Mercury Retrograde is here again – your star sign’s tarot survival guide

Ready for Mercury Retrograde? The next one is here from November 25 until December 15.

Mercury Retrograde is an astrological event lasting around 3 weeks that occurs several times a year (all planets have retrogrades of varying frequencies).

Astronomically, a retrograde occurs due to orbital speeds making it look as though that planet is spinning backwards. Astrologically, we infer that the planet’s usual force or energy is reversed or blocked.

In Mercury’s case, that pertains to travel, commerce, communications and technology. So this retrograde has become associated with delayed trips, tech gremlins, crossed wires, spoilt plans, and soured deals.

It’s all fun and games, so don’t get worried or change your plans – this is a fast-moving and nebulous energy that is more than likely to pass you by.

Let’s draw a tarot card for each sign to reassure you and provide the one key step you could take to minimise any impact!

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Tarot card for Aries for Mercury Retrograde: Nine of Wands

Meaning: This card is like a pat on the back reassuring you that any little setbacks or glitches will appear minor and you’ll just tackle them like they didn’t even matter.

Daily life is a series of events, right? You just get on with it and handle it, and this retrograde will be no different. The worst thing you could do, actually, is think about it. So stop reading this and get busy living, okay!

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Tarot card for Taurus for Mercury Retrograde: Eight of Wands

Meaning: If there is an important proposal, pitch, discussion or negotiation on the table between now December 15 then make sure your message lands perfectly and crystal clear. Invite questions, test understanding, follow up in writing, get assurance you know that what you said is what has been heard.

The Eight of Wands is the communications card and a nudge to pay attention to any really significant comms you’re undertaking right now. Clarity is key.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Tarot card for Gemini for Mercury Retrograde: Two of Wands

Meaning: Permission granted to streamline your priorities and areas of focus. You have felt overwhelmed recently, Gemini, it’s all gotten a bit much. Spinning many plates is your super power but, even so, you have limits!

The Two of Wands warns that if you don’t streamline then plates will start smashing, so ditch, delegate and delay to get your to-do nice and short, easy, and doable. Less is more. You will do far greater service to what remains on the list.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Tarot card for Cancer for Mercury Retrograde: Four of Cups

Meaning: Sometimes you do enjoy a bit of devilry and you might be tempted to stir things up during this retrograde, possibly with someone or something you feel has gone ‘dormant’.

Cancer, let sleeping dogs lie! Whatever you stir up will not activate in the way you hope for. It will mutate and take on a zombie life of its own that will make you wish you’d never tampered. So, sit on your hands until the urge to meddle has passed. Let things stay dormant, perhaps that is the desired outcome.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

Tarot card for Leo for Mercury Retrograde: Ace of Swords

Meaning: You are ready to unburden some home truths which you’ve bitten your tongue about for too long. Do it, Leo, don’t delay this dialogue.

All I would suggest is that you make sure you leave plenty of time, space and energy to handle it because it’s likely that your message will misfire initially, they might get the wrong end of the stick, and this might trigger them to say stuff that triggers you in turn.

Space the conversation over more than one meeting. Don’t knee-jerk react. Write down what you want to say. Check understanding.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Tarot card for Virgo for Mercury Retrograde: Queen of Wands

Meaning: You are the master of organisation and smooth sailing anyway, Virgo, so I don’t expect a Mercury Retrograde (Mercury is also your ruling planet) to trip you up! That said, know your purpose, know your goals, your big rocks and priorities, and act accordingly.

Make sure your schedule serves your top three goals, and isn’t eaten up with titbits of demands from here and there. You might have to say no a few times, or shift things around. Be bossy!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

Tarot card for Libra for Mercury Retrograde: The Sun

Meaning: Nope, no retrograde here! The Sun is the tarot’s most positive card and brings you blessings ands good fortune during the retrograde – I guess someone has to get lucky and why not you, Libra?

You’re ruled by Venus and bring us all so much harmony, beauty and calming vibes. So, carry on as you were. In fact, amplify your goals and ambitions right now. Dare to dream. The higher you aim, the better the outcome.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Tarot card for Scorpio for Mercury Retrograde: Judgment

Meaning: Judgment reveals that the crossed wires at play in this retrograde for you are about your own self image. You will think or assume that others have an opinion of you (that they don’t).

You will project your fears or self-doubts onto other others, and it will only serve to undermine your confidence. So don’t do it, okay! You have had a heads up, watch that inner voice, silence the internal critic who whispers untruths in your mind. Be kind to yourself.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Tarot card for Sagittarius for Mercury Retrograde: The Moon

Meaning: Secrets are coming to this surface this retrograde! Sometimes, poor communication or misheard words can trigger a reaction that would never have surfaced otherwise.

Chaos creates opportunity. You will learn something, from some crossed wires, that surprises you. Absorb it and chew on it a bit before you react or act on it. Get further detail, probe, and ask questions. This is going to be a phase of fascinating revelations!

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

Tarot card for Capricorn for Mercury Retrograde: Knight of Wands

Meaning: If you’ve got any major trips coming up between now and December 15th, then just double check the details, get insurance, make a Plan B should anything go awry, and don’t assume checks have been done (do them yourself).

Knight of Wands is an adventurer but he is also a bit slapdash. Don’t be him. Make sure that you have control over any important journeys or travels and all will be well.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

Tarot card for Aquarius for Mercury Retrograde: Ace of Cups

Meaning: A very significant and intense new relationship will activate in your realm this retrograde. The key here is to make sure you get off on the right foot, so be honest and open, and don’t ignore any little red flags or questions you really need answered.

This could be a romance, friendship, new family member, or creative partner… it’s going to be a flourishing and fantastic bond but you want things to start as they mean to go on. Don’t let crossed wires trip you up.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Tarot card for Pisces for Mercury Retrograde: The World

Meaning: Travel is where your focus needs to be this retrograde, any major journeys, holidays, or moves you’ve got on the schedule.  Just ensure you’ve checked everything yourself vs assuming others have. I’m not saying things will go wrong, I am saying it’s better to be safe than sorry and to rest your mind by taking steps in advance.

Also, anything that you’re ending in order to move to a new place or position. Just ensure the admin is all in hand and you’re overseeing it. Job done.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Kerry King, the tarot queen, uses tarot and star sign wisdom to create inspiring forecasts and insights, with over 25 years fortune telling experience, and many happy clients all over the world. You can book a personal, written reading, which comes as a beautifully illustrated brochure, through Etsy or join her new Tarot Club and get weekly forecasts and more for £5 a month.

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

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