The first Mercury retrograde of 2025 begins March 15, joining Venus retrograde in progress. How to cope, plus your sign’s horoscope.
Before you spiral into frustration (hasn’t this year already delivered enough challenges?) read on for how to make the most of this cycle, which lasts until April 7. Plus, your sign’s horoscope.
Say what? Crossed wires and mixed messages could muddle our communications mid-March as messenger Mercury turns retrograde from March 15 to April 7. This time around, the reverse commute begins in fiesty, impulsive Aries, then on March 29, backs into foggy, spiritual Pisces for the rest of the ride. Even before the backspin, the line between helpful and harsh can become practically invisible.
Mercury has a companion for this retrograde, too. From March 1 to April 12, love planet Venus is also in reverse (in the same zodiac signs!), complicating matters of the heart. The 2025 Venus retrograde began March 1 in self-sovereign Aries and switches to boundary-challenged Pisces from March 27 to April 12. It’s complicated!
Mercury retrograde in Aries: March 15–29, 2025
When the messenger planet reverses course in the fiery sign of the Ram, from March 15 to 29, it sparks a period ripe for heated communications and hasty decisions. Tempers can flare as words fly without thought. Go easy on the smack-talking and careful not to start any needless rivalries.
Aries inspires quick action, but retrograde demands caution. It may be necessary to pump the brakes on projects that require a more aggressive approach. Fine-tune personal goals and actions, ensuring they truly align with your ambitions.
Mercury retrograde in Pisces: March 29–April 7, 2025
When Mercury reverses into Pisces on March 29, you can access a deep level of creativity and divine inspiration that supports rapid growth once the retrograde ends on April 7. Patience and precision are your allies with Mercury backspinning in Pisces, so adjust your sails accordingly.
Mercury retrograde in Aries: What to expect
Goodbye, groupthink. Hello, independent thought. At least that’s how it started when Mercury entered Aries on March 3 in direct motion. But that strategy may hit a wall on March 15.
Intellectual Mercury in bold, fire sign Aries ignites a spark of daring and outspoken energy. Voice your views without hesitation as this sign encourages direct communication. To avoid snafus during the retrograde, keep your message crisp and clear. Skip the lengthy explanations and drive home your points with sharp one-liners that are more along the lines of straightforward Aries comedian Nate Bargatze than deadpan Virgo Jimmy Carr.
You may feel impatient and ready to spring into action, yet the battle plan remains unclear. With strategic Mercury off duty, do NOT act in haste. Expect to downshift on a few things you’re working on, possibly even losing some hard-won ground. Or, being sent back to the drawing board. Frustrating? Sure. But worth it? Most likely.
Hold your fire and use the first Mercury retrograde of 2025 cycle in Aries to be proactive and ready your plans for when Mercury straightens out on April 7.
But first? More retrograde.
Mercury retrograde in Pisces: What to expect
When Mercury slips back from in-your-face Aries into elusive, water sign Pisces (March 29 to April 7), your interactions plunge into deeper confusion. Take nothing at face value for the ten days of the Pisces leg of Mercury’s retrograde, not even people’s expressions of delight or approval. No matter how much you want situations to work out, you can’t force them. One thing spiritual Pisces understands is that “what’s meant to be, will be.”
Observe what’s going on inside of you. How do you deal with waiting for an answer: Are you anxious? Do you start making up disempowering stories about what people are thinking? Do you want to quit and move on rather than face the possibility of “rejection”? Let all feelings arise without interacting with them. They are not wrong or right; they simply “are.” There is true power in being able to hold the space of the unknown. In that mystical, in-between state, miraculous solutions can arise. Just plan on taking a lot of long, deep breaths!
More ways to cope with the first Mercury retrograde of 2025
As with all Mercury retrograde cycles, we lean on “re-” instead of starting anything new. That means focusing on activities that start with the prefix “re-” (to go back), such as:
- Reviewing all your contracts before you sign
- Renewing your commitments, rather than making new ones
- Reuniting with old friends and family
- Redecorating a room
- Rekindling a romance (maybe not with an ex, though! But if one surfaces, it’s usually to bring closure, not necessarily because they “got away”)
And prepare to REpeat yourself often during the first Mercury retrograde of 2025!
For more tips on what to do during a Mercury retrograde, see our classic article: Mercury Retrograde: How to Survive The 3-Week Communication Crisis
Your Horoscope for the first Mercury retrograde of 2025 in Aries and Pisces
Below are horoscopes for every zodiac sign for the first Mercury retrograde of 2025, in Aries (March 15 to 29) and Pisces (March 29 to April 7). You may read for your Sun sign or your rising sign (ascendant). Visit our Cosmic Calculators if you want to calculate your rising sign or discover more about your personal astrology.
