Mercury retrograde returns to hotheaded Sagittarius, from November 25 to December 15, making fuses short. Ideological family feuds could overtake holiday gathering convos if you’re not careful. Here’s your horoscope for the last Mercury retrograde of the year and getting through the holidays relatively unscathed.
What the what?! Communication planet Mercury does an about-face in expansive and visionary Sagittarius on November 25, right before the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. The backspin extends to December 15, just before the Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah holidays—though we’ll feel the retroshade (shadow period) for several weeks on each end of this Mercury retrograde.
In other words: your entire 2024 holiday season will be shrouded by the last Mercury retrograde of the year.
Prepare, don’t despair! Before you go canceling plans, know that forewarned is forearmed. Sure Mercury can wreak havoc on your best-laid plans, but anticipating interference can help you be proactive and protective.
Remember, Sagittarius does not hold back opinions and feelings. So be careful around those holiday tables. Ground rules can be stated, but it might be tough to keep them in place post-election. The 2024 holidays are giving ghosts of 2016 (when Donald Trump won the first time).
Stop, think, review, reevaluate—these are the golden rules of any Mercury retrograde. Take time to decide your playbook. (Check out our guide, How to Share the Holidays with Any Sign, for some tips).
We wish we could give you a prescription for this last Mercury retrograde of the year. Turn it over to the coaches and therapists if you have to.
DISCOVER YOUR ASTROLOGY ADVANTAGE
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"Atomic Habits meets The Wisdom of the Enneagram..."
DISCOVER YOUR ASTROLOGY ADVANTAGE
"Atomic Habits meets The Wisdom of the Enneagram..."
What to expect (and do) during the last Mercury retrograde
You may have been going full throttle in one direction, but this three-week Mercury retrograde invites you to slow down and rethink your plans. It’s frustrating, to be sure, but in the long run, you might be grateful for the forced slowdown.
This last Mercury retrograde of the year is in Sagittarius (and during Sagittarius season!). Since this zodiac sign rules travel and all things long-distance, take extra care when arranging your holiday bookings. Double- and triple-check itineraries. Build in extra time for detours, long TSA lines and protracted pick-up times from your Lyft. Pro tip: download all the apps you’ll need now, not when you’re standing in front of airport check-in!
If you’re sending gifts by mail (which is ruled by Mercury), consider paying a little extra to insure and track your packages. Messenger Mercury could cause mayhem with holiday deliveries to you as well, so don’t wait too long to check out online shopping carts with gifts you want to arrive in time for giving. If possible, pick up gifts from a brick-and-mortar. Tighten up your cyber security too: update passwords, 2-factor authentication and avoid sites that look sketchy.
Think your editorial opinions through before posting impulsively on social media. People will take things far more personally during this retrograde—and the risk of getting canceled for a brash and outsider-y opinion is high. Keep triggering subjects off the group threads. Confide in a close friend if you’re having relationship drama, you may regret posting a naked wedding ring finger when a distant relative asks about it while you’re passing the stuffing.
Your Horoscope for 2024’s Last Mercury Retrograde
Below are horoscopes for every zodiac sign for the the last Mercury retrograde of the year, in Sagittarius (November 25 to December 15). You can 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.
Remember, your scope isn’t just for the dates of the Mercury retrograde, but for the two weeks before and after, the “shadow” periods.
In this Article
Aries (March 19-April 19)
Now entering a post-truth era? Messenger Mercury spins retrograde on November 25, reverse commuting through Sagittarius and your ninth house of honesty and candor until December 15. Telling fact from fiction won’t be easy for the next three weeks so don’t take anything at face value. During this time, your fuse may be shorter, making it easier for people to push your buttons. If you’re feeling triggered or reactive take a time out, because a fiery discussion could become an incendiary debate—one that has potential to burn an important bridge. Travel plans could get gnarly if you don’t plan with care so
Read more Aries horoscopes!
Taurus (April 19-May 20)
Got secrets? Communication planet Mercury turns retrograde in Sagittarius on November 25, backing up through your private eighth house until December 15. If you’ve been privately dealing with something that is about to go public, don’t wait for the local gossipmongers to break the news. Take command and expose the story yourself so you get an accurate account. A text from an ex could throw you off center—for better or worse. As titillating as it may be to get back in touch, use good judgment. If this could complicate your life, ignore, delete and block!
Taurus horoscopes, read more!
Gemini (May 20-June 20)
Fair is fair, right Gemini? Your ruler, Mercury, turns retrograde on November 25 in your seventh house partnership zone. Until December 15, communication could feel strained in your closest relationships. Table touchy topics until mid-December and stall on signing contracts if possible. Coming to any sort of consensus could feel like an exercise in futility before that. Even if you DO hammer out an agreement, it could change before the year is up.
On a positive note, this last Mercury retrograde cycle could reconnect you to an important collaborator from your past, possibly even “the one that got away” from you romantically. Proceed with caution.
Gemini horoscopes, read more!
Cancer (June 20-July 22)
Load up on the Vitamin C, probiotics and ginger tea, ASAP. Mercury is turning retrograde on November 25; through December 15, it will back up through your sixth house work and wellness zone. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so even if you’re feeling tip-top, take extra self-care measures now, like getting enough sleep and slathering on the hand sanitizer.
