Welp, the Last Mercury Retrograde of 2024 Is Here

Are you ready for 2024 to be over? Hard same! But the cosmos have a sick sense of humor and are insisting on a little more mayhem for a few more weeks. Sorry! The final Mercury retrograde of the year kicks off on November 25, just in time to mess up your holiday plans. So what does this mean? Who will be most affected? And are we … okay? (No, but that’s a separate issue.) Read on for everything you need to know about the upcoming Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius.

Wait, is Mercury retrograde right now?

If you’re reading this between Monday, November 25, and Sunday, December 15, then, yes, Mercury is absolutely retrograde, and you are free to blame all your problems on this planetary mishegoss. Enjoy!

So what is Mercury retrograde?

Mercury retrograde — the notorious, fabled event that throws plans, conversations, gadgets, and technology into disarray — happens when Mercury appears to be moving backward in the sky. Appears is the operative word; all planetary retrogrades are actually optical illusions from our perspective on Earth.

But don’t let that lull you into a false sense of security — distortions are extremely disorienting. When Mercury (the planet of communication, travel, and commerce) enters into its retrograde phase, all expressions of our daily life go haywire. Conversations degrade into arguments. Messages get left on perpetual read. Flight schedules become completely irrelevant. Sounds irksome? It most certainly is! But the silver lining is that, since Mercury retrograde is the most frequent and shortest planetary spin, we are no stranger to the chaos — and it doesn’t last that long. Phew.

Um, is this Mercury retrograde going to be bad?

​​This time around, Mercury is moving retrograde through Sagittarius, which (unfortunately) makes things a little clunkier than usual. Using a technique referred to as “essential dignity” (basically, a system that helps us understand which planets are happiest in which zodiac signs), Mercury is in its “detriment” in Sagittarius, which means Mercury is a bit uncomfortable and less effective in this sign. You see, Mercury likes things neat, clear, and detail-focused, but Sagittarius is more about the grand scheme, the adventure, the big picture. So when Mercury — a sign of precision and methodology — occupies Sagittarius’s long-winded sign, people tend to get a little rambly, details slip through the cracks, and clarity goes out the window.

But wait, there’s more! On December 6, Mars — the fiery planet of action and motivation — will kick off its own retrograde journey in Leo. Unlike Mercury, which goes retrograde quarterly, Mars retrogrades only about once every two years and goes backward for a whopping two whole months (!), making it a rarer event with a unique impact. During Mars retrograde, we may feel our usual enthusiasm dim as direct action becomes more challenging and efforts don’t yield immediate results. This period is all about reconsidering our motivations, reevaluating our goals, and taking a step back from impulsive actions.

So with both communicative Mercury and inspirational Mars compromised, expect to encounter delays, frustrations, and perhaps an overall sense of sluggishness — especially in the last few weeks of Mercury retrograde. As both mental and physical energies are under strain, the cosmos are begging us to slow down, reassess, and pick our battles carefully.

How will this Mercury retrograde affect me?

While everyone will notice Mercury’s retrograde effect (how could you not!), Sagittarians and those with strong Sagittarius placements (like Sagittarius moons or risings) are especially likely to feel the impact. Mercury-ruled zodiac signs, Gemini and Virgo, will also be a bit more rattled, as they’re always more sensitive to Mercury’s goings-on.

Here’s how the upcoming Mercury retrograde will impact each zodiac sign:

So any tips for surviving this Mercury retrograde? Advice? Blessings?

During this Mercury retrograde, patience and flexibility are your best friends. Embrace the delays as opportunities to review and reassess — sometimes what feels like a setback is really a chance to refine your approach. Double-check travel plans, be clear in your communications, and avoid making major decisions until after Mercury retrograde ends mid-December. Allow yourself to be in the flow, and focus on some other “re-” words like rest, relax, and re-block your ex!