Your Survival Guide to November's Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

Sophie Saint Thomas

Messenger planet Mercury, which rules communication, is famous for its retrogrades. Mercury retrograde, which occurs three to four times a year, is typically feared for communication errors, travel delays, and a tendency to cause the reappearance of pesky exes. However, it's also a period when we can correct mistakes, and it offers a welcome opportunity to steer life back on the proper course. This autumn's Mercury retrograde starts on Halloween, Thursday, October 31, and is the last of the year.

October kicks off with Mercury in mysterious water sign Scorpio. While it's still direct we're in its pre-retrograde shadow period, which began on Friday, October 11. Think of the shadow period like PMS. You may begin to feel moody and communication starts to feel slower than usual. There's a bit of a fog over your head. Use this period to prepare: Make sure your work calendar is in order, confirm Halloween plans, and triple-check travel arrangements so that once the retrograde fully kicks in you'll have an easier time.

The thing is, Mercury is a mischievous planet — it's basically the trickster of the zodiac. While it's in Scorpio, communication will feel like it's being written in some kind of code, and yet being decoded for you at the same time; Scorpio is the detective of the zodiac and knows how to unearth information. You may find yourself and anyone close to you interested in exposing the truth. While finding hidden agendas can be handy, during this time we may all feel more paranoid than usual. Even the most chill people may spend extra time lurking around their lover's Instagram, searching for signs of deception within the comments. While a little jealousy is normal, too much can ruin a relationship. Spend extra time meditating and engaging in other self-soothing activities to stay rooted in reality.

Trust your gut, celebrate properly, but try very hard not to self-sabotage.

Because Mercury retrograde officially begins on Halloween, Thursday, October 31, let's be real: There is no way that you are staying in, even though Mercury retrograde may delay travel, confuscate communication, and make an already chaotic holiday even more so.

So what's the survival tip? You just have to lean into it. Scorpio is also the sign of death and rebirth. Work hard to let petty issues go for the sake of your relationships, but if major truths are unearthed, embrace them. Perhaps it is the time to leave your job for a new one or let go of a relationship after you learn that they're crossing a boundary you've clearly outlined. However, to make sure that you don't do anything you regret this Halloween, wait until after this retrograde is over to act on major revelations. If you think something is actually up, be assertive and ask your partner.

Scorpio is an extremely intuitive sign, so you may feel a little psychic right now. Trust your gut, celebrate properly, but try very hard not to self-sabotage. Since communication is a little funky right now, in order to avoid anything that may make you paranoid stay off your phone as much as possible other than to post the obligatory Halloween costume photo. The one day to mark in your calendars this retrograde is Monday, November 11, when the Sun in Scorpio conjuncts Mercury in the same sign. This is not the day to have important conversations. Understandings run wild and signature Scorpio suspicion is at an all-time high.

For all the fear about running into exes, accidentally sexting your boss, or accidentally liking your crushes' Instagram post from three years ago, don't forget that Mercury retrograde offers a lot to learn. It's a period in which we get a chance to correct mistakes. Scorpio, sometimes symbolized by the phoenix, loves a good comeback story. It's the best time of the year for a makeover. If you regret saying no to a date, a hairstyle, or a business opportunity, this is your time to go get what's yours.

Mercury retrograde officially ends on Wednesday, November 20. Remember that there is a two-week shadow period post-retrograde, and boisterous Sagittarius season kicks off on Friday, November 22. This new energy may make it hard to stay chill, but make sure to take your time, double-check your spelling, and invoke fiery Sagittarius archer energy for confidence. You may just enter the new year not only feeling great about the present, but better about the past if you figure out how to utilize the lessons of this Mercury retrograde.

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Originally Appeared on Allure