Mercury Retrograde Holiday Travel Guide
In recent years, the online attitude around Mercury retrograde has become reminiscent of a visit to the dentist’s office when you know you need a root canal: dreadful. While Mercury retrograde is known to bring some challenges in technology, relationships, and communications, it’s not as major as its reputation. It think it’s highly misunderstood.
As a locational astrologer, people often ask me if it’s “ok” to travel during Mercury retrograde and what to do if they can’t avoid a move or travel during the period Mercury pretends to go backward. Many people travel for holidays in the month of December, so there’s a lot of concern with this retrograde cycle.
Here are a few tips I’ve accumulated by working with clients through moves and my personal experience traveling full-time.
All of this to say…
“you don’t have to put your plans on hold!”
When is Mercury retrograde?
Mercury retrogrades about three times a year for about three weeks at a time, so you’ve survived plenty of them, even when you didn’t know they were happening. As far as tense astrological transits go, Mercury retrograde is about a five or six out of ten.
In December 2023, Mercury retrograde starts on December 12 and runs through January 1! In short, it will be a very slow end to the year.
Mercury will retrograde in the signs of Sagittarius and Capricorn, so folks with native chart energy in either of these signs might feel the slow-down and scrambling effects of Mercury retrograde more than others. The signs ruled by the communication planet, Gemini and Virgo, are also likely to experience the effects of retrograde more than other signs.
If you have any of the above signs in your chart you’ll definitely want to use these quick tips to support your travels all retrograde long.
Important dates this cycle
Nov 10: Mercury enters Sagittarius
Nov 25 : Mercury retrograde shadow begins
Dec 1: Mercury enters Capricorn
Dec 12: Mercury retrograde begins
Dec 22: Mercury retrograde midpoint
*intensity alert* things are always more chaotic at the midpoint
Dec 22: Mercury re-enters Sagittarius
Jan 1: Mercury retrograde ends
Jan 13: Mercury re-enters Capricorn
Jan 21: Mercury retrograde shadow ends
Tips to make your Mercury Retrograde travels and moves easier
Slow down
Expect delays, especially in December when the weather is bad in many areas! Take the long, scenic route if you can. Show up to the airport early and romance your day with the extra time. Slowly sip a coffee and watch planes take off rather than wait to leave for the airport last minute and miss your flight. During a Mercury retrograde, it’s not uncommon to have short staff at the airport or technology glitches, both of which can contribute to long lines and airport madness.
Channel your inner dad…you’ll be glad you did when you don’t have to rush to the gate.
2. Give Yourself More Time
When booking flights, choose a flight with a longer layover, especially if you’re going through immigration and customs before hitting your final destination. Too many times have I seen people, including myself, book a short layover when coming back to their home country only to meet a long customs line that makes them miss their connecting flight back to their final destination. Some airports will even require you to re-check your bags (looking at you San Diego), even if you’re flying domestically and have a connection. Always allow for the unexpected by giving yourself more time to get where you’re going. I always suggest making your travel days a full vacation day. Might as well have a mimosa while you’re at it!
Double-check times, destinations, and prices! Numbers can be especially tricky during this period. Always get a second confirmation whenever you can. Time can really slip away from you. I’ve seen folks walk to the gate, thinking they have plenty of time before boarding, only to go grab a latte and have to run back before the cabin door closes.
3. Carry on the essentials
While you might intend for your luggage to make it to your final destination, it might not. As a rule of thumb, keep absolute essentials like medications, glasses, chargers, an outfit change and documents with you in your carry-on, just in case you have to go a few nights without your main bags. I love this style of bag with lots of compartments and it’s much easier to access than a hard luggage, which is important for long flights. And be sure to pack for the weather you’re headed to!
All of the extra stress of the airport can make you ready for a break. Throw an eye mask and fuzzy socks in there, too, for in-flight cozies.
4. Have backups
The best thing I’ve learned from long-term travel is to always have paper copies of your passport/boarding passes/itineraries and documents. If your phone lets you down, at least you’ll be able to get on the plane with ease! Also, always download offline maps of the place you’re going in case you don’t have service or access to wifi when you land! Google Maps allow you to do this!
Sometimes technology doesn’t work and ride hailing apps like Uber and Lyft glitch uncontrollably. You might have to pay for a taxi to get to where you’re going. But if you’re in another country, you might not be able to use your credit card.
Speaking of foreign currency, it’s a good idea to call your local bank a week or so ahead of your departure and order your foreign currency for pick-up. The exchange rate will be much better than at the airport and it will save you the headache if ATMs aren’t working when you’re in a pinch.
It’s always a good idea to have a fully-charged portable phone charger with you, and an even better idea when Mercury is retrograde! You can’t go wrong with a Mophie! Sometimes your phone might glitch out on you, even if it’s in perfectly good condition, so make sure you have backup batteries. Even if the airplane has charging ports, they might not be the same size as your charger, depending on what country you’re flying to and sometimes they don’t work. You can’t go wrong with a little lipstick size portable charger. The trick is to make sure it’s charged ahead of time.
5. Carry a bit of cash in different places
I have learned to carry cash and put it in different places. Keep a bit in your wallet, some in your carry-on in a safe internal zipper pouch, and any extra (if you’re going somewhere you won’t have access to ATMs) in your checked luggage.
It’s better to vary where you keep things in case you lose one, you won’t lose all. And unfortunately, there are crooked people in the world. If you get mugged, at least they will only attack one area, usually your wallet, so keep less there than other places.
6. Flow once you arrive
If there are any challenges with your hotel or accommodations upon arrival, the best thing to do is be polite and collaborate with staff so you can walk away with exactly what you want. It’s always better to begin with a nice and understanding approach than pick an argument right away. When it comes to plans, Mercury retrograde travel is always best with fewer set itineraries and more flexibility.
Only put one or two things on your agenda for the day and give yourself a break if you miss some things. Travel is meant to be enjoyed rather than cause you more stress. Adopt a “whatever happens, happens” attitude to make the most of your travels.
7. Avoiding Mercury lines
If you’re familiar with your astrocartography chart, it’s a good idea to avoid Mercury retrograde travel to a destination on a Mercury astrocartography line (they’re usually bright green). This could make the effects of Mercury retrograde more intense. Alas, if you already have the trip booked and you don’t want to miss it, you’ll definitely want to adopt the above tips to make your green line vacation as relaxing as possible.
Although Mercury retrograde can bring about a headache, don’t let it stop you from living your best life! Use these tips and your life will be so much easier during this time, or any time!
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You chart can tell you a lot about the best ways for you to personally relax and give your more insight on what you might be releasing and moving towards during this time. A reading is the best way to get clear, expert guidance that you don’t have to piecemeal from the corners of the internet. I would be honored to be your guide!
