Few astrological events strike fear into the heart of people like Mercury going retrograde. But while astrologers stress that this celestial event doesn’t mean your life will implode or anything, Mercury in retrograde can throw you a curveball or two.
Well, heads up: Starting on Sunday, August 4, Mercury will go retrograde in Virgo. While it’s not the end of the world—or even the end of your world—it’s highly likely you’ll have a solid rethink on where your life is headed around this time, according to Donna Page, an Atlanta-based astrologer with a graduate degree in counseling psychology.
Meet the Expert: Donna Page, is an Atlanta-based astrologer with a graduate degree in counseling psychology.
Again, it’s not necessarily a bad thing (deep breaths), but it’ll definitely shake things up a little. So, what’s ahead? Here’s everything your zodiac sign can expect from the latest Mercury in retrograde.
What is Mercury in retrograde?
You can look at Mercury in retrograde a few different ways. From an astronomy standpoint, planets go retrograde when it looks like they’re moving backward in the sky. By the way, this is an optical illusion: NASA stresses that the planets don’t suddenly reverse course or anything.
From an astrological view, Mercury in retrograde is when things get shaken up a little, Page explains.
While Mercury in retrograde gets a lot of airplay—and happens a few times a year—this is something that all planets do at some point. Each Mercury in retrograde happens in a different astrological sign, giving off a certain vibe that influences how you feel and what you do during this time.
How will August’s Mercury in retrograde impact your zodiac sign?
This Mercury in retrograde is happening in the sign of Virgo.
“It’s a sign of work,” Page explains. As a result, there’s an undercurrent of thinking about whether you’re still invested in the career path you’re on.
“Maybe there’s a fantasy dream life that you can create for yourself,” Page says. That could mean posting more on TikTok to try to build up a following or looking for a new day-to-day gig that lines up more with your interests. You could also decide that you are, in fact, super happy with your job and just want to lean more into after-hours hobbies to feel more fulfilled overall.
This goes beyond work, though.
“There’s a service and health energy to Virgo, too,” Page says. You’ll wonder if you’re serving your best interests in the choices you’re making on the daily.
Are you eating well, exercising regularly, keeping your drinking within reasonable levels, and doing what you can to be your healthiest self, or have you kinda let all that slide while soaking up all that summer has to offer?
To make things even more complicated—this is Mercury retrograde, after all—there’s some Leo and Neptune energy in the mix that wants you to just enjoy life. Basically, expect to waffle a little about how intense you want to be with your health routine for a few weeks.
Mercury in retrograde will impact all astrological signs, but Page says that Virgo and Pisces will feel it the most.
How will Mercury in retrograde impact your sign in the future?
Mercury in retrograde isn’t a one or two day thing—Page says it tends to last for about three weeks. But after feeling the vibe for a while, Mercury in retrograde can have an obvious impact on your future.
You’ll have a rethink on your career, causing you to make some decisions about next steps. Are you happy with what you’re doing and where you’re headed or is it time to mix things up? Whatever you decide, having those tough conversations with yourself will help you feel more secure in where you go from here.
Ditto when it comes to your health. It never hurts to do check-ins to make sure you’re on the right path to be your healthiest self. And if you don’t feel like making a positive change in that exact moment, that’s OK, too—at least you’re aware of where you stand department and what may need to shift going forward.
When is the next Mercury in retrograde?
The next Mercury in retrograde is on November 25, giving you plenty of time to relax before diving back in again.
Just take some time to listen to your gut right now—it can help sway where you’ll be headed next.
