Scientific calculations show that the gravitational effect of Mercury is negligible, the backward moving effect of Mercury during the retrograde phase is simply an illusion, a trick of perspective.

Modern science, therefore, concludes that the hoopla of Mercury retrograde is just confirmation bias, and the problems, snags and delays continue throughout the year, not just when the planet shifts to back gear.

Astronomy is at loggerheads with astrology when it comes to Mercury Retrograde, in which Mercury, the planet associated with communication, appears to move backwards and seemingly causes chaos, tension, missed flights, crashed computers and lost phones!