I’m Begging: Please No Big Decisions During This Mercury Retrograde

Hiiiiii, Mercury retrograde is back! Coinciding with what is already the most chaotic time of year for travel (and the general state of chaos of, you know, everything), the planet of communication, transportation, and technology is preparing to make things a lot more complicated. But don’t panic (yet!); below, your guide to all things Mercury retrograde so you know exactly what to expect (and how to prepare) for the next three (3!) weeks.

Is Mercury retrograde happening right now?

If you’re reading this between November 9 and November 29, 2025, the answer, unfortunately, is “yes.” My condolences!

What exactly is Mercury retrograde again?

Let’s start with a quick refresher on the planet in question. As the closest planet to the Sun, one year on Mercury is only 88 days long, which means this speed demon cycles through the entire zodiac quickly and efficiently. In astrology, the swift-moving planet governs communication, travel, technology, and cognition and has a heavy hand in virtually everything we interact with on a daily basis.

A few times each year (three to four, to be precise), something expectedly unexpected happens: Mercury stops, pivots, and appears to move backward in the sky — a three-week moonwalk we refer to as Mercury retrograde. During this time, all those aforementioned systems Mercury oversees go totally haywire. Plans unravel, devices glitch, miscommunications cascade, and (perhaps most disturbing) our confidence in our own judgment falters. And let’s be honest: We need that! Not to be dramatic, but critical thinking is really the only thing we have left in this dystopian hellscape. You know what I mean!

What should I know about this particular Mercury retrograde?

So glad you asked! This retrograde begins in Sagittarius, a fire sign known for its sweeping declarations, spontaneous decisions, and penchant for believing that conviction equals truth. While Mercury is all about the details, Sagittarius prefers the big picture, so it makes sense that Mercury is said to be a bit compromised in this sign (it’s considered to be in its “detriment”). So Mercury moving backward through this already tedious terrain may bring overconfidence, misinformation, or opinions delivered without enough evidence to back them up. Sounds about right!

Then, on November 18, Mercury slips into Scorpio’s deep and mysterious waters, dragging us beneath the surface. When Mercury retrogrades in Scorpio, we all get a little more suspicious. We analyze tone, timing, and punctuation as if we’re auditioning to host a true-crime podcast. Power dynamics intensify, subtext becomes gospel, and one vague comment can send us into Nancy Drew mode. Are we being paranoid? Absolutely! Remember, friends: Feelings aren’t facts.

But what makes this Mercury retrograde really unique is that — just two days before, on Friday, November 7 — Uranus will be retrograding back into the sign of Taurus. Uranus, the planet of innovation, revolution, and shock and awe, first entered Taurus in 2018. It’s been a long strange trip with Uranus in Taurus, as this earth sign is associated with stability and structure — but Uranus has forced us to realize that everything we thought was safe is actually volatile in ways we never imagined. So for the past seven years, Uranus in Taurus has disrupted all of the most fundamental systems: the economy, agriculture, supply chains, currency and banking. So as Uranus shifts into Taurus for one final jaunt (this chapter will end in April 2026) and prepares to form an opposition to Mercury in Scorpio, expect overdue revelations about what truly matters — and what doesn’t. This is more than sending an embarrassing text to the wrong person; it’s a deeper confrontation with truth, especially the truths we avoid because acknowledging them would mean changing our habits, values, or priorities.

So, um, should I prepare for this Mercury retrograde?

While the first half of this retrograde (while Mercury is in Sagittarius) can push us into presumptive leaps, the second half of the journey (with Mercury in Scorpio) will seduce us into reading between lines that … well, don’t exist. When in doubt, pause. Avoid jumping to conclusions. If possible, save major decisions for December. And if you can’t, remember to slow down. A little humility and a few deep breaths will go a very long way.

But try not to worry too much, friends! Contrary to the doom and gloom portrayed on the internet, Mercury retrograde isn’t all bad. In fact, this reversal is an optimal recalibration period that invites deeper reflection — a reminder that rushing, assuming, and multitasking are not spiritual virtues. If anything, this retrograde insists we stop confusing urgency with importance — and reclaim the power of thinking before reacting.

Who’s going to feel this Mercury retrograde the most?

Everyone will be impacted by Mercury retrograde, but since Mercury is going backward in Sagittarius and Scorpio, these two signs are likely to feel the chaotic energy the most. And, of course, Gemini and Virgo should be on high alert too — both of these signs are ruled by Mercury, so whenever this planet goes backward, they feel the heat.

But everyone gets a story line! Below, your Mercury-retrograde preview:

Aries: Your beliefs are evolving; avoid declaring absolutes. Travel delays will be likely, so leave early, hydrate, and stay flexible.

Taurus: Financial clarity arrives through discomfort and renegotiation. Drop the urge to control the outcome, and trust the process.

Gemini: Relationship dynamics shift, and communication demands nuance. Ask questions and be willing to change your mind.

Cancer: Routines are restructuring. Prioritize rest, and don’t treat productivity like a personality trait.

Leo: Creative momentum flickers, then returns renewed. Don’t chase attention — pursue authenticity.

Virgo: Emotional history is up for review. Reflection matters more than decisions right now.

Libra: Group dynamics fluctuate; friendships and alliances recalibrate. Diplomacy is helpful, and avoidance isn’t.

Scorpio: Money, identity, and self-worth stories evolve. Release outdated definitions of success.

Sagittarius: You are rewriting your personal narrative. What may first feel like regression is actually refinement.

Capricorn: Your subconscious is clearing out old debris. Solitude supports growth; isolation does not.

Aquarius: Collaborations shape-shift shape. Let your ideas of community evolve without gripping too tightly.

Pisces: Career clarity emerges slowly. Pace yourself, and don’t confuse delay with failure.

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