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If you’re already feeling tired and disoriented—like you’re just not yourself—there’s a good chance you can blame it on Mercury retrograde. When the planet of communication and cognitive function is spinning backwards from our perspective here on Earth, it has a way of making your brain work twice as hard in order to function. Although everyone will feel its classic symptoms, you need to look into how Mercury retrograde will affect each zodiac sign from April to May 2023, because it will always paint a deeper picture of what this experience means for you.
Although Mercury retrograde is basically universally despised, it’s important to remember this experience truly isn’t the end of the world. After all, it only takes place around 3 to 4 times per year, which means Mercury retrograde is not only a familiar experience to you, but an integral part of your annual solar journey!
Lasting around three weeks, this retrograde has a way of dredging up unresolved drama from your past, especially if a conversation has been left on “read” for far too long. As Mercury begins its backward tailspin across the zodiac, it brings attention to situations that remain unsettled, providing you a platform to gain closure and leave the past behind you.
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However, let’s also remember that Mercury is considered the trickster planet, and while retrograde, Mercury finds joy in making our lives inconvenient to the max. You can expect an increase in delays, frustrations, miscommunications and even technological mishaps. And when Mercury is retrograde, plans are rarely ever set in stone, so it’s not the most ideal time to sign contracts or make life-altering decisions. By that same token, this doesn’t mean you need to live in fear, as sometimes, you really have no choice but to say “screw you, Mercury retrograde” and do things your own way.
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Mercury retrograde starts on April 21 and ends on May 14.
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On April 21 at 4:35 a.m. ET, Mercury will station retrograde at 15 degrees Taurus. Because this retrograde begins in Taurus, the fixed earth sign associated patience, pragmatism, beauty, sensuality and practicality, you can expect this experience to force you to go back to the basics and rebuild your Universe. It’s time to make things a little more stable and grounded, because Taurus craves something it can rely on for the long haul. However, because this retrograde begins at the 15th degree, we can expect it to shine a light on Dating-red-flags/”>some pretty mind-blowing drama and bewildering misunderstandings. Because the 15th degree sits at the very center of a zodiac sign’s span of o to 29 degrees, you may find that this retrograde begins at a “cliffhanger” moment, but with no real resolution. Don’t expect instant results and concrete answers, at least until this retrograde is over.
Because Mercury stations direct at 5 degrees Taurus, there will be a burst of passion and intensity waiting for you at the finish line when Mercury retrograde finally ends on May 14 at 8:12 a.m. ET. The 5th degree—which is the Leo degree—you may find yourself feeling ready to express yourself once you reach the finish line. The 5th degree is all about standing in the spotlight, taking up space and owning your power. If this retrograde had you feeling like a damsel in distress, you’ll be rescuing yourself like your very own knight in shining armor by the time it’s over. Make no mistake—this retrograde is healing your inner child!
Here’s what your winter Mercury retrograde journey will look like, according to your sun sign, rising sign, and/or Mercury sign:
How Mercury Retrograde Will Affect Your Zodiac Sign
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You’ve just reached the end of Aries season, which means you’ve done a lot of thinking about how much you’ve grown as a person over the past year! However, as Mercury stations retrograde on April 21, it will challenge your whole self-esteem, especially if you’ve been hedging your bets on all the wrong things. Taking place in your second house of stability and self-worth, this retrograde may leave you feeling like you have a need for something that you can’t satisfy. However, it will also challenge you to rethink what you’re choosing to align your values with. With a Total Solar Eclipse in Aries taking place just one day before Mercury stations retrograde, you can expect something major to happen that shakes up your entire sense of self. This retrograde will give you some extra time to gather your bearings before you head into the future, so take your time.
Once Mercury retrogrades stations direct on May 14, financial issues will begin to solve themselves, especially if you’ve been working on healing your Relationship with money and getting to the core of the issue. Remember—money *wants* to be in your life, but if you believe you don’t deserve it or you’ll never have it, it becomes a lot harder to see the financial opportunities when they’re right in front of you!
