Mercury, the trickster messenger planet of communication, coordination, creative expression, and information processing, will be going into retrograde on November 25th. The pre-shadow or retroshade period begins on November 7th. Mercury goes retrograde three to four times a year, leading to up to six months of the year being influenced by Mercury’s slow-down showdown. As a personal planet, Mercury’s retrogrades have a significant impact on our daily lives, especially as it rules over integral aspects of our routines.
The pre-shadow phase of Mercury retrograde begins when the planet crosses the zodiac degree where it will eventually station directly. This time around, the pre-shadow phase starts on November 7th at 6°23 of Sagittarius. The pre-and post-retrograde shadow periods, also known as the retroshade, occur two weeks preceding and following the retrograde transit. These periods bring emotionally congested and off-kilter energy, preparing us for the retrograde and helping us integrate its lessons.
The pre-retrograde/retroshade period for this Mercury retrograde will extend from November 7th to 25th. The post-retrograde period will follow from December 15th to January 2nd, adding an interesting twist to the holiday season this year. The pre-shadow phase is not typically as intense as the actual retrograde but offers a chance to prepare, resolve issues, and set ourselves up for success as the more challenging astrological aspects unfold.
The brilliant astrologer Evan Nathaniel Grim advises during the pre-shadow phase to exercise caution in decision-making, as choices made then may need revisiting during the actual retrograde weeks later. He suggests focusing energy on the first half of the retrograde, from November 25th to December 6th, and dedicating slow and steady effort to tasks nearing completion from December 6th to 15th. Those most affected by this retrograde will be individuals with personal planets in mutable signs like Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces, especially if their placements fall between 6-22 degrees in these signs.
Mercury’s backspin through Sagittarius will mark its last retrograde of 2024. The first Mercury retrograde of 2025 will take place from March 14, 2025, to April 7, 2025, starting in Aries and concluding in Pisces. For those interested in astrology, astrologer Reda Wigle offers personalized readings that incorporate history, poetry, pop culture, and personal experience to provide guidance on planetary configurations and their effects on each zodiac sign. Whether you are a skeptic or a believer, understanding the influence of planetary movements can provide insights into the energies at play in your life.
