Mercury retrograde is a phenomenon that occurs several times a year when the planet Mercury appears to move backward in its orbit. It’s often associated with communication breakdowns, technology glitches, and travel mishaps—hence it’s ‘infamous’ reputation. However, when Mercury is retrograde in the birth chart, it can express itself in unique and sometimes surprising ways, especially if it is placed in the 2nd house of speech, or 3rd house of communication and in Gemini sign.

Speech and Communication Challenges With Retrograde Mercury In the Birth Chart

People with natal Mercury retrograde tend to process thoughts differently—more internally, reflectively, and sometimes even in a nonlinear way, which can lead to slower speaking pace. They might pause longer before responding, rethink their words mid-sentence, or even backtrack to clarify something they’ve already said. Overanalysing conversations is common, leading to second-guessing or even social anxiety about whether they said the “right” thing.

Mercury retrograde natives often have a unique way of speaking, writing, or phrasing their thoughts. They might use metaphors, analogies, or abstract ways to get their point across instead of direct, straightforward speech. Some natives with Mercury retrograde struggle with traditional communication structures (e.g., standard grammar, linear storytelling) and express themselves best through creativity, humour, or symbolic language.

Verbal communication might feel pressured, rushed, or even awkward, while writing allows time to reflect and refine their thoughts. Journaling, blogging, or even texting might feel much easier to them than face-to-face conversations. However, even in writing, they might revise their words multiple times before hitting “send.”

Mercury retrograde often gives a non-traditional learning style—these natives might struggle with ‘memorisation’ of facts, numbers, data, but excel at making deep connections between concepts and pattern analysis. They may take longer to absorb information, but once they do, they retain it in a unique way. 

Mercury retrograde tends to make people return to topics, whether it’s through bringing up past conversations, reminiscing, or feeling the need to clarify old misunderstandings. They might hold onto words that were said (or left unsaid) and replay conversations in their minds, searching for deeper meaning.

Because verbal expression can be difficult for them, Mercury retrograde natives often develop keen observational skills – strong sense of intuition about what others mean rather than what they say (they may read between the lines or sense unspoken thoughts, making them excellent at picking up energy shifts or ‘subtle clues’ in conversations). This can make them great listeners, even if they don’t always feel confident expressing themselves in return.

Mercury Retrograde In 2nd House & Gemini Sign In The Birth Chart – Unblocking and Healing ‘Broken’ and ‘Quiet’ Voice

Retrograde Mercury, especially if placed in the 2nd house or in the sign of Gemini, may express as physical challenges with speech, speaking, and voice—such as frequent colds (sore throat), a very quiet or ‘broken’ voice, speech challenges, or a lack of energy to speak for extended periods. In this case, practices such as speech therapy, vocal yoga, singing exercises, jaw exercises, pronunciation drills, and conscious exposure to live speaking opportunities more frequently can be highly beneficial.

Additionally, consciously expressing your feelings through your voice—such as safely yelling to release suppressed anger in a private space—can be helpful, as well as humming, mantra chanting, facial and neck massages and stretching exercises, throat chakra healing practices, and nourishing your throat and vocal cords with warm, soothing herbal teas (such as liquorice).

My Personal Voice Healing Journey With Mercury Retrograde In the 2nd House

As a child, I was painfully shy and quiet. I didn’t speak much, preferring to observe and listen rather than actively participate in conversations. However, I always loved writing (when I was ten, I won an award for a story I wrote – looking back today, I think it was a ‘hint’ from the Universe that I will be earning money later in life thanks to writing, lol). But, when it came to verbal communication, it felt like an uphill battle for most of my life.

When I decided to enrol in Journalism college, people who knew me were shocked, telling my parents: “SHE – journalism?! SHE doesn’t speak!”. Very soon I realised how much journalism demanded verbal expression—most assignments involved discussions, presentations, and later on, interviewing people. I knew that I had to start speaking more and work on improving my verbal communication skills. So, I threw myself into the fire –  forced myself into every speaking assignment, even as my voice cracked and faltered. I knew that discomfort was the price of transformation. I had always been comfortable on stage, but speaking—truly speaking—felt like trying to move through thick, unrelenting fog.

As I always preferred written mode of communication, I feel in love in articles and new online media format and started writing blog and articles during college. To my surprise, my thoughts and words – once locked in silence, started resonating with thousands, and then millions. My blog went viral and my articles gained so much popularity that I began earning money as a freelance writer before I had even graduated. My deep passion for personal development, psychology, human behaviour dynamics, and spirituality led me to co-found a web-magazine for women in my native language and become a life coach.

Two years into coaching, I found myself standing in front of an audience, leading workshops, giving speeches. My message was powerful—people felt it—but my voice… it struggled. I spoke slowly, hesitantly, and after just half an hour, pain would creep into my throat, sharp and unrelenting, as if my body itself was rejecting the act of speaking. My voice was quiet by nature, fragile, and prone to ‘fading’. The reoccurring respiratory infections, the sourness of my throat—they made speaking feel like a battle I was doomed to lose. Even though my message resonated deeply with people and my workshops were powerful, I spoke very slowly, both in my native language and especially in English (with heavy Eastern-Europien accent added to the mix). Despite that, I continued to intentionally work on improving my speech and health of my throat. I trained my voice the way others train their bodies— English pronunciation exercises, jaw relaxation techniques, vocal yoga, herbal teas, Ayurvedic supplements, acupuncture…

Today, I’m frequently speaking on Zoom – for hours—fluidly, freely, without taking notes prior, without hesitation- in my native language and in English. As a Manifestor in Human Design, I was always meant to speak with impact—but first, I had to decondition everything that had silenced me.  Looking back, my journey from being a shy, quiet girl to a journalism graduate, motivational speaker, and coach feels almost surreal. Today, my clients, members of my audience and online events find it hard to believe that I was once painfully shy, quiet, and that I’m an introvert! 

Mercury retrograde in the 2nd house gave me the gift of depth. Of reflection. Of written words so profound, deep, and observational that people call my books ‘Bibles’ and ‘working material, and my astrology readings – revelational.

Instead of seeing Mercury retrograde as a ‘curse’ of your birth chart, we can think of it as a gift of unique and different way of thinking and expressing ourselves—one that allows us to go deeper, analyse better, and offer more profound and unique insights.

If you would love to work on unlocking your authentic voice and message – my Vedic Astrology and Human Design reading is for you.