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Get ready, Taurus, because this Mercury retrograde has your name on it (literally). Taking place in your first house of the self, Mercury will station retrograde as of April 21, and the experience could lead to a total reevaluation of the self. Who *are* you, Taurus? And no, I’m not talking about who you are when someone else needs you. I’m not talking about the personality you adopt when you’re in “people-pleaser” mode. I’m talking about the real you, Taurus. It’s time to remember the person you’ve always been, especially if you’ve set that person aside for the sake of someone else’s needs.
Once Mercury retrogrades stations direct on May 14, you may feel like a different person (or at least, a more honest version of the person you already are). Don’t be afraid to look inward during this retrograde, because you may feel less inclined to express yourself to others and more in the mood to have a conversation with yourself. What do you have to say?
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Prepare to do a deep-dive into your own psyche, Gemini. After all, Mercury is stationing retrograde in your spiritual 12th house as of April 21, which could bring you face to face with some of your inner demons. However, your will to succeed is stronger than any fears you might have, especially when your emotions are also your most motivating force. Although you may feel more quiet and reserved during this time, this break from the social scene also giving your subconscious a chance to piece together what seems to be missing.
Once Mercury retrogrades stations direct on May 14, you may feel as though you’re waking up from a long dream filled with highs and lows. You may feel more rested, as though your subconscious finally had the opportunity to rest from all the commotion you’ve endured over the past year. Use this retrograde to embrace forgiveness and to truly work on letting go of what’s no longer your responsibility to carry.
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Not feeling the vibe? If so, it makes sense, because Mercury is stationing retrograde in your 11th house of community on April 21, which may leave you feeling like leaving the party even though you’ve just arrived. If you’re on the outs with your clique, it may be time to communicate and get to the bottom of what went wrong. However, this may not indicate trouble in your friend group at all. Instead, it speaks to the process of reconnecting with old colleagues, acquaintances and teammates you’ve lost touch with. After all, they might have something to teach you, so prepare to learn a lot about what makes a team work together rather than against each other. Because the 11th house also shines a light on your hopes and ideals, you may spend time rethinking your vision for the future and what you want it to look like.
Once Mercury retrogrades stations direct on May 14, you begin to possess a more positive and healthy attitude toward your peers. While you may feel confident in your decision to create distance between you and the people you’ve outgrown at this point in your life, you’re also creating space for new people to enter your world. Stay tuned for all the new friends you’re gonna make in 2023!
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It’s time to set aside your competitive personality for just a little while, because Mercury is retrograding through your 10th house of career as of April 21. This will likely throw a wrench in some of your professional plans, especially if they were on shaky ground to begin with, Leo. It’s time to think outside of the box when it comes to solving work-related problems, because you can’t always rely on someone to do it for you. However, these challenges will also remind you how you handled similar dilemmas in the past. How can you take these experiences and allow them to inform your next move?
Once Mercury retrogrades stations direct on May 14, you’ll have a much better understanding of what career move you’re ready to make next. You may even feel ready to work your way back up to a position of confidence, know-how and strength, especially if this retrograde knocked you down a few pegs! Stay humble, because everyone has something they had to learn during this retrograde.
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Feeling a bit lost, Virgo? If so, it’s no wonder, because Mercury will station retrograde in your ninth house of travel and expansion as of April 21. This could take you down an unexpected path, so embrace detours and delays that force you to take the road less traveled. Even if you have no clue where you are, life isn’t meant to be lived with a GPS at all moments. Allow the wind to take you somewhere that is both fascinating and confronting. It is during moments where you feel unmoored that you deepen your sense of faith, because life always has a way of bringing you home just when you think you’ve completely drifted off course.
Once Mercury retrogrades stations direct on May 14, you may feel your sense of direction returning, especially if you’ve been gradually zeroing in on what you’re interested in and what you believe in. By the time this retrograde comes to an end, you’ll have learned something valuable and experienced something that you never could have planned yourself.
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You may be in the mood to settle debts and evaluate the level of return on your investments, Libra. After all, Mercury will station retrograde in your eighth house of transactions on April 21, which may bring up some financial conundrums that still require your attention. If money is unaccounted for, it’s time to locate where it may have gone (especially if your assets haven’t been particularly organized). However, this retrograde may also have less to do with money and more to do with the process of letting go and moving on. You may find yourself realizing that you’ve stayed in a situation way past its expiration Date. It’s time to make peace and set yourself free. And with a Total Solar Eclipse in Aries lighting up your descendent just one day before Mercury stations retrograde, you can expect this experience to occur at the same time you embrace major emotional shifts in your Relationships.
