'If you don't believe... Instagram does': Astrologer blames lengthy social media outages on Mercury retrograde, insisting the astrological phenomenon is responsible for a host of tech issues
- Social media users were shocked when Facebook experienced worldwide outages for its apps and services, including Instagram, on Wednesday
- Astrology fans took to Twitter to blame the tech issues on Mercury retrograde
- The astrological phenomenon occurs when the planet's orbit intersects with Earth's and it appears to be moving backward in the sky
- Although scientists firmly dispute the belief, astrologers warn that things can go a little haywire when Mercury is retrograde
- Astrologer Aliza Kelly actually started a Mercury retrograde Twitter thread, asking her followers: 'What websites are down? What technology is breaking?'
- According to Aliza, there were 'extra annoyances and frustrations' on Wednesday because the moon was in Gemini, the sign ruled by Mercury
Social media users were shaken to their core on Wednesday when Facebook and Instagram suffered lengthy outages, and while the company blamed the issues on a 'server configuration change,' astrology devotees insist it was the work of Mercury retrograde.
The astrological phenomenon occurs when the planet's orbit intersects with Earth's and it appears to be moving backward in the sky. Astrologers warn that things can go a little haywire when Mercury — the planet of communication — is retrograde.
Although scientists firmly dispute the belief, and astrology in general, many people took to Twitter to blame the social media outages on Mercury retrograde, a time associated with chaos, confusion, and miscommunication.
Planetary problems: Astrology fans are blaming Wednesday's social media outrages on Mercury retrograde, a phenomenon that occurs when the planet's orbit intersects with Earth's
Group chat: Astrologer Aliza Kelly actually started a Mercury retrograde Twitter thread, asking her followers: 'What websites are down? What technology is breaking?'
Tech problems: At the time, she tweeted that Chase Bank, Facebook, and Instagram were all down for her
Another one: A few hours later, she revealed she was also having issues with Linktree
Astrologer Aliza Kelly actually started a Mercury retrograde Twitter thread, asking her followers: 'What websites are down? What technology is breaking?'
At the time, she tweeted that Chase Bank, Facebook, Instagram, and Linktree were all down for her.
The astrologer, who writes horoscopes for Cosmopolitan, went on to explain why the tech glitches were so severe on Wednesday when Mercury is retrograde three or four times a year.
'I checked the chart to see why it’s extra Rx’ed right now, and (of course!) the moon is in Gemini — the air sign ruled by Mercury — sprinkling extra annoyances and frustrations all over the day!' she wrote.
Expert: The astrologer explained why the tech glitches were so severe on Wednesday. Mercury is retrograde three or four times a year and is associated with chaos and miscommunication
Just saying: According to Aliza, there were 'extra annoyances and frustrations' on Wednesday because the moon was in Gemini, the sign ruled by Mercury
Bad timing? Aliza said there are other planets that are wreaking havoc this month as well
Time for change: The astrologer said that 'Uranus in Taurus is shaking down the entire system'
Mercury retrograde began on March 5 and will continue through March 28; however, Aliza said there are other planets that are wreaking havoc this month as well.
'On this large scale, this isn’t just the work of Mercury; we’re already beginning to feel the impact of Uranus through Taurus,' she tweeted. 'I’ve predicted that Uranus through Taurus will direct ya back towards tradition. Right now, it’s in special dialogue (sextile) with Mercury Rx...
'This is a clear indication of a change,' she continued. 'What happens when we don’t have access to our social media? How much will the economy be rattled as a result?
'This isn’t just about posting pictures of your morning coffee; Uranus in Taurus is shaking down the entire system — it’s a big deal.'
'Thank gawd': Many of Aliza's followers were happy to hear there was an explanation
Just saying: Mercury retrograde began on March 5 and will continue through March 28, and one woman noted that her Gmail had crashed the night before the outages
Bad day: Another woman said her son's phone stopped working and his bus had a 'technical error'
Makes sense? One woman said she thought her phone was 'glitching' when she was unable to send text messages the other day
Yikes: One business owner said she has been having internet and electricity issues at her businesses all week long
'it all adds up': One woman said she found Aliza's explanation 'so weird and interesting'
Commenters were quick to point out all of the technology issues that were going on their lives at the time, from Instagram being down to their computers acting up.
'My son's phone stopped working today & his bus home was 40 minutes late due to some technical error,' one person tweeted.
'Verizon’s text messaging service was down yesterday morning! I thought it was my iPhone glitching,' another added.
One woman was happy to hear that there was an explanation for the outages, writing: 'Thank gawd. I thought I was going to have to leave work because the internet was down.'
Take that: Although scientists firmly dispute the belief, and astrology in general, many people took to Twitter to blame the social media outages on Mercury retrograde
Rolling their eyes: Some people said they weren't surprised by the glitches because they knew Mercury is retrograde
Prepared? Someone else shared a photo of her crystals to show how she is combating Mercury retrograde
Just fitting: One woman said she loved that Instagram and Facebook were down during Mercury retrograde
'Damn': Plenty of people joked that Mercury had taken down Instagram
Think about it: One person noted that Instagram believe in Mercury retrograde
Mercury retrograde problems: During the outage, one Twitter user shared this Mean Girls-inspired meme
Mood: One astrology lover couldn't resist posting a picture of Paris Hilton reading a book, titled 'Coping with Mercury Retrograde'
Mercury retrograde has become somewhat of a scapegoat for things going wrong, but plenty of astrology fans argued on Wednesday that the tech issues that were happening all over the world were a result of planetary alignment.
'If you don't believe in Mercury Retrograde... Instagram does,' a woman named Elyse tweeted, while another person added: 'Damn mercury retrograde even got to Instagram.'
Someone else shared a photo of her crystals, writing: 'All y'all trying to say Mercury in Retrograde isn't a thing... how'd you like that Facebook and Instagram today? I think I'm covered.'
And one astrology lover couldn't resist posting a picture of Paris Hilton reading a book, titled 'Coping with Mercury Retrograde.'
'Me during the Instagram takedown.' she wrote.
