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Of Couuurse Mercury Retrograde Is Happening on Thanksgiving

Photo credit: Getty/Katie Buckleitner
Photo credit: Getty/Katie Buckleitner

From Woman's Day

The hectic astrology of November (and 2018 in general) has almost been too much to handle! Just in this month alone, chaotic Uranus entered Aries, expansive Jupiter entered Sagittarius, action-packed Mars just dove into Pisces, and Venus retrograde ends soon - and there's still more drama coming up!

We're all ready for the planets to take a seat (or several) and chill out, but there's one final dramatic twist before the year is up! On November 16, the third and final Mercury retrograde cycle of 2018 begins! This happens in the fire sign, Sagittarius, and is felt strongest by Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo, and Pisces.

As with all Mercury retrogrades, you need to watch out for the standard issues around miscommunications, travel delays, technology errors, and unplanned events disrupting your schedule. The travel delays part is especially true with a Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius, as Sags are the sign of traveling and adventure. The biggest communication problems you're likely to face will stem from Sagittarius' tendency to speak first and ask questions later. All fire signs share this hot-headed trait - and interestingly enough, each Mercury retrograde this year was in a fire sign. Because Mercury's energy is so not Sagittarian, speaking too much and not listening enough is a huge issue! When the Sun enters Sagittarius on Thanksgiving, this fiery energy is amplified even more.

Sagittarius loves to turn up the volume and is notoriously blunt, and loud-mouthed Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius can make everyone doubly tactless. With this hotheaded energy flying around, choose your words carefully. Sagittarius is prone to overreact and fly off the handle, and when everyone feels that way, there can be a ton of drama firing off from all directions. Even the most polite, soft-spoken person might get caught in the crossfire of the heated arguments sure to pop off during this particularly high-energy retrograde.

This retrograde cycle is definitely a doozy, but after such an outrageous year, would you expect anything different? Luckily, Venus no longer being retrograde helps put everyone in a more congenial mindset. Venus in Libra helps fix any of the drama disrupting your relationships that come from Mercury retrograde. The astrology of 2018 has been very big on relationship issues - every major event from eclipses to retrogrades has had a substantial connection to relationships.

This final retrograde of 2018 (and the energy of Mercury in Sagittarius in general) helps you speak your truth and defend your beliefs unapologetically - even if it means ending relationships and cutting off loose ends in the process. This has been a year of transformation and tons of tough changes. The clutter has been cleared out, though, and after this final speed bump ends on December 6, it's clear skies ahead in 2019!


Aries

Re-evaluating your goals for the future is thematic for this retrograde cycle. If you've been making plans for travel or higher education, don't expect any substantial progress to be made - your chart's zone of learning and adventure is being smacked around by this retrograde. If you're traveling to see family for the holidays, check and double-check that you have your schedules lined up correctly, you have everything you need packed, and you know exactly what time you need to hit the road or board your plane.

Photo credit: Giphy
Photo credit: Giphy

The little things that slip by unnoticed when it comes to travel plans and important discussions now pile up and seriously bite you in the ass if you leave them unchecked! It's also important to remember to listen more and talk less. Others will take offense to being overpowered or talked down to, and whether that's how you want to sound or not, it's easy to come off like a know-it-all without realizing.

Taurus

Mercury in Sagittarius activated the zone of your chart relating to intimacy, and sex has been a hot topic for you and your partner! Trying new things in bed has been a fun aspect of this Mercury phase, but now that the retrograde has started, you might find yourself feeling lost or unconfident in new territory. Frustrations and miscommunications in the bedroom are reflections of issues existing in other areas of the relationship, so dig deep and figure out what’s really going on.

Photo credit: giphy
Photo credit: giphy

With this astrology, it's likely that an issue outside of your relationship is the major component in all of the drama you're facing. You're a fixed earth sign, so honor those traits and be your S.O.'s rock - they need it! At the same time, don't just sit there and take it if someone is jumping down your throat with all this argumentative Sag energy - you can use these fiery vibes to speak up for yourself now. This energy also runs the risk of bringing old sex partners into your life if you're single - tread carefully!

Gemini

You're a master at thinking on your feet and adapting, but with the retrograde happening in your opposite sign, you feel especially unbalanced and overwhelmed by others now. No matter where you go or what you do, somebody has something to say about it. Don't just pop off at the next person who bugs you, though - breathe!

Photo credit: Giphy
Photo credit: Giphy


They're saying something for a reason, not just to annoy you or berate you. It's your responsibility as the communication expert to figure it out. By carefully choosing your words, you can smooth out any communication issues between you and others. You likely find out that they thought you were imposing on them, even if you felt the opposite way. Warning: Ex-partners and friends may suddenly come out of nowhere now too!

Cancer

Your day-to-day routine is getting all kinds of shaken up. Make sure every day on your schedule is planned out perfectly, and follow that plan the best way you can. In fact, take it a step further and compare your schedule with others' to make sure it's all lined up. Mercury retrograde is notorious for screwing up your routines, and when it's in Sagittarius, your daily operations are disrupted from other people's mishaps.

Photo credit: Giphy
Photo credit: Giphy

Your biggest headaches start in the workplace or classroom. You have to try and try again to complete even the simplest tasks because of others distracting you or last-minute changing things up on you. This is also a good time to get a check-up at your doctor's office - this part of your chart has to do with your health and wellbeing as well.

Leo

If you're involved with any sort of artistic projects, expect progress to slow down. Mercury retrograde is stirring up drama and miscommunications in your chart's zone of self-expression, so you may feel like your creative juices are totally dried up.

