50 Exploring the Influence of Mercury Retrograde: Quotes and Insights

By Clifton Sankofa

School Leader, Language Arts Expert & Master Quote Curator

Published October 6, 2023

Learn something new about your universe with our Mercury retrograde quotes.

To appreciate Mercury retrograde, you do not have to be an astronomer or astrologer.

Find out this mighty cosmic event’s symbolic, spiritual, and scientific significance with our Mercury retrograde quotes.

What is Mercury retrograde?

When people use the term retrograde, they are referring to the movement or motion of another planet from the Earth’s perspective.

Every night, you can see the movement of different planets in the sky.

Below is a summary of the retrograde experience:

Retrograde means a planet is moving across the sky in the opposite direction.
Retrograde occurs when Earth overtakes a slower-moving planet in its orbit around the sun.
However, retrograde can also occur when a faster-moving planet overtakes Earth’s movement.

The technical, scientific term for a retrograde is “apparent retrograde motion.”

The planet in question is not actually moving in the opposite direction, but this visual phenomenon is a result of our perspective from Earth.

Does Mercury retrograde actually impact us?

Your beliefs shape your reality.

People sometimes confuse this idea with the idea of wishing their desires into existence.

Your beliefs shape your reality in that they flavor how you perceive an experience.

Two people can go through the same circumstances and have completely different experiences based on their beliefs.

There are those who feel our cosmology is directly tied to the heavens above us.

Others believe the movements of cosmic deities in the sky are nothing more than the result of gravitational pull.

The truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

People generally accept that the Moon impacts our planet’s water, influencing the tides.

Our bodies are mostly made up of water.

Does the Moon’s impact on water influence the water in our bodies?

Similar questions arise with Mercury in retrograde.

What happens when Mercury is in retrograde?

Many scientists would say that a planet’s movement does not impact a person’s mental health.

However, when Mercury is retrograde, many people feel otherwise.

Astrologers link this cosmic event with psychological, spiritual, and behavioral changes.

People say they tend to feel more irritable, unfocused, or prone to mistakes and conflicts.

To learn more, check out our Mercury retrograde quotes below.

Short Mercury retrograde quotes about reimagining your reality

Let’s start with these short yet powerful Mercury retrograde quotes.

1. “This retrograde of Mercury exposed a lot of imbalances in our lives.” — Stephanie Campos

2. “Usually, Mercury retrogrades three times a year, in the signs of one element.” — David Odyssey

3. “Some blame Mercury retrograde for all chaos that happens in their lives.” — Catherine Boeckmann

4. “From May 10–22, Mercury will retrograde in Gemini, just as it did in early June 2021.” — David Odyssey

5. “As Mercury’s retrograde period approaches, here are our favorite gift ideas for giving and for self-giving!” — Jolie Kerr

6. “It’s thought that when Mercury is in retrograde, it can greatly influence your mood and actions.” — Catherine Boeckmann

7. “Enter Mercury retrograde, a phenomenon in which the earth seemingly “catches up” to Mercury’s orbit.” — David Odyssey

8. “The message during retrogrades should be to slow down and take a mental vacation. Reflect, re-do, re-imagine.” — Dossé-Via Trenou

9. “Mercury retrograde is actually an optical illusion.” — Dossé-Via Trenou

10. “On August 23, Mercury will go retrograde in the sign of Virgo.” — Jolie Kerr

The best Mercury retrograde quotes about new beginnings

These quotes remind us that something new is always around the corner during Mercury retrograde.

11. “And when Mercury retrogrades, all manner of daily correspondence and organization falls into disarray, and the shadow claims power over the proceedings.” — David Odyssey

12. “People warn of electronics going haywire during the Mercury retrograde period, and that’s because of the planet’s connection to all things involved in communication.” — Jolie Kerr

13. “The astronomical explanation for retrograde motion starts with understanding that the planets in our solar system orbit the Sun at different distances and speeds.” — Catherine Boeckmann

14. “It’s time to finally let out that breath you’ve been holding since Mercury retrograde first began.” — Stephanie Campos

15. “On September 15, Mercury will turn direct, ending its reign of terror and beginning a new, calmer phase of the year.” — Hillary Coke

16. “Pay attention to what goes wrong during a Mercury retrograde and consider what was so “right” in the first place.” — David Odyssey

17. “We refer to these periods as times when Mercury is in apparent retrograde motion or simply Mercury retrograde.” — Catherine Boeckmann

18. “After a few long, grueling weeks of chaotic energy, Mercury retrograde is finally coming to an end, and we are so, so grateful.” — Elizabeth Gulino

19. “Mercury will trace over these steps once again on September 24, bringing another important moment of clarity and important information our way, especially as it relates to our personal Mercury retrograde stories.” — Stephanie Campos

20. “Since it overlapped with retrograde season, and especially the retrograde of Venus, the third retrograde of Mercury in 2023 was intense!” — Narayana Montúfar

The top Mercury retrograde quotes for decision-making

Find out why it is okay if you feel on the fence about a pending agreement or decision.

