Don’t Freak Out, but Mercury Retrograde Is Here Again

From Cosmopolitan

The universe really isn’t giving us any breaks this year, is it? Right now, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto are all retrograde; there was a lunar eclipse a couple of weeks ago; there are not one but two more eclipses OTW; and starting June 18, the second Mercury Retrograde of the year begins. Cardinal signs Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn will feel this Retrograde’s impact the most, while water signs Scorpio and Pisces will struggle the least (lucky!).

Mercury Retrograde might be the most infamous astrological transit—and for good reason. Retrogrades represent a time when all things related to that planet become a little bit wonky, and Mercury represents communication, commerce, technology, and short-distance travel—all things we rely on in our day-to-day lives. But Retrogrades are also a time to revisit the past and revise your current behavior. Basically, life’s getting a little chaotic now so that you can figure out what’s not working and make life way less hectic in the future.

Right now, Mercury is in the sign of Cancer, and it’ll stay there throughout the Retrograde. That means this particular Mercury Retrograde is picking up Cancerian vibes, making you super emotional and pulling your focus to your past, your upbringing, and how both affect the person you are now.

This Mercury Retrograde is also going to activate several “eclipse points,” which are the points in the sky where the last several eclipses occurred. For the past couple of years, a majority of the eclipses (solar and lunar) have taken place in Cancer and its opposite sign, Capricorn. If you feel like taking a trip down memory lane, look back to these dates: June 12, 2018; January 5, 2019; July 2, 2019; July 16, 2019; December 26, 2019; and January 10, 2020. Any major events, life changes, or new relationships that occurred on or around any of these dates will be a huge part of your own personal Mercury Retrograde narrative over the next few weeks.

This transit promises to make the outside world less of a priority, because there is a ton of inner work that needs to be done. You’re being asked to think about what you need in order to feel safe, secure, and stable. As much as you might want to leave the past in the past, these next few weeks will have you reflecting on circumstances that happened long ago, learning how to remove emotional blockages. It’s hard work, but by the time the Retrograde is over on July 12, you’ll feel refreshed, lighthearted, and more stable.

Here are your Mercury Retrograde horoscopes:

Aries

As Mercury Retrograde moves through Cancer, your fellow cardinal sign, you’re finding that there’s something holding you back from living your best life. You might see trouble regarding housing (if you can, try to avoid making any major moves until the retrograde ends), or you might notice appliances or technology glitching out at home. On an inner level, you’re focusing on the past, spending way more time with your family (whether on Zoom or IRL), learning more about your roomies, and staying home. You’re getting in touch with your roots, developing a stronger understanding of the past, and finding inner stability and comfort.

Taurus

The way you communicate with others isn’t working out as well as it could. You’re an earth sign—practical, grounded, and matter-of-fact—so logic tends to win out over your emotions. But here’s the thing, Taurus: Even if you don’t want to take your feelings into account, you still have ’em! You’re learning how to be more sensitive, not only to others’ feelings but to your own too. If you’re upset, say something. If you’re sad, rant to someone you can trust. If you’re happy, share it with others. And if you love someone, make sure you tell them! It might be tough, but you got this, Taurus.

Gemini

Mercury Retrograde in Cancer is occupying your chart’s 2nd house, which governs valuables and values. As far as “valuables” go, your finances are getting a little wild, so avoid impulse buying, save when you can, and double-triple-quadruple check that you’re paying your bills on time. And as for values, you’re analyzing your morals and seeing how your past affects what you believe in the present. There’s also a big emphasis on your sense of self-worth—do you feel like you’re “enough”? You’re learning that your past doesn’t define you. If you’ve screwed up, you can change and make things right. If you didn’t receive the support or love you needed growing up, you’re able to love yourself. The next few weeks are full of important inner work, and while it won’t be easy, the rewards will be more than worth the effort you put in.

Cancer

Are you ready? Mercury Retrograde is happening in your sign, which means you’re doing a ton of inner work. You’re focusing on the way you communicate, the way you feel about yourself, the persona you want to show the world, and the types of relationships you form. Yeah, it’s a lot! Start with yourself: How do you relate to others? How do you share your thoughts and feelings? What walls do you have up? Once you’ve figured that out, go deeper and examine how your past affects your present. Consider your inner wants and needs, and make sure they’re being met. After all this work, you’ll be able to express the best version of yourself possible, strengthen your relationships, and feel a sense of inner comfort.

Leo

The next few weeks have you dealing with emotional baggage and digging into your subconscious habits and behaviors. If it sounds heavy, that’s because it is! This inner work is taking a remarkable toll on your energy, so it’s important that you take time to meditate, relax, and rest. This Mercury Retrograde is all about ending patterns and completing cycles for you, Leo. It’s an opportunity to eliminate self-destructive habits so that you can live a better life. BTW, you might run into an ex or an old friend you had a falling-out with—this is your opportunity to find closure. As you dig up memories from the past, you’ll get worn out at first, but you’ll be surprised at how much lighter you feel by the time this Retrograde ends.

