Mercury retrograde gets a heavy rap, but it’s really not so bad. Sure, when the planet of comms and tech turns tail in the sky, we might experience life on the fritz. But often Mercury’s about-face is just as much about reflection and reassessment as it is about mundane inconveniences.
This year, Mercury’s three retrogrades double-cross the cusps of air and Earth signs. Mercury’s retrograde earlier this year in Aquarius and Capricorn largely concerned itself with the collective and commitments. This month, though, it’s more about values and mindfulness. The Gemini influence lends itself to rethinking beliefs and perspectives. Taurus, on the other hand, leans more toward process and structures. Together, this retrograde will lead you down a middle road where balance can be found. Otherwise shift could really hit the fan.
Figure out what is and isn’t working for you. When in doubt, journal it out. Use your words to guide you as you seek new forms of alignment with your values and processes. And make it snappy, because next week’s full Moon is a lunar eclipse in Scorpio and that spells all sorts of trouble.
When reading personal horoscopes, read your Sun sign for the “big picture” and your rising sign for “where the work is.”
ARIES / ARIES RISING
March 21 – April 19
Mars sextile Uranus: You’re the apple of someone’s eye this week. Speaking of fruitful, make a roll in the hay while the sun shines.
TAURUS / TAURUS RISING
April 20 – May 20
Mercury sextile Venus: You’re blessed with a brief reprieve this week. Take time to relax and unwind, and to deepen your most intimate bonds.
GEMINI / GEMINI RISING
May 21 – June 20
Mercury sextile Venus: You’re well positioned as a resolver of conflicts. Use the power of love to relax any barriers to progress.
CANCER / CANCER RISING
June 21 – July 22
Moon square Sun: Tensions that simmer below the surface of your relationships may bubble over. Your selfishness is not hot, so cool down.
LEO / LEO RISING
July 23 – Aug. 22
Sun conjunct Uranus: Open-minded is not the same as impulsive. Break free from routine but don’t break the rules or another person in the process.
VIRGO / VIRGO RISING
Aug. 23 – Sept. 22
Mercury sextile Venus: Take time to relax and unwind. You’ll get the most pleasure by fostering your most intimate social bonds. Let your love shine.
LIBRA / LIBRA RISING
Sept. 23 – Oct. 22
Mercury sextile Venus: Relational harmony is yours to have this week. Let your affection bridge any space between yourself and others.
SCORPIO / SCORPIO RISING
Oct. 23 – Nov. 21
Mars sextile Uranus: You’ll be feeling frisky this week, so you can focus on getting off or rally for projects you’ve been putting off. It’s a win-win.
SAGITTARIUS / SAGITTARIUS RISING
Nov. 22 – Dec. 21
Jupiter sextile Pluto: Positive changes are as common and pretty as new pennies to you. Find a penny, pick it up — all day long…
CAPRICORN / CAPRICORN RISING
Dec. 22 – Jan. 19
Saturn unaspected: Work hard at not holding yourself back. You already know that validation doesn’t come from outside yourself.
AQUARIUS / AQUARIUS RISING
Jan. 20 – Feb. 18
Saturn unaspected: Make sure you can tell the difference between self-worth and material worth. Certain gains come more quickly than others.
PISCES / PISCES RISING
Feb. 19 – March 20
Jupiter sextile Pluto: You may receive some positive changes, either by your hand or another’s. Hold on tight and go with the flow.
