While Mercury — the planet of communication — is in Capricorn from January 1st to January 20th, thinking practically is your winning move. This cardinal earth sign is notoriously ambitious, but it’s not interested in dreaming without a purpose. In this placement, the messenger planet likes to get extra clear on all the little details involved — the who, what, when, where, and why — in working toward its goals. Over the coming weeks, forget fantasizing just for fun. It’s time to make a solid game plan that you can act on ASAP. After all, who benefits when you wait to go for what you really want?

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Chill if you need to

An important reminder for this transit: You don’t need to burn out to succeed. You may have to make a genuine effort to get the ball rolling — but do you have to wear yourself out just to keep up the momentum? No way. If you want to sustain your energy, it helps to be strategic. The more thoughtfulness and care you bring to your approach, the smoother your progress will flow. Stay alert to the early warning signs of overwhelm, and prioritize taking breaks whenever you can. Taking a time-out to recharge isn’t lazy; it’s mandatory.

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Go easy on the tough love

Capricorn is ruled by stern Saturn, which means it has a reputation for being a bit gloomy. Notice when your inner critic starts to get harsh, and pivot in a softer direction. A little tough love can be motivating, but too much judgment can crush your spirit and make you want to give up. Offer yourself the pep talks you need to keep going strong.

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From December 11th, 2025, to January 1st, 2026, Mercury — the planet of thinking and communication — moves through bold Sagittarius (again). Mercury previously entered Sagittarius on October 29th and then revisited Scorpio during its retrograde period, from November 9th to November 29th. Now it’s back in the mutable fire sign. Cue: unscripted TED Talks, all-caps photo captions, and spontaneous debate tournaments.

Sagittarius doesn’t sweat the small stuff; it’s more concerned with taking in the big picture and understanding a wide range of perspectives. When the messenger planet is in this adventurous sign, it’s known for shooting off blunt truths like arrows — not always with tact, but all in the spirit of fun. As Mercury in Sagittarius teaches us, life’s too short to be taken seriously 100% of the time.

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Oops, you ranted again!

But it’s not all overflowing reading lists and off-the-cuff op-eds. When you speak what’s on your mind, sometimes feelings get hurt in the process. During this transit, it’s wise to hold back a minute and weigh your words carefully. If you’re not sure whether a hot take will land, pause to reflect on it before pressing “send.” Over the coming weeks, you don’t have to deny what’s true for you, but a little sensitivity can go a long way toward getting your point across.

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From November 18th to December 11th, Mercury retrograde returns to Scorpio. In this fixed water sign, the messenger planet teaches us that communication isn’t just about getting your point across; it’s about diving deeper into your experiences, tackling tough topics, and revealing your realest, rawest emotions. Now that Mercury is back in Scorpio, you get another chance to say what you mean and mean what you say, without softening your sharp edges just to be “nice.” This kind of vulnerability takes courage, and it’s not always easy. But the scorpion of the zodiac isn’t afraid of a challenge. It has the grit, focus, and commitment to confront a tricky conversation, even if it gets a little uncomfortable.

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Don’t hold back

Over the coming weeks, you once again get a boost of motivation to air all your feelings — including the ones that seem “too intense” to mention in polite company. If you get an urge to share the thoughts you typically keep to yourself, go for it. Mercury in Scorpio knows that achieving any worthwhile goal requires facing your fears and daring to be honest. You may not get the response you hoped for, but you’re likely to build a meaningful, lasting connection in the process. Let this transit remind you that expressing what you want is worth the risk.

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