Virgo

This Mercury Retrograde isn’t really impacting you on a personal level, Virgo, but it’s stirring up drama in your squad. There are people in your crew who, frankly, you’ve outgrown. You know the kind—they just take and take and take without giving anything back. I’m not saying you should view your friendships as transactional (although you might already do, since you’re an earth sign), but be real with yourself. If your friends don’t support you, this Mercury Retrograde might bring the final straw that makes you decide to cut them off for good. On the other hand, you might run into someone you had a past falling-out with, so you can determine whether this person belongs in your life now that you’ve both changed. Word to the wise: As much as you’re being tempted to gossip, try to avoid it—that way, you can minimize the drama and come out on the other side in one piece.

Libra

Since this Mercury Retrograde is happening in another cardinal sign, you’re getting hit sort of hard, Libra. The big focus here is your career and public image. Think about whether or not the persona you show to others (especially at work) honors the real you. Is your current career path in line with your dreams? Do your professional goals fit what you want to do with your life? If you’re not so sure about your current job, don’t turn in your two weeks’ notice—but go ahead and update your résumé, research different jobs, and send in a few applications. Even if you’re satisfied with what you do for a living, you may feel some extra pressure from your boss, so look for creative ways to boost your productivity. No matter how you feel about your 9-to-5, once you break on through to the other side of this Retrograde, you’ll have a stronger idea of what you want to do with your life.

Scorpio

Two areas of your life are being impacted by this Mercury Retrograde, Scorpio. First, if you’re a student, you’re being handed a ton of challenges. Like, are your current classes going to help you do what you want with your life after graduating? Are you figuring out where to apply for college or grad school? Are you considering taking a gap year? You’re in no rush to solve these problems right now, Scorpio, but take these weeks to consider your options. Second, all Scorpios are being asked to focus on their opinions, beliefs, and outlook on life. You’re a stubborn fixed sign, and you fight for what you believe in no matter what. But now’s the time to listen to others and learn about ideas you haven’t yet considered. Instead of getting preachy, keep an open mind. You’ll be surprised at how much you learn and change. Oh, and P.S. If you have any travel plans during the next few weeks, make sure you triple-check everything—Mercury Retrograde is notorious for screwing up these kinds of things.

Sagittarius

Sagittarius, this Retrograde is focusing on intimacy—what it means to you, how you experience it with others, and the state of your sex life as a whole. (BTW, if you have any shared financial assets—especially with a partner—expect some stress to come your way.) You have a reputation for being a commitment-phobe, but this Retrograde is urging you to dig deeper and explore how your past experiences influence your current feelings about relationships. Figuring out how to open up and allow yourself to become entangled with someone else is tough, especially for someone as independent as you, but this Retrograde will help you understand that commitment comes with deep and valuable bonds.

Capricorn

Your one-on-one relationships are your main priority during this Mercury Retrograde. The “b” relationships (your bestie, your boo, your business partner, and anyone you’re beefing with) are the connections to focus on, and TBH, they’re bringing drama. You might run into an ex or an ex-friend, but take advantage of the encounter to find closure. You might even want to bring them back into your life—after assessing how they’ve changed, of course. If you’re currently boo’d up and struggling to get along with your partner or just hitting a rough patch with a friend, use this time to stop, figure out the root of issue, and find a solution. Odds are, it’s a communication issue—Mercury does rule communication, after all. Speak your mind and make sure you listen to what the other person has to say too. Be willing to compromise, and you’ll get through this Retrograde relatively stress-free!

Aquarius

Your wellness (both mental and physical) is your focus for the next few weeks, as is your day-to-day routine. Do you have regular self-care rituals? Are you staying active? Are you eating balanced, nutritious meals? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then it’s time to fix that! Make sure you’re eating right, exercising (even if it’s just doing a few yoga stretches every day), and getting plenty of rest. This Mercury Retrograde can be a real headache if you’re not taking responsibility for your well-being. But if you take this time to knock out unhealthy habits and start new, productive ones, you can lead a happier, more productive life for a looong time after the Retrograde is over.

Pisces

Hi, Pisces! Lucky you, this Mercury Retrograde is probs going to cause very minimal drama. Since Mercury is in Cancer, a like-minded water sign, its vibes are harmonizing with your own, Retrograde or no. Your focus is primarily on yourself and what makes you happy. Mercury Retrograde is taking place in your chart’s 5th house, the house of good fortune, which rules romance, sex, creativity, and fun—and it sort of turns anything stressful (like a Retrograde) into something pleasant. During this Retrograde, you’re getting back in touch with your inner child, finding what makes you happy, and learning how to share affection. If you’re an artist of any type, you’re inspired to create. If your love life has been stagnant, you’re able to figure out why. And whether you’re single or taken, you’re finding a way to spice up your love life—but just a heads-up, you also might run into an ex or two!

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