What does Mercury retrograde actually mean?

Astronomically, Mercury retrograde is an apparent backwards motion caused by Earth and Mercury orbiting the Sun at different speeds. Mercury doesn't actually reverse.

Astrologers use retrogrades as a symbolic invitation to slow the domains Mercury governs: communication, contracts, schedules, travel and technology. Treat them as review periods rather than emergencies.

Not everything will break, and blaming Mercury for a bad week is a stretch. But if a signed contract or a big launch can wait until Mercury goes direct, many astrologers say — why not?