Each Mercury Retrograde Meaning Explained

Ah, Mercury Retrograde—the phrase that sends shivers down spines, sparks memes, and makes even the most skeptical raise an eyebrow. But before you start blaming your misfortunes on this celestial event, let's take a step back. 

Contrary to popular belief, Mercury Retrograde is not the end of the world. In fact, it can be an exciting period of reflection and growth if you know how to navigate it. As a Therapeutic Astrologer, I want to help you feel confident about knowing what to expect in every cosmic transit, and what to actually do to help yourself get through it, turning potential chaos into cosmic clarity!

So to start, let’s answer the most popular astrological question…

When is Mercury Retrograde?

We usually experience 3-4 periods of Mercury Retrograde a year! Mark your calendars; here is a list of Mercury retrogrades through the rest of the decade, according to Tropical (Western) astrology, along with the signs they will occur in.

2025 Mercury Retrogrades

March 14 - April 7: Aries to Pisces
July 17 - August 11: Leo to Cancer
November 9 - November 29: Scorpio to Libra

2026 Mercury Retrogrades

February 23 - March 15: Pisces to Aquarius
June 28 - July 22: Cancer
October 21 - November 10: Scorpio to Libra

2027 Mercury Retrogrades

February 9 - March 3: Aquarius to Capricorn
June 13 - July 7: Cancer to Gemini
October 5 - October 25: Libra to Virgo

2028 Mercury Retrogrades

January 24 - February 14: Aquarius
May 21 - June 14: Gemini
September 16 - October 6: Libra to Virgo

2029 Mercury Retrogrades

January 8 - January 27: Capricorn
May 1 - May 25: Taurus
September 3 - September 24: Virgo to Leo
December 21 - December 31: Capricorn

2030 Mercury Retrogrades

April 22 - May 16: Taurus
August 17 - September 10: Virgo to Leo
December 12 - December 31: Sagittarius

So, what happens in Mercury Retrograde?

Mercury retrograde is one of the most widely talked about astrological events, often misunderstood as a time of chaos and disruption. In reality, Mercury retrograde is not something to fear; rather, it is an opportunity for reflection and realignment. During this period, the planet Mercury appears to move backward in the sky from our perspective on Earth. This is a time to slow down and reassess our communication, technology, and travel plans.

PRO TIP: It’s best to avoid signing contracts and starting new partnerships during this time, if possible! If not, triple check everything before singing on the dotted line.

But instead of fearing Mercury retrograde, we can use it as a chance to explore the full spectrum of each zodiac sign's energy, both imbalanced and balanced. It's a time when we learn lessons, by taking a look inward, allowing us to revisit past decisions, tie up loose ends, and approach our lives from fresh perspectives. There is always a message within the difficulties, and when we hear it and honor it, we discover our potential for personal growth and evolution!

What does Mercury Retrograde mean in each zodiac sign?

Each zodiac sign expresses itself in Mercury with unique qualities, shaping the way we think, communicate, and process information. Whether you're a loud Aries or a loving Libra, understanding the purpose of Mercury being in a specific zodiac sign, can offer profound insights into developing your cognitive style and communicative approach.

CLICK TO SKIP DIRECTLY TO THE ZODIAC SIGN:
Mercury in Aries
Mercury in Taurus
Mercury in Gemini
Mercury in Cancer
Mercury in Leo
Mercury in Virgo
Mercury in Libra
Mercury in Scorpio
Mercury in Sagittarius
Mercury in Capricorn
Mercury in Aquarius
Mercury in Pisces

Mercury in Aries

Mercury in Aries is characterized by quick thinking and a direct communication style. Those with this placement are often seen as pioneers in thought, unafraid to express bold ideas and opinions.

Mercury Aries Retrograde Conflict to Resolve: 

Risk Avoidant or Too Impulsive

When Mercury is in retrograde in Aries, individuals may find themselves caught in a tug-of-war between being overly impulsive and excessively risk-averse. Aries' natural inclination towards fast-paced action and decisiveness can clash with Mercury's retrograde phase, which encourages reflection and caution.

