In Greek mythology Mercury is Hermes, the winged messenger of the gods. Mercury is symbolically associated with communication, as shown through its rulership of Gemini. Mercury also rules the practical and analytical sign of Virgo, revealing that function of the mind is to analyze, define, translate and communicate
The best way to navigate a Mercury retrograde period is to develop your degree mindfulness. A tall order at times, this simply means becoming aware of your thoughts, and choosing to focus on the ones that serve you rather than pull you down.
From an astrological point of view, Mercury governs how we process and interpret information. It is closely associated with the functions of the central nervous system and all forms of communication. When retrograde, the Mercury effect is more noticeable. Retrograde periods are a chance to hone in on our degree of inner calm and ability to communicate clearly
