Many of us have heard of the phenomenon that is Mercury retrograde. While the astrological event has not been scientifically proven to affect us, many astrologers do believe in its power and impact. I certainly have noticed some patterns playing out during those periods as well. But hey, I’m a bit of a skeptic and like to understand the psychology behind such celestial events. Have you ever looked into the psychology of a Mercury retrograde—including why so many of us notice sudden energetic shifts? Let’s dive in. Videos by VICE Is Mercury Retrograde an Example of Confirmation Bias? Though Mercury appears to move backward in the sky, it isn’t actually doing so. According to Boris Herzberg, a couples and relationship therapist, in his Psychology Today article on the topic, “The retrograde motion is an optical illusion caused by the relative orbits of Earth and Mercury. Psychologically, this is a powerful reminder of how perception dictates reality.…