When: November 9th – November 29th, 2025

What: Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius and Scorpio

Takeaway: When Mercury appears to loop backward in the sky, miscommunications and tech glitches tend to surge. This retrograde takes place in both Sagittarius and Scorpio, giving us a chance to do some cleanup in these two areas of our charts. Messy? Maybe! But ultimately clarifying? Definitely.

‍

Prepare to get a little lost as Mercury stations retrograde in Sagittarius

Mercury appears to spin in reverse three or four times a year. The messenger planet doesn’t actually backpedal in the sky, but this optical illusion tends to wreak real havoc here on Earth, so get ready to double-check your texts and back up your hard drives. Mercury stations retrograde on November 9th, and this time around, it starts stirring things up in Sagittarius.

Mercury is in detriment in Sagittarius, meaning it doesn’t have the easiest time in this sign. The planet of thinking and communication loves gathering information and digging into the details, while the mutable fire sign would much rather ditch the microscope and take in the big picture. In other words, during this transit, our conversations might be grander and more inspiring — but our messages might get lost in translation. This isn’t a bad thing, though. It just means we may want to take everything with an extra grain of salt, and we’ll have to be patient when the clearest answer or solution doesn’t immediately reveal itself.

With Mercury in long-winded, rambling Sagittarius, expect some louder and sillier mix-ups and slip-ups in the first part of this retrograde period. And take this opportunity to revisit any plans you’ve put on the back burner and rekindle your sense of adventure. If a book on the shelf captures your attention, or if you get an urge to reach out to a teacher or mentor, act on your hunches. Mercury retrogrades aren’t just about making a mess; they remind us of the loose ends that could benefit from a review.

This is also a great time to check your internal compass. Do you feel like you’re on the right path? Is there anything you need to adjust? Where have you felt the need to reroute? If you’re not sure of where to turn next, this is part of Mercury retrograde’s medicine. Admitting you’re lost or confused is the first step toward getting back on track.

‍

Mercury retrograde in Scorpio dials up the intensity

Once Mercury backtracks into Scorpio on November 18th, the second part of this retrograde period may feel like a major vibe shift. The scorpion of the zodiac isn’t interested in making surface-level small talk or playing nice just to keep the peace; it would much rather cut to the core of the matter. In this piercing water sign, the planet of communication boosts our courage to “go there.” And until it stations direct on November 29th, we may be returning to some unfinished conversations, unanswered questions, and unsolved mysteries.

Think back to the last time Mercury was in Scorpio, from October 6th to October 29th. What were you learning then about honesty, openness, and vulnerability? Some tough discussions and tricky dilemmas may be coming up for review, but they’re not here just to throw you off; they’re meant to help you clear the air. This is also a powerful moment to rethink the ways you take action, especially when it feels easier to hold back. When could you be more assertive, and when would it make more sense to be a little less hasty? If you need to course-correct, don’t worry. During this transit, any mistakes you make will show you how to streamline your plans in the long run.

‍

A Mercury cazimi in Scorpio sheds light on your Mercury retrograde lessons

There’s one especially clarifying day during this retrograde period, when Mercury and the Sun come together in a helpful event called a cazimi. This is the moment when the messenger planet is close enough to Sol to be bathed in its light. And this time, the cazimi will take place in Scorpio on November 20th.

Around this date, the lessons you’ve been learning from Mercury retrograde are likely to show up more vividly, so stay alert to any signs, cues, or pearls of wisdom you stumble upon. Dreams, recommendations from friends, or even attention-grabbing billboards may have crucial insights for you. Important messages can arrive through many channels, so remain open. Keep a journal or your notes app on deck to jot down any words or phrases that strike a chord. Absorbing this knowledge is essential for sharpening the ways you think, communicate, organize, brainstorm, and act on your ideas.

‍

When in doubt, laugh it off

Getting your ducks in a row ahead of time can help you navigate this Mercury retrograde period more smoothly. Still, even if you’ve tied up all your loose ends, you can’t entirely avoid confusion — but whenever it arises, you have a superpower on your side: your sense of humor. Laughing off awkward misunderstandings and choppy internet connections is the surest way to get through this potentially bumpy transit. And in case you need more suggestions for these weeks, here’s our official list:

‍

‍

Your Mercury retrograde survival guide

Do…

• Expect delays. Allow plenty of buffer time in your schedule. When things go smoothly, you’ll have space to relax — and when they don’t, you’ll be grateful to have plans B and C.

• Back up all your files. Documents, emails, photos — everything. Get ahead of potential technology glitches. Your future self will thank you.

• Reflect, review, revise, reorganize, and take note of anything you repeatedly think about. There is meaning in what keeps entering your mind.

• Streamline your life and update your internal and external systems. Triple-check your appointment dates and times. Comb through your calendar. Confirm (and re-confirm) the details. If things get messy, try not to be too hard on yourself. Prep to the best of your ability, then roll with the surprises.

• Focus on long-term solutions. Off-the-cuff decisions don’t always support your highest self. Commit to making deliberate choices that align with your broader goals.

• Pause, rest, and belly-breathe through the frustrations. ICYMI: The CHANI app has an audio library filled with guided meditations and affirmations that are tailor-made for those moments you need some extra grounding.

• Edit your ideas before you express them. The fiery arguments you’re tempted to start or spicy quips you want to share might not be the most tactful or accurate. If you’re not sure whether it’s the right time to give an impromptu TED Talk, read the room first.

• Laugh at yourself when you make obvious mistakes. The point of this transit is to keep you humble and open to learning.

• Listen to the Astrology of the Week Ahead podcast for the week of November 9th, 2025, and Your Reading in the “This Week” section of the CHANI app. There, you’ll also find journal prompts and other resources that will help you work with the lessons that Mercury retrograde is teaching you.

• Learn how Mercury retrograde is impacting your natal placements by checking the Transits tab in the CHANI app. You can also read your free planetary horoscope to find out how Mercury in Sagittarius and Mercury in Scorpio will show up in your life.

‍

Don’t…

• Fear Mercury retrograde. It may be annoying, but remember that worrying is simply fixating on what you don’t want. Instead, treat this period as an opportunity to reassess your strategies.

• Buy tickets, sign contracts, or organize events during this time, if you can avoid it. If you can’t, stay flexible and assume that adjustments may be needed after — or even before — this retrograde cycle is over.

• Plan any big launches or make major life changes, if you can — unless you schedule them around the Mercury cazimi on November 20th. (That said, you may still want to work with an astrologer to pinpoint the most fruitful moment possible.)

• Put your life on hold. If you can postpone some things, great, but if not, just brace yourself for hiccups. Again, you shouldn’t fear this Mercury retrograde — just approach it wisely.

‍