Blood moons, retrogrades, and cosmic chaos—why we love blaming the universe for all our bad decisions

You know how off late, whenever something goes wrong, whether it's your ex reappearing out of the blue or you forgetting a major deadline—we immediately go like, “Ugh, Mercury’s in retrograde again?" I’ve noticed this a lot over the past year, especially since I’m surrounded by people who take astrology very seriously. And I get it. I know I've done it too. Every time I messed something up, missed a deadline, or had a minor meltdown at work, blaming Mercury felt easier and also a little comforting.

Now, whether Mercury actually messed with our lives or not is debatable, but the way we collectively blame every bad day, bad text, and bad decision on blood moons, retrogrades, and cosmic chaos got me thinking—why do we love to blame the stars for all our mistakes? And since the final retrograde just kicked in, why not explore this further? 

What’s actually happening in the sky

Now, before you go spiralling, the planet isn’t really moving backwards technically, that's just what it looks like from Earth. Mercury rules communication, tech, and travel, which is why things can start to feel off when it “retrogrades.” Missed calls, mixed signals, and countless typos are all part of the script. As astrologers like to put it, retrogrades aren’t here to wreck your life; they’re here to make you slow down and re-evaluate. So instead of panicking, think of it as a cosmic reminder to pause before you hit send, buy that flight, or even consider revisiting that situationship.

If you’ve ever blamed Mercury for your bad day, you’re not alone—we all find comfort in blaming the cosmos for everything bad that happens. Astrology gives chaos a story. When everything feels uncertain, it’s easier to believe the universe has a plan (even if it’s a slightly messy one). According to some psychologists, people often turn to astrology because it helps make sense of things they can’t control, and that totally tracks. It’s less about whether Mercury actually messed up your phone and more about feeling like there’s a reason behind the madness. Plus, astrology has become a full-blown pop culture language—memes, TikTok predictions, Co–Star notifications—so it’s not just belief, it’s community. When you and your friends all sigh, “must be the retrograde,” after a bad week, it’s bonding. It’s the kind of chaos we can laugh about, even if deep down we’re secretly refreshing our birth charts for reassurance.

Blaming the stars for our bad decisions

The universe isn’t the problem (we might be)

At the end of the day, Mercury isn’t secretly plotting against you. You probably just need to reply to that email or admit you forgot to check the group chat. Retrogrades are an easy scapegoat because they make us feel better about our own slip-ups. But once you take away the cosmic blame, what’s left are just human things—procrastination, miscommunication, a bit of wishful thinking.

The stars might highlight the mess, but they’re not the ones creating it. Maybe that’s the real takeaway. Mercury retrograde isn’t about losing control; it’s about noticing where we already have. So keep your crystals charged, light that sage, double-check your texts, but also take a little responsibility. The universe can take the blame for a few bad days, but the rest is probably on us.

Lead image: IMDb

Also read: The final Mercury Retrograde of 2025 is here—and here's your guide to surviving it like a boss

Also read: 5 tips to use Mercury retrograde to improve your relationship