New Year’s Day 2024 begins with Mercury retrograde until 10:08PM EST. The messenger planet turns retrograde three more times during the year. All about the 2024 Mercury retrogrades, what zodiac signs they’re in, and how to plan to avoid mishaps with tech, travel and communication.
This article is partially excerpted from The AstroTwins’ 2024 Horoscope. The annual book provides a thorough astrological forecast for all of the 2024 Mercury retrogrades.
Messenger Mercury is the planet of communication, social networks and data. When it flips into reverse three to four times each year, it affects our immediate, day-to-day lives. Misunderstandings flare, old friends (and exes!) pop up in our feeds and information gets in the wrong hands. Yikes!
So popular is the lore about this transit that we’ve dubbed it the “pumpkin spice latte” of retrogrades. But don’t believe all the negative hype. While Mercury retrogrades can (and will) scramble signals, these three-week cycles can be a positive time for all re activities: reviewing, revising, reconnecting, reuniting. Tap the brakes on fast-moving projects and surrender to nostalgia. Develop projects behind the scenes so you can be ready for a reveal once Mercury turns direct!
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Your best safeguards for the 2024 Mercury retrogrades
It’s hard to be patient when digital devices break down, new friends ghost while old ones pop up out of the blue, and appointments get canceled. So when Mercury goes retrograde in 2024, be sure to:
• Back up your important data and protect it with strong passwords.
• If you must sign a contract, review everything, even the finest print!
• Double (or triple) check travel itineraries: dates, times, etc.
• Think before you speak, type, post.
• Check you’re actually texting the person you intend before you press send!
When are the 2024 Mercury retrogrades?
Mercury retrograde in SAGITTARIUS
December 13, 2023 to January 1, 2024
2024 opens up with Mercury briefly in retrograde. Until 10:08 PM EST on New Year’s Day, Mercury lingers in a retrograde that began in traditional Capricorn on December 13, 2023, then slipped back into worldly Sagittarius on December 23, 2023.
What to do while Mercury is retrograde in Sagittarius: Wait a few days before making your 2024 resolutions or creating a vision board. You could also wait until after the Mercury retroshade period (the two weeks after Mercury retrograde ends) to begin your New Year’s Resolutions in earnest. The first new moon of 2024 is on January 11, in goal-getting Capricorn, which will be an optimal launch pad for your dreams.
Mercury retrograde in ARIES
April 1-25, 2024
Who’s in charge around here? Hands are raised and no one’s backing down while Mercury blusters backwards through dominating Aries. You may feel impatient and ready to spring into action, yet the battle plan remains unclear.
What to do while Mercury is retrograde in Aries: Hold your fire and use this three-week cycle to proactively research options, review documentation and reconnect to helpful allies.
Mercury retrograde in VIRGO and LEO
August 5-14, 2024 in Virgo, and then August 14-28, 2024 in Leo
The margin for error is great now, so review everything on the finest setting while Mercury backs up through finicky Virgo until August 14. Egos will be especially fragile once Mercury retreats into Leo from August 14 to 28.
What to do while Mercury is retrograde in Virgo and Leo: Careful when offering feedback! Your helpful hints could sound more like harsh critiques that end up causing friction. Romantic situations could go sideways temporarily. Turn your pain into cathartic art.
Mercury retrograde in SAGITTARIUS
November 25 to December 15, 2024
Mercury retrograde returns to hotheaded Sagittarius near the end of 2024, making fuses short. Ideological family feuds could overtake dinner conversations if you’re not careful. Messenger Mercury rules the mail and this retrograde could cause mayhem with holiday deliveries, too.
What to do while Mercury is retrograde in Sagittarius: Get tracking on your packages, or, if possible, pick gifts up from the brick-and-mortar store. Pre-holiday travel could also be impacted—as well as any plans booked during these dates. Double- and triple-check itineraries. Build in extra time for detours, long TSA lines and protracted pick-up times from your Lyft. Keep triggering subjects off the group threads.
For even more about Mercury retrograde, see our classic article, Mercury Retrograde: How to Survive A Three-Week Communication Crisis
Bookmark this page to find out anytime during the year if you’re wondering, Is Mercury Retrograde Right Now?
Learn about all the other 2024 Planet Retrogrades here.
Let’s manifest miracles
TOGETHER
all year long!
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