Yes, it’s that time again. The third and final Mercury in retrograde 2025 is here from November 9 to 29. This month, the planet of communication and intellect will take its infamous backward spin through the impulsive sign of Sagittarius before moving through passionate Scorpio. The energy might feel chaotically start-stop, with moments of brutal honesty giving way to calm introspection and clarity.
Can you expect timeline shifts? The chance to rewrite old scripts? Some unexpected switch-ups? According to Priscila Lima de Charbonnières, astrologer, author, and founder of the personalized astrology app Soulloop, yes: “Communication, business, and planning take center stage, touching both the big-picture stories we tell ourselves and the unspoken truths that shape our closest bonds.”
If that sounds intriguing, get ready. Despite its reputation for wreaking havoc on travel plans and causing mechanical glitches, Mercury in retrograde can actually be pretty illuminating—especially when it comes to our limiting beliefs, philosophies, and the ways we think. “When Mercury is retrograde, the mind runs at peak frequency,” explains Lima de Charbonnières. “Our attention to detail sharpens, our awareness of flaws heightens, and imperfections stand out. Yet we’re also more articulate, able to build ideas from the ground up and turn complexity into clarity.”
To find out what this Mercury in retrograde will mean for your sun sign specifically—and how to use all that energetic potential to thrive—read on.
What is Mercury retrograde?
“Mercury retrograde happens when the planet of communication appears to move backward in the sky, an illusion with very real effects,” explains Lima de Charbonnières. “It’s a time when communication, travel, contracts, and technology may feel glitchy, but it’s also a powerful moment for reflection.”
If it seems like Mercury is always retrograding, that’s because its backward orbit happens pretty frequently—around three to four times a year, to be exact. But as Lima de Charbonnières points out, the planet is not really moving backwards—it only appears that way because Mercury is the closest planet to the sun and has a shorter orbital route.
How to use Mercury in retrograde to your advantage
We can think of the perceived backward motion as a reminder to check in with certain aspects of our lives. After all, astrology is all about working with energy—not against it. “Mercury’s energy turns inward, inviting us to revisit the past, resolve misunderstandings, and shift the way we think, speak, and connect,” says Lima de Charbonnières.
In other words, Mercury retrograde is a chance to “slow down, reflect, and realign,” Lima de Charbonnières says. “Whether it’s refining your message, reconnecting with people who matter, or reworking plans that once felt ‘off,’ this period helps you course-correct with more wisdom and purpose. It’s a second shot to get it right. Use this time to fine-tune your communication, rethink decisions, and breathe new life into old ideas.”
Tips for Mercury retrograde
In general, the overarching advice for Mercury retrograde is to “show up as the most aligned version of yourself, and don’t be afraid to rewrite your own script,” says Lima de Charbonnières. Below, she shares her tips for taking advantage of this passage.
- Don’t rush decisions: If something feels off, it probably is. Give it space.
- Reflect and revise: Whether it’s a business pitch, a love letter, or a creative project, let yourself edit before hitting send.
- Reconnect: Old friends, clients, or ideas might resurface. This isn’t random, there’s something valuable there.
- Back it up: Tech glitches are real. Save your work, double-check details, and read the fine print.
Which zodiac signs are most affected by Mercury retrograde?
Though every sign will be impacted by Mercury in retrograde 2025 in some way, it will manifest differently for each (more on that below). In November, those with strong placements in Sagittarius and Scorpio can obviously expect to feel the influence of Mercury in retrograde strongly because the transit is occurring through their signs. Similarly, Virgos and Geminis, who are each ruled by Mercury, will also be heavily impacted. Here’s how things might play out for those signs in particular, according to Lima de Charbonnières:
Scorpios will feel this retrograde like a deep-sea dive into the power of presence, showing up in the world as they truly are and living the choices that define their own path ahead. As unspoken thoughts and unfinished stories rise to the surface, sensitivity heightens, but so does intuition. The key is to let revelations settle and, with renewed self-worth, rediscover the talents that express who they are while refining the plans that will move them forward.
For Sagittarius, what begins as a focus on identity—being who they truly are and how they move through the world—evolves into an exploration of the memories, dreams, and insights that shape their presence and guide their direction. What once felt urgent now calls for patience, what once seemed abstract demands practicality. Rest and introspection become essential, helping them slow down, listen inwardly, and integrate insight with intention, cultivating the self-awareness and confidence to follow their unique path.
