Michelle Wollaston on Mercury Retrograde: What It Really Means and Why Everything's Breaking

“Ugh, Mercury’s in Retrograde Again…” But What Does That Actually Mean?

I had an important meeting over Zoom — the kind you really don’t want to mess up. And of course… it wouldn’t connect. Frustrated, I muttered, “for fu*k’s sake,” thinking I was on mute.

Apparently, I wasn’t — because someone in the meeting laughed and simply said:
“Mercury retrograde.”

Cue the eye roll.

But after the moment passed, I realised — they weren’t wrong. We throw the phrase around like it’s a cosmic excuse for chaos… but do we really understand what it means?

Let’s talk about it. Because this current Mercury retrograde isn’t just stirring up tech issues — it’s stirring something deeper.

What Is Mercury Retrograde?

Let’s start with the basics.

Astronomically, Mercury retrograde is an optical illusion. From Earth’s perspective, Mercury appears to move backwards in the sky as we pass it in orbit. It’s not actually reversing — it’s just doing a bit of celestial backtracking.

Astrologically? That “backward” motion has a very real energetic impact.

Mercury rules communication, travel, decision-making, contracts, thoughts, and technology. So when it slows down, it can feel like the universe is handing you a sticky note that reads:

Pause. Don’t push. Rethink this.

This is a time for review — not rapid growth. A time to revise the plan, revisit the conversation, or reconnect with something you thought was complete.

The Leo → Cancer Shift: From Expression to Emotion

Here’s what most people miss about Mercury retrograde:
Every cycle moves through a specific zodiac sign, and that sign colours the experience.

This current cycle began in Leo, a sign ruled by the Sun. Leo energy is confident, expressive, and heart-led. When Mercury retrogrades in Leo, we start questioning how we’re being seen.

Am I too much? Not enough? Is anyone listening?

You might feel hypersensitive about visibility — second-guessing your social posts, your tone, or your ability to take up space. It’s a recalibration of voice and confidence.

Then, midway through the cycle, Mercury dips back into Cancer, shifting the entire tone. Cancer rules emotional safety, family dynamics, home, and intuition.

Where Leo says, “Look at me,” Cancer asks, “But do I feel safe being seen?”

The result? An invitation to retreat inward. To check whether your expression is still rooted in truth — and whether your voice feels emotionally protected.

Retrograde Isn’t a Problem — It’s a Portal

We tend to treat Mercury retrograde like a disruption to dodge.
But it’s actually a mirror.

It reflects the places where your communication feels unclear. Where your planning is too rigid. Where your emotional footing isn’t solid.

It might slow you down — but that’s not punishment. That’s protection.

Stay Grounded Through These Shifts

Want to know when the next Mercury retrograde is coming?

There are three more cycles between now and July 2026 — each one moving through a different sign, with its own energetic lessons and emotional themes.

Download your free Mercury Retrograde Calendar (2025–2026) to stay grounded and aligned. It includes all retrograde dates, zodiac sign influences, and gentle reflection prompts to guide you through each cycle.

Because retrograde doesn’t have to derail you — it can realign you.