Make sure you tune into the public podcast episode that this is a companion post for :) (youtube | apple | spotify | web)

Dates:

Monday, November 25, 2024 at 8:14pm EST - Stations Retrograde

Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 3:56pm EST - Stations Direct (moves direct ~5:30pm)

Number of Days: 21

Sign: Scorpio

Nakshatras/Degrees:

28:28:02 Jyestha - 12:11:27 Anuradha

Changes on December 8 ~ 2pm

Shadow Period:

Thu November 7 (7:30am) - ThuJan 2 (~10pm)

Other notable info:

Combust: November 30 (~10am) - December 11 (~9am)

Mercury Retrograde is back and it remains one of the most talked-about astrological events, stirring anxiety and curiosity alike. But how can we use its energy to our advantage, especially this time around with its occurrence in Scorpio from November 25th to December 15th, 2024?

Remember, Mercury Retrograde might ruffle feathers on the surface but isn’t likely to change the course of your life.

Understanding Retrogrades in General

To understand anything in astrology, we want to take it one piece at a time. First, let’s understand what retrogrades are in general. It’s not the planet reversing its path but a time when the planet appears to move backwards in the sky from our earthly perspective. It only APPEARS to be "retracing it's steps". So, you might "retrace" the lessons you've learned during the planets first trip through that area of the sky, only for those lessons to really be ground in in the tail end of the shadow period after the planet has moved direct (see above for dates!). In general, retrogrades are a time for ‘re’ activities—reassess, reevaluate, reorganize, and reflect.

The Importance of Wit and Communication

Mercury governs communication, travel systems, and wit. During its retrograde, these areas may face disruptions, making it essential to exercise patience and clarity. While emails might contain more typos or travel plans face delays, knowing how to anticipate and adapt will help you sail smoothly through this period.

Scorpio’s Influence on Mercury Retrograde

With Mercury Retrograde occurring entirely in Scorpio, ruled by Mars, expect fierce introspection related to your hidden emotions and profound truths. Scorpio dives deep into emotional currents, making this retrograde particularly powerful for unpacking personal shadows and refining your internal landscape.

The Role of Nakshatras: Jyestha and Anuradha

During this retrograde Mercury will pass through two nakshatras—Jyestha and Anuradha. Jyestha, known as the 'eldest', prompts you to question what legacy you want to leave. Consider how you can contribute meaningfully to your community, embodying the change you wish to see.

Anuradha, translating to 'subsequent success', emphasizes putting in the work today for greater benefits tomorrow. As you move through small daily actions, remember that consistent effort is key to achieving your broader goals.

Overall Energies of Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

This retrograde invites us to pause and reflect on transformation, persistence, and the interplay between logic and intuition. With Mercury navigating the Jyestha and Anuradha nakshatras, this period is an opportunity to examine the following themes deeply:

• Subsequent Success: What seeds are you planting for a future you might not directly witness? This retrograde encourages planting trees whose shade we may never sit under, emphasizing legacy and impact.
• Recognition and Community: Reflect on what you wish to be known for. Are your actions aligned with uplifting and protecting the vulnerable or fostering meaningful connections?
• Blossoming Through Adversity: Like the lotus that thrives in muddy waters, this is a time to embrace growth despite challenges. Allow intuition and logic to guide you, especially in practical areas like end-of-year financial reviews, given the mutual aspect of retrograde Jupiter.
• Integration and Shadow Work: Scorpio’s energy calls us to dance with our shadow, embracing and integrating aspects of ourselves that we may typically shy away from. This aligns with the transformative themes of Scorpio season and the introspection invited by Mercury retrograde.

