Ingrained patterns of thinking and behaving will keep you stuck in unhealthy loops— working to keep your identity in place. When you’re ready to transition from an outdated sense of self, allow Mercury retrograde cycles to show you how.

This article will tackle: 1) How pattern-breaking works during Mercury retrograde 2) Some suggested patterns to break when Mercury retrograded in each element and 3) Reflective questions to start your pattern-breaking journey with Mercury retrograde cycles. 

But first, a brief primer on Mercury’s role in astrology.

Mercury— an important planet for our times 

Ancient Greek myth describes Hermes ( Mercury’s other name) as the messenger of the gods. In this role, Mercury was responsible for delivering messages, the “go-between” for the gods with access to anywhere—  including the underworld. 

In modern times, Mercury has a broader function that touches upon all aspects of life and has become even more influential since the Information Age.

Health

Ability to focus

Mental health

Dimensia & Alzheimer’s

Neurodivergent populations

Science & innovation

Information Technology— including Artificial Intelligence/machine learning

Car manufacturing

Aviation industry

Media & Politics

Consolidation of media

Social Media

Misinformation

Mercury’s function in Astrology

Every 88 days Mercury makes one complete rotation around the Sun. It’s super fast compared to the other planetary bodies in our solar system except the Moon. 

Mercury also sticks close to the Sun, remaining no more than 28° degrees away. 

You can already get a sense of Mercury’s function in astrology from the above descriptors. 

This planet allows for the quick acquisition and transmission of information, serving as the “go-between” from the external world to your consciousness (the Sun).  

In one word Mercury is perception. You become aware of the world through the lens of Mercury. Thinking, analyzing, processing, and speaking are all faculties that can be described by where Mercury sits in your natal chart. 

Some additional topics under Mercury’s domain

• Communication Style
• Learning Style— read my post on this topic 
• Short distance travel
• Vehicles – cars, trains, airplanes
• Writers & journalists
• Traditional media and social media

Mercury retrograde cycles— not as scary as you think

In an era dominated by all things Mercury, when Mercury goes retrograde (about 3-4 per year), it’s noticeable but not as scary as portrayed on the internet.

The phenomenon of Mercury retrograde occurs when in its orbit Mercury is closest to Earth and appears to be moving backward. An optical illusion that our brain interprets as backward motion, but rather a difference in relative speed. 

Mercury retrograde cycles got a bad reputation due to a noticeable uptick in confusion, disruption, and an overall slowdown in essential areas of modern life ruled by Mercury— in particular the areas of, technology, travel, and commerce.  

But if you utilize these periods to slow down, review, digest, and deal with what’s already on your plate, you can avoid much of Mercury’s Trickster side. 

Note: If you were born during Mercury’s retrograde period, you’re highly reflective with a tendency towards introversion and independent thought. You’ll likely have an easier go at aligning with Mercury retrograde cycles. Finally, the world is moving/thinking at your pace.

Later we’ll explore some tips for Mercury retrograde cycles in each element.  Next, let’s answer what a Mercury elemental year is, and its relationship to the retrograde cycles of Mercury.

Mercury Elemental Year

There is a regular pattern to Mercury retrograde cycles. Each year Mercury retrogrades in the same element— ie the Mercury Elemental Year. Advanced students of astrology may want to check out Gary P. Caton’s book, “Hermetica Triptycha: The Mercury Elemental Year”, for further information.

Why is this important?

Each element— Fire, Earth, Air, and Water represents a different kind of Mercury and therefore a different way of perceiving the world and transmitting those perceptions.

Additionally, the Mercury elemental year helps us refine a particular style of thinking and communicating by spending more time in a single element the entire year.  

Here, repetition becomes a good teacher. Breaking unhealthy patterns will take time. When you know the Elemental Year for Mercury, you can decide on how to use the power of the Mercury retrograde cycles to work on a particular issue relevant to that element. For example, in 2024 and 2025 we’ll be working with the Mercury Elemental Year of Fire, and in 2026 we’ll work with the Mercury Elemental Year of Water.

How to Break Unhealthy Patterns During Mercury Retrograde Cycles

We all have habitual ways of thinking and being that over time no longer serves who we are becoming. Astrology provides a framework to identify and evaluate these patterns and to make different choices. 

Because Mercury signifies the rational mind it’s a good place to start. Each time Mercury retrogrades we get to step away from our habitual ways of thinking to assess whether they are working for us.

Mercury’s retrograde cycles encourage reflection, reset, and a slower pace. We have a greater capacity (if we choose) to truly see from a perspective unlike our own and to track the thoughts that have become habitual.

It’s important to pay attention to the element in which Mercury is retrograde. Each element will deliver a different approach to thinking, learning, and communicating— therefore offering up a different set of unhealthy patterns to disrupt during the retrograde cycle.  

Let’s take a look at Mercury retrograde’s pattern-breaking potential in each element:

 1) How Mercury functions in this element when direct 2) The unhelpful ways of thinking that are likely ready to shift into something more productive and 3) reflective questions you can use during the retrograde cycle to gain clarity around those patterns.

Mercury Retrograde in FIRE (Aries, Leo, & Sagittarius)

Mercury’s approach in Fire signs when direct

When Mercury transits through Fire Signs thinking and all things under Mercury’s rulership get speedy, passionate, fun, and direct. Gut instincts, magnetism, and assertiveness dominate speech patterns and we opt for quickness over depth.

Mercury’s transit through fire is a great opportunity for empowerment, motivation, inspiration, and humor. 

