Whether you believe Mercury retrograde is real, or just use it as an excuse to cancel plans and something you blame your problems on, Mercury is retrograde until November 20. If you believe in astrology, that means you might experience miscommunications, issues with tech, and general clumsiness and mishaps. It can also affect your finances, and many people try not to make big spending decisions during this astrological mess of a time. But not all of us can just not spend money for a three-week period just because one planet is moving backwards, so we consulted MassMutual to give advice on how Mercury retrograde will affect your sign, and how you should deal with it.
Aquarius
Rather than reaping the benefits of online financial systems like Paypal, don’t rely on these platforms while Mercury is in retrograde. (Take a few deep breaths if you pictured Venmo suddenly not working like I just did). Double-check that your bills were paid on time, and keep cash on-hand in case online payment systems malfunction. The key for you these next few days is due diligence and being flexible to adapt to technology malfunctions.
Aries
Taylor Swift really said it best: “you need to calm down”. Since Mercury being retrograde may set your temper through the roof, it’s best to acknowledge that patience is your friend these next few weeks. In this “culture of impatience,” do not get discouraged, set smaller financial goals, allow yourself to indulge a bit, and cut yourself some slack.
Cancer
This will be an emotional few weeks for Cancers—and that’s not taking into account prepping to have every relative bombard you at the Thanksgiving table with questions on why you’re still single. It’s easier said than done, but try not to let your emotions get the best of you these next few weeks, especially when it comes to financial decisions. The best way to navigate this time period is to reframe your money-sabotaging emotions like anxiety, jealousy, and regret, and instead turn these into opportunities to self-reflect and let go of what you cannot control.
Capricorn
Rather than letting Mercury retrograde and other external factors impact your daily tasks, regain control by calculating your expenses and trimming the fat when it comes to your overall spending. By getting the control back in your hands and being able to determine your own success and security, Capricorns won’t just survive the retrograde, but they will thrive.
Gemini
Gemini is one of the few signs that is built for a Mercury retrograde (and for that, we are all jealous). Continue staying flexible and adapting when there’s a financial roadblock or challenge. Rather than dwelling on decisions you regret, stay open-minded and remember that cultivating your financial knowledge will help you overcome challenges as well as positively shape your financial future.
Taurus
Don’t let this retrograde be your bummer anthem (and please don’t throw a tantrum), because Taurus still have time to make it through this retrograde on top. Stick to a financial plan as closely as possible, and keep in mind that this is not the time to make impulsive money decisions. It’s best to wait out this retrograde before making any major purchases or deciding that it’s time to splurge on a vacation that you’ve been carefully saving up for.
Leo
Prepare, prepare, prepare. It’s going to be best to put extra effort into staying on track with your monthly budget, so keep your receipts, give yourself a weekly allowance and overestimate your necessary expenses. Taking proactive and careful measures like this will keep you on the right financial track.
Libra
Do not let Mercury retrograde come between you and your family—or BFFs, especially since a recent MassMutual survey shows that 71% of Americans include close friends in their personal definition of family. Whether it’s discussing monthly spending with your BFF or chatting about the cost of your upcoming college reunion trip, it’s best to tackle these conversations in-person. Technology can be very spotty during this time, and it’s best to have your receipts printed and prepared when going into these not-so-fun financial conversations.
Pisces
A person’s intuition is one of the most powerful forces… right behind Mercury retrograde. Even though your intuition is one of your strongest drivers, your “gut instinct” may be off during Mercury retrograde, so be extra careful. During this time, stick to a financial plan rather than intuition when it comes to spending choices and making major financial decisions. And, consider tapping into your community, as one of our studies showed that people more involved in their communities are likely to have greater financial security.
Sagittarius
First of all, take a deep breath. This retrograde cycle may test you, but preparing for the best course of action will allow you to continue your “go, go, go” mindset. Prepare a plan B when traveling, and leave early for appointments to prepare for transportation and mechanical failures. With extra transit time, knock out small financial to-dos such as paying your bills during your lengthier commutes, because #efficiency.
