Why You May Be Having A Hard Time Expressing Yourself This Mercury Retrograde

We're a few days into Mercury Retrograde now, which began on Dec. 3. You may be wondering if Mercury Retrograde 2017 will affect your mood, and that's a great question. But first, it's best to know what Mercury rx, in astrology-speak, is exactly. The phenomenon happens 3-4 times per year and is when Mercury speeds past the Earth, according to Astrology Zone. And since Mercury is the planet closest to the sun, that means its orbit is ~much~ shorter than the Earth's. As a result, when Mercury goes by, you may not feel quite like yourself, and you may hear people say they don't, either, "because Mercury's in Retrograde." So now you know what they mean.

If you're curious if Mercury Retrograde will affect your mood, the answer is: Yes. "The answer to this is based on a several criteria," Wave Rayne, Metaphysical Teacher, Spiritual Guide and Author, and leads courses during rare cosmic events like All Planets Direct Motion (APDM), tells Bustle. "During Mercury Retrograde, people can get easily unhinged, with their reactions kind of similar to a Full Moon. The people that get the most unhinged are those with acute sensitivities, like empaths [and] psychics. Children are also easily influenced under a Mercury Retrograde transit." Interesting, right?

Below, a couple of astrologists weigh in about how to manage your mood during Mercury Retrograde. Yes, please!

Assess How Moody You Are Overall

Mercury Retrograde or not, it's good to know what kind of mood you're in day-to-day. "Take an inventory now to find out how moody you are to begin with," Rayne says. "Do you have a steady personality in general? When you are around other people, do you get easily thrown off-center by their emotions and words, or are you thankfully oblivious?"

Of course, you can only be responsible for your moods, not other people's, too. Next, Rayne says to look at "how moody the people are around you at home or at work."

During Mercury Retrograde, Reframe Your Thinking

You may be familiar with the term "reframing" from your therapist — when you mentally turn a situation around and look at it differently, for the better. And now, during Mercury Retrograde, you can use this concept, too. "Another thing that can affect your mood is when delays happen, or electronics fail, and you are now stuck in various situations," Rayne says. "Instead of you overreacting, take this approach: Think of every delay as a spiritual pause that is in your favor. While waiting it out, you can recalibrate your approach to whatever the issue at hand is, and then make a shift to remedy the situation, because you actually can smoothe things over."

The Sign Mercury Retrograde Is In Can Affect Your Mood, Too

Since Mercury Retrograde happens three to four times a year, it occurs during different astrological signs each time. "Very often, a Mercury Retrograde can affect one's mood," Linda Furiate, a consulting Astrologer, Healthy Habits Expert, Reiki I&II, Inspirational Guide, and the founder of Of Universal Mind, tells Bustle. "Much of the time, it may depend upon what sign Mercury is Retrograde in. The current Mercury is Retrograde in the sign of Sagittarius, which is a fire sign. Typically, our thoughts may be more optimistic while Mercury is in the sign of Sagittarius — we may often want to share our boundless enthusiasm and wisdom with a wider audience."

When Mercury Retrograde Is In Sagittarius, You May Reflect More Inwardly

Though some people may want to be open and expressive about their enthusiasm while Mercury Retrograde is in the sign of Sagittarius, others may not react the same way. "When Mercury is Retrograde in this sign, often we may tend to inwardly express our sense of sanguinity," Furiate says. "For those of us who tend to be more quiet in nature, we may benefit the most from this inner focus. This may allow our minds to flow with joyful grace on ways to share our inner selves that may serve a higher purpose."

Why It's Especially Important To Think Before You Speak

Sagittarians are known to speak what they think — often without censoring themselves first and being brutally honest with others (take it from me). Furiate has advice on how to handle this. "For those of us who may be more vocal in nature, we may feel stifled with the possibility of limited outward expression during this time," she says. "Holding in our thoughts may create a sense of sadness. It is best to be mindful and to not allow our inner fiery nature to expel words that may be harmful to others. It is best to think before you speak."

As you can see from the above, Mercury Retrograde in the sign of Sagittarius definitely affects people's moods. Word(s) to the wise? "Basically, tread carefully around everyone during the Mercury Retrograde," Rayne says. Especially those who tend to be more sensitive.

Also, remember that the current Mercury in Retrograde ends on Dec. 22, so you're almost there!