"Well, we’re back at it again–another rendezvous with everyone’s favorite villain: Mercury retrograde. Doesn’t it always seem like Mercury goes retrograde as soon as we finally catch our breath from the last one? That’s because it pretty much does. Mercury moves fast—think of that friend who always has a new partner within .005 seconds of leaving a relationship. We generally experience its retrograde 3-4 times per year when the planet appears to move backward in the sky.
This Mercury retrograde started on August 4, 2024, and runs until August 28, 2024. Starting out in the sign of Virgo, Mercury transitions into Leo on August 14, meaning you might feel a shift in energy at that time. As Mercury nears the Sun on August 18th, the retrograde will reach its peak of intensity (luckily it’s a Sunday, so you can just chill out and treat yourself that day). This is the second to last Mercury retrograde of 2024—the next one runs from November 25 to December 15.
That might sound scary, but don’t let the social media hype fool you: Mercury retrograde is only scary if you’re afraid of taking a step back from the hustle and bustle. Sure, we can have more issues with technology and plans might not work out the way you want them to, but Mercury retrograde is the perfect time to slow down and reflect. If you’re curious about exactly what that means for your zodiac sign, read on.
Aries
For you, Aries, Mercury retrograde is coming in hot with some much-needed structure. This might not be your favorite, but we all need it from time to time. Keep in mind that this structure is there to take you deeper into that creativity, passion, and romance that fuels your fire. There’s a lesson here, and it’s that you need to take vitamins, drink water, and pay your bills if you want to be the lover or leader that you imagine yourself to be. Once everything’s in order, commit to your vision fully and reflect on what you really want to bring into this world now that your to-do list is finally under control.
Taurus
This Mercury retrograde will bring you a spark of inspiration and creativity, but wait until Mercury goes direct to bring whatever you’re working on out into the world. Take some time to revise and perfect your creative projects, updated resumé, or business plan. Now is finally the time to edit that novel you’ve had sitting in Word for a year or finally give those suffering plants in your garden some TLC. As Mercury retrograde moves into Leo, you might be feeling less social. Don’t be afraid to take a night or two for yourself and ugly cry as you binge-watch Bridgerton for the fifth time–we all need it every once in a while.
Gemini
For Geminis, feelings are the name of the game in this Mercury retrograde. As a Gemini, you love to talk about your feelings, but now is the time to sit and feel them. Spend the first few weeks of this Mercury retrograde trying to make sense of your emotions, whether it’s through journaling, sending some voice notes to yourself, or working it through with your therapist. After you make sense of everything, go ahead and schedule a wine-fueled vent sesh with a friend and let everything out. Think of this retrograde period as a way to reflect and look inward before allowing the emotional dam to break.
Cancer
Cancers have a lot of emotions and, TBH, the beginning of this Mercury retrograde is going to be a lot. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that every other Cancer sign is right there with you. Now is a good time to reconnect with family, especially close siblings, or revisit local spots that are meaningful to you. Cleaning out your emotional closet can help you tune into what’s actually important. Be brutally honest with yourself—if you’re not feeling spin class anymore, sign up for yoga instead. If you’re tired of your weekly night out with friends, focus on creating more space for yourself or building new friendships. The emotional turmoil of this retrograde can lead to positive changes.
Leo
As a Leo, this retrograde is the perfect opportunity to look into what drives you. You might find that the way you make money isn’t aligning with your values anymore, or just isn’t working. Don’t be afraid to dream big as you take a step back from your career and financial life and reflect on what you really want out of your day-to-day. As Mercury lights up your zodiac sign in the second half of the month, you might be feeling called to change up your style—consider this your sign to not impulsively get bangs. Wait until Mercury stations direct on August 28 to do a full wardrobe change, but go ahead and get that Pinterest board started now.
Virgo
Virgos: This Mercury retrograde is the perfect time for some personal development, but remember to be kind to yourself as you grow. You love to strive for perfection, and Mercury will give you some insights into what’s going well and where you can improve. However, don’t hold yourself to unrealistic standards, especially because you might not feel on top of your game mentally as the month moves on. Feeling like you have your head in the clouds can be frustrating, but the key is to chill out and adapt. I know that’s easier said than done for you, but add it to your to-do list. You might be surprised at just how well things turn out.
Libra
Libras love to get a little dreamy, and this Mercury retrograde, you should lean into that. Let yourself live in the memories of past friends and partners, daydream, and allow your mind to wander. The brain fog can be real with this Mercury retrograde, but just take that as a sign to focus more on self-care. Later in the month, you will need to take a hard look at your friend group to see what is and isn’t working in your circle. There’s no need to burn bridges, but if anyone is draining your energy, move your attention toward those that help you be the best version of yourself.
Scorpio
Scorpio is one of the few signs that thrives during Mercury retrograde, because of their own cyclical nature. You love diving deep into your emotions and cutting ties with things that aren’t working anymore, and that’s what Mercury retrograde is all about. During this Mercury retrograde, think about your social circle—if anyone doesn’t make the cut, say goodbye. In your case, burning bridges actually might be the way to go, given your all-or-nothing way of life. It’s also time to think about what your greater purpose is in this world. Be brutally honest with yourself about your own existential value, and take steps toward living the life that calls to you.
Sagittarius
For a Sagittarius, this Mercury retrograde is the perfect opportunity to think about your “why.” Is it starting a family? Or maybe traveling the globe? Maybe it’s saving the whales or just learning to be more present. If you haven’t started doing the work, this Mercury retrograde is challenging you to get into the details and will show you what you still need to learn. Establish a plan to get where you need to be, whether it’s going back to school, reading a few books, or traveling somewhere you’ve never been before. Don’t let these learning moments get you down—know that they’re important steps along your journey.
Capricorn
That big project you’re working on might get stalled or things at work could be moving slower than expected—a nightmare for a Capricorn. You might dislike it when things slow down and get out of whack, but hear me out: What if this slow-down period was actually a chance for you to get organized so that things go more smoothly moving forward? Rest and reflection are just as important and productive as that daily grind you love so much. Think about what knowledge and skills you need to take the next step in your career or start your next big project. After that, think about what’s not working. What needs to be tossed away to create space for something new?
Aquarius
As Aquarians, you prefer to just take your emotions at face value instead of diving deep, but this retrograde isn’t going to let you do that. This Mercury retrograde is an emotional time for you—you’ll want to finally address those feelings you’ve been ignoring. If it feels right, schedule a therapy session, or just have a vent night with friends to let it all out. This emotional deep dive is preparing you for future relationships, both in your dating world and in your career world. Throughout this retrograde, ask yourself what you truly need out of your partnerships in order to be fulfilled.
Pisces
As Mercury retrograde gets going, your romantic and professional relationships might get a bit rocky. Remember that this is temporary—don’t make any big decisions on the fly. Instead, take time to think about how you can make your relationships stronger, or whether it’s better to just move on. With that in mind, your daily routines will also come into question this retrograde. Your schedule might get thrown off, but that will give you an opportunity to think about whether what you do every day is actually making you happy, or if it’s time to switch things up.
Brittany Mailhot, Contributing Astrology Writer
As an Astrology Writer for The Everygirl, Brittany enjoys exploring how we can use astrology to understand ourselves on a deeper level. She studied at the Portland Astrology School, where she specialized in evolutionary astrology. In her own life, Brittany has used astrology as a way to notice her own patterns, have more empathy for herself and others, and understand the ebbs and flows of her life.