Scorpio
Stay the course financially, because your conservative approach when it comes to money will do you well while Mercury is in retrograde. Continue to stay cautious, stick to your financial goals, and save rather than spend. Build your wealth, not your #ragrets.
Virgo
Grab your planner or spreadsheet, because this will be your saving grace. Even though you try to avoid chaos and uncertainty as much as possible, it may be tougher to escape it during Mercury retrograde. Therefore, write down all your upcoming deadlines and set alerts to keep the order. Closely manage your bills to ensure no late fees come up unexpectedly and keep up with routine maintenance to catch (and pay for) problems while they’re still small. Cutting clutter, especially the financial kind, truly makes such a difference in your day.
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The end of Mercury in retrograde is so close, yet still so far away. We’re dealing with that BS until December 6. It’s cold, it’s miserable, literally everything that could go wrong is going wrong. Never fear, there is some good news (for some of the signs) in your weekend horoscope. Check out how the planets might not ruin your life. Here are your weekend horoscopes for November 30-December 2.
Aries
Venus moves into Scorpio this weekend, making you all hot and bothered. Sure, your temper could flare and you could cause a big fight between you and your significant other. But that fight will probably lead to really hot makeup sex. There’s nothing sexier than hate sex, or so they say. Wait, maybe the only person who said that is your ex? NVM.
Taurus
A Venus-Uranus opposition makes you super anxious over the weekend. If you’re not worrying about your friends, it’s your relationship status (or lack thereof) that’s stressing you. If you’re not paranoid about your boss hating you, you’re contemplating whether you hate your boss and job and probably your whole career. Drink some calming tea. Rub lavender oil on your wrists or whatever the hell you need to do to calm the eff down.
Read: I Tried A Bunch Of Natural Relaxation Methods & Here's What Worked
Gemini
You need to make a decision about something this weekend before something or someone else decides for you. Sure, as a Gemini, you can often get away with straddling the fence, so to speak. You know you have at least one situation in your life right now where it’s time to make heads or tails of it. Do one of those pro-con charts or call your mom for advice. Hell, you can even flip an actual coin if you want.
Cancer
With Mercury in retrograde until December 6, you’re at risk of acting quickly and rashly. You’ll probably say something you don’t mean. Or, well, maybe you do mean it but you didn’t mean to say it. You could even make a major life decision without thinking it through. Why not put any major decision making on the back burner for a couple more weeks, k?
Leo
The Venus-Uranus opposition makes you super feisty. Your harsh words are putting you on track to lose friends and influence people to hate you. Just because you know exactly what to say to offend someone to the core of their being, doesn’t mean you should say it. Think it. Write it out in a text and then delete delete delete. Pressing send is detrimental to your health this weekend.
Virgo
Girl, you literally cannot keep spending money the way you are right now. The vibes in your money houses are all messed up. Sure, you can keep justifying your spending by saying “it’s the holidays” and “I need this for a party” or “I will literally have a mental breakdown if I don’t validate my insecurities with this purchase”, but you need to slow your roll if you don’t want to be broke as a joke by New Years.
Libra
Your ruler, Venus, moves into Scorpio this weekend, inspiring you to treat your self to all the festive holiday goods. You’re not the most decadent of the signs, but for some reason you’re eyeballing furry jackets and sequin skirts and holiday themed sweaters you would literally wear one time. It’s best to avoid the frivolous purchases right now. You really don’t need satin sheets and you’ll need that money later.
Scorpio
Venus moves into your sign this weekend, bringing you luck in the love and romance departments. Of course, there might be some bumps along the way with Mercury still in retrograde until December 6. If it’s not a deal-breaker, give those awkward sexual encounters and red flags a pass until after Mercury corrects its course. If things are still borderline weird and creepy, call yourself the Ghost of Christmas Present and GTFO.
