Retrograde season is back, and this dreaded cosmic event, spanning from August 23 to September 15, is predicted to hit you harder than ever. Occurring in the meticulous sign of Virgo, the zodiac ruled by Mercury itself, this retrograde is poised to bring about energy shifts, communication breakdowns and unexpected reunions. Psychic World’s collaboration with esteemed astrologer Inbaal Honigman offers insights into how to harness the potential of this retrograde to one’s advantage.
How Will The Mercury Retrograde Affect You?
It’s time to get practical. Mercury is the planet of connection and is likely to cause energy shifts, communication breakdowns and even predicts some people from your past to return.
As summer bids adieu, September ushers in a sense of renewal, akin to the start of a new year. The retrograde’s pause button encourages us to reflect and let go of past resentments, clearing the slate for a fresh start. Recognising relationships that warrant closure allows us to grow beyond the bounds of what’s outgrown.
This can be a great time to release built-up resentments and make peace with the past. Since retrograde tends to bring back people from the past, you may find yourself in contact with a previous flame—but remember to exercise caution around exes during this time as reigniting an old flame may wreak havoc.
Like all Mercury retrogrades, expert Astrologer Inbaal Honigman, expects communication to be greatly impacted:
“Virgo is a sign obsessed with order and cleanliness, and when Mercury is retrograde in this sign, it means that the most basic communication around those matters is unsuccessful,” she says.
“Mercury is the planet of communication and rules many different situations in our day-to-day lives. Trying to order anything online, hiring a new employee, redesigns in the home are all jobs that will work best when Mercury is back in its forward motion.
“Especially in a world so reliant on communication in the digital age. During the retrograde, you may notice phones don’t charge, TVs randomly switch off, emails refuse to be sent and many other blocks,” she adds.
Which Zodiac Signs Will Be Affected By The Mercury Retrograde The Most?
While all zodiac signs will experience the effects of this retrograde, Virgos will find themselves at the epicentre of this retrograde whirlwind.
Inbaal Honigman adds, “This retrograde will obviously impact Virgos the most. Neat and tidy Virgos will find it harder to ask for help, and will struggle to find the time to keep everything in their lives to their impossible standards.” This is a great time for them to embrace flexibility.
Geminis, ruled by Mercury and equally mutable like Virgos, will experience technological turmoil that can rattle their communication-centric lives. “Geminis live their lives communicating and can’t tolerate a discharged phone or getting locked out of their socials, which is quite common during a Mercury retrograde,” Honigman shares.
“Pisces, the polar opposite of Virgo, and Sagittarius, the polar opposite of Gemini, would also find it hard to navigate this Mercury retrograde in Virgo. They’re both incredibly sociable signs and the retrograde could bring back people from the past into their lives, which is a little stressful.”
How Can You Get The Best Out Of This Mercury retrograde?
As the dominant planet of Virgo, Mercury significantly shapes areas like communication, commerce, friendships and group interactions. This retrograde will unfortunately bring a double set of challenges to these aspects. Nonetheless, there are constructive ways to navigate this period and emerge with positive results.
Prioritise self-care, spend some extra time with your friends and family. Flexibility will be important, but remember to be patient. Think twice before you press send, and similarly try not to take any random insults to heart.
“As for new romantic relationships, the stars are not aligned and you should avoid dating someone new—unless you want to descend into a chaotic new relationship. It is best to put your dating life on hold during this time, as people may not always be what they seem,” Honigman warns.
Confusion, calamity and miscommunication are also common symptoms affecting work life during Mercury retrograde, pushing us to recalibrate the balance between professional progress and personal enrichment. Make sure to stay vigilant during any potential challenges, postpone any new contracts and presentations, and instead, focus on reviewing and revising.
- Quick links
- horoscope
- astrology
- zodiac sign
