What Is Mercury Retrograde?

In astrology, Mercury rules communication, thinking, travel, and technology, basically, how we connect and exchange information. When it appears to move backward in the sky (an optical illusion from our Earthly perspective), those areas can feel out of sync.

This is why you might hear people blame Mercury retrograde for things like:

• Texts not sending or going to the wrong person

• Misunderstandings and missed calls

• Wi-Fi issues or software glitches

• Delays or detours while traveling

But Mercury retrograde isn’t here to punish you, it’s a cosmic reset button. Think of it as a chance to review, rethink, and recalibrate. It’s a time to pause, get clear on what’s working (and what’s not), and clean up old energy before moving forward again.

Why This Retrograde Matters November 2025

This is the final Mercury retrograde of 2025, and it comes with a strong spiritual and emotional theme.

• Dates: November 9–29, 2025

• Signs involved: Begins in Sagittarius (fire, truth, expansion) and moves back into Scorpio (depth, transformation, emotional healing)

• Main themes: Revisiting beliefs, uncovering hidden truths, confronting emotional patterns, and refining communication

When Mercury backtracks into Scorpio mid-month, we’re being asked to look deeper, not just at what we say, but why we say it. Secrets, suppressed feelings, and old misunderstandings may surface for closure and healing.

What To Expect During Mercury Retrograde

You might experience:

• Miscommunication or misunderstandings

• Technology breakdowns, slow devices, app crashes, or lost emails

• Travel delays or changes in plans

• Flashbacks from the past.. old friends, exes, or unfinished business reappearing

• A need to slow down and review recent decisions

On the positive side, this period helps you:

• Revisit unfinished projects

• Reflect on past conversations and gain clarity

• Reconnect with your intuition

• Realign your goals with your deeper truth

How to Thrive During Mercury Retrograde

Use this energy to your advantage with these simple strategies:

1. Think before you send or sign. Double check messages, contracts, and emails. If possible, avoid signing major agreements until December.

2. Back up your data. Protect your digital life; save files, photos, and projects to the cloud or an external drive.

3. Confirm travel details. Recheck tickets, routes, and appointments. Plan for extra time.

4. Review, don’t rush. This isn’t ideal for starting brand-new ventures. Instead, revise, reorganize, and refine what’s already in motion.

5. Do inner work. Retrogrades are perfect for journaling, shadow work, and emotional clearing. Reflect on your patterns and realign your mindset. Our Surviving Mercury Candle helps ground your energy to make way for reflection and willpower.

6. Stay flexible. Plans may shift; take it as divine redirection, not rejection.

Turning Cosmic Chaos Into Alignment

If you’re on a path of spiritual or emotional growth, Mercury retrograde is the perfect checkpoint. It encourages you to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with your higher purpose.

Ask yourself:

• What stories am I ready to release?

• Where can I communicate more honestly or compassionately?

• How can I refine my boundaries or beliefs to support my next chapter?

For wellness practitioners, coaches, or spiritual entrepreneurs, this is a powerful time to host reflection circles, journaling sessions, or mini-retreats centered around realignment and clarity.

Final Thoughts

Mercury retrograde doesn’t have to be stressful, it’s an invitation to slow down and realign. While communication mix-ups and tech issues can happen, they’re also reminders to be more intentional and mindful. This cosmic pause is your opportunity to reflect before the year closes. Review what’s been said, release what’s no longer true, and reconnect with your authentic direction. Remember: Mercury retrograde isn’t a setback, it’s your chance for a comeback filled with clarity, truth, and renewed purpose. Checkout our shop to find tools and ritual resources to help guide you through.