All About December's Mercury Retrograde and What It Means for Your Zodiac Sign

The last Mercury retrograde of the year spans from Dec. 13, 2023, through Jan. 1, 2024

If the approaching year's end has you feeling in a funk, you have mercury in retrograde to blame!

Celebrity astrologer Kyle Thomas tells PEOPLE that Mercury retrograde is "one of the most popular catchall periods for why everything in your life seems to be falling apart." Fortunately, it only lasts from Dec. 13 to Jan. 1, 2024.

Approximately three to four times a year, Mercury — the planet of communication and the mind — appears to move backward across the sky, resulting in periods often associated with confusion, delay and frustration. (Despite its apparent backward-moving appearance, it's an optical illusion to the human eye.)

The last time Mercury was in retrograde was between Aug. 23 and Sept. 15, 2023. This winter retrograde "backtracks through Capricorn from Dec. 13 until Dec. 23 and returns to Sagittarius from Dec. 13 until Jan. 1 in a retrograde phase," says Thomas, who's known for his cosmic guidance for celebrities, business executives and prominent influencers.

As it ventures into Capricorn, Thomas says "our minds shift into a more methodical and practical perspective," favoring logic, order and realism. When Mercury is retrograde in Sagittarius, Thomas says themes of "international travel and business" or "media and publishing endeavors" may "be reviewed."

Mercury returns to Capricorn on Jan. 13, 2023. During the time of this zodiac backspin, themes of "ambitions, professional matters and questions around our traditions and legacies" will also "be reviewed or spiral off the tracks."

To find out what the upcoming Mercury retrograde could mean for you based on your zodiac sign, per Thomas' suggestions, read on!

Related: All About August's Mercury Retrograde and What It Means for Your Zodiac Sign

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Don't let Mercury retrograde rain on your parade, Aries, because Thomas says it "will bring thunderstorms to your career and professional projects" at first.

This may come in the form of "delays or conflicts with a boss." Perhaps, he adds "challenging news around your ambitions, success or public recognition could all manifest until Dec. 23."

Therefore, Thomas suggests you avoid launching new projects because "they will fail" at this time. "If you would like to return to a previous employer, reach out then — after this, you’ll notice that confusion around academics, legalities, media endeavors or travel crops up."

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

You might find yourself disagreeing with others more than ever before, Taurus. Thomas says that it's likely you'll "be having frustrations around academics, media endeavors or legalities" at first. "Something difficult is afoot," he predicts.

After Dec. 23, however, Thomas notes that Mercury retrograde could "bring its worst to your intimacy, vulnerability and trust." He explains that a significant relationship "will likely feel imbalanced."

Relationships aside, Thomas says this retrograde can also "cause frustration around assets, wealth or investments."

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

Take a closer look at your relationships now, Gemini. Thomas says the Mercury retrograde phase "stirs the pot on all levels within partnership." Until Dec. 23, he says you'll likely "be feeling that a significant connection is not balanced."

"You could be having trust or sharing issues," he continues. "This could instead bring frustration to assets or investments."

As time goes on, however, Thomas says that "miscommunication with everyone will feel like it’s a curse." He says, "Exes or old partners may manifest before you," though he adds, "If you’d like to reconnect with someone, seize the day."

Related: All About December's Full Moon and What It Means for Your Zodiac Sign

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Fasten your seatbelt, Cancer! Thomas says the Mercury retrograde phase will likely "bring confusion and miscommunication to your partnerships and relationships," bringing "friction or cause you to wonder why you’re not on the same page."

Thomas says this might even "bring back an old partner in business or love to you." If you’d like to reconnect with someone, he suggests you "use the time now" because this energy "is quite potent" until Dec. 23.

After that date, Thomas say you’ll likely "have frustrations around work and employment, as projects and plans spiral off the rails." He adds, "If you’d like to reconnect with an old client or employer, use the days after Dec. 23."

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Breathe in and breathe out, Leo. Thomas says this Mercury retrograde is likely to "bring headaches around work and employment matters" at first, causing you to "sense confusion with coworkers or around projects and responsibilities."

