Mercury Retrograde Wisdom:

What Your Sign Needs to Know

By Rose Claire

Mercury is brushing up on its backward dance moves, readying for another retrograde period. From July 17 through August 11, trickster Mercury retrogrades in the sign of the lion, teasing proud Leo as well as the rest of the zodiac with its astrological mischief and unexpected gems.

The Broad Reach of Mercury Retrograde

Mercury retrograde calls to mind the advice of our mother: “Think before you speak (or write).” Jumbled messages from malapropisms, convoluted wording and missing information arise more frequently, ruffling feathers and causing confusion. Slow down. Take extra time with your words. They have power, and you want to be intentional with those words so the energy lands where it’s supposed to.

As the summer heats up, Mercury retrograde may layer your vacation with detours and delays. Plan for these. Give yourself extra time for everything and practice this affirmation: “I am patient and flexible.” Worst-case scenario: You spend a little extra time in an airport or a destination enjoying a bite to eat, reading a book or having a drink.

"Mercury retrograde asks you to step back..."

Electronics often misfire during Mercury retrogrades. Laptops, cell phones, tablets, watches, appliances and cars, to name a few, short out or respond like they’re possessed. It’s frustrating, and may spawn momentary freak-outs. So, pause and breathe before you go off on the Apple Genius trying to figure out why your iPhone keeps shutting off. Remember: This, too, shall pass.

Your Sign and This Mercury Retrograde

Each Mercury retrograde carries a unique energetic signature depending on the sign it's moving through. While all zodiac signs feel the broader effects of Mercury retrograde, the specific sign it occurs in adds additional influence.

As Mercury is the ruling planet of Gemini and Virgo, these signs are likely to sense its energetic shifts more intensely, making it important to understand not only the general effects of each Mercury retrograde, but also the specific qualities it carries based on the sign it moves through. Because Mercury also governs thought, perception, and the nervous system, Geminis and Virgos may feel more anxious during these periods.

Here are the areas of life where each sun sign may experience some of Mercury retrograde’s energy over the next few weeks in addition to the broader effects.

Aries:  creativity, children, passion

Taurus: home, family, foundation

Gemini: communication, siblings

Leo: self, identity, presence in the world

Virgo: shadow side, spirituality, subconscious

Libra: community presence, friends

Scorpio: career, public persona

Sagittarius: education, philosophy, travel

Capricorn: other people’s money, sex, transformation

Aquarius: intimate relationships, partnerships

Pisces: health, service, work

Mercury Retrograde Isn’t Good or Bad: It just is

Mercury retrograde isn’t inherently good or bad. It’s an energy shift that occurs three- to-four times year, which is more frequently than other planets retrograde—and is one reason it’s given a bad rap. But in truth, Mercury retrograde opens you to many gifts.

As Mercury appears to spin backward, it asks you to step back—to slow down, reset and care for yourself. This is a time to turn the light inward. Peace, healing and recalibration are within your grasp, setting you up to forge ahead with enough energy and reserves to create what you want as soon as Mercury goes direct. Give yourself that space. Allow yourself to sink into to self-care and self-love that you're being offered.

All in all: Yes, plan for Mercury retrograde’s challenges where you can. Practice patience and flexibility, and take time to quietly and purposefully just be. That's what Mercury retrograde is really about.

If this resonates with you, and you'd like personal guidance, please reach out to Rose Claire for an astrology or astrocartography reading (astrology of location—great for trips, moves, business, romance). Let Rose Claire help you uncover your purpose in life, what the stars say about you or where the best place for you to live is. Click here to book.