Oct 3110 min read

Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius: Starting the Fire (11/26-12/15/2024)

November 26th, 2024, to December 15th, 2024, we’ll be having the final Mercury Retrograde of the year… and it’s one to remember.

Shortcuts: What is a retrograde, Mercury Retrograde: the good, the bad, the user’s manual, This Mercury Retrograde, In-the-sign predictions, and Further Reading.

What is a Retrograde?

Retrogrades happen when two planets pass each other in space: this creates the optical illusion that one of the planets is stopping dead in its tracks and then moves backward, only to start moving again eventually. Admittedly, a requirement for this phenomenon is that you as the viewer happen to live on one of the planets involved – which we do! It’s called Earth.

Mercury, the planet we’re looking at for this retrograde, actually has 3-4 retrogrades each year, that each last about 3 weeks (plus a couple of weeks on either side of the event where we feel the energy building/diffusing).

Mercury Retrograde: The Good, the Bad, the User’s Manual

Every single time, we see topics that Mercury rules go a bit crazy and haywire during the retrograde period. We’re talking about:

Miscommunication
Issues with shipments and travel
Issues with commerce
Technological problems
And an overall lack of energy.

However, Mercury retrogrades also have very positive and necessary benefits for us. During these times:

Secrets get revealed
Information comes out that we didn’t have before
Things from the past come back (so we can release them/rebuild on them)
We reconsider, rethink, and re-evaluate what has been, which allows us to fully move toward the future
We generally rest and process, mentally and physically.

Because these topics are the focus for 3 weeks (which is a very short time period overall), we can adjust our schedules to prepare ourselves and better navigate these times. Because they get harder when you try to fill up your plate or do a bunch of things that go against the astrological event. We’ll be talking about how to do that in the rest of this article. However, what’s important to note is that all of the above is the case for every Mercury Retrograde. However, each Mercury Retrograde is unique and brings up unique topics… and we’ll cover this, too.

If this article helps you, I’d so appreciate a donation to support me in doing this work for free. Any amount would help. Thank you!

This Mercury Retrograde

Starting November 26th and ending December 15th, 2024, this Mercury Retrograde falls entirely into the sign of Sagittarius. This is a sign Mercury is generally not too happy in, making this Mercury Retrograde much more potent (in the issues that come up). A.k.a., more things go wrong. This especially impacts travel, communication systems, international endeavors, publishing, and the educational system. So, if you’re involved in any of that, it’s important to plan for chaos and get your ducks in a row beforehand.

Examples: if you’re traveling during this time (I think the US has a major holiday here?), make sure you have more than enough transit time between f.e. flights, that your car is up to par for your journey, that you have some provisions with you in case you have to wait longer, and that your luggage doesn’t get lost (or… have some provision for yourself in case your luggage gets lost/delayed). If you’re in a communication or educational job, try to reschedule important emails/phone calls to before/after the retrograde period, keep a lighter schedule in case of unexpected work influx, and check all written communication twice before you send it out.

In communication, Mercury Retrograde (Rx) in Sagittarius is especially prone to… let’s say, accidentally saying something more forcefully than you meant it. Sagittarius is more passionate and dogmatic, which means that you may accidentally communicate in a way that hurts feelings and you didn’t mean that way. So, have some compassion – and please, try to diffuse tension before picking up the gauntlet someone else throws at you.

Conflict: Mars Retrograde joins the fun!

This actually leads me to my next point: Mercury doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Under Mercury Rx, it’s highly likely that we have more verbal conflict with others as we’re a) more prone to directly say what we mean (even when we, uhm, shouldn’t in that situation, if you know what I mean), and b) where we’re more likely to say something we think was clear but actually means something different to the other person. We’re also more likely to misunderstand others. (So: active listening, folks! Double-check you heard the other person right, then flip your switch and teach them what manners are.)

However, this potential is much stronger than usual… because we’re experiencing not just Mercury, but also Mars in Retrograde. On December 6th, 2024, Mars joins the backward-walking club in a way that would make Michael Jackson jealous. Since Mars deals with conflicts and it’s in an aspect to Mercury (oh the joy, the fun, the entertainment!), December 6th-15th is going to be a fertile ground for arguments.

This is a good thing when the fights you have are necessary to fight. However, what’s as likely as a “defending your turf/setting appropriate boundaries with appropriate force” situations are dumb fights due to stupid misunderstandings and general hot tempers. Please make sure you check your information before you pick the fight, and only pick the fights that are worth fighting. It ain’t worth it wasting your energy: you only have so much during this time.

But alas… there’s more! Because you know what we need in the mix: yes – it’s amplification and more mayhem.

Truth Coming Out: Jupiter in Gemini

Jupiter currently sits in Gemini, which means that it’s intimately connected to this Mercury retrograde… and they are in an aspect the entire retrograde!

Jupiter in Gemini is all about exploring thoughts and belief systems, flitting from perspective to perspective, knowing and learning something new, and generally getting as close to ADHD brain as you can without having ADHD (also, if you have ADHD – Jupiter here will amplify this). It can make us more prone to having many ideas but no beliefs, getting distracted, and being so busy and spread thin with all our projects that we don’t get anything done. It also unearths and reveals information, as well as makes us use our voice more.

Joining Mercury Retrograde, this means that these topics are much more in focus than before. We’ll be dealing with a massive influx of information, including oppositional information (one source saying, “This cube is green!” The other saying, “No, it’s red!” What color is the cube now? And which source was color blind?) Unfortunately, the Sagittarius piece will make it much more likely that either side deeply believes in their own positions and defends them.

On top, Jupiter here makes us more likely to leak energy by being involved in too many projects and with too many priorities: please make sure that you remain economical and wise with which tasks you agree to take on. We’re talking about a time frame of three weeks. You can delay many things for three weeks.

