiced with this religion).

Anyone who scoffs at this stuff legitimately does not know religious world history or understand the concept and use of astrology at all. Period. I’m serious, you can look this stuff up. It’s well studied in Theology courses (how religion and astrology are actually intertwined).

“Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” – A.E.

Stacy Jones

Some of this sounds correct. However, you’re blaming of Christians is incorrect. it’s a called “psychics” that have led to the sensationalizing of it in order to profit off of it.

Last edited 2 years ago by Stacy Jones
John Christopher Ray

It is a ‘pseudoscience’ but I completely agree. It can be very useful and as beneficial as the farmers almanac for predicting trends and maximizing success. There is no argument about the precision of the movement of the planets over time even the slight drift or precession of constellations over thousands of years. Some of these cycles last tens of thousands of years. Mayans charted these movements and their calendar laid out 28,000 year cycles of the solar system moving thru the milky way. All of that is fact but predicting what effect such things as retrograde motion will have on communication and transportation is not considered a proven fact by the scientific method. Like people say a full moon causes people to behave erratically and emergency rooms get very busy but statistically it is not true. I believe there is an element of chaos that gets loose during Mercury retrograde but it is not a proven scientific fact just because I believe it and others may also.

Lacey

I’m ♑ born 1/1/85 @11:11pm. This year is already off to a weird start for me to say the least. I’m just hoping that things start looking up sometime soon.

MissGK

Hello dear Capri ♥️ 18.01.94@20:45 here, I usually don’t leave comments but this time I feel the need to share my agreement with you! This year is strange so far – to say the least! Even covid attacks all over the world seemed to have more sense than what is going on currently in our private lives as well as globally!

Linda

Hi I want to share this with the peoples we’re all experiencing challenging times:

Put three candles in the highest place you have at home,
inside a plate with sugar all around the candles. Light
the candles. Ask for three wishes to your guardian angels
ST. RAFAEL, ST. MICHAEL, and ST. GABRIEL.

Ask one wish for business, one wish for love, and one
impossible wish.

Publish this on the third day after you requested
the wishes [by mailing it to another person, posting it
to a usenet newsgroup, or announcing your thanks to the
saints in a newspaper classified ad] and see what happens
on the fourth day….

I hope it helps someone.

Cindy

Angels don’t grant wishes, they aren’t genies. It doesn’t work like that. Plus, angels take directives from God, not man. What you’re doing is simple witchcraft.

Jen

Urrrm, because you were there? Cast the first stone why don’t you at someone trying to be positive. Now “turn the other cheek” b.

Sarah

Thanks for sharing!

Chris S.

It’s funny because you read this anyways. Then complained to get attention. How sad is that?

Sara G.

You don’t have to believe in it, but the only true “morons” are those who refuse to see things from other perspectives and instead resort to pitiable name calling to get thier narrow-minded opinion across. Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t mean it holds no value. Educate yourself on astrology, real astrology, before bashing a discipline you so clearly know nothing about. With love and peace!

James Murphy

Thanks for sharing
I’m interested

Merary

the real question should be. How you ended up reading this article if is something you don’t believe in?

DaRealMermaid

Nice move, Merary. Exactly what I’d ask too. ?

Thebee

My thoughts exactly

Steven James demarais

I just got in a car accident for the first time and 33. Coincidence not so sure now.

Susan Higgins

We’re hoping you’re OK Steven James!

Marlene

Very interesting, glad to be able to read about this!

Carmel

I’m guessing you don’t follow the calendar or religion .

Bear Boatwright

I’ve lived in the deep Southeast of Georgia on the edge of the Great Okeefenokie Swamp all my life. Grew up on a family farm where the American Indians, Southern African Americans and my Grandparents all practiced some form of what many would call silly and stupid. I’m here to say something is right about all these tells, I’ve watched them happen before my eyes through out my life.. I kinda think They, Them, or It really has some kind of an effect on people, plkants and animals. What it is I don’t know, but strange things do happen down here on such a time as this. Thanks for your honesty.

A J

I’m totally with you!

Nicholas Jones

I’m nuts enough to believe this!

Tom Nientimp

I’ve noticed in golf that my tee shots have gone a lot farther to the right this week – no matter how far to the left I aim they still go farther to the right – am I being influenced by politics or could this be an effect of mercury retrograde? I need a course correction for sure.

Melissa

Maybe it’s just a symptom of Peyrones disease.

Rhonda J Foster

HAHAHAHAHA

Charles Haun

Oh yeah? well, how do you really feel about it?

sandra

hello my birthdays may 29th and i feel like ive been going through such a funk like Ive failed failed in life and just so down lately and i didn’t know why but my friend was saying it has something to do with all this mercury retrograde??

Bridget

Keep your chin up dear. Better days ahead!

