What Is Mercury Retrograde and What Does It Mean for You?

What Is Mercury Retrograde in Simple Terms
What Is Retrograde Motion in a Nutshell
What Should You Expect During a Mercury Retrograde
When Is Mercury in Retrograde in the Year 2024
When Is Mercury in Retrograde in the Year 2025
What Are the Mercury Retrograde Periods Up to 2030
What Areas of Life Does Mercury Rule
How Does Mercury in Retrograde Affect Various Signs
What Should You Do During a Mercury Retrograde Period
What Should You Not Do During a Mercury Retrograde Period
How Does Mercury Retrograde Change Depending on the Sign

Mercury retrograde is a phenomenon so widely known that it has already become a meme. Even if you are not familiar with astrology, you are bound to know that all sorts of weird things happen during this period - from simple interpersonal miscommunications to technology malfunction.

The phenomenon itself is shrouded in mystery and misconception, so we should have a closer look at it to finally understand what this whole fuss is about. So without further ado, let’s find out what Mercury in retrograde even means.

What Is Mercury Retrograde in Simple Terms?

Let’s start with the very basics. Mercury retrograde is a widely known astrological phenomenon that occurs three or four times a year. During it, the planet Mercury seems to be moving backward, if you witness it from the Earth. In reality, the miniature planet simply orbits the Sun faster than the Earth does, creating an illusion of a backward movement.

While nothing extraordinary is happening, at least from an astronomical standpoint, this period is still characterized by unrest, mistakes, a confused state, and whatnot. And from an astrological point of view, it makes perfect sense. After all, Mercury is a planet closely linked to our rational mind, as well as a means of communication and transportation. So any peculiar behavior of this celestial body is bound to affect the world we live in.

Since this phenomenon is understandably unnerving, many people wonder when Mercury retrograde ends. Well, according to centuries of observation, we can confidently say that a Mercury retrograde instance lasts for about 24 days and occurs 3 times a year. Quite a lot, when you think of this influence, right?

What Is Retrograde Motion in a Nutshell?

While very few of us possess a degree in astrophysics, we struggle to comprehend what it means when Mercury is retrograde. So we’ll try our best to explain it to you.

The planet of Mercury retrograde is an optical illusion that occurs when Mercury appears to move backward across the sky from Earth's perspective. In reality, Mercury continues to orbit the Sun counterclockwise like any other planet, but because Earth and Mercury orbit at different speeds, there are periods when Mercury seems to be moving in reverse.

This happens due to the relative motions of the two planets, creating a visual effect where Mercury appears to loop or move clockwise when viewed from Earth.

What Should You Expect During a Mercury Retrograde?

So what usually happens during Mercury retrograde? A whole bunch of unpleasant stuff. No wonder this astrological period has made such an impact on collective consciousness. This is what usually happens with people and technical equipment when Mercury is in retrograde:

Misunderstandings in personal and professional conversations
Errors in email, texts, and other types of messages
People tend to be impatient during any kind of talk
Electronic glitches occur more often
Various devices malfunction
Travels get delayed for various reasons
Cars break down unexpectedly
Deliveries get delayed
Prior commitments get broken
Plans get changed at the last minute
Your past mistakes come back to haunt you
You fluctuate when it comes to serious decisions

So in case this kind of unpleasant stuff is happening to you right now, you might be wondering - is it Mercury retrograde now? Let’s see if it is.

When Is Mercury in Retrograde in the Year 2024?

what does it mean when mercury is retrograde

Now that you know what Mercury retrograde is, it’s time to find out when to be extra careful in 2024. According to astrologers, this is when the tiny planet goes into reserve motion:

December 13, 2023 - January 2, 2024
April 1, 2024 - April 25, 2024
August 5, 2024 - August 28, 2024
November 26, 2024 - December 15, 2024

These are the dates for Mercury retrograde in 2024. But since any Mercury retrograde is a huge deal, it’s only natural if you want to prepare yourself for the next 365 days. So let’s find out when the next Mercury retrograde is.

When Is Mercury in Retrograde in the Year 2025?

If the words like “forewarned is forearmed” ring true to you, then grab a notebook and write down the dates for the next Mercury retrograde. Here is when you’d be wise to be especially careful in 2025:

March 15, 2025 - April 7, 2025
July 18, 2025 - August 11, 2025
November 9, 2025 - November 29, 2025

What Are the Mercury Retrograde Periods Up to 2030?

