In astrology, Mercury, the fastest moving of the astrological planets, is all about ideas, intelligence, the power of our mind and our communication skills.

When Mercury switches signs, we sense a difference somehow in the way we communicate and in the way we think.

When Mercury was in Virgo, it was all about critical analysis – but when Mercury shifts into Libra, on August 25th until September 23rd, 2022 (when it will then retrograde back into Virgo), a sense of idealism overtakes any sense of realism.

This is an extra-long Mercury cycle due to the retrograde period from September 9th until October 2nd, 2022.

Libra is a cardinal air sign, which means that it leads through the power of ideas. Mercury is quite at home here, and Mercury in Libra energy is rational, calm and idealistic.

Because Libra is associated with the arts and with beauty, imagination gets a boost during this Mercury transit, and it’s a good time for writers, singers and other people who craft with words.

The Libra man and woman, however, is infamously indecisive, as befits a sign symbolized by precariously balanced scales.

When Mercury transits Libra, decisions may take longer than normal, and we may backtrack several times before finally settling on an answer. There’s nothing wrong with this per se, but there is a danger that the eventual decision will be the ‘easiest’ option since Libra energy is desperate to avoid conflict.

During the Mercury in Libra transit in astrology, concern for practicalities is not really a thing. We have beautiful ideas, we have amazing insights, we have wonderful, creative suggestions to make. How these things get turned into reality, we figure, is not our problem.

We’re the ideas people, not the practical people. This can make this transit rather frustrating since in our own individual lives, it’s not enough to have ideas – we also need to know how to implement them.

The Mercury in Libra transit is also associated with a quest for justice or fairness. However, just because we may instinctively view something as unfair doesn’t mean we will necessarily be successful in countering it – that may require more organization than we can muster right now.

Mercury Transit Libra for Each of the Sun Signs

In astrology, the Libran Mercury transit will affect each Sun sign slightly differently, depending on each person's natal chart and which solar house is emphasized during the transit, and how the energies of Libra and the other sign mesh together.

Mercury in Libra for an Aries (Aries dates: March 20 – April 19)

During the Mercury in Libra transit, your idealism is focused on your love life. This can be a wonderfully romantic period, Aries, and you’ll certainly have no trouble telling your sweetheart how you feel – but do be aware that you need to live with the real person, not your idealized, rose-tinted version of them. Be realistic about why you fell in love in the first place.

Mercury in Libra for a Taurus (Taurus dates: April 20 – May 20)

Don’t be surprised if you get rather short-tempered with work colleagues during the Mercury in Libra transit, Taurus. Although this energy is typically easygoing, your idealistic views of how work relationships should be are getting in the way of reality. In practice, to smooth things over, you’re going to have to compromise, be open-minded, play nicely and look at the other side. You can do that – right?

Mercury in Libra for a Gemini (Gemini dates: May 21 – June 20)

It’s a wonderfully imaginative and creative time for your self-expression during the Mercury in Libra transit, Gemini. You’ll want to socialize and party a lot, since being around others is your very reason for being right now. You can bring a lot of joy to a lot of people with your warm and witty personality, but take care not to be insincere in your motives. There’s a tendency here to use people for social climbing.

Mercury in Libra for a Cancer (Cancer dates: June 21 – July 21)

The Mercury in Libra transit is an excellent time for exploring your family history and genealogy, Cancer. It’s also great for writing about your childhood experiences as a form of therapy, or indeed for attending counseling or talking therapies to deal with a past trauma. Make the most of this communicative vibe to get back in touch with distant family members and to build bridges if there has been a feud.

Mercury in Libra for a Leo (Leo dates: July 22 – August 21)

A bit of a conversationalist, huh, Leo? This Mercury in Libra vibe brings out your inner socialite, and you’ll want to talk to just about everyone, as often as possible. Your mind is being stretched intellectually too, making this a good period to learn a new skill or to go back to school. Be realistic in what you choose to take on, however, otherwise you will be setting yourself up for disappointment.

Mercury in Libra for a Virgo (Virgo dates: August 22 – September 21)

With this Mercury transit highlighting your money zone, Virgo, it’s a great time for rational thought about your finances. Libra energy loves luxury so watch out for over-spending. If you can keep your buying under control, this is a chance to sort out your financial priorities once and for all, tying up loose ends and finding better deals where necessary.

Mercury in Libra for a Libra (Libra dates: September 22 – October 22)

With Mercury now in your own sign, your Libran diplomatic skills come into their own. This is a fantastic time to work as a mediator or to mediate informally between colleagues, friends or family members. You have a knack for finding win-win solutions and you’ll be called upon now to help people find fair and just resolutions without the need to sugar-coat. Keep your motives high and your intentions even higher.

Mercury in Libra for a Scorpio (Scorpio dates: October 23 – November 21)

Mercury now transits the most spiritual sector of your chart, bringing with it increasingly vivid dreams and psychic insights. You may feel rather strange during this transit, Scorpio, but don’t be scared or put off. Spirit is all around you, and you can tap into something extraordinary if you spend some time in meditation and quiet contemplation.

Mercury in Libra for a Sagittarius (Sagittarius dates: November 22 – December 20)

With Mercury now activating your social zone, it’s time to party for sure, Sagittarius. New friendships are on the horizon, and you may bond with one particular person on a very intellectual level too. Expect to feel interested in justice for your local community or neighborhood, particularly if it has been neglected. It’s a good time to get involved in local politics.

Mercury in Libra for a Capricorn (Capricorn dates: December 21 – January 18)

Mercury transits your career zone now, helping you to make strong, intelligent decisions about your future direction. It helps that Mercury is in an air sign, so no unnecessary emotions cloud your judgment – but do try to bring your heart and soul into the decision-making process somehow. Otherwise, it will all be a little too clinical.

Mercury in Libra for an Aquarius (Aquarius dates: January 19 – February 17)

Feeling restless, Aquarius? You need an intellectual challenge during this Mercury transit. Learning a foreign language would be ideal. Higher education of any kind is favored now, and so is travel – but if you’re stuck where you are, remember that education is all around you. Make use of local facilities, contacts or opportunities to broaden your mind.

Mercury in Libra for a Pisces (Pisces dates: February 18 – March 19)

This Mercury transit brings some much-needed rational balance to counter your emotional instincts, Pisces, which have been slightly running amok. It’s time now not to let your head rule your heart, exactly, but to as least give your head a look in. Blend your strong intuition with some good, solid facts, for an unbeatable approach to a problem.