This cosmic tension can lead to challenges in decision-making, where one might either leap into situations without thorough consideration or become paralyzed by overthinking potential risks. To resolve this conflict, it is crucial to find a balance: integrate Aries' courage and enthusiasm while integrating Mercury's call for introspection and careful planning for a successful retrograde!

Mercury in Taurus

With Mercury in Taurus, communication becomes steady and deliberate. Individuals with this placement value practical and logical discourse, often taking their time to process information before responding.

Mercury Taurus Retrograde Conflict to Resolve: 

Too Rigid or Too Loose

During Mercury's retrograde in Taurus, individuals may find themselves grappling with the conflict between being too rigid or too flexible in their mindsets and standards. This cosmic time period encourages you to assess whether your structured routines and fixed mindsets are hindering personal growth and adaptability. 

On the other hand, excessive flexibility might lead to a lack of stability and direction. The challenge lies in finding a balanced approach that allows for both stability and adaptability, fostering personal development and harmonious relationships.

Mercury in Gemini

Mercury feels right at home in Gemini, as it is one of its ruling signs. This placement is characterized by a lively intellect and a love for variety in communication. Geminis with Mercury here are adaptable and curious but can sometimes struggle with scattering their focus too widely.

Mercury Gemini Retrograde Conflict to Resolve:

Suppressive or Too Talkative

During Mercury's retrograde in Gemini, individuals often face challenges related to communication, swinging between being overly suppressive of their thoughts/beliefs, or excessively talkative, trying to convince others to agree with their perspective. Mercury Retrograde in Gemini asks us to find a balance between these extremes. 

On one hand, there may be a tendency to hold back thoughts, leading to misunderstandings and creating false impressions. On the other hand, an inclination to overshare or speak impulsively can push others away. Resolving this tension involves practicing mindful communication, ensuring that one is both heard and considerate of others' perspectives.

Mercury in Cancer

In Cancer, Mercury takes on a nurturing tone, with communication deeply intertwined with emotions. Individuals with this placement excel at expressing empathy and understanding but may sometimes find it challenging to detach from feelings when making decisions.

Mercury Cancer Retrograde Conflict to Resolve: 

Anxious or Avoidant

During a Mercury retrograde in Cancer, individuals may face heightened emotional challenges, particularly concerning communication and relationships. This period can bring to light conflicts rooted in anxious or avoidant attachment styles. 

Anxious individuals might feel overwhelmed by their fear of losing a loving relationship, leading to misunderstandings or emotional outbursts. Meanwhile, those with avoidant tendencies could struggle to express their feelings, withdrawing further into their shells. Resolving these conflicts involves fostering open, empathetic communication and practicing patience and understanding to bridge the gap between differing emotional needs in conversations.

Mercury in Leo

Mercury in Leo will show up as confidence in one’s self-expression and a desire to be creative while doing so. These individuals are natural storytellers who communicate with charisma. However, they must be mindful of letting pride interfere with open dialogue.

Mercury Leo Retrograde Conflict to Resolve: 

Self-rejecting or Overly Proud

During a Mercury retrograde in Leo, individuals may find themselves grappling with internal conflicts related to self-perception. This period often brings to light tendencies of either self-rejection or excessive pride. On one hand, some may struggle with feelings of inadequacy, leading to self-doubt and a tendency to undervalue themselves in conversations with others. 

On the other hand, others might speak too proudly, potentially alienating those around them with arrogance or a lack of humility. Resolving these conflicts involves finding a balance between healthy self-esteem and genuine humility, allowing for personal growth and more harmonious interactions.

Mercury in Virgo

Virgo is another of Mercury's ruling signs, where the planet's analytical abilities shine. People with this placement are detail-oriented and precise in their communication. While they excel in organization and clarity, they must avoid becoming overly critical.