Now that you know when Mercury retrograde is during 2024 and 2025, why not venture even further and learn when the next Mercury retrograde is going to happen after these periods in these years are far behind? So without further ado, here are the dates of Mercury retrograde all the way to the year 2030:

Year 2026:

February 25, 2026 - March 10, 2026
June 29, 2026 - July 23, 2026
October 24, 2026 - November 13, 2026

Year 2027:

February 9, 2027 - March 3, 2027
June 10, 2027 - July 4, 2027
October 7, 2027 - October 28, 2027

Year 2028:

January 24, 2028 - February 14, 2028
May 21, 2028 - June 13, 2028
September 19, 2028 - October 11, 2028

Year 2029:

January 7, 2029 - January 27, 2029
May 1, 2029 - May 25, 2029
September 2, 2029 - September 24, 2029
December 21, 2029 - January 10, 2030

Year 2030:

December 21, 2029 - January 10, 2030
April 12, 2030 - May 6, 2030
August 15, 2030 - September 8, 2030
December 5, 2030 - December 25, 2030

There, now you know when the next Mercury retrograde starts and when the next Mercury retrograde ends. Make sure to plan your life accordingly.

What Areas of Life Does Mercury Rule?

Well, we have now covered what Mercury in retrograde means and when the next Mercury retrograde falls upon us. That would be a logical progression to get a better understanding of the whole phenomenon so that you knew how to act during this shadow period.

Let’s first start with understanding the role Mercury plays in our lives. This planet, although tiny, has quite an impact on people. Here are the aspects of life ruled by Mercury:

Verbal and written communication
Languages and linguistics
Public speaking, negotiation, and diplomacy
Learning and education
Critical thinking, analysis, research, and information gathering
Problem-solving skills
Reasoning and logic
Adaptability, quick thinking
Curiosity and mental agility
Memory and recall
Information processing
Writing and journalism
Internet, digital communication, and social media
Short-distance travel
Daily commutes
Transportation systems
Contracts, agreements, networking
Trading, commerce

Knowing all this, you now probably see why, whenever people fail at proper communication or flat-out act slow, many wonder - is it Mercury retrograde now?

How Does Mercury in Retrograde Affect Various Signs?

Since astrology doesn’t seem to have a one-size-fits-all approach, it would be wise of us to review how Mercury retrograde affects us depending on our Sun sign. Let’s look closer at what each Zodiac sign should look out for, come the last Mercury retrograde of 2024.

