Oh, Mercury retrograde: You’ve heard about it, you’ve dreaded it, you’ve probably blamed it for that petty argument with your S.O. or a miscommunication with your boss. Well, it’s here again—Mercury, the celestial overseer of all things communication and thought process, will be retrograde between November 25 and December 15. But trust me, there will be a lot of silver linings during this time, too.
Mercury retrograde, which happens three to four times a year, is not only the most common retrograde of all; it’s arguably the most well-known celestial occurrence, too. And it’s an important one. Because Mercury is the planet that rules communication, speaking, writing, learning, and how you perceive the world around you, its retrogrades always bring some challenging moments, meaningful life changes, and unexpected issues. It’s not uncommon for an email to get lost in cyberspace, your computer to freeze at the wrong time, a text message to be taken out of context, or someone from the past to return. Collectively, Mercury retrogrades align with data breaches, social media apps crashing, noticeable ups and downs in commerce, and even stock market volatility.
At a surface level, these are all inconveniences. But if you dare to take a deeper look, whatever comes up for you during this time will challenge you to think differently—to see a situation from another angle, or even a fresh perspective. Quite often, the retrogrades of Mercury are what’s behind big epiphanies and life changes. Things have a way of shifting during Mercury retrograde—including your mind.
All of this said, every single retrograde of Mercury is different, as it always happens in a different zodiac sign, a distinctive place in the sky, and with unique connections to other planets. Between November 25 and December 15, 2024, Mercury will be retrograde in the sign of Sagittarius.
What will Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius bring?
Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius is going to challenge you to think big! Any delays, situations, or unexpected returns will help you adopt a more positive approach and attitude. The universe is basically inviting you to practice detaching from a desired outcome and instead, fully trusting that things will work out if you’re patient enough to watch them unfold naturally.
The most delicate days of this retrograde arrive between November 25 and December 6, but between December 9 and December 15, you might arrive at a major epiphany that inspires you to change your position on an important situation. Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius is about adaptation, deep introspection, and exploring life through a philosophical lens. Instead of searching for answers in the outside world, it’ll be time to turn inward and rethink your own perspective.
Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius Horoscopes
Because Mercury is Earth’s neighbor, its retrogrades tend to impact all zodiac signs. This Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius will affect you more if you have any planets or astrological points (including but not limited to your Sun, Moon, or Rising sign) in Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces. Below are your Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius horoscopes—read your rising sign for the best accuracy, and your Sun sign for extra advice.
Aries
Prepare for eye-opening realizations, Aries. A deeply-held belief you’ve carried for some time might collapse now, creating space for a completely new ideology about your place in the world! As the past melts away and new storylines begin appearing on the horizon, you might decide to embark on a journey of self-discovery via study, travel, or deep spiritual work. But even as you get ready for everything to come, it’s important to still reckon with where you came from. Exploring your past now can also bring incredible amounts of healing your way, so allow yourself to take that trip down memory lane.
Taurus
In the weeks ahead, you’ll be focused on having important talks with a partner, or someone else who’s close to you. These talks could be about your relationship moving to the next level, which might involve delineating a completely new set of boundaries. Alternatively, these conversations might be about money, finances, resources, or any other big plans you might have for the future. This will definitely be a serious and intense time, Taurus, as your overall theme is about taking an already important relationship or decision to the next level.
Gemini
Deep realizations about the people you surround yourself with are on this retrograde’s menu for you, Gemini. Prepare to notice who—and who no longer—deserves your precious time and energy. You’re a people person, but in the end, this retrograde seeks to teach you not to spread your social wings too thin. A business or romantic connection from the past might show signs of interest in rekindling a relationship, but because Mars will also be retrograde until late February, this is a time to take things slowly. At the very least, you’ll have opportunities for a lot of healing and closure during this period.
Cancer
Patience will be your best friend during this retrograde, dear Cancer. The classic Mercury retrograde effects—schedule mishaps and delays, tech snafus, and project revisions—could, at times, make you feel like absolutely everything is going wrong. At a deeper level, though, these shifts seek to shake you out of complacency, especially if your daily routine has felt too monotonous. As the winter soon approaches, you might also decide to rethink your wellness and workout strategy to set yourself up for success in the year ahead.