Sagittarius
There’s a battle between what you want to do and what’s being asked of you this weekend. Like, maybe you have to work and all your friends, are, like, day drinking. Maybe your current hang wants to spend a lot of time with you and you need some space. Prioritize yourself this weekend. Unless that means quitting your job. Don’t do that, you need the money. And if you call in sick, don’t post what you’re actually doing on your Insta story.
Capricorn
Unfortunately, the Venus-Uranus opposition brings drama to your life. Luckily, the issue probably won’t center on you. Still, you need to be aware that you might have to cancel plans when your friend calls to tell you she broke up with her boyfriend or got fired or found out that those bumps weren’t just razor burn. Be her shoulder to cry on. It’s good practice for when you have a rough week and need someone to lean on, too. What goes around comes around, especially when it’s herpes. Yikes.
Aquarius
Venus soars into Scorpio on Sunday, passing through your career house. Mercury retrograde has made things a little awkward or uncomfortable at work. Now’s the time to evaluate whether you want to cancel your winter vacation plans so you can seem diligent and dedicated or if you want to start packing more business cards to holiday parties. Up to you.
Pisces
Your values are changing, but that doesn’t mean things are going in the wrong direction. Things and people you once thought were important to you seem less important now. Likewise, sh*t you didn’t care about before might seem appealing. In the words of Fleetwood Mac, go your own way. It’s 2018 and you can pretty much do whatever you want. If someone questions you on it, just accuse them of being close-minded. Works every time.
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The good news is that this is the last time Mercury will retrograde this year. The bad news is that this could really mess up your Thanksgiving travel plans. It’s too early to know if you’ll miss your flight, making you late to your awkwardly early dinner with people you’re forced to make small talk with once a year. But we do know that this weekend, you can expect more SNAFUs when it comes to travel, communication, and technology. So when you aren’t getting your regular number of matches on Hinge this week, let’s just blame Mercury. Here are your weekend horoscopes for November 16-18:
Aries
Venus has concluded her retrograde just in time for Mercury to enter his. Like, literally, WTF? At least they’re not happening at the same time. Venus in retrograde threw a wrench into your love and personal life. This weekend, your goal should be to make amends with anyone close to you that you’re on the outs with. Seriously. You’ll need all the friends, favors, and allies you can get as Mercury retrograde ramps up.
Taurus
As Mercury starts spinning backward this weekend, you can find yourself in a tailspin too. Mercury is a planet of communication, so you’ll probably see more pictures of your ex and his new girlfriend throughout your feed. It’s best for your mental health if you unlike, unfollow, or just totally block that sh*t. If you want to be the bigger person who is above the petty unfollow, use the mute feature on Instagram. Cause seriously, what else was it made for?
Gemini
Here’s the deal, Venus retrograde made your love life kind of awkward. It’s time to refocus on the romance, even if that’s just about getting down with yourself. You’ll have less mental blocks, so you can relax and just enjoy. Bow Chicka Wah Wah. Anyway, this weekend, if you’re in a relationship, plan a date for you and your significant other. Pour some wine, put on your sexiest playlist, and start connecting again. Mercury retrograde is going to hit you hard soon enough, so you might as well go into it with a bang. Pun intended.
Cancer
Mercury enters retrograde in Sagittarius and stays there until December 6. This is not what you want to hear around the holidays, but the best way to survive this retrograde is to maintain healthy routines. Sure, you can eat whatever the f*ck you want on Thanksgiving, but it’s best you get back on your gym and healthy eating grind ASAP. Staying healthy and on track will hopefully stave off the possibility that you’ll get a cold or the flu, which will really knock you on your ass this time around.
Leo
Okay, so we know Mercury in retrograde will have an effect on your travel plans, communication, and technology—hello dropping your phone in the bathtub! But unfortunately, this time it will also put a backspin in your fifth house of drama, image, and romance. Let’s just say, it’s about to go down in your Instagram comments or Twitter replies. You might as well start thinking of some fire clapbacks now, because you can count on some B.S. happening between now and December 6.
