Mercury Retrograde 2024 - 2025: The Calendar Dates To Help You Prepare

Are we in Mercury retrograde? — Almost, the cycle begins on November 25 😱

Mercury is the fastest moving planet, and symbolizes intellect, reason, and communication and when it metaphorically spins out of control by entering this infamous cycle, it leaves us to deal with the consequences… Although every planet of the solar system goes retrograde at some point, the effects of Mercury entering this motion are often more intense and bring about even more misfortune than most other planets.

- Learn more about the impacts of Mercury retrograde on your sign and find out when Saturn is retrograde -

Mercury retrograde 2024 🗓️: What are the dates, and what can I expect? 

November 25 - December 15, 2024: Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius

To conclude this sequence of Mercury retrograde in the fire element signs, we come to the sign of Sagittarius, which in this triad has the potential to bring much wisdom to this period. After the preceding reflections, this is the time to reinforce your values and life reference points, which can change - after all, we are beings in constant evolution and development, as Sagittarius teaches. So, during this period, set yourself the task of thinking more philosophically, such as:

• Is your lifestyle consistent with the values you admire?
• Have you closed yourself off to different opinions and worldviews?
• Can you be optimistic in life and learn from every situation?
• Think about the things that are most important to you and evaluate them: have you prioritized them?
• Have you allowed yourself to experience new things, to step out of your comfort zone and "risk" new things?

🔴 The signs most affected will be Sagittarius, Gemini, Pisces, and Virgo.

When Mercury goes retrograde, it’s a good time to be extra careful—double-check your accounts, stay on top of your bills, and always have a backup plan. Most importantly, don’t forget to smile and stay flexible. You’ve got this! After all, we’re not going to let Mercury mess with our mood, right? Breathe in, breathe out, and keep moving forward!

Mercury retrograde 2025: Here are the dates of the cycles

In 2025, we will experience three phases of retrograde Mercury, the planet of intellect.

1. From March 16 to April 7, 2025

Mercury retrogrades in Aries (until March 30, 2025) and then in Pisces (starting March 31, 2025). With Mercury retrograde in Aries, we tend to adopt a less impulsive and less aggressive approach, becoming more thoughtful and introspective. This period may slow down our spontaneity but also promotes patience and allows us to maintain an analytical perspective. Although we may progress more slowly, we gain depth and seriousness in our reflections and studies.

With Mercury retrograde in Pisces, we are invited to dive deep into our intuition and reassess our thoughts and communications. This period can be marked by some confusion and difficulty in expressing our ideas clearly.

Emotions take precedence over logic, making interactions more delicate. It's a great time for reflection, creativity, and introspection. We might feel the need to slow down and re-examine our dreams and aspirations. In essence, Mercury retrograde in Pisces encourages us to listen to our inner voice and show compassion towards ourselves and others.

2. From July 19 to August 11, 2025

Mercury retrogrades in Leo. Under its influence, we become more cautious, reserved, and meticulous. It seems essential to master every detail of our actions, which can complicate delegating tasks. We prioritize kindness over trying to impress. Even though our confidence and spontaneity might be affected, our commitment to others intensifies.

3. From November 10 to 29, 2025

Mercury retrogrades in Sagittarius (until November 19, 2025) and then in Scorpio (starting November 20, 2025). With Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius, unexpected events, like breakdowns or strikes, may disrupt our travels.

It's important to stay alert on unfamiliar routes and be aware of potential negative influences. In terms of learning, delays in classes or internships might occur, making things more complicated than expected. So, let's be ready to tackle these challenges!

With Mercury retrograde in Scorpio, we are invited to dive into our deepest emotions and examine our hidden thoughts. This period may require intense introspection, pushing us to revisit past situations, rethink our ideas, and resolve unresolved conflicts. Communications can be tricky, so it's crucial to ensure our words are thoughtful, as misunderstandings are more frequent.

It's also a good time to let go of what no longer serves us, whether it's in relationships, emotions, or material possessions. Transformation and healing can emerge from this introspection, preparing us to face the future with new clarity and renewed purpose.

🗒️ Here's what you need to retain from this particular phase: 🗒️

- During this cycle, beware of communication issues that will lead to misunderstandings. 

- Financially speaking, each sign will have to be extra careful when it comes to checking their bank accounts. 

- Here, you’ll have to watch your expenses and check your bills. 

Here are 5 signs which indicate Mercury is in retrograde:

• You feel less proactive
• You experience unexpected setbacks
• You isolate yourself
• You start doubting everything
• You feel lost

Surf through Mercury Retrograde instead of sinking: My tips for navigating it:

• Back up your data like your life depends on it (because, in a way, it does)!
• Double-check your messages before sending them (to avoid sending "big hugs" to your boss 😱).
• Allow extra time for travel (it's the perfect time to find zen in traffic jams).
• Meditate, keep a journal, do yoga, go to bed early... in short, pamper your inner self.
• Dust off old projects (that half-written novel is waiting for you)!
• Be patient and forgiving. With yourself, and also with others. After all, we're all in the same boat.
• Avoid impulse purchases (clearly, that hoverboard can wait).
• Do a major clean-up (both in your apartment and in your mind).
• Breathe deeply. Because it always works! 😉

Overall, this retrograde phase encourages all zodiac signs to be patient and remain flexible. Think of this period as a time for reflection before taking action. Anticipate your decision-making.