Leo
What brings you joy, Leo? During this retrograde, you might feel uninspired by your usual hobbies, activities, and even people. The first step to feeling happier is admitting that maybe, your relationships and routine aren’t changing at all; but you’re starting to evolve, and at a very deep level. The second step is to rekindle your relationship with pleasure, through the exploration of a new interest, friendship, or even environment. Since retrogrades also relate to past experiences, you might find the desire to revisit an old hobby or activity that was once important to you.
Virgo
There’s no way to sugarcoat this, Virgo: You can be picky, and you often require your surroundings to be a certain way in order to function properly. Well, with Mercury retrograde stirring up your personal life, you can expect some revelations and “aha” moments concerning your life’s foundations. Family dynamics, emotional security, and your domestic environment might need to be re-approached in a new light. Revisiting childhood memories can also prove to be very healing as you get to the root (or the truth) of some of the stories that shaped who you are.
Libra
As a social butterfly, chit-chatting and connecting with others is part of your nature, Libra. But during this retrograde, you might find people misunderstanding—or even worse, taking out of context—what you’re trying to convey. This, of course, will lead you to be more careful with your words. At a deeper level, though, it will help you communicate from a place of true presence and awareness, which is always a good thing! For this reason, check and double-check your texts, emails, and all important documents you might be delivering during these three weeks.
Scorpio
Mercury is going retrograde in your financial sector, Scorpio, which could mean surprising and unexpected expenses. You might need to purchase a new phone, computer, or another gadget to enhance your productivity. This might drive you to make some movements in your accounts—or even start creating a new financial plan. After this retrograde, and as you head into 2025, you might realize your sense of value is shifting. Perhaps you’re discovering you’d prefer to invest your money (but also attention and time) on experiences and soul-enriching activities, rather than material possessions. All of this will help you understand yourself on a deeper level.
Sagittarius
Your sense of identity is evolving as you prepare to say goodbye to an old version of yourself, dear Sagittarius. Some of the people closest to you might not be ready for this transformation, which could create some tension when it comes to expressing yourself clearly. Instead of rushing to have some hard talks with the people around you, take these weeks to figure out how these new realizations about yourself might impact your relationships with loved ones. Give yourself space and alone time with your thoughts, giving way for a brand-new “you” to soon emerge!
Capricorn
Schedule more naps, Capricorn, as you’re bound to require more sleep, rest, and time alone during this period. Maybe you’re seeking privacy to decode a tricky situation; or maybe, you just need space and dedicated time to explore a new passion or interest. Either way, your inner world is way more exciting than any outside distractions right now, so don’t feel bad for seeking (and asking) for space. Finding closure within an important phase of your life is also possible now, so focus on mending your heart during all this alone time, too.
Aquarius
What are your biggest dreams, Aquarius? Chances are, those dreams—as well as the people who will help you fulfill them—are changing in a major way. This retrograde is not about chasing a desire or goal, but more about figuring out the desire itself. You can expect some movement within your social circle, too: Friendships from the past could also come back, either for reconnection or closure. All of this will be useful as you figure out what you want in your life, and who you want to be surrounded by in the future.
Pisces
Right now, it might feel like there are tons of eyes on you. Maybe your boss is paying extra attention to your performance, or your coworkers seem particularly invested in how you’re doing. All this attention might lead you to doubt some of your short-term career goals, but in the end, you’re better off thinking about your long-term legacy and success, Pisces. If certain projects hit delays or snags, try not to panic—instead, take these setbacks as opportunities to rethink your overall strategy, and even perfect your craft.
Narayana Montúfar is an astrologer, artist, and writer who finds inspiration in the symbolic language of astrology. She is the author of Moon Signs: Unlock Your Inner Luminary Power. Narayana currently serves as the Senior Astrologer of Astrology.com & Horoscope.com, and her work has been featured in numerous lifestyle publications including Vogue, Teen Vogue, Refinery29, InStyle, Brit+Co, Bustle, PopSugar, Cosmpolitan, Romper, and more. She was also featured as one of Medium.com’s Authority Magazine 2020’s Strong Female Leaders, Destig Magazine’s Top Artists to Collect in 2020, and one of Vogue’s 13 Astrologers to Follow in 2021.