Mercury retrograde is one of the most commonly referenced — and dreaded — celestial phenomena of modern culture, but avid astrologers and occasional stargazers alike have little reason to fear this triannual or quarterly occurrence.
Astronomically speaking, Mercury retrograde is an illusion caused by different orbital speeds. When Mercury (a fast-moving planet) zooms past Earth (a slower-moving planet), it appears as though Mercury is moving backward across the sky as we continue forward along our own elliptical path.
From an astrological perspective, Mercury governs communication, transportation, and intellect. Thus, whenever this planet goes retrograde, these facets of life become stalled, depleted, or otherwise hindered. We’re more likely to misspeak or misconstrue the words of others, technology mishaps abound, and travel — whether long-distance or simply your daily commute — becomes more frazzled and harried.
Nevertheless, there are still positives to be gleaned from this starry situation. Mercury retrograde encourages us to speak thoughtfully, move purposefully, and slow down. Retrograde doesn’t guarantee disaster, but it does remind us to remain aware of and gird ourselves for the possibility.
Here, we’ve gathered 14 inspiring, funny, and fortifying quotes to put you in the proper mindset to directly confront any potential retrograde chaos, from miscommunication to frustrating technology issues.
We don’t learn much when things go right. It’s when things go wrong that we learn the most.Simon Sinek
A wonderful fact to reflect upon, that every human creature is constituted to be that profound secret and mystery to every other.Charles Dickens
Man is a slow, sloppy, and brilliant thinker; the machine is fast, accurate, and stupid.William Kelly
We sometimes learn a lot from our failures if we have put into the effort the best thought and work we are capable of.Thomas Edison
You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.Maya Angelou
Half of what I say is meaningless, but I say it so that the other half may reach you.Kahlil Gibran
Very often in close relationships, the subject being discussed is not the subject at all.Sharon Salzberg
Of course motivation is not permanent. But then, neither is bathing; but it is something you should do on a regular basis.Zig Ziglar
There’s no great loss without some small gain.Laura Ingalls Wilder
Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make it easier to do don’t need to be done.Andy Rooney
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.Mahatma Gandhi
The less devices you have to charge, the more charge you have for your mind.Abhijit Naskar
When we are no longer able to change a situation … we are challenged to change ourselves.Viktor Emil Frankl
Featured image credit: buradaki/ Shutterstock