Unhealthy patterns to break

When Mercury retrogrades in fire, it’s a good reminder that communications have consequences. Things said in the heat of the moment can easily be overlooked when Mercury is direct but, during its retrograde cycle we can better understand how this way of communicating can lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.

In addition to reactive thinking, complaining is another unhealthy pattern you can break when Mercury retrogrades in a Fire sign. 

Asserting your dissatisfaction with something isn’t a big deal unless it becomes chronic. If complaining is your default mode, you can use Mercury retrograde cycles in fire to focus on what is good in the world. Starting a gratitude practice can help disrupt the pattern of complaining.

Finally, if your overactive mind has you trapped, you can use Mercury retrograde in Fire to unhook from a constant need for stimulation. Look at why staying busy has become a coping strategy.  Also, what fearful thoughts are you resisting being with?

Reflection Questions for Mercury Retrograde in Fire

• What do you get out of engaging with these patterns routinely?
• How can you take a gentler approach to communication and your inner self-talk? 
• What needs to change to be a more effective communicator?

Mercury Retrograde in EARTH (Taurus, Virgo, & Capricorn)

Mercury’s approach in Earth signs when direct

When Mercury transits through Earth signs, its approach is methodical and deliberate. Competency, logic, integrity, and seriousness dominate this communication style. As you would expect, this approach is slower than Mercury moving through Fire. 

Mercury’s movement through Earth signs provides a great opportunity to confidently communicate technical details without filler or fluff.

Unhealthy patterns to break

When Mercury’s retrograde cycles take place in an Earth sign, thinking that leans melancholic or negative, has the ability to release its hold on you.  

The thing about a habit is that we often mistake it for the way things are and will always be. It’s easy to get trapped in a pattern of negativity, but with Mercury retrograde in Earth, you can slow this pattern down enough to notice it and then choose a more constructive path.

Another pattern that is possible to shift during Mercury retrograde in Earth is rumination. Thoughtfulness is a hallmark of all Mercury placed in an Earth sign however when this turns extreme we have overthinking. It keeps you stuck and no clear conclusion is made.

If you were born with Mercury retrograde in any sign, you will notice this pattern of thinking the same thoughts repeatedly, hoping to come to a logical conclusion yet the mind instead opts to remain in a loop.

Part of breaking up this pattern is understanding not all things in life are black and white, wrong or right, or always completely rational. 

Getting comfortable with nuances, messy conclusions, and spontaneous communication is part of the process of disruption that Mercury retrograde in Earth can bring you.

Reflection Questions for Mercury Retrograde in Earth

• Why are negative thoughts more attractive than positive ones?
• What are you unwilling to say? And, why?
• In this moment, how does your heart want to communicate? 

Mercury Retrograde in AIR (Gemini, Libra, & Aquarius)

Mercury’s approach in Air signs when direct

Generally, Mercury is at home in air signs. The freedom and flexibility of Air signs are welcoming and supportive of Mercury’s nature. 

When moving direct through Air signs, Mercury‘s approach is fast, intellectual, connective, chatty, and flexible. Have a super networker in your life? Then you have a great example of Mercury in Air. They often see the relatedness between things that most people don’t and have the skills to bring them together.

Mercury’s transit through Air is a great time for learning, improving your overall communication style, and participating in some out-of-the-box thinking.

Unhealthy patterns to break

When Mercury retrogrades in Air signs we enter a period that de-emphasisizes thinking and rationality. This wonderful time to recognize unhealthy patterns of intellectualism.  

Use this time to see where you usually go to the mind for answers and instead break the pattern and move into your heart.

Gossip is another pattern that can get disrupted during Mercury retrograde in Air signs. 

Spreading rumors or unreliable information can easily manifest into a habitual way of being.  Unfortunately, the payoffs for gossiping are numerous. People use it to validate their own choices and opinions; push away jealousy; or bond socially with friends.

Use Mercury retrograde to identify your reasons for participating in gossip and to abstain by refocusing on making your life better.

Reflection Questions for Mercury Retrograde in Air

• What do you gain from engaging in the above patterns?
• Where are you feeling ostracized for what you believe or say?
• Do you have access to quality information?

Mercury Retrograde in WATER (Cancer, Scorpio, & Pisces)

Mercury’s approach in Water signs when direct

When Mercury passes through Water signs, its approach is intuitive, relying much more on sensing beyond what is said. Aligned much more to the feeling of a word, a phrase, and other things communicated nonverbally.

Awash in our inner landscape, we may struggle to find the exact words to convey our inner world outwardly. Language often fails us here yet we find success in poetry, song lyrics, and well-written fiction.

Unhealthy patterns to break

The periods when Mercury’s retrograde cycles take place in Water is a good opportunity to break free from patterns that tend to plague us when Mercury is direct in this element.

First, we have worry. This is a state of mind where we dwell on all that could go wrong. When worry becomes a pattern it can rob you of the ease and peace that is always available in the moment. 

Emotional overwhelm is a related pattern, yet different from worry. When you become flooded with emotional content whether fear, anxiety, or sadness, you become habitually locked into a pattern that keeps you stuck.

And finally, Mercury retrograde in Water can help you break through defensiveness. 

This pattern is about an overprotectiveness towards one’s beliefs. Defensiveness doesn’t allow for identity shifts, vulnerability, or connection. 

Mercury retrograde in Water will help you disrupt these patterns by slowing down the pace of life, so you can introduce short spurts of silence, embodiment, and choice.

Reflection Questions  for Mercury Retrograde in Water

• What do you get from indulging in these patterns? 
• How has emotion drowned out your logic?
• What practices can you use to help your mind settle?

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