Mercury turns retrograde in Capricorn

Mercury now turns retrograde at 8° Capricorn 29′.

Mercury is retrograde from December 13th, 2023, at 8° Capricorn 29′, until January 1st, 2024, at 22° Sagittarius 11′.

Mercury Retrograde Cycle from December 13, 2023 to January 1, 2024:

Mercury Retrograde from December 2023 to January 2024

• On November 25, 2023, Mercury enters the Retrograde Zone at 22° Sagittarius 11′
• On December 13, 2023, Mercury stations and turns retrograde at 8° Capricorn 29’Rx
• On January 1, 2024, Mercury stations and turns direct at 22° Sagittarius 11’D
• On January 20, 2024, Mercury leaves the Retrograde Zone at 8° Capricorn 29′

Mercury Retrograde

Mercury begins this retrograde cycle in the sign of Capricorn and ends it in Sagittarius.

Note that the shadow period begins before Mercury turns retrograde–when Mercury first passes over the degree that Mercury later returns to in retrograde motion. The shadow period ends when Mercury again passes over the degree at which it first turned retrograde. The shadow period is different than Mercury’s storm period in astrology, which refers to the period when Mercury is moving especially slowly.

Mercury’s post-retrograde shadow is generally better for new long-term endeavors than the pre-retrograde shadow. For new enterprises in the pre-retrograde shadow, the venture’s secondary progressed Mercury will turn direction (retrograde) in the coming years which may not be ideal.

Also note that things are most wonky on the days of the stations whether Mercury is turning retrograde OR direct (the start and end date of the retrograde cycle) as the shifts occur, after which we grow more accustomed to the energy.

Mercury is retrograde approximately three times a year for approximately three weeks each time. As such, retrograde Mercury is a fairly common occurrence (Mercury is retrograde approximately 18% of the time).

As the planet of communication, Mercury retrograde tends to breed a certain level of confusion. Mercury rules our “lower” mind–how we perceive and interpret information that we receive from our environment, and how we relay that information to others. Mercury has rulership over such things as speaking, negotiating, buying and selling, listening, formal contracts, documents, travel, the mail and shipping, and so forth. All of these areas of life are affected when Mercury is functioning in a sluggish state. Decision-making is challenged during Mercury retrograde.

Needless to say, it is not advised to sign contracts, engage in important decision-making, or launch a new business. Delays and challenges are more probable with Mercury retrograde. It’s a time when being careless with money, our personal information, or paperwork can be costly.

While Mercury is retrograde, we may be rethinking a previous opinion or idea. Looking to the signs and houses it transits can give clues as to what we may be reconsidering.

There is absolutely a positive side to Mercury Retrograde. This period is best used for re-organizing and reflecting. We look at the world a little differently–through different filters–and can come up with some very important inner revelations. It may be difficult to communicate them under this influence, but not everything needs to be rationalized.

Mercury retrograde periods can be times of heightened inner awareness, when meditation, benefiting from keeping a journal, reworking old plans, and reviewing past work are favored. Mercury retrograde is powerful for studies, particularly for returning to old studies or for re-learning or refreshing knowledge in a subject already taken.

Minor breaks in the mechanical aspects of communication can actually reconnect us to other means of communication, such as when there is an unexpected power outage and we’re forced off the computer and television, finding different and often satisfying ways to entertain ourselves.

It is important to note that there is absolutely no reason to suspend projects or anything of the sort during the Mercury Retrograde cycle. It’s not an ideal time to start new ones or to sign contracts, simply because a change of mind is quite likely once Mercury turns direct. However, it’s a fabulous time to do some “outside of the box” thinking. Acting on our ideas, however, might be best left for a Mercury Direct period.

Pay close attention to what you say and communicate in general, particularly around the days of Mercury’s stations (in this case, December 13th, 2023, and January 1st, 2024), as well as around retrograde Mercury’s conjunction to the Sun (called the “inferior conjunction“) on December 22nd, 2023, at 0 degrees Capricorn (midway between the start and end of the retro period).

If you are itching to make a point with someone, especially, or if you are planning on “signing on the dotted line,” try to hold off. It is likely that you will have a change of mind once the station passes, and you can do some damage in the meantime. When a planet stations, its energies are very strong in our lives.

When Mercury stations, communications have more impact, so that negative ones could have long-term implications at this time. However, if you are very clear within yourself and about what you are communicating, this can be a positive thing.

With Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn:

Mercury retrograde in Capricorn implies communication snafus in business relationships or with parents or bosses, in particular. While Mercury is retrograde in Capricorn, we may have little tolerance for small talk and tend to express ourselves after much deliberation. Plans may be considered then reconsidered. Still, we are in a good position to reevaluate professional or life path plans and goals. It’s also a fine time to explore what ambition or our reputation means to us.

Retrograde Mercury aligns with the Sun on December 22nd, 2023, in the sign of Capricorn, bringing illumination to our thoughts. It’s a favorable time for processing recent events and ideas, and for beginning to look at problems or issues from a new perspective and with a new understanding. Significant new ideas can be birthed at this time.

We might look at past decisions and ideas from a new, possibly enlightened perspective, and find usefulness in old or past ideas and recycling them in new ways.