Virgo
Even though Mercury is entering its retrograde, it’s fine to splurge on yourself a little bit this weekend. Venus just finished its retrograde, making relationships and friendships difficult. You deserve to reward yourself with a little purchase, spa treatment, or something else up that alley. That is unless you are going to make yourself feel guilty AF for spending the money on yourself when you should be saving for holiday presents or some sh*t. IDK, just do what feels right, especially if that’s purchasing something cashmere and unnecessary.
Libra
As a sensitive sign, Venus retrograde had a strong effect on your self-image, self-esteem, and self-worth. Basically, if anyone said anything to you, it probably made you feel bad about yourself. Now that things are clearing up, it’s time to be a little bit kinder to yourself so you can get back on track. Also, your co-workers won’t have to live in fear that sending you an email asking you to make edits to a project will make you spiral into a fit of tears. Yikes. Everyone can rest a little more easily around you this weekend since your feelings won’t get so bruised.
Scorpio
Your love life has basically been on hold since Venus was in retrograde. So for, like, ever. Now that it’s back in a normal rotation, you can start thinking about picking things back up. Whether you’re firing up a dating app, texting your back-burner bro, or just wearing less and goin’ out more, take things slow. Slow and steady wins the race, especially if you’re looking for someone who will last until the end of cuffing season and then some.
Sagittarius
Woah, betch. With Mercury in retrograde this time around, it’s a requirement that you stay on your best behavior. Even the whitest of lies could come back to haunt your ass. It’s probably good if you just avoid anyone or anything you would have to lie to or about. I mean, that’s probably going to be hard since you’re already coming up with a lie to tell your aunt at Thanksgiving about what you’re doing with your life.
Capricorn
Resolve to be clear with your communication from now until Mercury is out of retrograde on December 6. This means that even though it’s tempting to beat around the bush and be coy with your texting convos, just say no. There’s too much room for miscommunication right now. Next thing you know, your bestie won’t be talking to you because she thinks you called her fat, your crush thinks you’ve moved on, and your mom is writing you out of the will. Maybe just avoid texting as much as possible. Yes, you might have to pick up the phone and talk this weekend. EW.
A
Aquarius
You’ve been doing some soul-searching when it comes to your major goals in life. Venus retrograde probably had a hand in that. Now that Venus has straightened her sh*t out, you can refocus on what you want to accomplish during the next year. Don’t let the fact that Mercury is in retrograde freak you out. You don’t need to—and probably shouldn’t—act on anything you come up with over the weekend. Just think about it a little, preferably between drinks.
Pisces
Great news for you when it comes to networking this weekend! If you get a chance to rub shoulders with people who actually matter, you’ll be blessed with decent communication skills and salesmanship abilities thanks to the fact that Venus is out of retrograde. Make your intentions clear, though. Mercury retrograde starting this weekend and continuing until December 6 could have others misinterpreting what you want. Handshakes instead of hugs should set the record straight in a deal-making environment. Or so you hope, right?
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Mercury returns to retrograde on July 25. A little refresher: Mercury has power over your mind, your ideas, and mental energy. A planet being in retrograde just means that it appears to be moving backwards. When a planet is in retrograde, you experience the energy of the planet in a more subjective, internal way. Since your experience of the planet’s energy is very unique to you, you’ll experience Mercury’s wrath differently than someone in a different sign. Check your horoscopes to see how Mercury f*cks you up this time around. Here are your weekly horoscopes for July 23-27:
Aries
Mercury retrograde attracts old flames back to your world. At the beginning of the week, things will seem normal. Your life will be fun and happy. Therefore, you’ll be off your guard when an “I miss you text” rolls into your iMessage. Stay strong, betch. Resist the urge to reminisce on only the good times and also remember the sex was just average. K?
