What is this about Mercury Retrograde?

WHAT IT IS:

Astrology deals with how things look from here on Earth. And there are times when any of the planets appear to be moving backwards through the signs . just for a while. They aren't of course .. it is just an optical illusion due to where that planet is in its orbit versus where Earth is in her orbit.

This website has some nice diagrams and an animated video to show retrograde motion:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent_retrograde_...

HOW ASTROLOGERS INTERPRET IT:

When a planet is retrograde, the need/expression indicated by that particular planet is somewhat inhibited.

For instance, someone who was born while Mercury was moving retrograde needs to take time to process information (especially what someone else has just said) before they can respond. While they often miss out on speaking up at the time, the understanding the gain will be deeper and more profound because they DO take the time to absorb the experience.

HOW ASTROLOGERS PREDICT WITH MERCURY RETROGRADE

It happens during the year ... 3 times in 2015, 4 times in 2016.

It is said to be a time when you need to be extra careful about making decisions or signing contracts ... because communication can sometimes be misunderstood or be unclear.

However, UNLESS this Mercury retrograde happens in a transit aspect to one of YOUR planets, it is not likely to have much impact on your ability to correctly understand what is happening.

Awesome thankyou for the abnormally-although-well-informed-though-appreciated answer, so rarely do you see these on here.