Deeper Themes of Mercury Retrograde in Jyestha

Dates: November 25, 2024 (Stations Retrograde) – December 8, 2024 (~2pm EST)

• Leadership and Responsibility: Jyestha’s energy, symbolized by the eldest or senior-most, invites reflection on how we wield authority and responsibility. Are you managing power and influence wisely, or are inner conflicts clouding your decisions?
• Protection and Advocacy: As a nakshatra tied to protecting the vulnerable, this period asks you to evaluate how your communication and actions serve as a shield or tool for advocacy.
• Ego and Recognition: Reflect on tendencies toward seeking external validation. Use this retrograde to consider how your generosity or protective nature could lead to authentic recognition rather than ego-driven efforts.
• Revisiting Intellectual Challenges: Jyestha’s rulership by Mercury highlights intellectual prowess. This is an excellent time to reassess strategies and communication in areas where logic and critical thinking have been challenged.

Deeper Themes of Mercury Retrograde in Anuradha

Dates: December 8, 2024 (~2pm EST) – December 15, 2024 (Direct ~5:30pm EST)

• Collaboration and Friendship: Anuradha’s association with sustaining relationships and cooperation suggests revisiting and recalibrating dynamics in partnerships or groups. Are you fostering genuine connections, or are old patterns of mistrust creating barriers?
• Persistence Amidst Adversity: Like the lotus flower, Anuradha teaches us to thrive in difficulty. Reflect on how you can cultivate resilience by revising goals or approaches to long-standing challenges.
• Balance Between Intuition and Logic: With Mercury highlighting communication and analysis, use this period to review how well you’re balancing intuitive insights with logical plans, especially in creative or collaborative efforts.
• Success Through Realignment: Anuradha’s focus on subsequent success invites you to reassess long-term goals and adjust them to align with your deeper values and life path.

Practical Tips for Navigating Mercury Retrograde 

1. Prioritize Nervous System Regulation

Mercury Retrograde is an optimal time to strengthen your nervous system. Engaging in daily meditation practices can help maintain calm amidst chaos, enabling you to tackle travel delays and communication glitches with grace.

2. Reorganize and Declutter

Whether it's digital clutter or a messy drawer, Mercury Retrograde invites a cleanup. Clear your mind and environment to enhance clarity and focus.

3. Emotional Self-Study

Reflect on how your emotions shape decisions. Conduct an introspective examination of your thoughts and feelings, and strive to integrate them harmoniously into your actions.

4. Exercise Patience and Kindness

With Mars also going retrograde, tempers might flare. Approach potential conflicts with a calm and reasoned attitude, opting for peace over aggression.

Yoga Practices for Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio:

• Daily Meditation: Engage in mindfulness to navigate Scorpio’s transformative depths with clarity.
• Breath Awareness: Especially when delays or frustrations arise, regulate your nervous system with grounding pranayama like Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril breathing).
• Water Element Focus: Incorporate fluid movements in your yoga practice, such as flowing sequences or Yin yoga, to embody Scorpio’s watery nature.
• Grounding Practices: Counteract ungrounded energy from Mercury retrograde and Scorpio’s intensity with restorative postures and long holds.

Journal Prompts for Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio:

1. What legacy do I want to leave behind?
2. How can I better integrate my light and shadow selves?
3. What beliefs or habits no longer serve my growth, and how can I release them with grace?
4. How do my emotions influence my decision-making, and where can I cultivate balance?
5. Where in my life do I feel stuck, and what small steps can I take toward transformation?

For Your Rising and Moon Signs

Each interpretation below will be accurate for your Vedic rising (ascendant) and moon signs. If you don’t know your Vedic signs, you can calculate your birth chart for free here.

Struggling to know what any of it means? Grab this free birth chart decoder worksheet and you'll be well on your way to living in alignment with your cosmic blueprint!

Remember, as a Vedic astrologer, I use the sidereal zodiac, or the astronomically precise placements of the planets. So these will likely be different than your (western, tropical) Sun sign--you know, the one that is based solely on your birth date. You can read more about the differences between the two systems here.

🚨 Note: Personalized horoscope portions are offered only to members.

There are two tiers of membership: personalized yogiscopes ONLY (by clicking below) or join the 100 Healers Circle for a higher level of support and personalization (get all the details and sign up here). 

If this feels like it would be helpful to you, and you want this kind of support every week, consider becoming a member of the 100 Healers Circle or by clicking the button below.

If you are already a member, please make sure you are logged in to view the personalized horoscopes.