Mercury Virgo Retrograde Conflict to Resolve: 

Self-critical or Perfectionistic 

During a Mercury retrograde in Virgo, individuals may find themselves grappling with heightened self-criticism and/or, a tendency towards perfectionistic/obsessive thinking. The goal when Mercury Retrograde is in Virgo, is for you to learn to balance your high standards with self-compassion. 

The challenge lies in recognizing when meticulousness is being used as a coping mechanism for not feeling safe; Virgo energy has the power to adapt to any situation, so feeling more at ease knowing life isn’t supposed to be perfect, will be key. 

Mercury in Libra

In Libra, Mercury seeks balance and harmony in communication. Individuals with this placement are diplomatic and fair-minded, often striving to create peaceful dialogue. They may sometimes struggle with people-pleasing, agreeing for the sake of keeping a relationship together.

Mercury Libra Retrograde Conflict to Resolve: 

Self-focused or Codependent

During Mercury's retrograde in Libra, a key conflict to resolve is finding the balance between being self-focused and codependent. When not in alignment, a Mercury Libra may speak up by focusing only on what is best for themselves. On the other hand, it could also worry too much about the conflict that could disconnect the pair, which leaves the person not speaking their truth. Ultimately, when Mercury is retrograde in Libra, you will likely be learning how to balance your self-expression within the context of a loving connection, or even the one you have with yourself.

Mercury in Scorpio

Mercury in Scorpio is intense and penetrating, with a focus on uncovering hidden truths about one’s experiences. Those with this placement are excellent in expressing their emotional intelligence, sharing the deeply protective qualities of gut feelings and instincts.

Mercury Scorpio Retrograde Conflict to Resolve: 

Dismissive or Power Hungry

When Mercury is in retrograde in Scorpio, individuals may find themselves dealing with issues like being internally dismissive or power-hungry in their thoughts and communications. Since Scorpio is known for its powerful gut feelings, an imbalance here may be seen as dismissing your inner guidance, essentially manipulating yourself into denial over a situation.

The opposite could occur as well: your deep sense of intuition may allow you to penetrate the subconscious of others, creating an almost telepathic connection, which allows you to find empowerment through saying all the right things to get someone to listen to you. 

To navigate Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio successfully, developing an internal dialogue that honors the connection between thoughts and feelings will be crucial. You can train your mind to think in such a way that creates a more stable and safe way to express your feelings and transform them.

Mercury in Sagittarius

With Mercury in Sagittarius, communication is expansive and philosophical. These time periods are fantastic for exploring new ideas and expanding your experiential knowledge. Ultimately, this leads to inner growth and aligning with the dream version of your life.

Mercury Sagittarius Retrograde Conflict to Resolve: 

Limiting or Too Limitless

When Mercury retrogrades in Sagittarius, individuals may find themselves faced with the tension between restriction and boundlessness. When the mind is programmed with a lot of limiting beliefs, it cuts off Sagittarius from doing what it does best, expanding the mind with beautiful possibilities! Mercury Retrograde could therefore help you distinguish where these mental blocks are, and push you to break through them!

On the other hand, if the energy of Mercury in Sagittarius gets a little too expansive, meaning having thoughts and ideas that result in making reckless, even a little dangerous, decisions, the retrograde would be a time to learn some boundaries. Resolving this conflict involves finding a balance—embracing the freedom to explore and communicate ideas while maintaining a sense of structure and focus to ensure those ideas are effectively realized.

Mercury in Capricorn

Mercury in Capricorn brings a structured and disciplined approach to communication. Those with this placement are traditional and focused, often excelling in strategic planning. This here is the builder with a plan - a practical approach to accomplishing the visions set out by Sagittarius, just a bit earlier.

Mercury Virgo Retrograde Conflict to Resolve: 

Ungrateful or Too Demanding

When Mercury Retrograde is in Capricorn, we may often face an internal struggle between experiencing a lack of gratitude for the progress already made, and being overly demanding of oneself. This is a time period when you will want to assess your standards, and see if you could increase the amount of patience and compassion when thinking of where you are at in life.

