Mercury Retrograde is one of the most well–known of all astrological phenomenon, and the one that gets the most blame when things go wrong. There are a lot of fanciful ideas, but here are some basic facts about what it does and why it works in the way it does.
Mercury circles around the Sun, just like the Earth, but much faster, taking only around 88 days to make a complete orbit. From here on Earth, we see is Mercury appear as an evening star, until it slows down, stops and slowly begins to move toward the Sun. After it disappears in the light of the Sun, it eventually emerges as morning star, slows down and stops again and begins to move forward through the zodiac.
During the part of its orbit that includes Mercury Retrograde, it is moving between the Earth and the Sun. When it does, all of Mercury’s effects are amplified, upsetting infrastructure, transportation and communication – sometimes through the weather, geomagnetic forces and the Solar winds and sometimes through human action. The Sun is the source of energy for almost all our activities, and in Retrograde, Mercury is pouring even more electricity into our atmosphere. Our physical bodies are, to a large degree, dancing to the rhythms of the Solar winds and electromagnetic energy from space.
Before human beings knew how to plot these fantastic forces within the Solar System, through astrology, we learned how to plot the Retrograde cycles of Mercury, even though early man had outlandish theories as to why it happens. We also knew what to do when it does, but not everyone listened to or followed the advice that would have prevented many disasters, both global and personal.
What do we do to stave off the worst–case scenario during Mercury Retrograde? Well, there is plenty of metaphysical advice about this, but there is also specific and practical astrology advice for members of each zodiac sign – either way, focus is the key.
Remember that the entire population of the planet is going through it, and it may be hard to tell who is affected and who is not. Also, don’t forget the Retrograde can happen three or four times a year, and it’s different every time. This one begins October 31.
Mercury Retrograde for an Aries – (Aries dates: March 20 – April 19)
This Mercury Retrograde is contained within your eighth Solar house, which has to do with financial obligations and the money that comes from outside of your regular sources, Aries. Make sure that any documentation you have concerning financial transactions is secure and safe, especially if you have the responsibility of care for another person. If you happened to put off a money obligation a month ago, Mercury, traveling in Retrograde, returns to the sextiles of Pluto and Saturn on November 10th – 13th. There may still be confusion about these matters thanks to Neptune near the end of the Retrograde cycle that may complicate their resolution until after the Retrograde is over and Mercury passes over the same aspects of these two planets again.
Mercury Retrograde for a Taurus – (Taurus dates: April 20 – May 20)
Scorpio is in your 7th house of partners, official documents, negotiations and legal entanglements, Taurus. If you were expecting to resolve problems concerning these things before the end of October, don’t be disappointed if they have to be revisited more than once before the Retrograde is over. A business partner could be missing something vital regarding your shared profits. Make sure they also know that this is a time for focus, Taurus, not excuses. A competitor in business or a romantic rival may be scheming, but this Mercury Retrograde can keep their plan from working, especially on the 10th through the 13th of November when it makes its return aspects to Saturn and Pluto. Play your cards right, and this should be over by the end of November, thanks to Neptune.
Mercury Retrograde for a Gemini – (Gemini dates: May 21 – June 20)
This Scorpio Mercury Retrograde falls in your Solar 6th house of co–workers, wellness and pets, Gemini. There may be ongoing disputes among co–workers that seem impossible to resolve, but this Mercury Retrograde can do a freeze–frame, rewind and help work things out, especially around mid–November. Maybe someone can’t let go of an offense, but that too can be resolved during the Retrograde. Any signs of illness in yourself or a pet should be looked into right away, because Saturn and Pluto have a tendency to drag these sorts of things out, and Mercury will work with them on the 10th through the 13th of November. Don’t have any extensive work done on your house until after the Retrograde is over.
Mercury Retrograde for a Cancer – (Cancer dates: June 21 – July 21)
Because this Mercury Retrograde in the 5th Solar house of fun, romance and entertainment might be enjoyable, but only if you let go of unrealistic expectations of others and yourself, Cancer. You might see a film you enjoy so much that you watch it twice, but you could find yourself adjusting reservations because of unforeseen problems or take rain checks because of Mercury’s effect on others. Between the 10th and 13th of November, Mercury’s aspects to Pluto and Saturn may bring unexpected responsibilities that cause you to postpone something fun. On the same day, Mercury aspects Saturn and Neptune, which sandwiches the direct station between Neptune contacts, which means the end of the Retrograde may be confusing, but fun.
Mercury Retrograde for a Leo – (Leo dates: July 22 – August 22)
Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio falls in your 4th Solar house of home, property, and family Leo, so you might find yourself revisiting issues concerning the place where you live. And, this may be the worst time to move for you, because all sorts of things might just not be right about the place you couldn’t wait to get into. If you’re established in a house or apartment, have a checklist for things such as light bulbs, cleaning tools and the like, so you can have them on hand. Every time you walk into the kitchen, remember “if anything can go wrong, it will” and plan accordingly. Get in touch with family members to catch up, or you might end up with an unexpected visit.
