Mercury Retrograde Strikes Again
And how it can actually benefit you (!) + affect you personally
It’s officially Mercury retrograde season: starting Monday, November 25th, its movement will slow down until December 15th!
Well, we’ve been feeling its effects before that, as the retrograde phase can be felt in the pre (and post)-shadow period (days before and after it’s back to full motion), so you probably already had an intro.
No reason to panic, as I’m gonna make you see this phase with entirely new eyes, and how this can personally manifest for you.
Mercury retrograde is most likely the planet in rx mode you’re most familiar with, and you probably have goosebumps thinking about possible travel delays and misunderstandings in your next Zoom meeting.
Annoying, right?
Not really.
With Black Friday next door, yes, you should be cautious about purchasing the new iPhone now or even expect delays in receiving your next serum, but the purpose of this post is to discuss the other side of Mercury's retrograde—the one no one is talking about.
If you read this newsletter right now, you’re likely befriended with astrology and our relationship with the cosmos, so you probably believe that everything going on above in the heavens has a deeper meaning that is not visible in our eyes.
So, first of all, babes, Mercury retrograde is happening for a reason, there is a higher purpose. It’s not happening to you but for you.
Secondly, let’s first learn a thing or two about Mercury.
Mercury is the first planet from the Sun and one of the closest to the Earth, so we feel its effects and energy more deeply. It is also the most minor planet in the Solar System.
In English, it is named after the ancient Roman god Mercurius, the god of commerce and communication.
Role: Messenger of the gods, guide of souls to the underworld, and protector of gymnasiums and stadiums
Attributes: Often depicted with winged sandals, a traveller's hat, and a caduceus, a winged staff with two snakes wrapped around it
Domains: Wealth, good fortune, commerce, fertility, thievery, manual arts, eloquence, boundaries, luck, and trickery
Family: Son of Zeus and Maia, the goddess of growth
Origin: Born in a cave in Arcadia, a region in southern Greece
Name: It comes from the Latin Mercurii dies, which means "Mercury's day"
Words related to Mercury: "mercurial" and "mercantile" are connected to Mercury's association with business and speed
There is also another story where Mercury is involved that I like very much.
The name Hades in Greek closely translates into our word “unseen.” It appeared to have been a lively, social place where the shades retired between incarnations. There was always a mission to go into Hades to get information that was unavailable elsewhere. And the guide into Hades was always Hermes, our astrological Mercury. Only he was allowed free transit between the shady underworld and the bright, upper air.
As you can see, Mercury's meaning goes beyond issues with travel logistics!
And that’s the journey I want to bring to light: how Mercury retrograde can go in your favour.
Using personal examples, I find Mercury rx season to be when I re-visit information, which can manifest in different ways.
Last week, a PDF report I purchased five months ago landed in my inbox. It asked me to save it because it would expire within a month. Instead of just ensuring I saved it, I reread the whole 40-something pages, and it brought terrific insights about my personality and ways of being a woman. So, it was a kind reminder and an empowering way for the universe to send me a message (Mercury) to process some personal traits better.
These past few days, I have had the urge to reread passages from my favourite books, and each one gave the impression that I was conversing with my higher self. Even if I had already read those pages, the information crossed my path with additional meaning because I now have additional living experiences that provide me with extra layers of meaning, which might also lead to different ways of reacting and acting on it.
I love to save Instagram quotes, too, because, as I like a lot of spiritual content, the algorithm understands I enjoy them and suggests things more aligned with what my soul craves at the moment. I’ve also had the urge to revisit those saved posts, which reminds me of essential messages, sometimes forgotten as we get busy with life.
And that’s where Mercury retrograde plays a significant role: retrograde is a step back, so we’re looking into the past, to serve us as a compass for the future.
The fact that Mercury also rules my natal 12th house (spirituality, mental health) and my natal 3rd house (travel, communication, siblings, neighbourhood) - as Mercury naturally rules the signs of Gemini and Virgo (and you can do the same exercise checking which houses the planet rules in your chart), it’s not by chance I’m tending to read my favourite astrology books (12th house theme) again in the past days, and I’ve also been exploring again areas of where I live (3rd house theme) that it’s been a while I didn’t visit, taking walks during the day to enjoy the sunshine in my own company (12th house), and connecting more to myself in those rituals (12th house, too!).
