Get ready for a rollercoaster, babe. In Signs Of The Times, Her Campus lets you know exactly what’s going on—cosmically, obvi. From zodiac signs to horoscopes to house placements, we’re here to give you your astrology fix. Today, astrologer Linda Furiate talks to us about all things Mercury Retrograde: what it is, what it means, and how it will impact you based on your zodiac sign.
Grab your emotional support stuffed animal (and like, 10 cocktails), because retrograde season is making its way downtown, walking fast, faces pass, and it’s homebound. That’s right: the final Mercury Retrograde of 2022 is right around the corner.
Mercury retrograde is known for throwing a wrench in things. Whether it’s your vermin of an ex weaseling their way back into your life, unnecessary roadblocks popping up at work, or just an overall feeling of lethargy, Mercury retrograde has a way of shaking things up. And kind of for the worst.
But don’t freak out! Yes, Mercury retrograde can definitely be a messy time of disorientation and disarray, but it’s not the end of the world. On September 9, Mercury will be shifting into its fourth and final retrograde of the year. So, after it’s complete, you can rest without the threat of this cosmic chaos.
Whether you’re an astrology all-star or a skeptic of the stars, it’s important to know what exactly is going on with the upcoming Mercury retrograde. Her Campus talked to one of our cosmic besties, Astrologer Linda Furiate, to learn about all things Mercury retrograde: what it is, when it’s happening, and what it can mean for you, according to your zodiac sign.
SO, WHAT is mercury retrograde?
Cosmic jargon can sound so silly. Luckily, Furiate is here to break it down for us.
“Approximately three-to-four times a year, the planet Mercury will appear to move backward as it approaches a conjunction to the Sun. This backward movement is known as retrograde motion,” Furiate explains. “During this time frame, much of Mercury’s energy is absorbed by the sun which, in turn, may have an effect on the Earth and the other orbiting planets in our Solar system.”
But what’s the significance of Mercury retrograding? Since Mercury is the planet of intellect and communication, that means that these areas of your life may be impacted more than others.
“During any Mercury retrograde cycle, we may experience a sense of frustration as events and activities seem to challenge our patience,” says Furiate. “Our normal routine or way of doing something may cause us to backtrack or totally change up our plan. Therefore, it is important to rethink, redo and revisit our intentions to meet our needs.”
When Does Mercury GO Into Retrograde?
Mercury will enter into its retrograde phase from September 9, 2022 at 11:38 p.m. EST. This transit will last from then, until October 2, 2022 at 5:07 a.m. EST. At the start of retrograde, Mercury will be in the sign of Libra, before shifting back into Virgo.
But, WTF does that even mean?
“While Mercury is retrograde in Libra, we may feel a strong miscommunication or misunderstanding within our relationships,” Furiate says. “When Mercury retrograde finds its way back into Virgo, our thinking may feel off: we may change our mind a lot to rethink what we want to do in that moment.”
HOW WILL MERCURY RETROGRADE IMPACT ME?
Mercury retrograde will impact everyone differently depending on their zodiac sign and other placements in their birth chart. Will you be faced with a blast from the past? Read on to see how the retrograde will affect you, based on your zodiac sign.
ARIES (MARCH 20-APRIL 19):
Get ready to take a look at your relationships, Aries. This Mercury retrograde is will start out in your seventh house of partnerships, so you may be feeling wistful and nostalgic in your love life—especially when it comes to past heartbreak.
Once Mercury retrogrades back into your sixth house of health, you’ll feel disoriented when it comes to your personal routines and priorities. Because of this shift, you may feel like your life is in complete disarray. But don’t freak out! Remember that this can be a time of reeling back and healing: take a step back and think about how far you’ve come both personally and in your relationships. You got this!
TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20):
When retrograde begins, Mercury will be in your sixth house. This can be a great time for you to look over your self-care habits and routines, and reevaluate what may or may not be working with them. Stick to the self-care methods that have always worked for you, and steer clear of tactics that are draining or new—at least until the retrograde is over.
Mercury will then move into your fifth house of pleasure. You may feel inclined to reach out to an old relationship for closure, or seek out a new way to experience pleasure or love. Let this energy fuel you as you explore new hobbies or relationships, but don’t get carried away in the newness of it all. Be careful!
GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20):
With Mercury as your ruling planet, Geminis are in for a rollercoaster this retrograde. Starting in your fifth house, this retrograde may conjure up an old flame that could spark some excitement into your life, and may even push you to pursue new artistic and creative endeavors. If you’re feeling artistically stifled by this retrograde, look for new ways to excite your mind.
By the end of the transit, Mercury will be in your fourth house of home and family matters. This may cause you to bring your attention to matters at home, or with your family. Whether it’s reconnecting with loved ones, healing your inner child, or simply decorating for Halloween, this retrograde will bring your home life to the forefront.
CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22):
I know that you love being at home, Cancer, but since the retrograde is starting in your fourth house, it may not be the best place for you right now. Your life (and living space) may feel messy and suffocating during this time, so it may be time to take a step back and get some cleaning done—literally and figuratively. Connect with your family, give your space a refresh, and think about the possibility of a new home in your future.
As Mercury retrogrades into your third house of communication, you may struggle with misunderstandings. This could come in the form of people from your past reaching out for closure, or just simply having trouble getting along with family and friends. Whatever the case may be, take some time to find the courage to have tough conversations, and face miscommunication head-on.
LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22):
After a glorious birthday season (and a light Virgo season) Leos may feel brought back to Earth by this Mercury retrograde. Starting in their third house, this retrograde can bring relationships back into Leo’s life—especially those that didn’t send on a good note. Be prepared for confrontation, and use your confidence to stand up for yourself.
Later down the line, Mercury will find its way back into your second house of finances. This will call attention to your possessions and other things you may place value in. Up until now, you may have had a looser approach to your money and finances. Now, you can take a step back and look into your budgeting patterns, and how you can better balance your finances in the future.
VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22):
It’s Virgo season, so all eyes are on you! Unfortunately, that means that you have the eyes on yourself, which can mean a whole bunch of self-critique. Taking place in your second house of self-worth, you may be struggling with your self-esteem during this time. However, this isn’t a terrible thing! By looking into yourself, you’ll be able to rethink your priorities and needs—and that’s always a good thing.
The retrograde will end with Mercury falling into Virgo’s first house of identity. This can cause you to take an even deeper look into yourself and think about how to better yourself for the years ahead. A little post-birthday reflection never hurt anyone, right?
LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22):
Your cosmic birthday is coming up, Libras—and it’s taking place right in the middle of a retrograde. Starting out, Mercury will be in your first house of self. You may feel kind of existential when it comes to yourself your identity, and everything that makes you, you. This is a period for self-evaluation and a calling for your “true self” to finally break free. Just in time for your birthday!
This energy will continue as mercury moves into your twelfth house of spirituality. This can cause you to feel more internally and deeply. This can be an emotional time for you, since this retrograde is such a period of self-discovery. However, it’s important to remember that self-work is important, and can only make you grow in the long run.
SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21):
Scorpios are already deep thinkers, but this retrograde will take it to a whole new level. Starting out in your twelfth house, you may feel inclined to explore your spiritual side. Looking into yourself may cause you to confront some of your inner troubles and traumas, but you may come out of this retrograde with a new perspective on yourself.
As Mercury shifts into your eleventh house of community, your social life may be coming to the forefront. Old friend groups may come back, or a past circle may find its way back into your life. While these developments can be exciting, remember to use your intuitive nature to find out if these occurrences are genuine. Be cautious when it comes to trusting during this period!
SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21):
While Sagittarius is known for being the “life of the party,” that may not be the case with this retrograde. With Mercury in your eleventh house, you may feel socially drained, lethargic, and simply just not in the mood to be around others. While this can be a great period to recharge your social battery, remember not to ice everyone out—simply draw boundaries until you feel up for another adventure!
When Mercury retrogrades into your tenth house of career, you may be confronted with past workplace colleagues and supervisors. This can cause you to look back on your career trajectory, and seek out advice as to how to advance down the line. Remember to accept advice from old superiors, and stay away from workplace ideas that may clash with your true self.
CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19):
Don’t hate me, Capricorns, but this retrograde is coming for your neck. As the workaholics of the zodiac, Mercury retrograding in your 10th house is not ideal: this can lead to problems and misunderstands in your professional life, AKA, a Capricorn death sentence. Remember that these problems can teach you more about how you solve problems, and can even prep you for roadblocks in the future.
As Mercury moves to your ninth house of wisdom, you may be tapping into past experiences to actually solve problems that may arise in your life. This can cause you to think about all the wisdom you’ve already acquired, and how you can put that to use to better yourself and your career. See! I told you in the beginning it wouldn’t be that bad!
AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18):
Mercury retrograde starts out in your ninth house, Aquarius. So, that means you could experience obstacles when it comes to your philosophies and ways of thinking. If you’re feeling lost around this time, you’re not alone: this retrograde can cause you to feel disoriented and confused. However, you may find the most inner growth during this period and come out of it feeling more like yourself than ever.
Since Mercury will retrograde into your eighth house of transformation, you may feel a certain wave of nostalgia, particularly mourning your “old self” and old relationships. Let yourself feel this pain, but ultimately remember that it was in the past, and letting go will only make you better. You got this!
PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20):
Mercury will be starting out in the eighth house for our dear Pisces. While this house is symbolic of transformation, it also symbolizes financial transactions. So, Pisces may find themselves faced with debts and financial roadblocks that have been in the dark until now. Ultimately, this retrograde is all about letting go for Pisces—whether that’s in their financial or personal lives.
When Mercury retrogrades into the seventh house of partnerships, Pisces should expect an old flame, relationship, or friendship to find its way back into their circle. This can teach you more about what you deserve out of your relationships, and will remind you to not let (relationship) history repeat itself.