Security check! Communication planet Mercury takes a reverse commute through grounded, practical Taurus from April 21 to May 14. Your Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope reveals how each zodiac sign can stay centered.
It’s that unavoidable time of year again! This April 21, Mercury flips retrograde in Taurus, the sign of the tenacious, tactile Bull.
That means all things Taurus-ruled stand a chance of going haywire: budgets, schedules, even the way we take care of our bodies. On an interpersonal level, relationship rules demand keenness and clarity. Assume nothing and try to stay nimble—even while everyone around you is stubbornly digging in their heels.
Remember that if a string of green lights suddenly turns red, don’t charge ahead like a tempestuous toro! Instead, see this forced timeout as a hidden blessing. Go back to the drawing board and review all your plans, from budgets to timelines. Don’t make any sudden money moves! With Mercury scrambling signals, it’s hard to tell a lemon from a luxury steal.
Mercury retrograde refresher
Here’s your quick refresher on Mercury retrograde. If you’re a pro already, skip past this to your Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope in the next section!
Messenger Mercury is the ruler of information, communication and our intellectual processes. The closest planet to the Sun, Mercury orbits through each zodiac sign for approximately three weeks. These cycles shape the global mindset, how we communicate and our pop-culture interests.
From the topics we’re buzzing about to the ways we interact with other humans, whatever sign Mercury is occupying plays a role. Each year, Mercury turns retrograde for three or four cycles, appearing to travel backward through the zodiac. (Here are all the 2023 Mercury retrograde to add to your calendar.)
Of course, Mercury isn’t really moving backward, but much like two trains or cars passing each other, this creates the optical illusion that one (Mercury, in this case) is going backward. While the scrambled signals can be agonizing, we have a chance to dive into deeper discourse. People from the past may reappear, like old friends, estranged relatives and exes with unfinished business.
But there’s no need to panic! Pace yourself during these data-skewing cycles. Focus on all things with the prefix “re,” such as revising, reviewing, redesigning and reconsidering. Pay closer attention to your inner world and get in touch with your thoughts, which signal all your feelings. Is it time to update certain beliefs? Mercury retrograde can help!
One last thing: Mercury retrograde also has what’s called a “shadow period,” so you may feel the #retroshade a couple of weeks before and after the official Mercury retrograde dates.
See your Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope below for how your zodiac sign can precisely navigate. You might also want to read our article: 10 Ways to Actually Enjoy the Spring Mercury Retrograde.
Here’s how the Mercury retrograde in Taurus affects you: Your Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope by zodiac sign.
How to cope, during the official Spring Mercury retrograde dates: April 21 to May 14, 2023, and the two weeks before and after, what we call the Mercury retroshade dates.
In this Article
Aries (March 21-April 19) Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope
Yip, it’s that time again, Ram: Mercury turns retrograde April 21 in Taurus, muddling your second house of work and finances until May 14. Things could veer off-course for the next few weeks as the communication planet spins backward. Be a watchdog with your spending habits, and try to pay attention to where every dollar goes. It will be all too easy to lose track. At work, misunderstandings could occur no matter how clear you think you’re being. If something’s important, put it in writing—and cc yourself. P.S. Be sure to edit before you press “send.”
Taurus (April 20-May 20) Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope
Prepare for the unexpected, Taurus! Communication planet Mercury turns retrograde in Taurus on April 21 to May 14, a double whammy for your practical sign. You may think you’re expressing yourself clearly, yet people look at you like you’re from another planet. Even your best-laid plans can get messed up through no fault of your own. Slow down, scale back, and be flexible about last-minute changes (we know, not always your strong suit). This IS a good time to reflect on your personal brand, cataloging any changes that you think can improve your public image. Just wait until Mercury turns direct May 14 to implement anything!
Gemini (May 21-June 20) Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope
Mercury mishaps ahead! Your ruler, the communicator planet, turns retrograde in Taurus, your twelfth house of rest and closure, from April 21 to May 14. Pushing through frustration and pain isn’t the way to go during this three-week cycle, so instead turn inward. Focus on acceptance and forgiveness. Pay attention to your dreams and other hidden messages that may come to light. Your hyperkinetic sign seldom unwinds enough to rest deeply, so try to see this three-week forced slowdown as a blessing in disguise.