I also decided to have an Instagram detox (3rd house/12th house), and I’ve been less communicative with others in general as I focus attention on myself (12th house again!). I’ve also been rethinking the ways I communicate (Mercurian theme) with my sister (3rd house sphere), taking a step back (retrograde) during this process. I’m also in the process of understanding who I want more and less contact with.
On a more curious note, as an example of how the houses in more evidence to you can manifest in the type of content you get attracted to, this past weekend, I re-watched The Vatican Girl: The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi, after 2 years, one of my favourite Netflix series ever, detailing the investigation of the disappearance (12th realm) of this young girl who went missing in 80s Rome (9th house stuff) and how the Vatican (9th house, too!) is involved in mysterious (12th house theme again!) ways. Rereading those astrology books, I also reread about my transit Neptune, current in my 9th house, discussing how my spiritual beliefs are changing as I stand back from institutions and religions to experience direct spiritual understanding.
As you can see, nothing in the universe goes unnoticed, so Mercury retrograde is a prosperous period to go deep in observing synchronicities, so it can remind you of where you’re standing in the universal path and why.
Bringing this to another level, being Mercury retrograde transiting in Sagittarius for all, and in the 6th house for me personally (more on that later), this gives additional meaning to the season: as the 6th house rules our daily routines, observe that I’m feeling more adventurous, waiting to be out and about (a very Sagittarius theme), more on my own (12th house), and adding new rituals to my day to day schedule (6th house theme). At work, I’ve been increasingly busy communicating (6th and 3rd house) with peers and even writing this newsletter is all about Mercury in play.
I also observed that in the past few days, I’ve been extra selective (retrograde) with whom I interact. During the weekend, I visited at least five neighbourhoods in only one day (abundant Sag energy!), and I’m using my time to plan my following activities with my inner circle and future travel itineraries, which is very much a recurrent theme when Mercury is in adventurous Sagittarius.
Therefore, when we expand Mercury’s retrograde meaning beyond popular belief, we also start to have a compassionate look into delays and misunderstandings.
In summary, it’s the season of the re-, when we have to look back and even get impatient to learn to match universal timing.
If we’ve been too busy, it’s basically the universe's way of saying: “If you cannot slow down with free will, I will have to step in and annoy you so that you can learn to slow down by all means!” It’s non-negotiable.
Instead of getting annoyed, we should understand the meaning of slow motion: what is Mercury trying to make us understand? What’s the message behind certain events?
To help you get there, here is a list of important reflections and themes you should prioritise and embrace during Mercury Rx season:
Do you want to buy something? Pause and reflect on what you want to purchase next. It’s not by chance this transit is taking place during Black Friday and next to Boxing Day, as it’s a call to reflect on impulsive decisions and the meaning behind them
Do you have a favourite book? Reread it if only for some pages, and observe the meaning of its words and how they resonate with your current moment
Watch again an old favourite movie, and be present when doing it. What’s that movie's theme, and how does it relate to something you are experiencing?
Did you save a post on Instagram or another social media, even bookmarked a quote, or highlight some sentences in your Kindle in the past? Revisit those words and reflect again on their meaning
Get in touch with an old friend or an acquaintance from the past; people from the past might pop up in our minds during this period, too, and this is intended, don’t hesitate to be in touch
Listen to the songs you always loved but have not been listening to for a while, and embrace how they make you feel
Rethink your relationship with social media, too: How much time are you spending on it? Where else can you distribute your energy and communicate with people?
Rethink if you need to change something in the way you communicate with others and your inner circle
Rethink how it’s your interaction with friends; are you always the giver or the receiver? Remember, to fill our emotional cups, there needs to be a balance
And, yes, expect delays in people getting back to you, misunderstandings and many Slack back-and-forths, error pages when booking something (which literally happened whilst I was writing and trying to book a table at a pizzeria for Friday!), delays in parcels being delivered, interruptions in public transport, folks taking ages to choose a simple coffee when you’re on a rush, and the list can go long! But always remember: take it as a chance to step back from autopilot and be more present in the moment, fostering your inner snail.
On top of the themes I explored above, to get this more personal, I’m adding how Mercury retrograde affects each rising sign right now. Read also your next rising sign, as it will probably be a mix of both, as its motion can affect two houses if we use the Placidus system (which I do!).
