A Tarot Reader Reacts to Mercury Retrograde (And What It Means for Each Sign)

Mercury Retrograde is back. From July 17 to August 10, this chatty planet will look as though it’s spinning backwards from our perspective on Earth (it isn’t, it’s an optical illusion) and, astrologically, this reverses Mercury’s positive influences (travel, communication, commerce, and technology). Many folk kinda’ dread this retrograde and delay their plans until it’s done. 

You know what, though? Life is short. I’m not ‘sitting it out’ for 3 weeks several times a year whilst Mercury gets its act together. Instead, let’s look at the positives of this event.

This particular retrograde starts in Virgo and moves to Leo which makes it a great time to look at miscommunication. Where does our overthinking, perfectionism, or need for approval actually cloud or block communication, love, or creativity? Keep this question on your mind (or written by your bedside, dressing table, in your phone) as the retrograde unfolds and you experience things to chew over.

I drew a card for our collective potential life lesson this retrograde – The Tower (gee, thanks tarot cards). Well, it’s always better down than up! The Tower only collapses or ends things which are fading, false, or negative anyway, so whatever cosmic wrecking ball enters your realm and finishes off something painful for you, KNOW that it has done you a favour. Miscommunication or not, some things just need to be said and done with.

Mini Meditation for Mercury Retrograde + The Tower

Close your eyes.
Inhale slowly.
Exhale what’s crumbling.

Feel the ground shift beneath you—
not to break you,
but to clear the path.

Say silently:
“I release what is falling away.
I trust what rises in its place.”Breathe in change.
Breathe out resistance.
Open your eyes when you’re ready.

Here’s your sign’s tarot reading revealing the truth beneath the chaos and what to expect, when to tune in, slow down, and SEE what you need to see.

Aries – Card: Knight of Swords

An argument is likely on the cards for you (no major surprise there, Aries, this is how you roll anyway). It starts from a wonky or misplaced judgment that isn’t really fair (thanks, Mercury) but the outcome is kinda’ what needed to happen. This relationship has been fraying for a long time. You need to express yourself and push back, they’ve taken advantage. 

Taurus – Card: The Hierophant

Theme: outdated rules! It’s time to rewrite your own.
Maybe work, old friends, family, or even your partner are trying to exert a longstanding expectation, demand or structure upon your realm that you’re resisting (they should know better than trying to persuade a reluctant Taurus, right?). Stage a rebellion, establish a new order. You are the boss now.  

Gemini – Card: The Lovers

Communication overload may reveal what’s unsaid in love or friendship. Listen for subtext. You are literally an Olympic Champion of ‘reading between the lines’ and this retrograde will bring ample opportunity to brush up your skills. Focus on your inner circle relationships. See what left’s unsaid, and probe there. Get to the bottom of it all. 

Cancer – Card: Four of Pentacles

Don’t diminish your potential or experience because of fear or habit. I know that Cancers love their comfortable crab shell life, and don’t like venturing out unless for very good reason. This retrograde, you need to shake it up. Be chaotic like a retrograde! You are an energy reader, so read the (planetary) room, and align with the flow. 

Leo – Card: The Sun 

Silver linings are your theme this retrograde. Whatever looks like it has gone awry or fallen down… trust that it was for the best, for your longer term benefit, and you’re free to side-step the rubble and go do something better. Good things are coming your way, the Universe is just busy sweeping the debris and dead wood out the way first! 

Virgo – Card: Eight of Swords

Analysis paralysis is real. You have a ‘computer brain’ but sometimes too many tabs stay open and you can just flip from one to the other without ever coming to the conclusions you sorely need to reach. This retrograde helps you stop thinking and start choosing. Discernment is your super power now. Get focused, get singular, get quiet. Don’t let distractions and outside noise or demands rattle your calm. 

Libra – Card: Justice

When in doubt, I often ‘mirror’ people and that is my advice to you this retrograde season, Libra. Put people in a ‘mirrored box’ and simply return the energy they give to you in kind. Be just how they are. Match their efforts. This shift in dynamic will bring great clarity— simply through the contrast to your previous behaviour. It will shine a bright light on what’s not right or fair. 

Scorpio – Card: Queen of Swords

This retrograde is a truth telling session for you. Everyone is showing their true colours and revealing their hand in the game. All you need to do really is to observe (your favourite pastime anyway). Don’t react emotionally (or you might spoil the play). Keep your feelings in check and let them show you their full performance. Then think about it, and choose an appropriate next step. Ruthlessness is allowed right now!

Sagittarius – Card: Page of Wands

This retrograde is for testing concepts, not finalising them. Stay curious. Allow yourself to play with fire! Nothing has to be right first time, so give yourself permission and space for that. Don’t over-promise or set a standard you’ll only miss. Experimentation is the key to success, we all learn more from failure. Lean into the retrograde’s chaotic energy and fail fast, fail often, and learn all the more. 

Capricorn – Card: Ten of Wands

Enough is enough. You’ve taken on more than you can carry right now and this retrograde forces you to delegate, pause, and reprioritise. If you ignore this and refuse to streamline or redistribute your load then the burn out will follow, and you’ll only be forced to do it. Be pro-active and make your life easier, simpler, and more selfishly about what YOU want to do. Set new boundaries this retrograde.

Aquarius – Card: The Magician

The Magician is linked to Mercury and is the champion of creativity and self expression. If retrogrades slow down our externa life somewhat then this is a major nudge to turn inwards and focus on your own outputs, creations, inventions. Make, design, write, pitch, draw, innovate. Use this coming 3 weeks to make something that uniquely draws on your personal talents and experience- this could be the start of something!

Pisces – Card: Seven of Cups

Too many ideas, too little clarity. You are the zodiac’s daydreamer and have a vast, powerful imagination. However, you can get lost in there! And sometimes spend hours roaming yet come back to reality with very little you can use. Retrograde fog helps you focus on what’s real, not what’s shiny. Pick one path and walk it all the way to the bright idea or tangible insight that you can use IRL.