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STYLECASTER | Mercury Retrograde
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You’ve got big plans for 2022 and you’re probably ready to hit the ground running! However, you might have had to reframe your expectations for the last month or due to technical difficulties. The first Mercury retrograde of 2022 is finally winding down, and the party can officially continue on after the clock strikes nine o’clock. This infamous astrological phenomenon always has a way of stopping things before they’ve even started, so cut yourself some slack and enjoy the rest of your post-retrograde February!

You might be wondering: What’s Mercury’s problem, anyway? Why is this retrograde always *such* a big deal? Well, for starters, Mercury is the planet of communication, logic and analysis, which means it has a pretty big influence on your day-to-day life. When this intellectual inner planet stations retrograde, it begins retracing its steps through the zodiac, moving backward instead of forward.

This can lead to detours and diversions that force you to acknowledge mistakes that need correcting and truths that need processing. It can also lead to lapses of judgment, increasing the likelihood of saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. After all, there’s a reason this retrograde is known for making you want to text your ex!

However, the truth is that Mercury retrograde is nowhere near as bad as it seems, so don’t let it stress you out! The easiest way to survive Mercury retrograde is to pay close attention, prepare in advance and practice patience. Don’t forget—even the most flawless plans aren’t immune to complications! And although this retrograde made everything feel stagnant, it was also an opportunity to reflect on the past and get some closure.

There were definitely some lingering affairs that needed your attention and unfinished conversations that needed to be had. When you let Mercury retrograde help you fix what needs fixing, you can dive into the rest of 2022 ready to rule!

The first Mercury retrograde of 2022 began January 14 and ended February 3.

The recent Mercury retrograde began at 26 degrees Aquarius—a stubborn, yet visionary air sign that’s known for its eccentricity, independence and leadership skills. Aquarius always wants to bring everyone together as a team, believing that a better future involves a stronger community dynamic. However, the last thing Aquarius wants is to conform and lose their individuality.

During this retrograde, which began on January 14, you may have felt torn between your need to fit in and your desire to stand out. If you felt like you had to change who you are in order to feel accepted, you probably weren’t spending time with the right people!

This retrograde really shook things up around January 25, when Mercury left behind Aquarius and re-entered Capricorn. This cardinal earth sign precedes Aquarius in the zodiac calendar and this shift demonstrated the way Mercury retrograde is always moving in reverse! As Mercury revisited serious, ambitious and disciplinary Capricorn, you may have become more aware of the shortcuts you’ve taken and the projects you’ve half-assed.

Capricorn can be a perfectionist at times, but it’s also a traditionalist. Sometimes, you need to do things the good old fashioned way in order to get it right! You don’t want your work to look like a knock-off, so be thankful you put in the effort and took the necessary steps to create the real thing.

Mercury stationed direct today, February 3, at 11 degrees Capricorn, helping you pick up the pieces and start focusing on new projects and relationships. You may have made a few mistakes along the way, but you’re finally moving forward (and with much more experience under your belt). Although Mercury retrograde can feel frustrating and drawn out, remember—the good part has just begun!

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