Mercury Retrograde: Everything You Need to Know

Publish date: 2024-07-22

During Mercury Retrograde, the fast-moving planet Mercury appears to travel backward through the sky. This is just an optical illusion, similar to when you're passing a car on the highway and it seems to be moving backward for a brief moment. This time is known for causing mischief in areas of life ruled by Mercury, including communication, travel, and technology.

When is Mercury Retrograde?

Mercury goes retrograde 3 to 4 times per year, for about 3 weeks each time. Check out the Mercury Retrograde calendar below to see which dates you need to know!

2024 Mercury Retrograde Calendar

Duration

Begins In

Ends In

12/13/23 to 1/1/24

Capricorn

4/1/24 to 4/25/24

Aries

8/5/24 to 8/28/24

Virgo

Leo

11/25/24 to 12/15/24

Sagittarius

What does Mercury Retrograde mean?

Mercury Retrograde (MRx) refers to the period when planet Mercury appears to be moving backward through the cosmos (though it isn't really). During this period, problems with communication, travel, and technology run rampant! But we're here to help you survive Mercury Retrograde with tips to keep your life (from work to relationships) running smoothly.

What Is Mercury Retrograde?

Learn about what happens when Mercury, the planet that rules communication, perception, and thought, turns retrograde! Read more »

Mercury Retrograde Dos and Don'ts

Get ready for MRx with our best list of dos and don'ts to help you navigate the confusion of Mercury Retrograde with grace and poise. Read more »

5 Love Tips for Mercury Retrograde

Relationships suffer when communication is rocky -- so make sure to use our five simple tips for keeping your love life on track! Read more »

What Is Mercury Retrograde?

Learn about what happens when Mercury, the planet that rules communication, perception, and thought, turns retrograde! Read more »

Mercury Retrograde Dos and Don'ts

Get ready for MRx with our best list of dos and don'ts to help you navigate the confusion of MRx with grace and poise. Read more »

Love Tips for Mercury Retrograde

Relationships suffer when communication is rocky -- so make sure to use our tips for keeping your love life on track! Read more »

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Get unique insight for Mercury Retrograde

With these online Tarot readings, you'll get in-depth insight into how Mercury Retrograde will affect YOU and your life.

Timeline Tarot Reading

This 5-card Tarot spread will help you reveal unfolding issues and their potential consequences over time.

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Celtic Cross Tarot

Manage any tricky situation that pops up during MRx with this insightsful 10-card Tarot reading.

Start My Reading >>

Love Celtic Cross Tarot

Avoid a love disaster during Mercury Retrograde using the guidance from this love Tarot reading.

Start My Reading >>

FREE Tarot Reading

Manage any tricky situation that pops up during MRx with this FREE online Tarot reading.

Start My Reading >>

FREE Love Tarot Reading

Avoid a love disaster during Mercury Retrograde using the guidance from this FREE love Tarot reading.

Start My Reading >>

Timeline Tarot Reading

This 5-card Tarot spread will help you reveal unfolding issues and their potential consequences over time.

Start My Reading >>

What should I do during Mercury Retrograde?

Even when Mercury is retrograde, life goes on! Astrologers usually agree that Mercury Retrograde is a bad time to start new projects, go on first dates, get married, travel, sign important papers, etc. ... BUT this is a great time to slow down and focus. Take this time to: reanalyze your goals, reorganize your home, re-examine your decisions, and reflect on your relationships.

Mercury through the zodiac

Every Mercury Retrograde is unique. Each one depends on other planetary transits happening at the time AND (especially) which zodiac sign Mercury is located in, in the sky. Each of the zodiac signs have their own traits and influences, so Mercury Retrograde in Virgo will be very different from Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius, for example. Find out more about Mercury in each sign below.