What Mercury retrograde means for your dating life as it comes into force

You may have heard your friends blaming their chaotic love life on Mercury being in Retrograde - but what does it actually mean? And can it really affect your relationships?

This year, we’re due to hurtle through a handful of Mercury Retrograde periods.

That means four chances to experience poor communication, potentially brutal ghosting and intense fallouts with friends.

With more than a quarter of US adults claiming they believe in astrology, we can bet you’ve heard about this phenomenon from at least one of your friends.

So, it's time to get acquainted with exactly what Mercury Retrograde is and how you can avoid imploding your relationships during it.

Get ready, it's going to be a rough one (Getty Stock Images)

What is Mercury Retrograde?

You may already know, but Mercury orbits the Sun at a quicker pace than the Earth does.

This is because the so-called Swift Planet is positioned closest to the Sun - making it the fastest-moving in our solar system.

It therefore takes just 88 days for the sphere to move around the star versus the Earth’s 365-day orbit.

However, there are often periods where Mercury moves slower than the Earth around the Sun.

This tends to create an optical illusion of Mercury standing still and moving backwards. This peculiar phenomenon is called ‘Mercury Retrograde’.

However, it isn’t just scientists who take an interest in this planetary movement.

Those who follow modern astrology will often plot when Mercury will be in retrograde.

This is because the sphere is associated with communication, coordination and logic, with the retrograde spinning of these aspects on their heads.

It’s therefore assumed you’ll face miscommunication, mishaps and changing environments during the celestial body’s Retrograde.

Once planned, people will avoid completing surgeries or making big relationship decisions during this period.

Mercury in retrograde can have an impact on your relationships... (Getty Stock Images)

When is Mercury Retrograde 2024 taking place?

There will be four instances of Mercury retrograde in 2024. Luckily though, one has already passed.

The first began on 13 December 2023 and concluded on 1 January 2024.

We’re currently in the second instance of Mercury retrograde this year, which officially began on 1 April.

This is taking place in the sign of Aries and is expected to last until 24 April, with the post-retrograde shadow period lifting by 13 May.

Another Mercury retrograde will begin in August in Virgo before quickly shifting into Leo. The pre-retrograde shadow will commence on 16 July before it comes into full effect on 4 August.

The third Mercury Retrograde of 2024 will conclude on 27 August before the shadow fully departs on 11 September.

Finally, the last of the year takes place from 25 November to 15 December under Sagittarius.

Pre-retrograde shadow begins on 7 November and everything should return to normal by 2 January 2025.

Good news is one has already gone. (Getty Stock Images)

What effect will Mercury Retrograde have on us?

We’ve already mentioned that Mercury Retrograde 2024 will have an impact on communication and logic.

It can spell relationship disaster, cause you to be more cautious with career moves and see texts being read in the wrong context.

You could see yourself falling out with your friends, suffering with heightened anxiety or feeling uncomfortable with current projects.

In Mercury Retrograde, you may also feel pressured to make quick decisions.

However, some will experience the effects of the celestial body’s placement more than others.

This is due to your sun and/or rising sign, and the placement of Mercury in your charts.

For example, Gemini’s are more likely to feel the chaos of the retrograde more than others, due to the planet ruling the sign.

Bad news for Geminis. (Getty Stock Images)

What are the tell-tale signs to look out for in your relationship and dating life?

So, you’ve already been warned not to make rash decisions and that you may face communication barriers - but how will Mercury in Retrograde 2024 affect your relationships?

According to a new survey by dating app Flirtini, a whopping 71% of people believe that the retrograde can negatively impact their relationships.

A further 46 percent believed their loved one tends to act strangely during the astrological phenomenon.

As per the survey, your communication with your partner may take a battering during the three forthcoming retrograde periods.

You may experience more arguments, feel more intensely about a red-flag flame and possibly have text messages misconstrued.

Speaking to Wellandgood, astrologer Rachel Lang said: “You can’t take back anything you say during Mercury retrograde.

"Ask yourself: Is it true? Is it kind? If it’s true but unkind, say it to the air, or write it in your journal to get it out of your head.

“But we’re all extra sensitive [right now], so be gentle with others.”

The astrologer also advises that you exercise patience when it comes to dating and to not take ghosting ‘personally’.

“This is an opportunity to look at yourself and say, 'I’ll never abandon you for another,” she told the publication.

“You are awesome and deserve the most incredible love.”