The final Mercury retrograde of 2024 is on the horizon. Mercury has been retrograding through fire signs this year. Fire signs are enthusiastic, optimistic and idealistic. When Mercury retrograded through Aries in April, themes of how we assert ourselves and get our needs met were highlighted. In July, Mercury started its retrograde in Virgo and quickly moved into Leo, where the way we viewed and expressed our leadership was addressed. Now, in Sagittarius, our beliefs and how we demonstrate them are the focus.
Sagittarius, the mutable fire sign, is here to promote expansion and growth. Fire signs experience the world through ideals, meaning principles to be aimed for. Mutable signs are engaged with society at large. So for Sagittarius, the emphasis is on the best expression of how society should work; what we as a collective should aspire to be.
The symbol for Sagittarius is the archer, arrow notched in the bow and aimed towards the expanse of the heavens. Sagittarius is an explorer, interested in different cultures and perspectives. Its focus is on reaching a deeper understanding of the world and how it works. That is why it is the sign of foreign travel, higher education and writing and publishing. For Sagittarius, belief systems reflect ideals.
Mercury retrogrades three to four times a year. During those times, it appears that Mercury is moving backwards. In truth, everything in the solar system moves at a certain pace. But because astrology is an energy system, and it experiences planetary motion from the point of view of the Earth, retrogrades happen. Anytime a planet is retrograde, its energy is directed internally rather than expressed to the world.
Mercury is the planet of how we communicate and how we make sense of information. When it is retrograde from the point of view of the Earth, its energy is directed inward. It is a time to pause and reflect on the themes of the sign it is in. It is meant to offer the opportunity to review and reevaluate how we express (communicate) the energy of the sign it is in.
This is the time to take a hard honest look at your beliefs. Have you arrived at them based on life experience and careful consideration? Have you acquired the beliefs of others without examining them? Are you clinging to things you learned decades ago without investigating if there is new information? Are your sources of information fueled by opinions and agendas or are they fair, balanced and factual? Are you receptive to alternative points of view or are you threatened by them? Do you actively pursue knowledge and embrace learning new things? Do you do your own research? Are you willing to connect with others from different cultures or generations and suspend your judgement? One of the lower expressions of Sagittarius is being dogmatic; refusing to consider information that does not support the belief system that you have decided is "right." Any suggestion of a different lens is rejected, and may even be vilified.
One of the hallmarks of Mercury retrograde is not having all the information needed to make a firm commitment or decision. Something is initially withheld from your consciousness. It usually comes to light around the middle of the retrograde cycle, here on December 5. That is when Mercury conjuncts the Sun. If you have done the self reflection in the first part of the retrograde, the second half is the time to revise and integrate the awareness you have gained. It's time to express this new awareness in your conversations and to reconsider the meaning you assign to events from this new perspective.
Pluto is now in Aquarius, where it will remain for the next 20 years. Aquarius is a sign that is innovative and inclusive. It doesn't play by conventional or traditional rules. As Pluto always deals with power, its focus in Aquarius is new ways to express this power. When Pluto was in Capricorn, we were shown where traditional hierarchical, top down structures were not working. Pluto in Aquarius will bring power to the collective in ways that can't be anticipated. That is the nature of Aquarius - unique and unexpected ways to contribute to something bigger than just your own goals; to be part of something that benefits humanity as a whole.
We are in the midst of big, transitional energies. Many cycles are completing and new ones are beginning. This is the status through 2026. It's a lot. This Mercury retrograde offers the opportunity to reflect on what is true for you, based on your experiences and values. What are you here to contribute? What fosters your growth as a human? How are you showing up in the world? What legacy are you creating?
"Mercury retrograde isn't bad; it just takes some planning to cooperate with the energies. It's meant to be spent assimilating experiences, reviewing the past, and redoing, in general. As a matter of fact, if you really want to get the most out of Mercury retrograde, confine your activities as much as possible to those that have "re" attached to the beginning of the word. Reschedule appointments, repair vehicles, return to the past, rewrite documents and agreements, and so forth." Steven Forrest