>>> Discover how to survive Mercury retrograde thanks to a cup of tea

Why does everyone panic during Mercury Retrograde? Explained!

Sometimes, as planets move in their orbits, they appear to slow down, stop, and even move backward. In astrology, we call this retrograde motion, though skeptics love to jump in and call it proof of our supposed madness! But no, we don’t actually believe planets reverse their direction 😉.

Here’s the science behind it: planets revolve around the Sun, but because we’re observing them from Earth—which is also moving—it creates an optical illusion. To us, it can look like some planets are pausing or even going backward in their paths. That’s retrograde motion. In reality, the planets keep moving forward steadily.

Picture yourself sitting in a stationary train. If another train starts moving in the opposite direction, you might feel like your train is moving backward. It’s the same with retrogrades. Astronomical charts account for this motion by marking retrogrades with an "R" and direct motion with a "D."

Each retrograde phase lasts about three weeks and is often associated with:

• Delays or even stagnation
• Setbacks or disruptions
• Turning inward for self-reflection
• Reevaluations and questioning
• Contemplation and introspection

In astrology, the effects of a retrograde depend on the usual influences of the planet involved. For Mercury, retrograde phases tend to affect:

• Communication (misunderstandings or tech glitches)
• Contracts (delays or errors)
• Transportation (travel issues or breakdowns)

The effects of Mercury Retrograde on the zodiac signs

Not all zodiac signs experience Mercury retrograde the same way. Here’s how each sign navigates this tricky period:

• Aries during Mercury retrograde... This is a tough one for Aries, who is naturally impatient and high-energy. They may waste a lot of energy getting frustrated or angry.
• Taurus: For Taurus, this is an opportunity to slow down, which they actually enjoy. This sign loves taking its time, and during retrograde, they’ll finally have it.
• Gemini: Impatient by nature, Gemini struggles the most with Mercury retrograde. This sign will likely feel its effects more than most.
• Cancer: While delays or tech glitches might trigger negative emotions in Cancer, they often choose to stay philosophical and go with the flow during this slower period.
• Leo: Even though Leo may feel powerless when their plans are delayed or blocked, they don’t lose their fighting spirit.
• Virgo: Mercury retrograde brings a lot of tension for Virgo, who handles delays better than technical failures. Watch out—appliances might go flying!
• Libra: Libra handles retrograde well as long as their relationships—whether romantic or friendly—are unaffected. If not, Libra might lose their cool.
• Scorpio: Everyday life becomes a real challenge for Scorpio during Mercury retrograde. This sign hates resistance and might explode more than once!
• Sagittarius: While Sagittarius tends to be in a hurry, they’ll find a way to use the slower pace to their advantage, getting extra time for deadlines. Clever!
• Capricorn: Capricorn loathes surprises and deviations from their plans, so this period can really push them to the edge. Nervous tension will be at its peak.
• Aquarius: Aquarius is one of the signs that handles Mercury retrograde best. That said, when faced with delays or glitches, they might take it a bit personally.
• Pisces: Highly empathetic, Pisces’ emotions are heavily influenced by their surroundings. If everyone else is stressed or upset, Pisces will feel it too.

Bonus Tip: If your rising sign is in one of these zodiac signs, you might feel the effects of Mercury retrograde even more strongly. Don’t know your rising sign? Calculate it for free here.

The influence of Mercury Retrograde based on which zodiac sign it is in

Discover how Mercury Retrograde impacts you depending on the zodiac sign it’s in:

5 Things you should never do while Mercury is in Retrograde

Mercury retrograde is a period when it’s best to avoid certain actions to prevent complications. Here are 5 things to put on hold until Mercury goes direct again:

1. Repair your car

If you have a trip planned, get your car serviced before Mercury goes retrograde. Otherwise, repairs might take longer or cause delays. This period is prone to breakdowns, traffic jams, strikes, and chaotic travel. Plan your trips carefully.

2. Make a big purchase

Major purchases can turn out problematic—defective products, items that no longer meet your needs, or things you regret buying. With Mercury retrograde, failures are more common, so keep a close eye on your finances and avoid impulsive spending.

3. Sign contracts

During Mercury retrograde, critical details may slip through the cracks. This includes business agreements, legal contracts, or even marriages. Be especially cautious to avoid mistakes or misunderstandings.

4. Send messages

Communication is often chaotic during this phase. Emails can be lost, texts sent to the wrong person... It’s best to make phone calls to avoid misunderstandings, and always double-check that your messages have been sent correctly.

5. Speak without thinking

Mercury retrograde can amplify misunderstandings. Before speaking in haste, take a moment to think. If you’ve said something you regret, wait until the retrograde period ends to clarify things.

Reminder: Patience and caution are key. Anything that is delayed or revised during Mercury retrograde often turns out to be beneficial in the long run.

- Now that you've read up on this complicated period, check out more of our great content: -

• 2025 Horoscope predictions.
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• Today's horoscope.