Once Mercury retrogrades stations direct on May 14, you’ll be ready to set fire to what no longer has a hold over you and move on (much like a phoenix rising from the ashes). It’s time to let go of what you’ve long since outgrown, Libra.
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Prepare to do a deep-dive into your relationships, Scorpio. It’s time to evaluate your whole understanding of harmony and togetherness, because Mercury will station retrograde in your seventh house of partnerships on April 21. This may bring up the trauma of heartbreak and the sting of prior disappointments, but only so you can see how far you’ve come since these events. You’re healing, Scorpio. In fact, you’ve been healing. It’s time to start processing how much progress you’ve made, because you don’t need someone else to complete you. A relationship thrives when two people feel inspired to come together rather than forced to. All you’re responsible for is fulfilling your end of the bargain, Scorpio.
Once Mercury retrogrades stations direct on May 14, communication issues with your allies, enemies business partners and significant others will be easier to iron out. You may come to terms with certain relationships you’re ready to leave behind (and the relationships you’re in the mood to start back up again).
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When Mercury retrograde begins on April 21, it will mark the start of a major self-care overhaul, Sagittarius. It’s time to take a long look at the habits you rely on and the routines that carry you through your day. Are they supporting your highest growth? Are they bringing you a sense of accomplishment without draining your energy to the dregs? It’s time to rethink the methods, regimens and rituals that you live by.
Once Mercury retrogrades stations direct on May 14, you may start getting into a better groove when it comes to getting your tasks done for the day. Productivity is like a muscle; you work hard, but you also need adequate rest. And the longer you stay off that horse, the less you love the idea of getting back on it! Don’t overthink the process, because it all begins one step at a time.
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Get ready, Capricorn! This Mercury retrograde may be complicated and confusing, but the experience could eventually become rather interesting (and enticing). When it begins on April 21, it will station retrograde in your fifth house of pleasure, lust and creativity, which could lower the heat in your current relationship and leave you feeling artistically stifled. However, there’s a good chance you may reconnect with an old lover, which will remind you of a feeling you’ve been missing. It could even encourage you to pick up a creative project you’ve abandoned and pick up where you left off.
Once Mercury retrogrades stations direct on May 14, you may feel your creative juices begin to return as you come to terms with what inspired you during these past three weeks. You may even feel like you’re in the mood to start crushing on someone new or you’re feeling prepared to enhance the romance in your relationship. Either way, this Mercury retrograde isn’t looking like the end of the world, because it will also come with plenty of beautiful experiences.
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You may crave human connection, but that doesn’t mean a thriving home environment is without its problems, Aquarius. Is there a pile of laundry in your room you’ve been refusing to fold? Are you and your relatives dealing with a disagreement? Are you working too often to even *enjoy* being at home? As Mercury stations retrograde in your fourth house of home and family on April 21, it will encourage you to heal your relationship with your roots as you water the new ones you’ve been planting. Home may be the place we come from, but it’s also the place we wind up next.
Once Mercury retrogrades stations direct on May 14, you may find the strength to solve conflicts in your family and set the necessary boundaries to protect your energy. After all, dealing with family and domestic issues can be draining, but it’s important to remember that you have all the power to create the home and family of your dreams. It all begins with your courage to change things.
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Uh-oh! You might be putting your foot in your mouth while Mercury is retrograde, so remember to think before you speak, Pisces. After all, this retrograde will take place in your third house of communication, which could bring up conversations that didn’t end on the best note after it begins on April 21. Prepare for people who “ghosted” to suddenly start replying! However, the main thing you need to remember is to triple check all correspondence and make sure you backup your important documents, as tech errors may be inevitable.
Once Mercury retrogrades stations direct on May 14, you may finally come to a conclusion regarding a conflict or never-ending conversation. Allow this retrograde to show you how to find the right words to say what you want to say and encourage you to communicate with intention rather than self-satisfaction. At the end of the day, it all depends on the approach you choose to take!
