How to survive Mercury retrograde in 2018

Bring on the chaos and confusion! Mercury goes retrograde 3 times this 2018, wreaking havoc on all lines of communication – from emails to your boss to text messages from bae. Are you ready? Here’s everything you need to know about Mercury retrograde for 2018.

What is Mercury in retrograde?

Mercury, the planet that rules the intellect and communication, travels very close to the Sun. Mercury appears to be passing the Earth and then seemingly goes backward while the Earth catches up and passes him again. It’s all an illusion! 

Mercury retrograde can play with your thoughts, travels, and electronics. During this time, there are more instances of acting out, accidents, planes being delayed, losing your phone, having your laptop crash, and all that jazz involving communications. Business negatiations will be not be as settled at this time so avoid signing contracts, as some important details may not yet be available. 

In the 2 to 3 week period prior to Mercury in retrograde, you will already encounter problems with communication and transportation. Be extra careful, as the riskiest times for decision-making, negotiations, and transport are the exact date of the retrograde and the few days before and after it. However, while Mercury retrograde feels crazy at times, it can also serve as potent medicine for a neglected ailment if it’s approached with a spirit of creativity and lightheartedness.

A raging retrograde

This year, Mercury will be passing through the fire signs:

• Aries (March 22 to April 15)
• Leo (July 25 to August 18)
• Sagittarius (November 16 to December 6)

Fire has the most powerful yet unpredictable influence of the 4 elements (fire, air, earth, water). As fire signs, Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, are not afraid to make their presence known – their flair for the dramatic adds to the drama that already accompanies Mercury retrogrades.

The first Mercury in retrograde in 2018 is in the sign of Aries, the very sign of our own president, Rodrigo Duterte. Aries is a cardinal and bold sign, known for their stubborn streak and a desire for saying exactly what they are feeling in the moment. With communication issues of Mercury retrograde combined with high-strung Arian energy, what do we get? A potentially explosive situation.

Get ready for communication to travel at high-speed and #nofilters. Aries is always ready to fight and never backs down. You may find yourself lashing out more than usual, getting yourself in hot water, or causing unexpected problems. Aries, ruled by Mars, the God of War, can also bring some extra violence around the world or the feeling of a rebellion.

The second retrograde passes through the sign of Leo. While the Leo is known to be warm and passionate, Mercury Retrograde can bring out his shadow side: his inflated ego. This period could lead to ego trips and snobbery even among the most kindest and most humble.

The 3rd mercury in retrograde passes through the sign of Sagittarius. While the Archer is adventurous, idealistic, and lucky, Mercury in Retrograde can thwart the flow of opportunities, bring periods of bad luck, and cause long term plans to fall apart.

Survival tips

During these dates, it is important to be mindful of our tempers, to not give in to the impulsive energy around us, and to remember to just breathe. Be careful of what you say so you don’t start a war. It would be of helpful to keep busy and focus on something positive to direct reactive energies. Take some time out if you begin to feel overwhelmed by the hectic pace of things. As more accidents and injuries may occur at this time due to impulsive energy, don’t neglect things that need maintenance. Go for that check-up. Have your car serviced. Act carefully and conscientiously, and admit mistakes when you make them. After all, the stars incline us but do not bind us.

Happy Mercury in retrograde! – Rappler.com

Monica Lopez Gamboa, also known as Monch the Mystic, completed Debra Silverman’s Online Astrology Program in April 2016 and has been giving readings since. Her dream is that one day the entire country (and the world!) will be able to speak the language of the stars as an avenue for self-awareness and self-actualization. Book a reading with Monch on her website.