Cancer (June 21-July 22) Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope
Could your social butterfly wings use a rest, Cancer? At the very least, you might be more discerning about who you flap around with. Starting April 21, outgoing Mercury spins retrograde in Taurus and your group activities house until May 14. With the communication planet in reverse, you might experience uncharacteristic conflict in your friendships. Or IS it all that surprising? Take off the rose-colored spectacles, Crab, and see if perhaps someone isn’t the true-blue pal you (want to) believe. This three-week pushback can help you weed out the false friends that, truth be told, drain your energy.
Leo (July 23-August 22) Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope
Buckle your seatbelt, Leo: Work could get a little bumpy over the next few weeks as communication planet Mercury turns retrograde in Taurus, your tenth house of career, April 21 to May 14. You might clash over ideals with an authority figure, but don’t let your know-it-all streak cause you to win the battle but lose the war. Use this forced slowdown to reflect on your highest goals. If you need to go back to the drawing board, use this opportunity to review and revise and come up with an even better plan for your future.
Virgo (August 23-September 22) Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope
Your ruler, Mercury—planet of communication and technology—turns retrograde in Taurus, your ninth house of travel, study and expansion, on April 21. Until May 14, it’s not the best time to initiate new projects or take a trip. Of course, if you’ve got something on the books, don’t cancel: Just take extra precautions, like double-checking all your reservations, leaving early and possibly buying trip insurance. This IS a great time to RE-visit old projects. What you cast aside last year might be a treasure in the making. And if you need to learn something new to finish it up, you’ll enjoy that process mightily!
Libra (September 23-October 22) Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope
When mindful Mercury turns retrograde in your intimate eighth house, it’s time to do some emotional housecleaning. Things in the outer world may slow down or even seem to backslide between April 21 and May 14, but instead of getting frustrated at your lack of forward progress, see this as an opportunity to process some of the intense feelings that have been building up inside—ones that you haven’t had a chance to give proper focus. Once you know where you stand, air those feelings before you explode!
Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope
It takes two to tango, Scorpio, and as communication planet Mercury turns retrograde in your partnership house starting April 21, you may find interpersonal interactions fraught with misunderstandings. It may be hard to uncross those wires, so unless you NEED to express something now, hold off until this choppy cycle ends on May 14. Otherwise, you could dig yourself in even deeper. This is a good time for reflection and reconnection. But plan to be extra patient and give others the benefit of the doubt. Don’t be surprised if an old friend or flame reappears, since retrogrades have a special way of bringing blasts from the past.
Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope
An ounce of prevention is worth a kilo of cure, Archer—especially when communicator Mercury turns retrograde in your health and fitness house from April 21 to May 14. Mercury’s backspin is a signal to slow down and make wellness your top priority. Your sign can forget there are limits to things, and this forced retreat may be just what the doctor ordered to give you the R+R you need, but seldom take. Use this time to complete any unfinished projects. You’ll feel free and unburdened once you do!
Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope
Communication planet Mercury turns retrograde in Taurus on April 21, riling things up in your fifth house of love and self-expression, until May 14. Your ambitious sign has a keen vision for your future, but during this forced slowdown, things from your past could hold more answers for you. What creative work can you RE-visit? A former flame could reappear during this time or your love life may hit a speed bump, indicating that things you’ve swept under the carpet need to be dealt with. Like, NOW.
Aquarius (January 20-February 18) Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope
Family: The source of your greatest comfort—or just another “f” word, Aquarius? Things could be a little dicey starting April 21, as communication planet Mercury turns retrograde in your domestic fourth house until May 14. Interactions with relatives, especially female ones, may be filled with more tension than ease. This is actually a good time to peer beneath the surface and decide whether a simmering resentment is worth bringing up. If so, be diplomatic (and forgiving) and take the first step toward resolving it openly. If you find yourself thwarted in any projects, put them on hold until late next month—if possible!
Pisces (February 19-March 20) Spring Mercury retrograde horoscope
Bite thy tongue, Pisces! Communication planet Mercury turns retrograde in your expressive third house from April 21 to May 14. No matter how carefully you rehearse your speech, it could come out sounding defensive or hostile. Or even when you get it right, people might misconstrue your meaning. Limit your interactions, especially those with important consequences, and do more research and revision. If you must go mano-a-mano, choose those battles carefully.
Feature art by Rosie Dienhart
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