Tawnya Price

Tap on a clip to paste it in the text box.Tap on a clip to paste it in the text box.Touch and hold a clip to pin it. Unpinned clips will be deleted after 1 hour.Welcome to Gboard clipboard, any text you copy will be saved here.Use the edit icon to pin, add or delete clips.

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Tawnya Price

I am an Aries 4/17/78 and this last week has been especially crazy, does it have to do with the retrograde?

Wonderfoolty

Hey you really wanna know what’s crazy I was born on 4/17/99 litt

Terrilynn

Tanya, My Dad was Born 4/16/33. My Son 4/18/88. They were both ♈. I’m 4/26/68. ♉

Ashley Jones

Can it affect a woman’s cycle. Also can it affect my money flow

tommy

u think the flow of mercury is gonna affect ur money flow u have issues

Niesha Minnifield

Hi. I am a pisces. I was born 1986 on February 20th. Ever since last year i have had these vivid dreams. I first thought they were literal but i notice now it’s usually bc i have something to say. Any advice would be helpful. It’s affecting my family and love life and career. I just want people to hear me.

Wonderfoolty

First off as pisces ya are vivid dreamers, secondly be the person you know you can be, a better you. In life sometimes we tend to take the backseat in our own story. So instead stand on you’re two feet n conquer what’s ahead of you, stay beautiful

O.G. Brawley

I’m Aries, Mar 22nd, 1958 and with the time I was born 12:05 am, and the geographical location Mars is all over me, on me and In me . I’ve been advised that I am what’s called a triple fire sign but yet haven’t noticed anything with Mercury in retro grade. What am I to expect this year from Mercury?

AstroDom

Expect good news with Aries regarding finances, travel, health and business during this retrograde season, projects will come to completion with perfect timing, although some things are changing.

Linda Keith-Dever

What affect pain?

silxdo

i’m a taurus dating a leo and i can’t tell much if the retrograde has been affecting my life but we’ve been arguing with each other back to back almost everyday since december what should i do ?

Sid

the stars don’t affect your life, instead of blaming them you should work on your relationship through communication

Roni

Mercury retrograde is also a time for course correction. So, *if* that is what’s causing your fighting, then maybe your course isn’t with that Leo. In any case fighting daily for months is a good sign that you’re not the best match at this time.

Charlotte Hanna

Finally. Everything is going in the right direction for me again.

Annie

I’m a Leo 8/21/55.

Everything is going wrong. Are Leo’s more strongly influenced?

Jam Jameson

I’’m aLeo too and I know what you mean. It’s been a rough couple of weeks.

Last edited 3 years ago by Jam Jameson
Bekind

Lucinda, good on you for the positive feedback. Always remember, you can not control what others do, think, or say, especially when they’re downright mean! Spelling / shmelling, we know what you meant. Wishing you an amazing 2021 with much happiness and success!!!!!

Bekind

You spelled the word “wrong” incorrectly. There are no spaces in between the letters!!!!!!!!!! Learn how to spell. Better yet, learn how to critique kindly, Ms. Less-than-Perfect!

Kelly

There’s just “between”. “In between” is redundant…just saying if you’re going to school someone.

Richard

And why would Bekind capitalize the “L” and “P” in “Ms. Less-than-Perfect” but not the “t”? If you’re selling it like a last name,( which is what she’s doing) then just the first letter being capitalized is great! Or if you’re gonna do the first and last word then why not the middle, it has the same amount of letters as the first part? Just sayin….Idk “love all ya weirdowz”

Gina

Its cool right? I love it too. It’s giving me hope in this endless winter. Stay warm and well!

Gina

Do you like people telling you what you need to learn? Since youre offering advice, I’d suggest manners or work on empathy. Do you know if LUCINDA is a child just learning words? And you just discouraged them? Maybe a new citizen learning ESL? (english as a second language) or someone using a text to speech app that has a glitch? Maybe A new mom that hasnt slept and is just tired of the world crapping on her constantly??a covid survivor experiencing cognitive symptoms causing them to mix words?? Have a heart, You never know what people go through, and never tell another adult what they should or shouldnt do. Im guessing youre a child, or a christian. 🙂 have a blessed day

Aimee

You are very kind, Gina! Thanks for reaching out!!!!!! <3

Covid Survivor

u shud get vacine it very god for helth

Amanda

I don’t know if it was necessary to insult all Christians with your comment (especially considering you have no idea if the rude commenter was in fact Christian). Not very nice! Take care 🙂

Patty

How embarrassing … wow – just wow …

Jamie

I’m an Aquarius moon, and Mercury in retrograde has been causing so much chaos for me. I need to be on skates for the play I’m currently doing. We are beginning tech week and i have just now started tripping and falling, which never happened before! I wish i had the time to do some intense energy work, but I don’t. Anyone have advice?

