Another reason why the 23-day period might seem more befuddling than usual? Mercury connects with Neptune during this retrograde, bringing in its "foggy, cloudy, blind-spotted rose coloured glasses into the experience," Dr. Lennox says. "The fact that Neptune is part of this retrograde means that wherever you are, this retrograde is going to meet you," he says. Now, that doesn't mean you have to retreat until the deeply spiritual period is over, it just means you have to be prepared and cautious until March 28, when it ends.