Have you ever wondered what exactly Mercury Retrograde is and how it will affect you? We spoke to New York-based Astrologer Tisch Aitken to get the details you need to know about this common celestial phenomenon and clear up common misconceptions.

How did you get into astrology?

I remember being drawn to astrology at a very young age. I can remember visiting family in upstate New York and being around 7 or 8 years old. I would be at the supermarket with my parents, and my father would buy me these little astrology scrolls for the sign of Scorpio, as well as Dell Horoscope magazines.

I would devour those little scrolls on the way home and would read all about the upcoming lucky dates for love and money. I loved learning about the characteristics of all the various signs of the Zodiac. I have continued to study astrology ever since.

What should one know before visiting an astrologer?

If people want to get their charts done, they will need to provide their time and place of birth, in addition to their birth date and year.

Why do people have readings and what should they expect during one?

A lot of people seek out readings when they are experiencing big changes or are going through a difficult time in their lives. A reading is a tool to help you understand how to make the most of challenging cycles that could be going on in your chart and how to work best with them. You can plan and work with lucky cycles regarding career, relationships, and finances to create lucky opportunities during the best time frames.

A reading can also be useful for knowing when to sit back through difficult cycles. It’s important to know when not to take action and to wait things out, as that can help your chances for success or for gleaning the most out of lessons you are experiencing. Ultimately, a reading is a guide for co-creating what you are trying to achieve in your life. It is a tool for gaining insights into your personality, and working with its strengths and weaknesses.

What is Mercury Retrograde?

Mercury is the cosmic messenger. Mercury rules how we communicate, transport things, and transmit information. Mercury rules the mutable air sign of Gemini and the mutable earth sign of Virgo.

Mercury Retrograde happens when Mercury passes between Earth and the sun. As it orbits around the sun, it appears from the earth to be moving backwards. It is an optical illusion. Communication slows down, and it is a time to search within and be introspective.

Mercury Retrograde happens three to four times per year, and this is when we do things that use the word "re" in the sentence like redo, rethink, reconsider, revise, reconnect, reappear, etc. Mercury retrogrades for approximately 23 days.

When can we expect it this year and are there any signs that it affects the most?

Mercury is retrograde from March 5, 2019 until March 28, 2019. Mercury retrogrades at the last degree of Pisces, and Pisces will feel it the most. When it stations direct, it is direct at 16 degrees of Pisces and is conjunct Neptune, the planet of dreams. This is emotionally-based communication. It is a time of being conscious that you could see things more through an emotional lens and not through a practical one. It impacts everyone, and is a time of backing up computers and electronics, and being extra conscious of how written communication comes across.

Mercury Retrograde in Pisces is a time when you can lose things, but you can also find lost information and objects from the distant past. Travel is challenging, and you should allow extra time with travel details. The signs most impacted are Pisces, Gemini, Virgo, and Sagittarius.

Is there anything people should try to avoid doing or should do during Mercury Retrograde?

If you can avoid big travel plans during this Mercury Retrograde, I would advise it as Mercury traveling with Neptune is extra confusing.

Mercury in Pisces is already like having Mercury in Retrograde, so it brings more of a spacey and dreamy spin to it. Mercury Retrograde in Pisces is excellent for journaling and practicing self-care. It is a very creative and introspective time.

Neptune rules the sign of Pisces and is the higher octave of Venus. Neptune rules the dream. This Mercury Retrograde is extra important for connecting to what your dream is for 2019 and imagining the outcome of that dream. It is excellent for all forms of creativity, manifestation, meditation, imagination, chanting, singing, and dancing. Neptune connects us with the angels and spirit guides.

Mercury is retrograde from March 5 through 28, 2019 in Pisces. Mercury retrogrades from July 7 through August 2, 2019 in Leo and Cancer. Mercury retrogrades in Scorpio from October 31 through November 19, 2019. These are all three big Mercury Retrograde times for of the year of 2019.

Are there any common misconceptions about Mercury Retrograde?

One of the misconceptions about Mercury Retrograde is that it is always terrible. Sometimes it can be really frustrating, and I witness a lot of challenges with communication and getting the details of work done, etc. However, I think Mercury Retrograde can be an excellent time for getting organized and doing inner work. Mercury Retrograde in Pisces can be a very illuminating and revealing time, and it can be highly creative. So, the misconception would be not to write when I think it is an excellent time to write, create songs, and do manifesting work.

Are there any positive aspects of Mercury Retrograde?

I think Mercury Retrograde can be an excellent time for shutting down a bit and reassessing how you want to move forward.

Is there anything else we should know about Mercury Retrograde?

The main thing about Mercury Retrograde is that it happens three to four times per year for approximately three weeks at a time. Therefore, it is hard to avoid. This Retrograde, in particular, can be very tricky around communication and is not the best time for starting big ventures. If you can avoid signing big agreements during Mercury retrograde, it is best. However, sometimes you have to work during Mercury during Retrograde. In which case, double-check all your work and make the sure the moon is not void on that particular day.

To learn more, visit astrologertischaitken.com and follow @astrologertisch.

Lizzy Sherman is an award-winning digital content writer/editor. She has been a featured guest speaker at Cal State University Northridge, Digital LA and The National Association of Audience Marketing Professionals. When she's not writing, Lizzy enjoys yoga and playing guitar. Follow her on Instagram: @zillizy