Photo credit: Giphy
Photo credit: Giphy

This part of your chart also has to do with sex and romance, so whether you're dating, committed, or single, tons of communication issues revolve around your romantic/sex life. The like-minded vibes of fire sign Sagittarius might feel like you're filled with tons of bright ideas, whether for romantic or personal pursuits, but don't hold your breath on those. Anything started during Mercury retrograde rarely reaches completion - but if you still like the way your vision looks by the time the retrograde is over, go for it!

Virgo

Thanksgiving might not feel so thankful this year, as Mercury retrograde tears up your chart's zone of home life and family affairs. Mercury is also your ruling planet, so each time it goes retrograde, it's an especially big headache for your sign. The best thing you can do is stick to light, fun conversation topics and avoid getting too heated unless it feels absolutely necessary.

Photo credit: Giphy
Photo credit: Giphy

You might also have to deal with old faces suddenly reappearing - think childhood friends, family members you haven't seen in a long time, or anyone from your upbringing showing up. Whether this is good or bad entirely depends on who it is!

Libra

As Mercury goes retrograde in your chart's zone of mental activity and communication, it looks like it'll be an especially confusing next few weeks! Conversations don't go how you plan them to, ideas get mixed up in your head, and you confuse even yourself with the word salad that falls out of your mouth.

Photo credit: Giphy
Photo credit: Giphy

You're naturally pretty tactful and diplomatic though, so you have the ability to still sound like you know what's going on - even though the madness makes you feel like the opposite. Don't upgrade your phone or get any new electronics, because with Mercury spinning backwards in this part of your chart, they'll likely crap out in the next few weeks. Issues with technology and your car are likely, so if you're traveling for the holiday, be prepared.

Scorpio

Hold on tight to your wallet! Your chart's zone of finances is where Mercury retrograde is happening this go around. Now is definitely not the time to spend frivolously, so sorry if you were planning on blowing some cash on Black Friday! Sure, it's okay to splurge on some of the crazy deals, but with Mercury retrograde in impulsive Sagittarius acting up for the next few weeks, you might overdraft your account.

Photo credit: Giphy
Photo credit: Giphy

This zone of your chart also relates to your self-esteem and your morals, both of which are seriously sensitive and important topics. Thanksgiving dinner is usually a hub of heavy conversation, but if the topic dips into anything controversial, prepare for the worst if you disagree with a family member's opinion. You defend your beliefs relentlessly with this energy, and it’s easy to just say the first thing that comes to mind with fiery Sagittarius' vibes taking up this horoscope.

Sagittarius

Happy almost-birth month, Sagittarius, though with Mercury retrograde in your sign, it might be a little less of a celebration this year. You're honest (to a fault) and DGAF about how others feel about your opinion - and that's okay! You do you! Just be aware that you're particularly susceptible to sounding extra harsh without meaning to with this retrograde.

Photo credit: Giphy
Photo credit: Giphy

With Mercury in your sign, you dominate conversations more than ever now, and the ball is always in your court when it comes to a discussion or argument. That being said, if the discussion gets heated, you're the one responsible for toning things down and not letting things escalate to a shouting match. Mercury is the planet of communication, and you love to talk! But talking is only half of the communicating process - you need to learn to listen, too.

Capricorn

With Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius, your chart's zone of isolation and the unconscious is activated. It feels like you just aren't able to put two and two together - there's a disconnect somewhere. You hear what people are saying, but it just flies over your head, and when you try to speak up, it's in one ear and out the other for whoever you're talking to. The general confusion is pretty frustrating, and you often find yourself asking the same questions over and over but getting different answers each time.

Photo credit: Giphy
Photo credit: Giphy

Your dreams of the future are foggy and unclear because memories of the past keep coming up, and you don't know where you stand. You can’t keep focusing on the past and the future at the same time, especially if you're ignoring the present. Ground yourself and center your attention on the here and now. Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius is an opportunity to find closure with old people and projects that are holding you back. In a few weeks, you're back to normal and you can proceed confidently!

Aquarius

As Mercury flies retrograde through Sagittarius, you notice a lot of in-fighting and squabbling with your besties. When preachy, opinionated Sagittarian energy permeates your friend group for the next few weeks, you may discover that everyone isn't on the same page when it comes to your values. One conversation goes awry and the whole bunch of you are pissed of at each other.

Photo credit: Giphy
Photo credit: Giphy

Opening a discussion with one another to figure out the reasoning behind your views can prevent future headaches! At the same time, if you discover that someone in your usual crowd has a mindset that's legitimately problematic, you can use this Mercury in Sag energy to your advantage and really explain to them why they're wrong. If you can't meet halfway, then it might just be time to move on from the friendship.

Pisces

What's your reputation like at work? Are your ideas well-received? Do you finish your tasks efficiently? Or, are you the opposite - notoriously tardy or always ready with an excuse as to why you can’t finish a project? With Mercury retrograde, your every move in the workplace is being noticed. Every misstep you make receives retaliation and backlash, while all of the good work and little victories go unnoticed-or so it seems. This is actually a period of time where your performance is under review, so make the most of it!

Photo credit: Giphy
Photo credit: Giphy

Mars is in your sign now, so it's possible you’re coming off as aggressive to others without meaning to, especially at your job, so talking back to critiques from your supervisors doesn’t go well! Be on your best behavior and take any criticism. Your boss will remember how well you took their coaching and in the long run, you'll look way better. Mercury isn't usually a hard-hitting moment for your sign, but a promotion could be on the line now!

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