Evaluate Your Relationships During Mercury Retrograde
August 4, 2024 | Miriam Slozberg
It is that time of year that everyone dreads: Mercury is going into retrograde in Virgo. It begins on the 5th and moves back to Leo on the 14th. And it remains in retrograde until the 29th. However, there is never a need to fear Mercury in retrograde. Mercury retrograde periods bring about introspection, reflection, and a time for reevaluation. As Mercury, the planet of communication and relationships, appears to move backward in the sky, it causes you to slow down. The one thing that Mercury retrograde will do for you is to look closer at your connections, particularly in relationships. Let’s explore why evaluating your relationships is essential during this Mercury retrograde. It will give you insight into how it can lead to personal growth, improved communication, and stronger connections.
The Influence of Mercury Retrograde
Mercury retrograde is when the planet Mercury’s energy seems to reverse course, affecting communication, technology, and relationships. During this period, misunderstandings, miscommunications, and unresolved issues from the past may resurface.
Therefore, it prompts the need for evaluation. Relationships, the core of human connection, are mainly influenced by retrograde energy. It is an opportune time to delve into the dynamics of your relationships. Therefore, you should gain clarity on areas that may need attention or improvement.
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For example, you have been holding onto resentment towards your partner for a long time. The reason for that is you feel they have prioritized their family over you. You understand that a relationship with their family means a lot to them. However, you do not want your partner to push you aside.
The resentments will bubble up more during this period, and an argument may ensue. It is time for your partner to reflect and see where they need to prioritize you and how they should.
Your partner may also bring up things you are unintentionally and unknowingly doing to help you realize your mistakes. I will elaborate more on that later. However, it is the time for personal growth and self-reflection.
Self-Reflection and Personal Growth Happens During This Retrograde
Revisiting your relationships during Mercury retrograde provides an opportunity for meaningful self-reflection and personal development. It allows you to evaluate your patterns, beliefs, and behaviors within relationships.
Therefore, it helps you identify areas for personal growth and positive changes. This introspection can lead to heightened self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a better understanding of your needs and desires within relationships.
For example, you could do a better job of giving more to your partner. Your partner may not say or think anything about it. However, if you feel you have been taking more than giving, it’s a good time to reflect on that. Maybe your partner has been agreeing to do activities you want that are different from what they want.
Perhaps your partner is happy to go to concerts of your favorite band, for example. However, you don’t involve yourself in activities your partner enjoys because they may not ask you. Say, if your partner enjoys camping but never asks to do it, you can surprise them by agreeing to go.
You can say, “Since you’ve been to many of my favorite concerts, I’d love to go camping with you.” That would likely surprise them. Therefore, if you find that you could be more giving during this retrograde, you’ll want to do that.
It Is a Time to Iron Out Unresolved Issues Through Communication
Mercury retrograde often brings unresolved issues to the surface, as previously noted. Past grievances, misunderstandings, and communication breakdowns may resurface during this time. You can address these unresolved issues by evaluating your relationships with greater clarity and understanding.
You’ll want to have open and honest conversations, express your needs, and actively listen to your partner or loved ones. Clearing the air and resolving lingering conflicts can foster healing, growth, and improved communication within your relationships.
As mentioned, resentments will come to the surface. Many unresolved and old resentments will likely lead to arguments with your partner, friends, or family. For instance, if you are still angry with your partner for something they did five years ago, you’ll bring it up. Something will trigger an argument for that to happen.
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Your partner may not know you have been angry until it comes out. Also, as mentioned, don’t be surprised if your partner brings up other things you did that angered them. They may also be holding onto those resentments about it. Therefore, the argument will bring all these unresolved issues to the surface so you can resolve them.
Mercury retrograde encourages a reevaluation of relationship dynamics. Are your relationships balanced, supportive, and nurturing? As mentioned, are you equally giving and receiving love, respect, and understanding? This period invites you to critically evaluate your relationships’ power dynamics, boundaries, and health.
It encourages you to assess whether your connections align with your values, aspirations, and personal growth. This evaluation can lead to necessary adjustments and boundaries being set. You may even realize that certain relationships may no longer serve your highest good during Mercury in retrograde. That is always painful.
It would be unsurprising to learn that many divorces and separations likely happen during Mercury in retrograde. More will likely occur when Mercury is retrograde in analytical Virgo. You have the opportunity not only carefully to evaluate your relationships. However, you will end up with lightbulb moments indicating your relationship has expired. Counseling will be necessary if you want to salvage your marriage or relationship.
Strengthening Communication and Connection
Mercury retrograde is an ideal time to improve communication skills and deepen connections within relationships. By evaluating your communication patterns, you can identify areas for improvement. You may enhance your active listening, practical, emotional expression, and nonviolent communication techniques.
It is also an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones on a deeper level by engaging in meaningful conversations. It is time to share vulnerabilities and foster empathy and understanding. These efforts can lead to stronger bonds, increased trust, and a more harmonious connection with your loved ones.
For example, this is the best time to share something from your past with your partner that you’ve hesitated. Perhaps it was a traumatic experience that you felt shameful for, but it is something that lingers in your psyche.
Mercury in retrograde will encourage you to be vulnerable and share that piece of your past. That may encourage your partner to do the same. Nothing strengthens a bond more than sharing vulnerabilities.
Nurturing Boundaries and Self-Care Regarding Relationships
During Mercury retrograde, assessing your relationships to establish boundaries and prioritize self-care can be helpful. Evaluating your connections can reveal whether some are draining your energy, causing emotional distress, or limiting your personal development.
Setting healthy boundaries is essential for preserving your well-being and fostering positive relationships. This period encourages you to prioritize self-care and ensure that your relationships contribute to your growth rather than hinder you.
You may find yourself letting go of friendships that no longer serve you. And you may realize that some friends only take advantage of you by going to you when they need something.
You will then know they don’t value you as a friend, so it is time to let them go. It is not unusual to make decisions to go no or low contact with some toxic family members.
Key Takeaways
Mercury retrograde is valuable for introspection and reevaluation, especially in relationships. By assessing your connections, you can promote personal growth, address unresolved issues, improve communication, and strengthen your bonds.
This period offers an opportunity to reassess relationship dynamics, nurture boundaries, and practice self-care. Ultimately, the introspection and evaluation during Mercury Retrograde can lead to more fulfilling, authentic, and harmonious relationships. Embrace this time as a chance for growth, understanding, and improved connections with those who matter most.
Since Mercury will be retrograding in Virgo until the 14th, when it moves into Leo, you will be extra discerning. You will evaluate your relationships more carefully since Virgo is all about being analytical. You may also focus more on your self-care after it goes into Leo. After it goes direct on the 29th, you will feel like you have a fresh start in managing your relationships.