Aries. The fiery Rams might face some troubles regarding their travel plans. Besides, the reserve movement of the tiny planet will whisper something about changing their view of the bigger picture into the Rams’ ears. They might also find themselves digging deeper into their soul for some answers to eternal questions. If there was the main takeaway for Aries during the Mercury retrograde of 2024, then it would be “think before you act”.
Taurus. “When does this Mercury retrograde end?” will be on the lips of many Tauruses. In 2024, Tauruses will be required to leave their comfort zone of seclusion and step into the limelight. The shadow period of 2024 will test your friendship in terms of how you react to your boundaries being neglected. Perhaps, it’s time to make them a bit more visible to your innermost circle.
Gemini. The main advice to the Twins this time is to watch their mouths. Make sure that what you are about to say is what you intend to say. Don’t let your infamously sharp tongue ruin your friendship. You might also hit a rough patch in terms of your career. Take this slow time to reassess your goals job-wise.
Cancer. The Cancerians’ career will turn into a rollercoaster during this shadow period. Make sure that you do not make rash decisions before you get the gist of the whole situation. In times of turmoil make sure to turn to your friends. However, don’t expect them to read your thoughts. Clear communication will save you a lot of trouble.
Leo. The Mercury in retrograde is shaping to be quite a predicament for Leos. This period will make the proud lions a bit more timid than usual. This retrograde period will test your bonds with your friends by revealing which of them you can trust. The remedy against this troubling time will be to pour one’s energy into a creative project.
Virgo. The order-seeking Virgos will have a hard time adjusting to the chaos of their career life. Perhaps, it’s high time you learned how to let go and just let things happen on their own accord. The shadow period will tease the Virgos with an inability to reach perfection. The way out is ditching the whole idea of perfection and thriving in uncertainty.
Libra. The diplomatic Libras will be forced to dial that trait of theirs a bit down. Their boundaries might be crossed, forcing the peaceful Libras to show their fangs for what could be the first time in their life. Libras’ jobs will become snooze fests, come Mercury retrograde 2024. Perhaps, it’s time you went into the open sea sans a map?
Scorpio. This shadow period will ask Scorpios to finally embrace their vulnerability. By ditching the tough veneer, you’ll open your heart to some world-shuttering romance. This time will also be about embracing the changes. So learn to be flexible, lest you want to have your backbone broken.
Sagittarius. While people of this fiery sign aren’t known for their patience, this period will ask it of them. This trait will be especially valuable when applied to relationships. Besides, Mercury will also ask you to tone down on passion in terms of your career. This is the time for quiet contemplation, not hot-headed pursuit.
Capricorn. The collected goats will be forced by Mercury to embrace uncertainty and surprises. You will be encouraged to loosen your grip on your love and your job. If you feel drained of energy, make sure to hang out with your friends to recharge.
Aquarius. Known for their inability to sit still in one place, the Aquarians will finally reap the fruit of this particular trait of theirs. There are career opportunities on the horizon. Your flexibility and agility will help you get to them first. Love-wise, the Aquarians should adopt an active listening approach to the SO. By the way, this retrograde period is the time to be out of the spotlight. So get into your nest and enjoy a time of seclusion.
Pisces. While this bunch already has their heads stuck in the cloud, the current shadow period prompts them to seek clarity for a change. Ground yourself in the present moment to grab whatever opportunities go past you. If you get overly bored at work, then add a pinch of creativity to it - and you’ll make it through this Mercury retrograde period with gusto.

What Should You Do During a Mercury Retrograde Period?

Now that you know what happens when Mercury is in retrograde, it is a must to honor the difficult period by using this time correctly. After all, every Mercury retrograde emits such energy that, apart from disrupting your life, might also be the nudge in the right direction you have been waiting for a long time. Here is what you can do to get the best of this time:

Let’s start with the obvious - unplug your devices and electronics. First off, they’ll malfunction anyway, so you’ll be leaving yourself one less reason to worry. Besides, the absence of the ever-distracting devices will help you with your digital detox. In case you cannot go analog (and in this day and age who can?), then at least limit your screen time.
Opt for in-person communication. Since Mercury retrograde is notorious for making people miscommunicate, it would be a good idea to talk eye-to-eye, like they did in the time before Zooms, Meets, and whatnot. After all, seeing your vis-a-vis right in front of you will help you read them better, minimizing the chance of miscommunication. But in case misunderstandings still happen, it would be easier to make things clear between you if you see eye-to-eye.
Give yourself time to reflect. During this challenging time, you might find yourself questioning just about everything. Indulge yourself then. Take these three weeks to truly sink into your past life choices and their consequences. It might hurt, but assessing your past behavior is necessary to ensure that you don’t make the same mistakes or repeat the same patterns.
Stay optimistic. When Mercury is in retrograde, it might seem like your whole life is falling apart. Keep your chin up nonetheless. This is not a trial, nor is it the end of days. This is just a period of uncertainty that has to be braved through. We go through such periods at least three times a year. If we made it through the previous Mercury retrograde, we can make it through this one as well.

What Should You Not Do During a Mercury Retrograde Period?

Let’s now make use of the aforementioned Mercury in the retrograde calendar and strike out all these activities from our plans during this troubling time. This is what you should not do, come Mercury retrograde.

Don’t start new projects. To be more precise - don’t engage yourself in anything new. Mercury retrograde is a notoriously unstable time when even your best intentions and ideas might get crushed.
Do not sign anything or agree on anything, be it verbally or epistolary. While interpersonal communication is compromised during the shadow period, do not get involved in any contractual obligations.
Don’t buy anything, especially something major. Hold off signing your papers for a tad. Those purchases done during Mercury retrograde will bring you little joy but a lot of disappointment.
Hold off serious surgeries. Well, in case of an emergency - go ahead by all means. But if you have the chance, postpone your procedure till Mercury goes backward to normal again. After all, people are prone to miscommunication during this time, and miscommunication in an operating room is bound to have grave consequences.

