On April 21, 2023, Mercury changes its direction, marking the beginning of its first retrograde of the year. Of course, it doesn't actually move backward, as this is only an apparent motion that occurs when Mercury, on its orbit around the Sun, approaches Earth and eventually overtakes it. The retrograde is thus only an apparent motion when viewed from Earth's perspective.
Nevertheless, this apparent backward movement of Mercury has been interpreted for centuries. As the planet of communication, commerce, and travel, Mercury's retrograde is often associated with communication problems, technical difficulties, and delays. The upcoming retrograde from April 21 to May 15 takes place in the sign of Taurus. The sign of Taurus, which represents values and finances, among other things, is already in focus, as Uranus and the Moon's nodes are currently in it. This is also evident in the turbulence in the financial markets.
In addition, Mercury is currently approaching Uranus and forms a conjunction with it just before the start of its retrograde. Mercury will thus turn retrograde while entering a conjunction with Uranus. At the same time, the Moon joins in, resulting in a triple conjunction. There's a lot of energy, and as if that weren't enough, the Sun also enters the sign of Taurus one day before, on April 20, and forms a square with Pluto in Aquarius. In addition, on April 20th there is also a new moon with a solar eclipse occurring at the same time.
All of this could indicate increased turbulence in the financial markets and trigger unexpected changes in communication and commerce. It remains to be seen how these energies will manifest.
In personal matters, there may be delays and communication problems during this time, particularly in relation to financial affairs and business transactions. Therefore, it is advisable to be cautious when making important decisions and take the time to thoroughly examine all the facts before taking action. Of course, Mercury's retrograde also offers opportunities. Below, I have attached a small list of do's and don'ts as a guide for the upcoming retrograde in the sign of Taurus.
I wish you a smooth transition through the upcoming retrograde!
Do's
Review finances
Make communication clear and direct
Revise existing projects
Adjust budgets and financial plans
Perform backup of important data
Practice patience and serenity
Self-reflection and introspection
Question value systems
Don'ts
Close new contracts
Make important financial decisions
Make large purchases
Buy technical devices
Plan important trips
Begin new business relationships
Start new projects
Make quick decisions