You may find triggers seeing others having more dedication and success. Use this as an opportunity to release comparison and put more focus on appreciating every step of your journey. After all, you wouldn’t be where you are today without all of the effort and experiences that you lived before! So give yourself a bit of a break, and restructure your plans if needed, so you can keep succeeding on the path to your goals.

Mercury in Aquarius

In Aquarius, Mercury is innovative and future-oriented. People with this placement are often progressive thinkers who value originality and independence in communication. The primary function of Mercury Aquarius energy is to develop a strong sense of authenticity in self-expression, even if it means not fitting in with the crowd.

Mercury Aquarius Retrograde Conflict to Resolve: 

Conforming or Too Isolating

During a Mercury retrograde in Aquarius, individuals may face a conflict between conforming to societal expectations and embracing their unique sense of self. This retrograde period challenges us to balance the quirky, electrical energy of Aquarius with the need for social harmony and connection. 

If you are afraid to express your most authentic self and inner truth, you may find that the retrograde dares you to speak up. If you are too eager to show others how different you are, it’s possible you may experience loss of connection from those who no longer resonate with your energy. Resolving this conflict involves finding ways to express one's originality while maintaining meaningful relationships, encouraging open-mindedness and adaptability in communication.

Mercury in Pisces

Mercury in Pisces is imaginative and intuitive, with a strong connection to the subconscious mind and faith in a more meaningful code of existence. Those with this placement are often gifted in creative expression and often express big dreams, full of optimism of their fulfilment. 

Mercury Pisces Retrograde Conflict to Resolve: 

Delusional or Too Trusting

During a Mercury retrograde in Pisces, individuals may find themselves dealing with the conflict of being either a bit delusional in their thinking, or overly trusting of the external forces that govern reality. Pisces, known for its dreamy and intuitive nature, can blur the lines between reality and fantasy, leading to potential misunderstandings in everyday situations that call for making decisions based on more grounded data.

An example of misalignment here could look like someone believing for a long time that their abusive relationship was “healthy”, and finally having to make some assessments during this mercury retrograde, in order to decrease the sense of fantasy they have been living in. Another example could be someone constantly believing everything that everyone says, trusting that everyone’s intentions stem from a loving place, when in fact they may not. 

As Mercury, the planet of communication and logic, moves backward in Pisces, it urges individuals to strike a balance between their idealistic visions and more realistic discernment. Resolving this conflict involves cultivating a clearer perception of reality while maintaining a healthy level of trust, ensuring that intuition is guided by reason and grounded in truth.

Closing Thoughts: Mercury Retrograde Spiritual Meaning

Each Mercury retrograde offers a unique opportunity to delve into the characteristics of the zodiac sign it occurs in, helping us to better understand how our mind works through every sign. Often, life needs a bit of redirection that often can be missed if we are thinking too quickly, or thinking of only ourselves. A Mercury Retrograde period is nature’s way of evening the energies so that we may all feel more centered and stay on the most aligned path for our evolution.

Ultimately, Mercury retrograde encourages us to embrace change and transformation, reminding us that sometimes taking a step back is necessary for forward progress. By embracing these cosmic cycles, we can keep our lives evolving positively, learning to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing world.

If you are in need of further support during a retrograde, feel free to get in touch for a birth chart check-in reading. As an astrologer, I will be able to see how the cosmic influences are impacting your energy particularly, and what lessons may need to be learned during this transformative time!

If you really love this holistic astrology perspective, check out the latest updates on the NOONLIT SAGE Blog. Let me know what you're curious to know more about your zodiac signs, how to use astrology and apply it to your daily life and your healing journey.

*This article has been written by Monica of NOONLIT SAGE. She has a Masters of Social Work, Masters of Child Development and Bachelors of Psychology. Once her passion for Astrology ignited in 2019, she began to host a monthly therapeutic Astrology Manifesting New Moon Circle in Phoenix, Arizona, and has done hundreds of birth chart readings. She continued her studies and completed an Astro-Herbalism Certification via the School of Evolutionary Herbalism to provide even more holistic wellness insights into those whom she meets on their healing journeys.