Most importantly though, Jupiter – regardless of where it lies – rules money and commerce. This means that this retrograde will mess even more with commerce, sales, and other things: so, if you’d like to stock up on Black Friday, be really careful on what you buy, how much you spend, and make sure you have contingencies so you can return the goods you get so you don’t end up in a financial drain. Also, you might be experiencing delays or related issues with shipments… keep that in mind for gift-buying.

If this article helps you, I’d so appreciate a donation to support me in doing this work for free. Any amount would help. Thank you!

Squaring Neptune in Pisces

Finally, this Mercury Retrograde feels much more diffuse and confusing than the ones we usually have, as it’s square Neptune in the final degrees of Pisces. Fortunately, this is an energy we’ll only experience in the first week of this astrological event. But especially during that time, we’ll likely be confused, feel like we’ve been deceived or like there’s information hidden from us. And actually, it’s much likelier that (regardless of your feelings), you are going to be deceived or that there will be secrets around you: they’ll come out between weeks 2 and 3 of this event, though. So, take what you hear early on with a grain of salt, then believe it once it proves to be true or false after the first week is over.

Prioritizing rest and intuitive/spiritual practices is especially nourishing during that time. Mercury Retrograde can be a time of intense dreams and disrupted sleep, which most of us will feel especially during that first week. However, it’s also a time of messages coming through and unconscious processing and clearing.

A Note on Technology

Mercury Retrograde always messes with technology: tech stuff you buy at this time is often but not always unreliable and breaks more easily, pre-existing tech stuff can experience issues or break completely. This is amplified by the fact that a) Uranus is at the end of Taurus, creating more mayhem as Uranus rules tech, b) Jupiter in Gemini amplifying this retrograde, and c) Pluto recently having recommitted to Aquarius, a sign to do with technology.

Please be extra careful and diligent with your tech stuff and avoid accidents or malpurchases. (Really!)

Closing Thoughts:

I could write so much more about this event. But frankly, some things have to be lived. Yes, we can (and should) prepare, but there’s also something to be said for letting life unfold as it’s meant to. Just please know that you’ve got this and this is only 3 weeks.

In the Sign Predictions:

Check out your Sun, Moon, and Rising Sign to see which areas of your life are the most impacted. If you’d like to learn more, consider booking a reading with me.

As always, here are the shortcuts: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, and Further Reading.

Aries:

This event makes you reconsider and reevaluate your belief systems in profound ways. Stay open to new information coming in that makes you rethink what you thought was foundationally true. Your travel and international endeavors are extra affected for you: please make sure you dot your i’s and cross your t’s.

Taurus:

This event makes secrets come to light and brings life-changing and deeply transformative information to the forefront. Do your research (and go deep in your research) before forming any beliefs. Fight only the fights you find meaningful: but those, you should fight. Past people may return for you at this time (it’s up to you to decide what to do with them).

Gemini:

This event has a bigger impact on your relationships. This is a time to have deep conversations with your partner: stay open to their perspective but don’t follow their lead to follow their lead. Love them anyway but form your own opinion. People from the past may return at this time (it’s up to you to decide what to do with them).

Cancer:

This event brings up things at your workplace that were buried, forgotten, or suppressed. You may find that miscommunication on or around work slash with your co-workers/employees is more likely at this time (so please double-check your communications). Plus, your work in other areas of life might get more easily disrupted. Health matters may come to a forefront.

Leo:

This event may bring you information in your current love life and lead to deep conversations and secrets (or other hidden information) to be revealed. This is not a good time for dating apps, but it is a time when people from the past tend to return (it’s up to you to decide what to do with them). Topics around children, fertility, joy, and creativity are highlighted at this time.

Virgo:

This event brings up themes around differing opinions and new information about family members and the home. This is a time to both have healing and learning conversations with family members, and to live and let live. As for the physical home, hidden issues like mold may come to light (if there is such a thing where you live), so I’d suggest addressing that.

Libra:

This astrological event deeply impacts all things regarding information and perception for you: essentially, it's time for you to pay extra attention to everything you’re learning right now because it is a lot and all important. Be extra careful around travel and miscommunication as they’ll be happening much more for you. Your local life, neighbors, and siblings (if applicable) are highlighted.

Scorpio:

Please don’t buy stuff at this point in time, because this retrograde massively impacts your finances… in a disruptive and negative way. While some people may feel this only subtly, for others this literally leads to money drainage and buying things you realize you don’t need/weren’t the quality you thought. Other financial themes, and the topic of self-worth, are highlighted right now, too.

Sagittarius:

This astrological event makes you reconsider your entire identity, sense of self, and even life path. This is a time to get honest about who you are and where you’ve been, where you’re going, and what you truly think matters in this world. It’s also a time to demand others to treat you like you wish to be treated. Take a chance.

Capricorn:

This retrograde makes you more tired and drains you of energy, so I suggest adjusting your schedule and workload so you can do the brunt of your chores before November 26th, or after December 15th (a tall order, I know). You may also feel less social and need to be alone more. Listen to your intuition, it’s fired up like no one’s business. Sleep may be disrupted, or more needed.

Aquarius:

This astrological event impacts your social life, friend circle, and technology. So please, don’t invest in tech stuff and take care of the tech you already have. Plus, be extra-cautious around communication to your friends and community, while trusting the information you receive about who your true friends are. Secrets may be revealed and plans for the future adjusted.

Pisces:

This astrological event impacts your career and public life. This is a time to dot your i’s and cross your t’s at work and a time to make sure you’re staying aligned/that you realign with what your real mission is in this lifetime. Make sure to avoid misunderstandings, especially with your boss or other authority figures, like your father/father figures.