Spiritual advisor explains why Mercury Retrograde affects so many people’s lives
Have you been left on read, lost your keys, or had your train cancelled at the last minute this week?
Or maybe your phone glitched just when you're trying to send an important message, and you and your partner are having the same tired disagreement over and over again.
No, it’s not just you; that will be Mercury Retrograde wreaking its mystic havoc.
Three to four times a year, due to an optical illusion, the planet Mercury begins appearing to move backwards across the sky, and right now, we’re smack bang in the middle of the last one of 2026.
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It began on Saturday (24 October), with the messy period due to last all the way until 13 November, so buckle in.
Astrologers believe that all the way from Space, this phenomenon has a turbulent impact on our lives down on Earth.
Tyla spoke with Tetiana Tsvil, an astrologer and spiritual advisor at Nebula, who has issued her advice for getting through the cosmic chaos.
She told Tyla: “Mercury retrograde is traditionally associated with communication problems, delays, technical glitches, and unfinished matters returning.
“For example, you might misinterpret a colleague's email, overlook an important detail in a document, or realize that you and your partner remember a conversation very differently.”
Tsvil added that this particular Mercury retrograde takes place in Scorpio, a sign associated with ‘trust, secrets, intimacy, and shared finances’.
She warned: “Astrologically, that puts an emphasis on sensitive conversations, unspoken concerns, and agreements that may need another look.
“My advice is to be particularly careful with assumptions. Before reacting to a message that upsets you, ask yourself what the person actually said and what you're interpreting. “Double-check payment details, read agreements carefully, and leave some extra room in your schedule when traveling.”
Interestingly, the spiritual adviser also pointed out a psychological concept called the ‘nocebo effect,’ which could be why we all feel like Mercury Retrograde is coming for us.
The phenomenon is where expecting something negative can contribute to negative experiences or symptoms. It's related to the placebo effect, but involves negative expectations.
The astrologer explained: “Imagine waking up convinced Mercury retrograde is going to ruin your day. When your laptop freezes or someone cancels a meeting, you may see it as confirmation that the retrograde is working against you.
“The same things might have happened last week without attracting much attention. That doesn't mean the frustration or stress you experience isn't real. It means the explanation you give it matters."
Another reason so many of us feel affected is that Mercury Retrograde ‘covers experiences almost everyone has, such as misunderstood messages, delayed plans, technical difficulties, and unexpected contact from people in the past’.
She added: “Social media can reinforce this. When everyone is sharing retrograde mishaps, ordinary frustrations start to feel like part of a much bigger phenomenon.
“As an astrologer, I prefer to use Mercury retrograde as a reminder to check your facts, communicate more clearly, or deal with something you've been avoiding."
Because Mercury is in retrograde in Scorpio, the sign linked to deep emotions and unresolved questions, you might find yourself lying awake replaying a difficult conversation, wondering why someone hasn't replied, or trying to figure out what another person's behavior means.
Tsvil would recommend a simple exercise: before bed, ‘write down what's bothering you, separate what you know from what you're assuming, and identify one thing you can do about it tomorrow’.
She added: “If there's nothing you can do right now, give yourself permission to leave it until morning."
Topics: Astrology, Space, Life, Real Life, Travel, Technology
Madison Burgess