For Virgos and Geminis, both ruled by Mercury, this retrograde may feel like a system reboot. For Virgos, communication and learning call for fine-tuning, revealing where they’ve been overanalyzing or overextending. It’s a time to pause and simplify, strengthening mental clarity and emotional grounding by returning to routines, words, and intentions that truly feel like home.
For Geminis, changes in pace or plans may test the balance between giving and receiving within partnerships or collaborations. As they reassess priorities and shared responsibilities, choosing quality over speed, they restore harmony in their daily flow and closest bonds, emerging with a more authentic rhythm and connection.
Advice for Mercury retrograde by sign
November begins like an over-caffeinated TED Talk. You’re brimming with opinions, chasing big ideas, and accidentally turning casual chats into debates no one asked for. Then everything flips: the spotlight moves inward, exposing what’s been unspoken, in finances, trust, desire, control, and suddenly every “no big deal” conversation feels like an emotional excavation. By December, clarity kicks in and you’re back to dreaming big, but this time your confidence is grounded in truth, not performance.
How to thrive: Meditate before you speak, reread before you send, and breathe before you react. When things get intense, choose honesty instead of defensiveness. Treat the slowdowns as a detox for your words, your wallet, and your relationships. The reward? A sharper voice, cleaner slate, and plans that finally make sense.
November starts with words flying faster than your patience, tempers flare, and suddenly you’re in conversations that feel more like confessionals or power plays. Then everything turns intimate and revealing: relationships become mirrors, old dynamics resurface, and you see who’s really listening and who’s just talking. By December, the fire returns, but it’s cleaner, wiser, and backed by emotional receipts you didn’t know you had.
How to thrive: Say less, mean more. When tension rises, resist the urge to win the argument and aim to understand instead. Double-check financial moves, revisit boundaries, and stop oversharing out of frustration. November is basically a crash course in emotional intelligence: graduate with grace, and December rewards you with depth, clarity, and a little well-earned sparkle.
November opens like a rom-com argument scene. Fast dialogue, strong opinions, and at least one dramatic exit. Relationships, work partnerships, or collaborations feel spicy and unpredictable, as everyone insists on being “right.” Then the tone shifts: the spotlight moves to your routines, boundaries, and stress levels, calling you to face what’s been quietly draining your focus. By December, conversations smooth out, chemistry rekindles, and you finally know which connections are worth the effort.
How to thrive: Think before you clap back. Choose clarity over clever comebacks, and give space to recharge when everything feels like too much input. Fix the small stuff, schedules, health habits, inbox chaos, before it snowballs into bigger messes. The magic of this season is that once you’ve cleaned up the noise, what’s left actually feels real, and mutual.
November kicks off with chaos in the calendar. Too many emails, too many opinions, and one too many “urgent” tasks that weren’t actually urgent. Productivity meets burnout as motivation collides with impatience, and suddenly you’re questioning what all this busyness is even for. Then the tempo softens: creativity, pleasure, and heart take center stage, reminding you that joy fuels focus far better than pressure ever could. By December, you’re back in motion, but this time with purpose, rhythm, and a better grasp of what truly deserves your energy.
How to thrive: Stop glorifying multitasking. It’s not a flex, it’s a drain. When everything feels scrambled, step back, breathe, and rewrite your to-do list around what genuinely matters. Let play, rest, and inspiration refill your tank before diving back in. Instead of doing more, do what actually makes you feel alive.
November opens with drama that could rival a film script. Creative sparks, bold confessions, maybe a risky text or two sent in the heat of the moment. Passions run high and self-expression feels electric until everything pivots inward: family matters, nostalgia, or emotional roots call for your full attention. By December, the color returns. You’re braver, clearer, and ready to create, flirt, or shine again, but this time from a place of emotional truth rather than impulse.
How to thrive: Don’t let inspiration turn into chaos. When life feels like a scene you can’t control, pause before performing. Revisit what grounds you, home, chosen family, quiet rituals, and let that be your reset button. Once the noise settles, your confidence will feel less like an act and more like something you actually own.
November begins with tiny comments turning into full-blown debates—especially on the home-front: every family or roommate group chat feels like a group therapy session you didn’t sign up for. Then the focus shifts outward: communication gets sharp, words carry weight, and you realize how much tone and timing can make or break a moment. By December, peace creeps back in, the air clears, and you’re ready to rebuild your space, physically and emotionally, into something that actually feels like calm.
