Your Mercury Retrograde 2023 Guide
- December 29, 2022–January 18, 2023
- April 21–May 14
- August 23–September 15
- December 13, 2023–January 1, 2024
Mercury retrograde in Capricorn (December 29, 2022–January 18, 2023)
Preshadow: December 13–December 29
Postshadow: January 18–February 8
We'll ring in the New Year under Mercury retrograde in Capricorn. The first Mercury retrograde may bring setbacks, stagnation, and miscommunication around your work, career, and/or finances. Capricorn is naturally ruled by Saturn, so your sense of discipline and maturity may be tested during this time. Try to be the bigger person, cross your t’s and dot your i’s with any paperwork, and ultimately allow yourself to find purpose and a sense of identity outside of your title or bank balance. If you find that you’re not feeling content with your trajectory, it would be best to make any life-altering changes once the retrograde period has ended.
Mercury retrograde in Taurus (April 21–May 14, 2023)
Preshadow: April 7–21
Postshadow: May 14–June 1
As Taurus is a fixed earth sign known for stubbornness and loyalty, this retrograde will test your most routine connections and obligations to see if they are truly meant for you. Your old belief systems will be resurfacing and getting tested during this time. Be willing to let go of beliefs, thought patterns, and habits that no longer fit with this chapter of your life. You will feel the most safe when you master how to show up for each chapter of your life, rather than treat them all the same in fear of making changes. You will want to be aware of what you say, write, and sign during this time period—especially with those closest to you. With fixed signs being essentially immovable, the message with this retrograde is to go with the flow of life. Expect the unexpected, and shed compassion on yourself and others for missteps and mistakes.
Mercury retrograde in Virgo (August 23–September 15, 2023)
Preshadow: August 4–23
Postshadow: September 15–30
Because Virgo is a Mercury-ruled sign, this retrograde period will be more intensely felt than the others…sort of like a double whammy! Because Virgos are known for being meticulous, judgmental, analytical, and calculated, you may find it difficult to give yourself grace during this time. You will benefit from letting go of unrealistic expectations during this transit. Virgo is also concerned with health, habits, and overall well-being. Take this moment of collective pause and reflection to do just that: Meditate, journal, unplug, take a social media detox, put up your “OOO” email auto-responder, and give yourself the time and space to gain clarity on what you’re thinking and feeling rather than get swept away in any stress that may arise. This will be a powerful time for you to reconnect with yourself and your intentions.
Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius (December 13, 2023–January 1, 2024)
Sagittarius is a mutable fire sign and truly loves to venture out and explore the depths of the mind and every corner of the world. You will feel highly connected to others during this time, but it may be muddled with confusion and misinterpretation. This might pose as a difficult time if you are studying, training, or in school as well as Sagittarius naturally rules over the ninth house of higher education and philosophy. You may also be receiving texts, midnight calls, and out-of-the-blue DMs from old flames. Do not fall victim to the changing tides of Mercury retrograde; if you plan to pick an old relationship or friendship back up, my advice is to wait until we’re in the clear from these murky retrograde waters to do so. Remember, anything that’s meant for you will never miss you; if you truly want to give something a shot, wait until the Mercury retrograde period has passed to see whether your feelings are still intact or whether they had just been a misconstrued mirage from Mercury’s backspin.
How do I deal with Mercury retrograde?
Because Mercury completes its orbit around the sun in only 88 days, this quick-moving planet becomes retrograde three or four times in a calendar year, for about three weeks at a time. We have to remember that there are preretrograde and postretrograde shadow periods as well, meaning that the two to three weeks before and after each retrograde period comes with its own sense of confusion and stagnation—not just the retrograde dates!