Jump to
- ARIES
- TAURUS
- GEMINI
- CANCER
- LEO
- VIRGO
- LIBRA
- SCORPIO
- SAGITTARIUS
- CAPRICORN
- AQUARIUS
- PISCES
- NEXT MERCURY RETROGRADE
Aries (March 19-April 19)
Are you trying to “sell” people a little too hard, Aries? Put all attempts at proving yourself on temporary hold starting March 15 as Mercury turns retrograde for three weeks. Until March 29, the messenger planet backpedals through Aries, which could leave you feeling wildly misunderstood or overlooked.
After that, Mercury scoots back into Pisces and your hazy twelfth house. Despite your attention to detail, even your most intricate plans could manage to unravel due to forces greater than yourself. Work behind the scenes and use this first Mercury retrograde of 2025 to polish up personal projects so you can unveil your magnum opus once Mercury corrects course on April 7.
Aries horoscopes, read more!
Taurus (April 19-May 20)
Review, relax and renew: That might be the smartest strategy for Bulls starting March 15, as social Mercury turns retrograde for three weeks. The messenger planet’s retreat kicks off in Aries in your twelfth house of closure and restoration. Until March 29, you could do your best thinking while taking a meditative soak in the tub or on a massage table. Mercury slips back into Pisces in your eleventh house collaboration zone for the rest of this cycle, from March 29 until April 7. Key partners from your past may resurface and lend a helping hand. Plan reunions with friends who awaken your artistic expression.
Taurus horoscopes, read more!
Gemini (May 20-June 20)
Who you team up with matters mightily starting March 15 as convivial Mercury (your ruler) turns retrograde for three weeks. The communication planet begins its backspin in Aries and your collaborative eleventh house, then rewinds into Pisces and your tenth house career zone from March 29 to April 7.
Have you strayed from the people who really have your back? Circle back to them. An old colleague may resurface at the end of the month with an enticing proposal. Rethink any drama-filled friendships, especially if you’ve been tolerating a narc who breaks down your confidence. Bye!
Gemini horoscopes, read more!
Cancer (June 20-July 22)
Who’s the boss of you, Cancer? If you’ve been giving someone else too much authority, you can reclaim your crown (and your time) over the next few weeks. Mercury turns retrograde on March 15, backing through Aries and your goal-getting tenth house until March 29, then slipping into Pisces and your worldly, outspoken ninth house until turning direct on April 7.
While it’s great to take command of your destiny, be careful not to lock horns with people who are actually your allies. Any attempts to buck the system may put your position on the rocks. If you’re the boss, err on the side of kindness and clarity to keep your team in line. A heavy hand won’t get you as far as a few words of encouragement.
Cancer horoscopes, read more!
Leo (July 22-August 22)
Think before you speak! Communication planet Mercury turns retrograde from March 15 until April 7, a three-week period that can leave a bad aftertaste of shoe leather in your mouth. The messenger planet starts its retreat in Aries and your candid ninth house, then slips back into your secretive eighth house on March 29.
Beware coming off as preachy or snarky, and don’t dole out advice unless someone asks. Even if they do, deliver it gently and don’t get overly enmeshed in helping them “fix” it. Divert your attention to a new project or behind-the-scenes research. Have you always wanted to learn how to cast jewelry or try roller derby? Map a plan to immerse yourself after the retrograde passes.
Leo horoscopes, read more!
Virgo (August 22-September 22)
Chatty Mercury (your ruler) turns retrograde on March 15, which can foil technology and communication over the next several weeks. The backward journey begins in Aries and your transformational and intimate eighth house. Activity in your external world will slow down, and while that may be frustrating, it’s the perfect time to process some intense feelings.
On March 29, Mercury slips back into your relationship (seventh house) for the remainder of the retrograde, until April 7. You may finally clear the air with a former flame, or you could be tempted to reignite the passion. Paired Virgos need to get down to the nitty-gritty details, repairing the imbalanced areas of your partnership. Stop trying to be pleasant and get to the point. Just don’t abandon all tact!
Virgo horoscopes, read more!
Libra (September 23-October 22)
Need to review—or reconcile—anything in a close relationship? As communication planet Mercury turns retrograde for three weeks starting March 15, you have a golden window to get centered and reconnect. The backspin starts in Aries and your seventh house partnership zone, bringing some temporary chaos to your administrative affairs. Put your love life on the front burner and be sure to be a good listener on dates (or to your mate). Ignore all texts from troublemakers!
