☿ What Is Mercury Retrograde (and How to Survive the One We’re in Right Now)?
If your phone’s ghost‑typing, your laptop’s gaslighting you, and you’ve double‑booked yourself for the third time this week — congratulations: you’ve officially hit Mercury retrograde.
But don’t panic (or, you know, throw your phone into the sea). Retrograde isn’t a curse — it’s cosmic editing time. This happens three to four times a year when Mercury appears to move backward in the sky (it’s an optical illusion, but the energetic chaos is very real). Since Mercury rules communication, travel, technology, and planning, expect wobbles in those areas.
📅 When Is Mercury Retrograde (and How Long Are We in It)?
We’re smack in the middle of one. Mercury retrograde kicked off on 18 July 2025 in fiery Leo and will keep us all on our toes until 11 August 2025. And because Mercury loves a good after‑party, the post‑retrograde “shadow period” lingers until 25 August.
When’s the next one? 9 November – 29 November 2025 in Sagittarius, with its shadow trailing into mid‑December.
Translation? This isn’t a one‑off disaster — it’s part of the cosmic rhythm. Knowing when it’s coming (and working with it) makes all the difference.
💻 Why Does Mercury Retrograde Feel Like Chaos?
Because Mercury’s in charge of:
- Communication – messages, emails, DMs (and the ones you regret sending).
- Travel – trains, flights, car journeys, and the delays that make you question everything.
- Tech – Wi‑Fi, apps, and that one file you definitely saved.
- Planning – suddenly your to‑do list looks like abstract art.
When Mercury retrogrades, these areas don’t just glitch — they reveal what needs a second look.
🔮 How to Survive (and Even Thrive) This Retrograde
Here’s your witch‑approved survival kit:
- Triple‑check everything – tickets, messages, emails… yes, even that.
- Avoid big commitments – can that contract wait? Then wait.
- Backup your tech – Mercury’s chaotic, not sentimental.
- Slow down – this is a review period, not a launch window.
- Reflect, don’t react – misunderstandings are par for the course.
🕯️ Retrograde Rituals to Stay Sane
Shadow journaling: Retrogrades are invitations to unpack the stuff you’ve been ignoring. (Our Shadow Work Journal is perfect for this.)
Candle clarity ritual: Light a white candle, write out what feels messy or unclear, and burn it (safely!) to release the mental clutter.
Crystal allies:
- Fluorite – clears the fog.
- Amazonite – calms frazzled communication.
- Smoky quartz – grounds you when the chaos peaks.
Shadow Work Questions:
- Where do I avoid slowing down, and why?
- What “unfinished business” keeps resurfacing for me?
- How can I communicate my needs more clearly (with myself and others)?
Keep a copy of our 2025 Moon Calendar on your altar so you’re always ahead of the chaos.
✨ The Truth? Mercury Retrograde Isn’t Evil.
Retrograde isn’t out to ruin your life — it’s giving you a second chance to edit, review, and realign. It’s cosmic proofreading. Sure, it’s annoying. But it’s also powerful if you lean in instead of running from it.
Need help riding this wave? Our August Witch’s Almanac has spells, rituals, and lunar tips to keep you steady through it.