How to thrive: Take a breath before replying, especially when the topic hits close to home. Redecorate your space or tidy a corner instead of stewing in it, it’s surprisingly therapeutic. Double-check messages, revisit old misunderstandings, and choose presence over pettiness. The month tests your patience, but by the end, you’ll have stronger boundaries, softer edges, and a space that finally feels like yours again.
November kicks off with verbal fireworks. Everyone’s got an opinion, and yours might come out faster (and louder) than intended. Emails, texts, and conversations carry extra spark, but clarity takes a backseat to passion. Then things slow down: you’re urged to look at what’s really valuable, your time, your energy, your voice, and decide what’s worth investing in. By December, communication flows again, this time with warmth, wit, and purpose that actually lands.
How to thrive: Speak less, listen more. When in doubt, save the rant as a draft. Reread every message before hitting send, especially if your emotions are running the show. Reassess what, and who, deserves your mental bandwidth. Once the noise fades, you’ll find your words carry more influence when they come from calm, not chaos.
November begins with a tug-of-war between what you want and what you need: spending, earning, or proving your worth suddenly feels charged. You might chase instant gratification or speak a little too boldly about finances, confidence, or self-esteem before realizing something deeper is shifting underneath. Then comes the reset: you’re rethinking identity, purpose, and how you show up when no one’s watching. By December, you’re back in your groove, grounded, self-assured, and ready to invest your energy where it truly pays off.
How to thrive: Pause before swiping, signing, or speaking. The impulse to prove yourself can drain more than your wallet, so check what’s driving your choices. Take inventory of habits, relationships, priorities, and rebuild from what feels true, not flashy. The reward is substance: a clearer sense of self that no trend or transaction can shake.
November starts like a personal rebrand gone slightly rogue. You’re fired up, saying what you mean (and maybe what you shouldn’t), eager to make moves that prove you’re evolving. Then the tempo shifts inward: behind the confidence, deeper questions stir about what’s driving you and what you’re avoiding by staying busy. By December, you emerge with sharper clarity, still bold but now anchored, less about impressing the world, more about living from your own truth.
How to thrive: Resist the urge to sprint when reflection would serve you better. When everything feels urgent, take a quiet day and let your mind catch up to your ambition. Take note of what keeps resurfacing, it’s probably the real issue. By the time your fire reignites, you’ll know exactly what deserves your energy and what was just noise in disguise.
November starts with restless dreams and mixed signals. You’re brimming with ideas but can’t quite tell which ones are inspired and which are just escapist. The vibe turns social midmonth, stirring old friendships, unfinished projects, and the realization that your circles may be shifting in quiet but meaningful ways. By December, solitude feels magnetic again: you crave peace, privacy, and a deeper creative rhythm that can only come from unplugging for a bit.
How to thrive: Trust your intuition but fact-check your fantasies. When conversations blur or plans feel off, take a breather instead of forcing clarity. Reconnect with a few key friends who actually ground you, not the ones who drain you. Let November teach you that pulling back isn’t disappearing, it’s how you find your signal in all the noise.
November opens with social sparks flying: group chats blow up, collaborations heat up, and everyone suddenly has an opinion on your plans. Then the focus shifts to work and reputation: a project, goal, or public move demands a rethink, urging you to face what’s been more about performance than purpose. By December, you’re back in the mix, reenergized, better aligned, and surrounded by people who actually get your vision.
How to thrive: Don’t confuse noise for momentum. Step back from the crowd long enough to see which connections elevate you and which just echo your ideas back louder. Rethink your goals, especially the ones built on validation rather than genuine ambition. Once you edit your audience, your message lands with real impact instead of getting lost in the scroll.
November opens with ambition at full volume. You’re pitching ideas, setting goals, and chasing visibility like the world’s your stage. Then everything slows and deepens: big plans hit review mode, and questions about meaning, direction, or integrity rise to the surface. By December, momentum returns with sharper focus, you’re still reaching high, but now with purpose instead of pressure.
How to thrive: Don’t mistake motion for progress. Before making career moves or bold announcements, sit with what’s really driving them, ego, excitement, or genuine vision. Revisit what success means to you, not what looks good online. Once clarity clicks, your confidence stops performing and starts building something that lasts.