Work could get busy and a little chaotic now, too, making it crucial that you don’t overbook yourself with obligations. Should tasks become overwhelming, don’t wait until the last minute to bring in support. That could cause more breakdowns to ensue.
Cancer horoscopes, read more!
Leo (July 22-August 22)
Stop! Don’t post that TikTok! Mercury spins into a signal-jamming retrograde on November 25, backing up through your fifth house of drama, passion and public image until December 15. Along with the standard miscommunications and scheduling snafus, this last Mercury retrograde comes with a strong warning against courting controversy over the coming three weeks. What might feel like a joke or a strongly worded stance could trigger disruptive backlash that you won’t be in the mood to field. With your romance house in Mercury’s crosshairs, pace attractions and find out people’s true intentions before falling head over heels.
Leo horoscopes, read more!
Virgo (August 22-September 22)
The softer side of Virgo starts peeking through on November 25, as your ruler, loquacious Mercury turns retrograde in Sagittarius and your emo fourth house until December 15. While it’s great to be so open-hearted, don’t get taken in by someone’s sob story. If it feels like people are dumping their problems on you or expecting you to make everything all better while they kick back and coast, consider that a major red flag. The goal? Strike the right balance between being a caring person and getting stuck in the caretaker role. In the meanwhile, be compassionate but also self-protective.
Virgo horoscopes, read more!
Libra (September 23-October 22)
The truth may be stranger than fiction between as data-driven Mercury spins retrograde, slipping back through Sagittarius and your curious third house beginning November 25. Got questions? Go into investigative mode instead of taking anything at face value. You could even make a groundbreaking discovery during this last Mercury retrograde that paves the way for an innovative project you begin early next year. Since the third house rules communication, remember that healthy dialogue involves speaking AND listening. You’ll be surprised how much you learn by simply asking questions.
Libra horoscopes, read more!
Scorpio (October 22-November 21)
Managing your money requires extra vigilance over the coming three weeks as Mercury turns retrograde in Sagittarius and your second house of finances from November 25 until December 15. Some temporary belt-tightening may be in order, so be thoughtful about selecting holiday gifts—and use your treasure-hunting abilities to suss out sales. Use the last Mercury retrograde to review statements with a fine-toothed comb. Cancel a rarely used service and reallocate funds for those NYE concert tickets.
Scorpio horoscopes, read more!
Sagittarius (November 21-December 21)
Say what, Sagittarius? Expressive Mercury spins into a signal-jamming retrograde on November 25, backing up through your sign until December 15. For the next few weeks, choose every word with care, even opting to stay silent on matters until you have a well-formed (and informed!) opinion. Debates could heat up like flash fires so try to wait until clearer heads prevail before bringing up triggering topics.
This last Mercury retrograde IS a solid time to spec out a personal project that you’re considering. Pulling it off may be more extensive than you thought—or less so! Finding the facts will give you the confidence to move forward or rejig your plan.
Sagittarius horoscopes, read more!
Capricorn (December 21-January 19)
Your mind may be muddled starting November 25 as savvy Mercury slips into a foggy three-week retrograde in Sagittarius and your sleepy twelfth house. You may want to hit snooze on any complex or demanding initiatives while this last Mercury retrograde cycle of the year wages on until December 15. Whenever possible, take a break from explaining, pitching, presenting or even talking to people who have frazzled your nerves.
Focus instead on refilling your cup during this last Mercury retrograde. Hibernate, meditate, take in art and music. The creativity you soak up could spur some brilliant ideas of your own when your birthday season begins on December 21.
Capricorn horoscopes, read more!
Aquarius (January 19-February 18)
System reboot? Communication planet Mercury spins into its final retrograde of the year, backing up through Sagittarius and your eleventh house teamwork and tech zone until December 15. Where could your devices use an update, your logins a stronger password? Don’t leave things like this up to chance during this last Mercury retrograde. If you have something controversial or snarky to share, keep it off group chat threads. Information could get into the wrong hands and disrupt the harmony of Team Aquarius.
Despite your best efforts at peacekeeping, drama could erupt within a group you’re a part of, and good luck trying to get everyone to arrive at a consensus. As frustrating as this week may be, avoid making any rash decisions and don’t go on a de-friending spree.
Aquarius horoscopes, read more!
Pisces (February 18-March 20)
Careful you don’t elect yourself the CEO of Chaos this December, Pisces. Messenger Mercury flips backward for three weeks on November 25, retrograding through Sagittarius and your tenth house of ambition until the 15th. With everyone scurrying around preparing for the EOY, it would be easy for your empathic sign to rush in for the rescue and overburden yourself with obligations. But don’t! Stay focused on your top goals to finish 2024 strong and only bring in others if it spells “win-win” for all.
Pisces horoscopes, read more!
The 2025 Mercury retrogrades
All the 2025 Mercury Retrogrades cycles and dates:
• March 15-29 in Aries and March 29-April 7 in Pisces
• July 18-August 11 in Leo
• November 9-18 in Sagittarius and November 18-29 in Scorpio
Check here anytime: Is Mercury in Retrograde Right Now? And follow your daily horoscope to never miss a detail!
Feature art by Jennifer Karnik
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