Mercury now turns direct at 22° Sagittarius 11′.

Mercury was 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:

• 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 began this retrograde cycle in the sign of Capricorn and ends it in Sagittarius.

The year 2023’s final retrograde Mercury cycle began on December 13th and ends now, on the first day of the year 2024.

Mercury’s post-retrograde shadow (from January 1st to 20th, 2024) is generally better for new long-term endeavors than the pre-retrogrades 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 and around the days of the stations whether Mercury is turning retrograde OR direct (the start and end dates 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. In Capricorn for part of the cycle, we’re reviewing career matters, business, reputation, status, and connections with those in authority. In Sagittarius later in the retrograde cycle, we’re reconsidering ideas, beliefs, modes of communication and transportation, and matters of faith.

Now that Mercury is direct, slowly but surely, information unclogs, and we can move on. Ideally, while Mercury was retrograde, we had the chance to catch up, refine details, and change our minds if needed.