Taurus
An upswing in your mood happens this week when things fall into place for you romantically. A few more Hinge matches, a great date, or a DTR that went the way you wanted will have you believing in love again. Mercury’s retrograde in Leo, though, means drama with an ex or a never-was from the past could bring you crashing back down from cloud 9.
Gemini
Things are really fast-paced for you over the next month. You’re busy gallivanting around, traveling, vacationing, and staying occupied with work or whatever. Because Mercury is your ruler, transportation hiccups are a classic curse for you during this time. Prepare for delayed trains, roadblocks, and late arrivals. You can blame TSA or MTA or whomever tf. Still, it’s probably best you get out the door early and make sure you don’t leave your car on E.
Cancer
The Sun is in Leo in your possessive house. So, yeah, your jealous side could really be coming out while Mercury is in retrograde. Avoid stalking your ex unless you want to spend an entire night trying to figure out who the ugly brunette was sitting next to him in his Insta story. Damn boys and their inability to tag people! Ugh. Try just focusing on yourself, and don’t feel bad if you have to block someone for your own sanity.
Leo
Happy Birthday month, Leo! It kind of makes sense that during the month where you’re supposed to receive the most attention, other signs are distracted with Mercury in retrograde. That’s your curse. You’ll feel like you’re fighting for spotlight in a time when it should just be a given. Let your friends deal with their own sh*t. When they realize they weren’t totally obsessed with you on your birthday, they’ll feel guilty and try to make up for it.
Virgo
I’m so sorry, Virgo. This Mercury in retrograde is going to be a rough one. The Sun is hidden in your chart, meaning you’ll want to retreat during a time when you could really use the support of your friends. Even when you find the energy to lean on someone else, they might not give you the response you’re looking for since they’re distracted with their own stuff. Try to keep your head up. Look forward to a much better birthday month ahead.
Libra
You’re super social in general, and this month you’ll be even more chatty and amiable. That’s great. Everyone will want you on their team since you’re not acting like Mercury in retrograde has totally ruined your life. Of course, a lot of people will come to you seeing support and cheering up. Try not to be resentful of this gift of joy you’ve been given. It’s not your fault you’re so popular, it’s your sign’s.
Scorpio
The Sun at the top of your chart casts you in a flattering light. Some might be jealous of you for looking like you have it all together while Mercury is in retrograde. Just remind them that you’re human too, and Mercury had a role in deleting your last iCloud backup or making your nail salon busy when you’re super chipped. You might not be getting the worst of it, but keep that on the DL so your friends don’t hate you forever for being so #blessed.
Sagittarius
The Sun in fun-loving Leo in your house of adventure means you’re on the quest for new experiences. Try a new workout class you keep seeing your friends do on your social feeds. Branch out at a wine tasting so you know what to order when there’s no rosé on the menu. Swipe on a guy that might be a little off-brand for you. Whatever you do, head for the new and avoid the old. You’re likely to backslide into old bad habits and beds when Mercury is in retrograde.
Capricorn
You’re passionate and intense this week. Normally, that’s great. But with Mercury in retrograde, you might lose the part of you that knows where to draw the line. You’re likely to lose friends and alienate people with your strong beliefs and opinions this month if you’re not careful. If you can’t bite your tongue, at least be quick to buy the next round. Your friends won’t remember they’re pissed at you if they blackout, right?
Aquarius
With the Sun directly opposite your sign, you’ll need more sleep to recharge. Still, the Sun pulls you toward people who make you comfortable. Mercury in retrograde draws you toward the past. That’s a dangerous combination when you go back to the guy who bores you but makes you feel safe. You’ll return that bro to the back burner when your batteries are recharged next month.
Pisces
The Sun shifting signs into Leo changes things for you pretty drastically. Even though summer is far from over, your focus will shift from fun, parties, and recreation back to more serious matters. *Sigh* At least you’ll be motivated to get back on track. You’ll feel the need to start regularly going to the gym again and eating fruit that didn’t come served to you in a glass of alcohol. All good things must come to an end.
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