Suffering from a bad case of saying the wrong thing at the worst time? There’s an explanation in the stars: Its name is Mercury retrograde, and this cosmic event is coming for us four (four!) times in 2022.

The first Mercury retrograde of 2022 begins in Aquarius on Friday, January 14. Then, the planet moves into Capricorn on Tuesday, January 25. When the swift-moving Mercury cruises backward, we can expect frustrating miscommunications, technological meltdowns, and travel mishaps. While the first Mercury retrograde of the year doesn’t officially start until Friday, January 14, its shadow period began on Wednesday, December 29, 2021. During this time, we began to feel the effects of retrograde, although they are less intense than when things go full-swing.

On top of that, Venus is still retrograde during this time, as it has been since Sunday, December 19. Venus rules love, beauty, and abundance. While the romantic planet is retrograde, it can be trickier to navigate relationships. With Mercury also retrograde during much of this period, it’s not an ideal time to tackle significant relationship conversations. Because Venus also rules money, this may also be a frustrating time to collect outdated invoices or schedule important professional meetings. Thankfully, the lover planet goes direct on Saturday, January 29. Shortly after, the first Mercury retrograde also ends on Thursday, February 3. If you can, hold off on having potentially sensitive conversations surrounding money, sex, and love until both Mercury and Venus end their backward dance.

While communication will become easier on this date, the shadow period (yes, there’s one on both ends) lingers until Wednesday, February 23. It should be fine to sign important documents again during the shadow period, but make sure to triple-check the fine print. That’s not the only Mercury retrograde of the year — in fact, there are three more to mark down on your calendar for 2022 — and you’ll need to know a bit more about this cosmic event so you can make the most of it.

OK, so what exactly is Mercury retrograde?

Mercury — named after the Roman deity who served as a messenger to the gods — is the quick-moving planet that governs communication, travel, and technology. It helps us transmit messages by controlling both what we say and how we process what we hear from others. Three or four times per year, Mercury appears to go backward in the sky. While other planets also go retrograde, this particular retrograde has the potential to screw up all things related to communication and transmission. Shake-ups aside, when Mercury rests, it gives us time to take a breath.

This time period is the planetary reflection of “measure twice cut once,” and offers three chances to make sure our work and choices are perfect. The first occurs when Mercury initially crosses a degree in the sky during a period known as its pre-retrograde shadow. The second happens when Mercury is retrograde and reverses back over this degree, which is when mistakes may be reviewed and corrected. Our final chance to move forward is when Mercury makes its final crossing over the degree, during what is known as a post-retrograde shadow. Basically, the effects of Mercury retrograde start to kick in about two weeks before the planet begins to appear to move backward from the earth, and clean-up continues for up to two weeks after the retrograde ends.

During a Mercury retrograde period, it’s important to be extremely careful with our language. Triple-check every text, email, and DM, and take the time to carefully explain your intentions. Typos and Freudian slips are bound to happen. Decision-making skills may also be muddled, so avoid signing any major contracts during this period (although, if you must, be sure to thoroughly read the fine print). When it comes to technology, Mercury retrograde may be to blame for any massive electronic meltdowns, so it’s advisable to not buy any new gadgets for the next three weeks (or if you do, make sure they come with a warranty). And if you’re going to travel, build in time for delays, cancellations, and wrong turns.

Last, but certainly not least, we can always expect people from the past — including former lovers — to reemerge during Mercury retrograde. In many cases, it’s best to kindly decline unexpected coffee invites and “innocent” proposals to grab drinks.

What are the dates for Mercury retrograde in 2022?

There are four Mercury retrograde cycles in 2022. They are:

January 14 to February 3: The pre-retrograde shadow begins December 29, 2021, post-retrograde shadow ends February 23.

May 10 to June 3: The pre-retrograde shadow begins April 25, post-retrograde shadow ends June 18.

September 9 to October 2: The pre-retrograde shadow begins August 22, post-retrograde shadow ends October 16.

December 29 to January 18, 2023: The pre-retrograde shadow begins December 12, post-retrograde shadow ends February 23, 2023.

How can I survive Mercury retrograde?

Surviving Mercury retrograde is pretty simple: Remember to proofread everything, choose your words carefully, avoid signing contracts (or review them extra diligently), back up your data, and plan for travel mishaps. The truth, cosmic warrior, is that Mercury retrograde isn’t all bad; in fact, it can serve as your quarterly self-assessment. How prepared are you for inconveniences? How’s your self-care routine when things go awry? Although Mercury retrograde isn’t a great time to make huge changes, it is ideal for reflection.

A central theme surrounding the first Mercury retrograde of the year, which starts on Friday, January 14, is staying on top of correspondence, especially with close friends and family. The unique spirit of Aquarius fuels this retrograde. This humanitarian sign, which innovative Uranus rules, also has an aloof nature and can forget to text or call back. When the communication planet goes backward, we’re more likely to space out and fail to respond to an important email or leave a lover hanging. However, Mercury is happy in this sign. The logical and intellectual air sign nature of Aquarius will help us step back and stay calm during any communication mishaps. When Mercury retrograde moves into hardworking Capricorn, ruled by strict Saturn, on Tuesday, January 25, your job is to keep on top of professional communication. If you must sign a business-related contract during this time, consider having a second party like a lawyer or trusted associate double-check it as well.

This summer’s Mercury retrograde begins in Gemini, starting on Tuesday, May 10. Since Mercury is Gemini’s ruling planet, this retrograde will be more intense than others, especially for those with heavy Gemini placements in their charts. Gemini is an epic flirt, so not only does this retrograde signal a return of the exes, but we might even sext the wrong person. Don’t let the retrograde brain fog get to you. Take deep breaths, meditate, and focus on your healthy relationships in the present. When Mercury retrograde leaves Gemini and enters sensual Taurus, ruled by lovely Venus, on Sunday, May 22, you will feel more relaxed and have an easier time putting down your phone and leaning into bubble baths and guilt-free naps. When this retrograde ends on Friday, June 3, you’ll be ready to jump back into bed with your current partner or favorite sex toy without worrying about an old flame blowing up your phone.

The fourth and final Mercury retrograde of 2022 begins on Thursday, December 29, in ambitious Capricorn. While the earth sign, ruled by disciplinarian Saturn, is known for its professionalism, Capricorn has a devilish side. As the year ends and the fireworks of New Years’ approach, you may feel frustrated if Mercury retrograde gets in the way of your party plans. Try to stay flexible and give affection freely to loved ones, and your year should still end with a bang. Mercury goes direct in Capricorn on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, and we’ll be here to update you on what that means for the new year.

Communication is a massive part of our daily lives, so frustrations are to be expected when the messenger planet goes reverse. But it’s important to remember that while retrogrades can be annoying and cause some mishaps, they’re not the end of the world. Swift-moving Mercury goes retrograde three or four times per year, so you’ve been through it before plenty of times and will get through it this year, too.