Can Mercury Being in Retrograde Affect Your Sleep?

Have you ever found yourself tossing and turning at night, struggling to get a good night’s sleep, only to wonder if some cosmic force might be at play? If so, join us as we delve into the celestial mystery of Mercury retrograde.

“Retrograde” refers to the idea that the planet Mercury sometimes appears to start spinning backwards. We now know that it’s just an optical illusion from our perspective here on Earth, but many astrologers still believe it has spiritual impact. Although most people will pass through the retrograde unaware that it’s happening, others report feeling unbalanced during this time, which can disrupt communication, relationships, and (allegedly) technology.

The Mercury retrograde is set to occur three times in 2023:

• 21st April to 14th May
• 23rd August to 14th September
• 13th December until the end of 2023

Remember to plan these dates in your diary and keep a cosmic eye on how the retrograde affects your sleep.

While there are no scientifically proven reasons that Mercury being in retrograde will affect your sleep, it can have a psychological impact, which will interfere with your rest.

Our sleep expert, Sammy Margo, has offered some insights into how Mercury’s influence on your emotions can make it challenging to get good quality sleep… the key impact of the retrograde is that it can heighten anxiety, bringing any worries and stressors to the front of your mind. For those who are natural worriers and perfectionists, this can mean increased struggles with falling asleep.

Other sleep issues that you might experience include:

• Feeling anxious in the evenings and unable to wind down
• Waking up during the night
• Vivid dreams
• Tossing and turning
• Difficulty getting up with your alarm

For many astrologers, Mercury’s most significant impact in retrograde is its effect on our moods and routines. It can signal entry into a period of turmoil as it disrupts the regular night sky and, potentially, how your star chart behaves. Here’s a rundown of how the retrograde affects each star sign…

Capricorn: Ambition may turn into anxiety during the retrograde, particularly around career goals

Aquarius: Plans may be disrupted and leave you feeling stagnant

Pisces: You can feel more emotional and have vivid dreams that keep you up at night

Aries: You may experience racing thoughts and restlessness, making it especially hard to sleep

Taurus: Appreciative of routine and stability, you might feel off-kilter and uncertain

Gemini: Ruled by Mercury, Geminis will feel its disruptive energy the most

Cancer: Expect emotional dysregulation and feeling things more intensely in this period

Leo: Usually confident, the retrograde can bring unexpected self-doubt

Virgo: As perfectionists, you may feel increased anxiety around perceived flaws

Libra: You may feel unbalanced and more indecisive than usual</li>

Scorpio: Be wary of feeling too much during this time and committing too fast to new relationships

Sagittarius: Always looking for the next adventure, plans are likely to change or keep you still for longer than you’d like

Those whose star chart places their sun, moon, ascendant, or Mercury in the same sign as the retrograde will feel its influence the most. For the August-September retrograde, that is Libra, while the December-January retrograde comes under Capricorn. Remember, interrupted sleep can leave you groggy during the day, making you feel more sensitive or irritable if you’re not well-rested.

While Mercury is in retrograde, you should focus on maintaining your routine and relaxing your mind so you drift off peacefully instead of worrying in bed. We have plenty of advice to keep you on the right track. Here are some of our top tips: