How does Mercury retrograde occur, and what complications and effects does this astral period bring? This is what experts say.

From July 18th to August 11th, the astronomical phenomenon of Mercury retrograde will be present, marking the planet's second retrograde motion this year.

This event, which occurs approximately three times a year, is known for its ability to influence communication, agreements, and technology, causing concern and caution among those who follow planetary movements.

Mercury is the first of the eight planets that make up the solar system. When this celestial body appears to move backward in the sky, an astrological event known as Mercury retrograde occurs. As a "personal planet," its energy significantly influences individuals.

This phenomenon, traditionally linked to communication, travel, and technology, encourages us to look inward and review our past. It's an opportune time to evaluate old issues, feelings, ideas, and behaviors, deciding what to keep and what to let go.

Mercury retrograde often becomes the scapegoat for our setbacks: delays, communication problems, and other inconveniences. We tend to blame it for any failures we experience during these periods.

For astrologer Baptiste Lebras, the reality is that communication problems, delays, and even thefts are events that occur with equal frequency when Mercury is in direct motion.

There is "no study that shows these incidents are more common during Mercury retrograde. Essentially, the occurrence of these events is the same, regardless of whether the planet is retrograde or not ."

According to Lebras, "Mercury governs communication, writing, information, mental functioning, and knowledge, and it's not the only one affected by retrograde motion." Most planets experience retrograde motion, with the exception of the luminaries, the Sun and the Moon.

"From my perspective, it doesn't affect us. Much less on a collective level, but not on a general or personal level either. I think there's too much mental suggestion there," the expert said.

And he added: "In a natal chart where Mercury is retrograde, we can effectively think that there is more difficulty in expressing oneself at the level of speech, communication, and the use of the mind ."

Over the next few weeks, additional precautions are recommended in several areas:

According to professional astronomer Germán Puerta, each planet has a completely different orbit. "For example, Mercury takes only 88 days to complete a complete orbit around the sun, while Venus does so in approximately 210, Earth in 365, and Mars in 687. These different orbital speeds create a fascinating optical phenomenon from our Earthly perspective."

He added: "Retrograde motion occurs during certain times of the year, appearing as if a planet is moving backward in its path across the sky, even though in reality, it never does. It's an illusion of perspective, similar to passing a slower car on the highway and it appears to be moving backward, when in fact it's still moving forward."

Since time immemorial, ancient civilizations have devoted rigorous attention to observing the planets visible to the naked eye : Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. This practice was not merely contemplative; the precision with which their movements were tracked allowed humanity to accumulate vast astronomical knowledge.

Puerta explained that this meticulous data collection was crucial to the development of extraordinarily accurate astronomical tables . These tables not only served to predict the future movements of the planets, but were also indispensable tools for predicting celestial events of great magnitude and importance, such as planetary conjunctions and spectacular eclipses of the sun and moon. The ability to predict these phenomena demonstrated a profound understanding of the cosmos and the relationships between celestial bodies.

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