"Someone may up and quit, causing all sorts of matters to spin off the rails," he continues. "If you’d like to reconnect with an old employer, do so prior to Dec. 23."

After that date, Thomas says you may "see uncertainty consume your love life, passions and creativity." If you're a parent, he says you may see uncertainty around your children, too.

"An ex or old flame may appear after this time," he adds. "If you’d like to give it a go, or ask someone from your past for a second chance, do so then."

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Drama could be near, Virgo, because Thomas says your "planetary ruler is acting tricky" at this time. At the beginning of the Mercury retrograde until Dec. 23, he says you could "be seeing all sorts of confusion around dating, your passions and creativity, or even children."

Thomas says you might even "find yourself suddenly ghosted" if casually meeting new people — or perhaps, you may find that "your lover is having second thoughts" at this time. "An ex, old hookup or old flame could even cross your path."

Therefore, Thomas says "to reconnect with someone" then if you feel the urge to do so. Later, he says you might find yourself having "frustrations around family matters, your home, real estate or domestic situations."

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Step back and recharge, Libra. Thomas says the beginning of the winter Mercury retrograde can "bring confusion to your home, family, real estate and domestic matters."

If you're amid a move or renovation, Thomas says it might "experience delays and frustrations" at this time. In fact, he notes it will be "quite noticeable until Dec. 23" this year.

Then, Thomas says you may find that "all of your communications, especially writing, speaking and contractual matters, hit snags at every turn." He stresses, "Watch what you say, send or post!"

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Feeling uncertain, Scorpio? The Mercury retrograde "will make you confused around your ideas, opinions and plans," predicts Thomas. "This is especially true if you’ve been working on an important writing, speaking, advertising or branding initiative."

Thomas says this could be also be "causing hurdles around travel or contracts instead." After Dec. 23, he says "money matters" could "be hit hard," citing check delays or strange transactions on your bank account as examples.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21)

It's Zen time, Sagittarius. Anxiety is sure to be felt amid the havoc caused by the Mercury retrograde, especially since Thomas says you'll likely "experience plenty of delays, frustrations and drama around your income and finances."

Therefore, he advises you "triple check all of your expenses and transactions!" After Dec. 23, Thomas says the retrograde "will get even worse as it stirs the pot in your zodiac sign."

While Thomas says "you’ll feel like you’re in the eye of the storm as quite literally everything spirals off the tracks," he advises to "go with the flow" as "things will get better after Jan. 1, 2024."

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Take a mini vacay, Capricorn, you deserve it! Thomas says this is because Mercury "will be causing all sorts of drama in your zodiac sign, particularly until Dec. 23, which will cause challenges and hurdles to pop up in regards to every project, plan or desire you set your mind upon."

Rather than fighting the current, Thomas suggests you "take a moment to unplug and just go relax" since "nothing will proceed" at this time. After Dec. 23, he says you may "notice your anxiety spikes as your dreams get quite active."

He adds, "Secrets, situations from the past or hidden enemies may emerge at this time."

Related: All About December's New Moon and What It Means for Your Zodiac Sign

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Prioritize your mental health, Aquarius. At the onset of the Mercury retrograde phase, Thomas says "you could feel like your anxiety, frustration and insecurity is all over place."

Until Dec. 23, he points out that you "may be obsessing about closure or baggage," listing "secrets, hidden enemies and unresolved situations" as examples that "may haunt you."

After that date, however, Thomas says "our cosmic messenger will bring confusion to your network, friendships and social life," noting that "online dating might spiral," too. On a positive side, he says that "old friends and lovers may return," so if you'd like to reunite with them, he says to "do so after then."

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

You have a lot to analyze, Pisces! Thomas says Mercury retrograde "will initially bring his mischief to your friendships, social life and network." This may occur in the form of "miscommunication" or "drama" with people that you know.

"Old friends and flames may return to you during this time, especially until Dec. 23," predicts Thomas. "If you’d like to reunite with anyone, do so then."

After that date, Thomas says it's possible our cosmic messenger "will cause delays, confusion and hurdles around your professional life." He adds, "If you’d like to return an old employer or career project, do so then."

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