When Mercury steals back through Pisces and your sixth house of wellness from March 29 to April 7, prioritize self-care, even if that means rescheduling a date so you can hit the gym or get a good night’s sleep. Read all contracts with a magnifying glass AND a lawyer’s support.
Libra horoscopes, read more!
Scorpio (October 22-November 21)
Some of your best-laid plans could go sideways starting March 15, as communication planet Mercury turns retrograde for three weeks. The backspin begins in Aries and your sixth house of work, wellness and all things “admin,” then slips back into Pisces and your fifth house of drama and love from March 29 to April 7. A little preventive self-care will spare you from stress-fueled meltdowns. Rejuvenate at the spa, take a 30-day restorative yoga challenge and think about doing a gentle cleanse.
Your sign is known to push limits, so use this forced retreat to your advantage. Work on your communication too. How and where do you want to leave your mark? Mercury’s backward journey will give you a chance to revise your PR plan and add some sparkle to your reputation.
Scorpio horoscopes, read more!
Sagittarius (November 21-December 21)
It’s great to be open-hearted, Archer, but don’t let your feelings run off leash over the coming three weeks. Communicator Mercury turns retrograde on March 15, backing up through Aries and your fifth house romance and self-expression until March 29, then stealing back through Pisces and your fourth house domestic zone until the cycle ends on April 7. Your “picker” could be a off when it comes to everything from who right swipes on dating apps to the right length to cut your hair. Hold off on binding decisions. An ex could sweep back in or your love life could hit a rough patch. This too shall pass, but do your best to NOT escalate the drama.
Sagittarius horoscopes, read more!
Capricorn (December 21-January 19)
Family might feel like your least favorite “f word” for the next few weeks, as communication planet Mercury turns retrograde. The backstroke begins on March 15 in Aries and your domestic fourth house until March 29, then rewinds into Pisces and your third house communication zone before turning direct on April 7.
There may be tense episodes between relatives, close friends or roommates. Is a simmering resentment worth addressing? If it is, be as diplomatic as possible, broaching the topic with an open heart and mind. Is a home renovation project feeling impossible to budget or schedule? Put it on hold for another few weeks. Use the retrograde period to research contractors, source quality materials and peruse the Pinterest boards for inspiration.
Capricorn horoscopes, read more!
Aquarius (January 19-February 18)
Get your life—and technology—in order, Aquarius! Communication planet Mercury flips into a signal-jamming retrograde on March 15, reversing through Aries and your third house information zone until March 29, then slipping back into Pisces and your second house of money until it goes direct on April 7.
Back up your files, reset passwords and clear some space on your hard drive. While you’re at it, check the security settings on your social media and make sure you’re not unknowingly sharing your data with random bots and trolls. Keep your spending conservative and take time to reconnect with old collaborators. You may strike gold when you join forces with someone from your past!
Aquarius horoscopes, read more!
Pisces (February 18-March 19)
Skirting your truth? No matter how you dance around it, the next few weeks could deliver one eye-opening reality check after another. Mercury turns retrograde on March 15, retreating through Aries and your second house of values until March 29. There’s no denying what matters to you, so if you’ve been trying force a square peg into a round hole, hit the brakes. Watch your spending habits like a hawk and triple-check your work before turning anything in.
When Mercury slips back into your sign from March 29 until April 7, misunderstandings may arise despite your best efforts to be crystal clear. Put important ideas in writing, and thoroughly edit them before you press send.
Pisces horoscopes, read more!
When is the next Mercury retrograde?
The first Mercury retrograde of 2025 occurs in Aries (March 15 to 29) and then Pisces (March 29 to April 7), during Pisces season and while we’re also experiencing the 2025 Venus retrograde.
The next Mercury retrograde is in Leo from July 18 to August 11. The last Mercury retrograde of 2025 is in Sagittarius from November 9 to 18 and then Scorpio from November 18 to 29, 2025. Learn more about all the 2025 Mercury retrogrades (there are 3!)
Check anytime: Is Mercury in Retrograde Right Now? And don’t forget the ‘Retroshade’ —Mercury’s “shadow period” that happens about two weeks before and two weeks after the planet’s backspin.
Follow your daily horoscope from The AstroTwins to never miss a detail!
Feature art by Rosie Dienhart
Our new podcast is here!
AstroTwins Radio
Subscribe and join us every week wherever you get your podcasts!
Listen here