Mercury Retrograde for a Virgo – (Virgo dates: August 23 – September 22)
This Mercury Retrograde is in your Solar 3rd house of communications and transportation, and your tech sector, Virgo. It can be really frustrating. Secure your equipment. Make a hardcopy of all of your passwords and logins, mark them up carefully and keep the checklist safe. Don’t rely on your mobile phone or software to keep the list, and get a backup battery. What if the phone goes missing when your computer goes nuts, or the network is down? Make sure you have tech support URL’s and ridesharing numbers. You can burn your list it in mid–December to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. Make sure your gear is up-to-date by October 20th at the latest. Why does road construction happen at night during Mercury Retrograde? Be ready.
Mercury Retrograde for a Libra – (Libra dates: September 23 – October 22)
You’ve got a Mercury Retrograde happening in your Solar 2nd house of money and liquid assets, Libra. You should start preparing by reorganizing your wallet at least a week before it begins. During the Retrograde, only carry the credit cards you absolutely need and leave the rest at home – less calls to have them canceled if the wallet is lost. Backup and secure all your banking information. Don’t lend any money during this time, and rein in your spending, since it’s a real financial pain to take things back for refunds that you may not see for a month. Be especially careful around the aspects of Pluto, Saturn and Neptune on November 10th – 13th. Do some bookkeeping every day and take the insurance option if you’re traveling. Avoid gambling in November.
Mercury Retrograde for a Scorpio – (Scorpio dates: October 23 – November 21)
You have a Mercury Retrograde in your Sign, Scorpio, which means that you must be prepared to work with it in order to promote yourself and your agenda in the most efficient way possible. Be extra strict about your grooming while its running, especially during the 10th through the 13th, when Mercury connects with Pluto, Saturn and Neptune while it’s traveling in Retrograde. Make sure that you present an image of stability and solidity. This is a time for focus – fun and games may cause you to be misunderstood. Don’t worry about the delays you face now; they will sort themselves out. Don’t get involved in conversations about things you don’t have a firm grasp of. It’s all about making good impressions now.
Mercury Retrograde for a Sagittarius – (Sagittarius dates: November 22 – December 20)
Your Solar 12th house is where you’ll find this Retrograde, and that’s the house of losses and limitations for you Sagittarius. Make sure you carry the absolute minimum of things you need while you’re out and about and carry an extra battery for your mobile phone. Attach your wallet to you so it can’t leave your person. Do the same for keys, hats and gloves, and find a place to keep them so they’re easy to locate, saving you the embarrassment of being late. If you know someone who is ill or otherwise stuck at home, or in a place that doesn’t allow easy access to social activities, make sure to connect with them so you can help lift them out of the Retrograde blues.
Mercury Retrograde for a Capricorn – (Capricorn dates: December 21 – January 19)
Since Scorpio is your 11th Solar house of friends, group activities and hopes, chances are good you’ll run into situations where meetings are delayed and group affairs are cancelled, because the Retrograde might be affecting your friends more than you. One or more of your friends may be having difficulties because of late deliveries or transportation problems; help them if you can. Especially during the period between November 10th and 13th, it’s important for you to keep in touch, because despite these being soft aspects of the Retrograde Mercury to Pluto, Saturn and Neptune, they can still be troublesome, and a little help goes a long way. Focus your wishes on good luck for them, and on ways to best make use of their support.
Mercury Retrograde for an Aquarius – (Aquarius dates: January 20 – February 17)
The Scorpio Mercury Retrograde falls in your 10th house of career, reputation and public life, Aquarius. A Retrograde in the 10th often means things like waiting for a promotion, public presentation of materials to the officers or board of a company and the like, but this all boils down to things that happen in public affect your life as a whole, as well as your ability to affect others. The aspects of Mercury to Pluto, Saturn and Neptune can act as supporters to you and your agenda, especially during the November 10 – 13 dates, when Mercury is getting assistance and comfort from these planets. This Retrograde offers you the time to gather the resources you need before you have to take charge.
Mercury Retrograde for a Pisces – (Pisces dates: February 18 – March 19)
For you, Pisces, this Mercury Retrograde is happening in your 9th house of higher knowledge and spiritual activities. During Mercury’s transit of Scorpio, you can expect to unearth information, teachings, stories or other ways of sharing information. This is a powerfully psychic Retrograde cycle. The transits of Pluto, Saturn and Neptune by the Retrograde Mercury may bring you help in doing inner work or public presentations. The nature of these planets is the key, and they can act as partners and offer assistance. Your job during the Retrograde is to make a dream notebook and record your impressions, because the dreams that come from Neptune are often guidance dreams, since honoring them can cause them to manifest.
Neptune Stationed Direct in Pisces
Mercury Retrograde in Pisces and Aquarius
Mercury Turns Direct in Cancer
Jupiter Turns Direct in Capricorn