ARIES RISING
You might want to revisit books you used to love and even re-read your favourite novel. You’ll feel like checking that folder with pictures of previous travels and even re-starting a course you started in the past and didn’t finish.
You might suffer some delays if you’re planning to travel, and the Sagittarius energy might inspire you to revisit that old go-to list to decide on the travel plans for the year about to begin.
TAURUS RISING
Finances might be all over the place, manifesting as listening to podcasts about better financial planning or paying debts.
You might be talking more about your vulnerabilities with a friend, partner, family, or even your therapist or coach.
If something wasn’t addressed in a relationship, you might need to review how to confront those issues. A misunderstanding can happen with someone, ultimately leading to more intimacy.
GEMINI RISING
You might need to bring up past topics and address them more audaciously if you're coupled. There could be miscommunication between you and your partner or a business partner. Past flings can be back, and you could feel slightly irritated with your other half.
Additionally, changes in plans built together might be on the horizon, which requires flexibility and a different approach to problem-handling. Ultimately, you will see that a more light-hearted energy is needed to keep things long-term.
CANCER RISING
You could feel overwhelmed by your work responsibilities and want to review how you structure your day. You might experience some disruptions at work, or some projects and deadlines might be changed, which will annoy you, but as this phase clears, you realise it was all for the best.
You might see your doctor for a follow-up consultation and want to change how you communicate with others at work to bring more joy to your daily life.
LEO RISING
You might want to return to creative mode or take up another hobby. You might feel certain nostalgia, and this could create space to communicate with your neglected inner child and find ways to reconnect with her/him/them.
You might feel frustrated sometimes and lacking vitality, so you might reach out to kids to lift your spirit and embrace the Sagittarius energy by being more adventurous and light-hearted.
VIRGO RISING
You might be in touch with your family or those you consider family. You might connect with people or things that feel like home to you. Some misunderstandings can happen at home, and you might have little disagreements with people you share your house with.
If you’re looking for a new home, you might receive a contact saying that the place you loved is finally available (or not!). Family affairs are back, and you’re learning to have more fun with those you’re closest to.
LIBRA RISING
You might have a creative urge or an intense need to communicate. You may review communication-based work and consider how you want to express your ideas more firmly.
There might be interruptions in your commute at some point, misunderstandings, and even changes in plans. Navigate this with an easygoing attitude, embracing the Sagittarius energy in this retrograde period.
SCORPIO RISING
You might want to review your spending habits or learn to have more fun with your money. You might also need to discuss a salary review or schedule a meeting with your bank manager to discuss borrowing options.
If you were promised a raise, this might be delayed or not paid on time if you work for yourself. You’ll want to re-read about financial management, or someone might reach out with good (or not-so-good) news about money.
SAGITTARIUS RISING
You’re reassessing your plans or experiencing delays in initiating projects. Is there something about your identity you would like to change? As we step closer to a new year, the universe calls for you to assess your goals again.
You might be called to rest, get some sleep, and connect with important things. As Mercury is in Sagittarius, consider reading things that once brought you joy or even spending time alone to uncover hidden emotions and have important insights into your inner world. In other words, it’s time to slow down. The Sag energy needs a break to be back in full swing.
CAPRICORN RISING
You might be invited to explore your hidden emotions. Don’t get surprised if something from the past triggers you unexpectedly. Pay attention to your dreams and recurring patterns, as messages can come from this realm.
You’ll also likely feel like spending more time alone and avoiding exposure. If you like social media, you might take a break for a few days and catch up on life in different ways. You might want to go back for walks in nature or even read books about self-knowledge. You might need to address something pending and face any fear in communicating a particular subject.
AQUARIUS RISING
You might connect with older friends, and someone you used to bond with might get in touch. You could also feel the urge to contact someone you haven’t been in touch with frequently and use that Sagittarius energy to plan something fun for the days ahead.
Some old acquaintance might pop up in your head during this day, and you could encounter synchronicities. You may also want to review your groups and ideals, reconnect with your wishes, and start that intention list for 2025.
PISCES RISING
Communication at work will keep you extra busy. You might disagree with your direct reports or manager, and something you thought was solved might need some attention again.
When using an internal channel, you may experience a lot of back-and-forth, or you may review your image to others and even your ambitions.
Expect to review work details and double-check any email before sending, mainly if they are for VIPs. On the other hand, allow the Sagittarius energy to show others you’re an expert.