Oh, Mercury retrograde! That time of year (three or four times, in fact) when the planet of communication, thought, and business seems to be going backward in the sky. Though it's an illusion, astrologically, this time is usually considered to have a greater chance of miscommunications, technical problems, travel snafus, and, yes, career blunders.
Consider Mercury to be the gods' messenger zooming information to and fro. When it "goes retrograde," the messenger is botching the delivery, crossing wires, or taking a scenic route. This can take different forms in your career.
Typical Professional Mishaps During Mercury Retrograde:
Miscommunications with Colleagues and Managers: Communication can get fuzzy. Emails may be misunderstood, directions unclear, and you may be stuck in frustrating "he said, she said" dilemmas. It's like everyone is using a little different dialect of the same professional language.
Technical Issues: Mercury dominates technology and information exchange. When it's in retrograde, anticipate more computer crashes, software errors, and even missing data. That important presentation document may suddenly get corrupted, or the video conference may continue freezing at the worst possible times.
Scheduling Snafus: Calendars can spiral out of control. Meetings can be double-booked, appointments lost, or deadlines communicated wrong. Best Astrologer in New York It makes sense to check double all of your scheduled items and verify significant timings.
Contractual Complications: Mercury rules contracts and agreements. Astrologers will usually caution against signing significant documents while retrograde since the terms may be ambiguous, future misunderstandings are likely, or the transaction may not work as intended. If you have to sign, read each and every detail with additional care.
Travel Issues: If your job requires travel, expect delays, cancellations, or lost bags. Give yourself extra time to commute and take work-related travel.
Mistakes in Documentation: Take extra care in writing emails, reports, or any formal document. Typos, grammatical mistakes, or factual errors are more probable at this time and may result in professional blunders.
Challenging Decision-Making: Since Mercury's energies appear to be focused inward, it may be more difficult to think clearly and make good judgments. Important career choices, such as taking a new job or starting a major project, may be best delayed if at all possible.
Rambling or Vague Communication: You may have difficulty explaining yourself clearly, or others may have trouble comprehending your ideas. Pay attention to how you communicate and ask for clarification when necessary.
Reopening of Old Problems: Mercury retrograde is not only about new problems; it may also reopen old problems. A past project may have to be revisited, or a previous miscommunication with a coworker may come back to the forefront. This may be a time for closing loose ends, but it can also be a move backward.
Impact on Sales and Negotiations: If your role involves sales or negotiations, be prepared for potential delays, changes of heart, or misunderstandings with clients. It might not be the best time to push for new deals.
Navigating Professional Life During Mercury Retrograde:
Though it may sound like a minefield, Mercury retrograde is not all bad. It's a time to rethink, review, and reflect. Rather than rushing headlong into new projects, it's a good time to:
Double-check everything: Proofread emails, check documents, and double-check appointments.
Communicate clearly and patiently: Be particularly careful with your words and be ready to explain yourself.
Backup your data: Insulate yourself from possible technical mishaps.
Be adaptable and flexible: Anticipate the unexpected and have alternatives in place.
Review past projects: This can be a useful period to finish abandoned projects or hone current work.
Re-establish contacts with former connections: An old client or employee may come back with a new project.
Practice patience: Things may take longer than normal, so try your best to stay calm and understanding.
In the end, although Mercury retrograde offers some special challenges in the work arena, having awareness and careful action can guide you through this time with fewer mishaps. It is a reminder from the cosmos to slow down, notice the details, and use clear communication in all your work endeavors.
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