Last edited 3 years ago by Jamie
nya -

hi Jamie!
wannabe pro skater here, as far as the play remind yourself to keep your eyes up & slightly bend your knees, less is always more. i feel any energy work is def worth it, i found talking abt what i hope to succeed in in past tense really works for me. like in your case, affirming yourself that “i rocked that play, i’m so happy i didn’t make any major mistakes. i’m grateful for the peace i retained during my performance. i’m much more confident skating now” may work in your favor! any energy work could b that little sprinkle on top! wishing u thee absolute best 😀

Tara

Try the power ritual from thought field therapy.
It takes 6 mins. Do it 2x before skating.

Rae

I’m a libra. I can’t say I’ve been negatively affected with the retrograde. If anything, I feel like I was pushed back into the path I need to be following. I’ve noticed the back steps that shifted forward again within a few days. Maybe staying positive can change a perspective of this time.

LOLs

Taurus Sun and I absolutely agree!

john

nice

Am d

I’m a Cap and someone actually knocked my car’s side mirror off while my car was parked. Crazy.

Erica

My boyfriend is a cap we got hit on the side of his truck the door needs replaced light and love be grateful

Nadine

I’m a Pisces and my husband is a Cancer. I don’t know my rising. I’m being effected by this Mercury Retrograde. I’m anxious and combative. How can I best manage this? Thanking you in advance.

Latrice Joefield

Lay low until the 19th

john

yep

James Eshelby

Stop using stuff like this to excuse your behaviour.

Rob McHugh

Completely agree. Began seeing a woman who’s behavior after one date was very intrusive, borderline deranged and completely unacceptable, and just got hit with the have you heard or mercury retrograde?

I couldn’t help but laugh before even googling this, where has accountability for ones actions gone?

Rebs

2 months late but I’m curious of her behaviour on the date lol?

KAndi B

I’m a saggy and my boyfriend is an Aries and my goodness we have been going through it since December to the present, he’s not speaking to me there is no communication it’s almost as if he’s confined into himself. He’s so confused and conflicted about a lot. I’m holding patience but it’s making anxious. HELP! Lol, I will have to gain more patience during this time. Thank you all it makes perfect sense why all of a sudden I’m emotional, cleaning and conflicted.

Susan Higgins

Hi KAndi B, perhaps you can gently suggest he speak to a professional, or the both of you can together. These are tough times and we have to look out for each other!

Jinky

I would not suggest that for an Aries male. Just stick with him during the silence. I enjoy not being bothered but having company

Tara

Watch John Gray videos on when mars and venus collide. Binge on them. You’ll get what you need.

Tallulah

I don’t know WHAT is going on but I’m a mess! Dropping things, clothes getting tangled in stuff and holding me back, constant interruptions and things blocking my path prevent me from accomplishing ANYTHING! Afraid to put my birthday in any site for risk of my info getting stolen to get my zodiac read. And no, I’m not a Boomer!

Gina

Its your date and time of birth and city. So the natal chart can give you a picture of the planetary happenings relative to when /where you were born. Im no boomer- I feared this too.. but nothing happened. Use a separate dedicated new email account, or a VPN if you are worried about it. If you use FB or Instagram- its just facts they track you more than anyone. Get your chart!! Its so fun, light a white candle and ask for protection over your info. You’ll be fine. I do it for my friends that are scared. Dont gi e your last name or anything more.

john

i know!

Toni Trombley

I’m a Gemini whose planet is rolled by the retrograde and I’m here to admit that I am honestly affected badly by this but my problem begins in the preretrograde. I can always tell but take into consideration that at least 4 other planets are Gemini also so its like when the computers, cell phone, and I have misunderstandings with others. I will be late or have extra problems especially during mercury retrograde. I wish I could remember all this information to see and understand it. Thank you my spirit guides. I am slow at picking things up but I understand and see the signs.i love you guys for your gentle assistance. I want to be the best I can be for those I love and care about.

anon</3

I am also a Gemini and I’ve been having absolutely what i would consider the worst week of 2021 and then my sister reminded me of the coming Mercury Retrograde and it just all checked out. 🙁

Not Katherine

Gemini moon here. My goodness you could be talking about me. I had the same experience when I saw someone mention the retrograde. It always hits me before it happens and then the retrograde itself isn’t as bad.

Kerrianne Rawlings

Wow are we all related or something, you seriously said how I’m feeling.

john

scorpio moon

john

my mom is a gemini

Eric ILDEFONSO

Me and my beautiful fiance really enjoyed the information provided and the Farmers Almanac about the full moon and the moon phases and the names of the moons but mostly the moon phases and the full moon that was pretty cool too. We hope that you all have a happy holiday season and try to enjoy the full cold Moon yaoi we’re ready. To celebrate the coming of the light and the leaving of the darkness but mostly the coming of the light. And even a little of the coming of the light and some of the darkness. And just so you know I’m not making fun of you guys I really love the Farmers Almanac you guys have been a big part of my life ever since I was a young kid you know about 45 years I’ve been liking you guys so thank you.

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