When the trickster comes out to play: What is Mercury retrograde?

They say “it’s not over till it’s over”… November’s Mercury retrograde is still haunting me and was probably one of the worst I can remember. And I can’t really claim that I’ve had that many bad ones! That being said, Mercury is my chart ruler, so every once in a while, the trickster comes out to play.

Not only did multiple whats app messages disappear from different chats without me touching any settings at all, there were also several text boxes suddenly missing from my homepage and the layout was significantly messed up in the mobile version and it couldn’t be changed! I had worked on other pages but not the homepage, and absolutely no idea what had happened! I ended up checking my editing history and found out the content in question was magically gone about a day or so after the retrograde started. So, I restored that previous version and then had to re-do all the other changes…

On top of that, several people (more than usual, ha ha ha!) just didn’t receive or see my messages, no matter what I tried. Let me tell you, it was really, really annoying. And yep, you’ve guessed correctly: Mercury was retrograde in Scorpio in my 3rd house of communication, computer stuff, that type of thing. Some communication issues still aren’t resolved now, 14 days later (Mercury is still in the 3rd)!

Mercury Retrograde: What’s Really Happening + What It Means in Your Chart

Few astrological events spark as much collective buzz as Mercury retrograde, although it’s a pretty frequent phenomenon. From inexplicably missed or outright vanished emails to annoying travel snags, it’s become shorthand for cosmic chaos – but what’s actually going on in the sky?

The Astronomy Behind Mercury Retrograde

Astronomically, Mercury never actually moves backward. Instead, retrograde motion is an optical illusion that occurs when Mercury and Earth are on the same side of the Sun and Mercury – being the faster planet – passes Earth on the inside track. From our perspective, this makes Mercury appear to pause and reverse direction against the backdrop of the stars. Like Mercury, all other planets (minus the Moon) regularly turn retrograde for a period of time.

Some quick scientific facts:

• Mercury orbits the Sun every ~88 days.

• It appears retrograde 3–4 times per year, each period lasting about 3 weeks.

• During retrograde, Mercury is closest to Earth, which contributes to its bright visibility in the sky.

• The “retrograde loop” is predictable and varies in location depending on where Mercury is in its orbit.

• In astrology, Mercury traditionally rules the areas of communication, travel, commerce, and technology. When it appears to move backwards, these areas symbolically turn inward, revisit the past, or become temporarily chaotic.

Mercury Retrograde in all 12 Astrological Houses

Here’s a quick guide telling you what you may expect during Mercury retrograde, based on which house Mercury is transiting in your individual chart.

1st House – Identity & Self-Expression

You may rethink how you present yourself, try to find smarter ways of responding to challenging situations, or revisit personal decisions. Old self-doubt surfaces so you can rewrite your narrative.

2nd House – Money & Values

Budgeting errors or forgotten expenses pop up. Maybe catching up with your bookkeeping is in order. It’s a good time to review spending habits or investment plans, or reassess what you truly value.

3rd House – Communication, Short Trips & Siblings

Classic retrograde themes amplify: missing or delayed messages, tech issues (car, electronic devices), travel and transportation cancellations. You may reconnect with siblings or rework writing projects.

4th House – Home & Family

Old family matters resurface. A conversation may be due to clear up misunderstandings or difficult issues. You might reconsider living arrangements or rediscover something meaningful from your past.

5th House – Creativity, Romance & Fun

Former romantic interests might reappear. Creative projects benefit from revision rather than launching something new. You may realise why you’ve been feeling self-conscious about something.

6th House – Work & Daily Routines

Expect scheduling hiccups or miscommunications at work. Obstacles may pop up that get in the way of operating smoothly. Your habits may need some fine-tuning and old health routines could return.

7th House – Relationships & Contracts

Ex-partners or old collaborators may reemerge. Great for renegotiating or updating agreements, not so ideal for signing brand-new ones. Try to express yourself clearly to avoid sending mixed messages.

8th House – Intimacy, Debt & Shared Resources

Issues around shared finances, assets, or emotional bonds return for repair. A time to examine where you really stand in terms of personal commitments. Inner psychological work is especially powerful.

9th House – Travel, Study & Beliefs

Long-distance travel plans or even moving abroad may require revision. You might rethink certain views about the world, your current higher educational path, or reevaluate your core belief systems.

10th House – Career & Public Image

Career goals shift or slow down temporarily. Reflect on your professional direction and reputation. Patience is needed if you find it impossible to perform like you’re used to, or that progress is stalling.

11th House – Friends, Networks & Future Plans

Misunderstandings with friends happen, but old acquaintances may reconnect. Don’t rush expanding your network, take the time you need for yourself. Revisit long-term goals before charting new ones.

12th House – Subconscious, Rest & Closure

A deeply introspective retrograde. Amidst peace and quiet, insights can find you more easily. Long-forgotten memories rise for healing, and solitude becomes spiritually productive rather than isolating.

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