21. “Our travel plans, contracts, and agreements that may have been on hold or subject to delays during the retrograde phase can now move forward more smoothly.” — Hillary Coke

22. “The hazy frustration of brain fog has felt ever-present thanks to this planetary Decision-making can become more straightforward when Mercury is direct.” — Hillary Coke

23. “You may have heard friends say, “Oh, no – Mercury is about to retrograde again!” — Susan Miller

24. “Being aware of their connections, especially during Mercury retrograde, can help you maintain or at least better understand how that balance works.” — Catherine Boeckmann

25. “When Mercury Retrograde ends, some astrologers believe there is a short “shadow period” of adjustment of a couple weeks as Mercury moves forward again.” — Catherine Boeckmann

26. “In astrology, Mercury retrograde causes all sorts of headaches and mishaps.” — Rebecca Boyle

27. “Mercury retrograde doesn’t mean anything, physically, other than the time in our orbit when the small planet “catches up” to where Earth is located relative to the sun.” — Rebecca Boyle

28. “My interest in Mercury retrograde is not whether a rock is going to hit my windshield.” — Rebecca Boyle

29. “When Mercury is retrograde, try to remain flexible, patient, and understanding, allow extra time for travel, and avoid signing onto any new contracts that you’re unsure of.” — Catherine Boeckmann

30. “Mercury retrograde can be an excellent time to take a step back and reanalyze who you are and what you are doing.” — Catherine Boeckmann

Famous Mercury retrograde quotes about chaos

Some people tend to blame Mercury in retrograde when things go wrong.

31. “When this planet retrogrades, these areas tend to get scrambled or spin out of control.” — Susan Miller

32. “In those cases, such as having plastic surgery, it is best to avoid Mercury retrograde periods.” — Susan Miller

33. “Mercury retrograde periods would not be good times to do anything involving communications, such as launch a magazine, website, or an advertising or publicity campaign.” — Susan Miller

34. “When Mercury is retrograde, I realize anew that the planets are moving, and the Earth I am on is moving, and the Sun is moving, too, and we are all moving together through the cosmic void.” — Rebecca Boyle

35. “A retrograde period is not a good time to sign any contracts or even to shake hands on any new agreements.” — Susan Miller

36. “Mercury retrograde is not only a familiar experience to you but an integral part of your annual solar journey!” — Roya Backlund

37. “The turbulence and disruption Mercury creates when it retrogrades can affect what we feel on Earth in our everyday lives.” — Susan Miller

38. “If you’re already feeling tired and disoriented—like you’re just not yourself—there’s a good chance you can blame it on Mercury retrograde.” — Roya Backlund

39. “Don’t make any important moves when Mercury is retrograde.” — Susan Miller

40. “When Mercury is retrograde, plans are rarely ever set in stone.” — Roya Backlund

Mercury retrograde quotes and sayings about decisions and contracts

We close our list with these interesting Mercury retrograde quotes.

41. “Romance tends to go haywire, too, during Mercury retrograde periods.” — Susan Miller

42. “Keeping track of Mercury retrograde periods can allow you to increase your productivity and avoid at least some of the frustration they can bring about.” — Susan Miller

43. “Sometimes, you really have no choice but to say screw you, Mercury retrograde, and do things your own way.” — Roya Backlund

44. “Some people do not travel when Mercury is retrograde, and perhaps that might be wise if your trip is business-oriented.” — Susan Miller

45. “About three or four times a year, Mercury speeds past Earth, and that is when we experience a Mercury retrograde period.” — Susan Miller

46. “If you are driving any significant distance during a period where Mercury is retrograde, bring extra maps, make sure you have enough gas, and verify that you have the correct address and clear driving instructions.” — Susan Miller

47. “Mercury retrograde is notorious for creating confusion.” — Susan Miller

48. “Although Mercury retrograde is basically universally despised, it’s important to remember this experience truly isn’t the end of the world.” — Roya Backlund

49. “During a retrograde period, it is hard to get decisions from others.” — Susan Miller

50. “Often there is a comedy of errors surrounding Mercury retrograde!” — Susan Miller