About Mercury Retrograde

What does "Mercury Retrograde" really mean?

Above: Mercury hangs out close to the sun. NASA has even fancier information about Mercury in case you're curious.

Q: What does it mean (astronomically speaking) when Mercury is in Retrograde?

A:The word "planet" comes from the Greek term asteres planetai i.e. "stars that wander." Partly, this is referring to is how from time to time planets will appear to shift direction and move backwards as compared to all the other stars in the night sky. This "backwards" movement is retrograde motion. Click here for a better animation that shows this very well.

Q: Hey, your calendar/widget is missing the Mercury Retrograde that happens from Nov 6 - Nov 26, year 2012. What gives?

A: It will be a great surprise if we are still using Widgets in 2012. And if we are still using Widgets in 2012, in November we will likely be too busy preparing for the End Of The World, which is planned to happen on or around December 21st of that year.

Q: So when is Mercury in Retrograde?

2006
March 2 - March 25
July 4 - July 28
October 28 - November 17

2007
February 13 - March 7
June 15 - July 9
October 11 - November 1

2008
January 28 - February 18
May 26 - June 19
September 24 - October 15

2009
January 11 - February 1
May 6 - May 30
September 6 - September 29
December 26 - December 31

2010
January 1- January 15
April 17 - May 11
August 20 - September 12
December 10 - December 30

2011
March 30 - April 23
August 2 - August 26
November 24 - December 13

2012
March 12 - April 4
July 14 - August 8
November 6 - November 26
World ends Dec 21st

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