If you’ve ever sent a risky text to the wrong person, missed a flight because you couldn’t find an available Uber, or bought a “life-changing” device on TikTok that turned out to be a dud, check your calendar—there’s a good chance that Mercury was retrograde. The cosmic culprit behind many a miscommunication and tech glitch goes on its final backspin of 2025 from November 9 to 29.
Three times a year, Mercury—the planet that governs communication, travel, and technology—appears to move backward from Earth’s perspective. Of course, it’s an optical illusion, but tell that to your frozen laptop or the package whose delivery keeps getting delayed.
During these three-week periods, anything ruled by Mercury can get scrambled: messages, data, contracts, schedules. The winged messenger of the gods loves speed, so when he suddenly hits reverse, life’s conveyor belt starts lurching.
No need to crash out! Mercury retrogrades are actually good for some things, if you can believe it. Lean into the “re” verbs: review, revise, rethink, repair. Dust off that half-finished project. Revisit your budget or your closet (those vintage cowboy boots deserve a comeback). Slow your scroll and reconnect with people who genuinely supported you. Mercury retrograde is peak nostalgia and a great time to revive friendships, habits, and styles that feel authentically you. Just wait until after the retrograde for any dramatic hair updates or ink.
While Mercury is on its reverse commute, it will back up through two zodiac segments of the sky: Sagittarius and Scorpio. From November 9 to 18, Mercury moonwalks through fiery Sagittarius—the sign that rules travel, education, and big ideas. This could throw a major curveball into Thanksgiving travel plans. With the government shutdown impacting TSA agents and air traffic controllers, staying close to home might be the move. If you are flying, build in extra time between connecting flights and keep backup chargers handy. Misplaced passports and double-booked rentals are classic symptoms.
Warning! Sagittarius is the zodiac’s most outspoken sign, and Mercury retrogrades can churn up tense communication and misunderstandings. During this double-whammy, political discussions could blow up into family feuds. Let that sink in before choosing who you’ll give thanks with this November. Enjoying a Friendsgiving with people who share your worldview instead of attending the go-to celebration might be the best way to preserve harmony with the difficult branches of your family tree.
Mercury the messenger is in charge of everything from the postal service to our DMs. Global tariffs have already impacted the supply chain in 2025. Throw in Mercury retrograde during Black Friday, and you may have to pay extra for shipping to guarantee that your gifts will arrive on time. On a collective level, Mercury’s retrograde here could amplify discussions around immigration and global movement. Expect passionate headlines and calls for reform—and maybe a few foot-in-mouth moments from outspoken figures.
Signalgate part II and III may be on the horizon—in world news and in your own phone—especially once Mercury slips into Scorpio’s mysterious zone from November 18 to 29. Emotions will run hot while motives get murky. Suddenly, everyone’s playing detective—or confessor. Hidden information surfaces, revealing who’s been authentic and who’s been operating from the shadows.
In relationships, this phase can dredge up unfinished business. Exes may resurface, but pause before diving back in. Scorpio energy can be seductive, but its kink is karma. Reviving relationships could be even harder the second time around. If nothing else, hold off until December before making any final decisions about a sexy sequel. Your fate does not need to be Ophelia’s.
That said, closure is the superpower of Mercury retrograde in “all or nothing” Scorpio. If you’ve been avoiding a tough conversation, this phase can help you articulate truths you’ve swallowed for too long. Just do it calmly, not dramatically. You don’t need to burn the bridge to walk away stronger.
So yes, Mercury retrograde might garble your group texts or delay your deliveries. But it also gifts you something rare in a nonstop world: time to reflect, reconnect, and realign before the calendar resets. And that is something to be thankful for.
‘The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties’
