Having trouble communicating with others the past few weeks? Maybe even feeling sluggish at work? It’s probably because Mercury is in retrograde. Yes, it may be drawing to a close but we still have a few days left in its shadow.
Mercury Retrograde happens three, sometimes four, times a year. During this time, Mercury appears to be moving backward in the sky. This can last for about three weeks. No, it is not actually moving backward; it just looks like it is. Why? Well it’s an illusion that results from our point of view from Earth because it’s also orbiting the Sun at a different speed.
Because Mercury is considered as the planet of communication, there is a level of confusion that arises. Ruling how we perceive and interpret information as well as how we pass it on to others, Mercury in retrograde affects a lot of our day-to-day activities. Things like speaking, negotiating, traveling, and decision-making may seem challenging during this time.
However, there is an upside to this. During the three weeks of retrograde, we may start to rethink and reflect on previous ideas. Seeing things differently, we may encounter important revelations.
Now that you know the basic information, let’s get into how this time can affect you based on your zodiac sign.
Aquarius: January 20-February 18
Mercury rules the areas of your life that affect communication related to your children and romantic partner. You may also encounter issues in your financial matters.
Tip: Go over your sources of income and evaluate what you spend your cash on during this time
Pisces: February 19-March 20
You might experience some miscommunication between your family as well as with partnerships that you may have.
Tip: It is best to put off signing and contracts. Also, do not make any final decisions on issues involving either your family or your partnerships.
Aries: March 21-April 19
You are most likely to be affected in terms of communication. Either in general or work-related. This means that there might be some delays or rethinking involved.
Tip: Try editing some projects that you are working on in the hopes of seeing something that you didn’t previously.
Taurus: April 20-May 20
The communication you have between your significant other and your children is affected by all cycles. You may also struggle with matters regarding financial affairs.
Tip: Take time to formulate your thoughts and do not rush into anything until you are sure of your decision.
Gemini: May 21-June 20
Because Mercury rules your sign, all common retrograde issues may affect you. However, you are most likely to experience it through the image that you present to others. You may also have some difficulty communicating with your family.
Tip: Do not make any important decisions during retrograde and try to reflect on family issues from a different angle.
Cancer: June 20-July 22
Expect some problems when it comes to personal communication as well as dealings in the past. You may not be as instinctive as you usually are when Mercury is in retrograde.
Tip: Be extra careful when presenting ideas, writing letters, and tackling detail work as you may only be seeing pieces of the project and not the whole picture.
Leo: July 23-August 22
There may be some strain when communicating with your friends or social groups in general. You may also experience some issues with your personal finances.
Tip: Avoid making any financial decisions. It is also best to delay or cancel any group meetings that you have scheduled.
Virgo: August 23-September 22
Mercury is your ruling planet so you are most likely going to be misunderstood in all aspects of your life. But you will especially experience challenging situations at work such as project delays. Because you feel that you are being misunderstood, your body language and manners will be affected as well.
Tip: Do not make any career decisions during this time and it’s also best to double-check your work before considering it done.
Libra: September 23-October 22
Dealing with legal affairs, travel, and education may be taxing as Mercury rules these areas of your life. Issues from the past might pop up at this time and expect some people to be working against you.
Tip: As much as possible, put off making any plans to travel.
Scorpio: October 23-November 21
Your friends may seem distant during retrograde as you encounter some communication issues. Problems with shared financial resources can also arise.
Tip: Take this as an opportunity to fix your budget and rethink your financial plans.
Sagittarius: November 22-December 21
Mercury rules the areas in your life that deal with your career. So expect some communication issues with your bosses or in your career in general. You might also have some problems with a close partner.
Tip: Hold back on any decisions having to deal with joint finances.
Capricorn: December 22-January 19
Travel, legal matters, and your job may be affected during retrograde. At work, you might miss important details or experience delays because of co-workers’ mistakes. Also, your travel plans may not go according to plan.
Tip: Do not sign any legal contracts or make any plans to travel. It also best to go through your work to make sure everything is correct.