How Does Mercury Retrograde Change Depending on the Sign?

Now you hopefully know how the Mercury retrograde of 2024 will affect various signs. But have you ever considered the possibility that the Mercury retrograde itself can be heavily affected by the sign it is happening in? Well, believe it or not, the Mercury retrograde comes in not one but 12 flavors. Care to taste them all? Off we go, then.

Mercury retrograde in Aries. This Mercury retrograde position triggers communication mishaps that stem from impulsiveness. It also encourages rash decision-making. An avalanche of delays causes frustration. There is a heightened possibility of communication conflicts that are related to personal independence and leadership.
Mercury retrograde in Taurus. This kind of retrograde creates potential monetary miscalculations. Your financial planning is also likely to get disrupted. Practical decision-making is bound to slow down. Besides, you might also find yourself re-evaluating your financial strategies or even personal values.

Mercury retrograde in Gemini. This kind of Mercury retrograde amplifies communication confusion and misunderstandings. Besides, since Gemini is an air sign, the tiny planet's reverse movement might also cause challenges in learning and information processing. What’s more, technological glitches will be more likely to happen. And to top things off, siblings might not get along during this period.
Mercury retrograde in Cancer. During this time, people’s emotions will be unstable, especially within tightly bound families. Misunderstandings will bloom in one’s household, causing all kinds of grievances. On the plus side, Mercury retrograde in Cancer might prompt you to revisit past family memories and rethink and reshape family dynamics patterns.
Mercury retrograde in Leo. This type of shadow period is characterized by challenges in creative expression. Besides, you might find it hard to talk about your passions. When it comes to interpersonal relationships, this period might also disrupt romantic communication, driving a wedge between lovers. This period might also make you review and re-evaluate your creative strategies and ways you choose to self-express.
Mercury retrograde in Virgo. This particular period will be filled with work-related communication challenges. Besides, your daily routine might be compromised, along with your health. Beware of making poor decisions health-wise. But on the plus side, this time will be perfect for a detailed review of your professional and personal organizational systems.
Mercury retrograde in Libra. Whenever the tiny planet finds itself in Libra, all kinds of interpersonal miscommunications are bound to happen. Your relationship with your partner is going to be the first victim. Those who closely work with you on any project will be next. But if you want to emerge from this period victorious, then take this time to re-evaluate your relationship dynamics and your communication patterns.
Mercury retrograde in Scorpio. When Mercury moves past this mystery-laden constellation, it encourages us to go deeper into introspection and venture into psychological exploration. However, on the downside, this time will create potential dangers in terms of intimate communication. It might also disrupt whatever transformation journey you are on. But still, the sugar coating will be that you’ll be able to review whatever hidden emotional patterns are ruining your life.
Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius. If the messenger planet is traveling past this fiery constellation, be prepared to have your travel plans disrupted. Besides, your studies might be compromised by simple misunderstandings and cultural discrepancies. But you might take this time to ponder over your belief system and whether you still want to hold onto it. Another good thing to be gained out of Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius is that you’ll have what it takes to strengthen your long-distance relationship.
Mercury retrograde in Capricorn. During this time you have to be ready to have your work life in disarray. Your chosen career path might not be plausible and your general career-related decision-making might be compromised. Still, it would be wise to take this time to reevaluate your professional goals and long-term strategic planning.
Mercury retrograde in Aquarius. This position of the reverse Mercury is the reason behind major technological and communication issues. Your collaborative projects are in jeopardy, as well as your overall group dynamics. But it is still the perfect time to think about how you approach networking and whether or not you are truly future-oriented.
Mercury retrograde in Pisces. When in Pisces, retrograde Mercury is responsible for how you feel about your spiritual journey. You might find it hard to connect to your intuition and interpret the tiny bits of information that you receive. Besides, this time also threatens you with an imbalance between your conscious and subconscious. But there is still something good to be gained, as this time also encourages you to re-examine your spiritual beliefs.

And there it is. Now you know all about this dreaded period of uncertainty and miscommunication. And now you probably see that it is not as scary as people tend to think and that this particular period can be benefited from. So since you are now aware when Mercury goes retrograde, you know how to harness its power for good. We wish you luck with it!