After the mile-a-minute chats and frenzied brainstorms of Mercury’s transit through Gemini, the cosmos is turning our attention to our EQ. Translation: It’s not just what you say but how you say it — and how it makes you feel. When the messenger planet moves through Cancer from June 8th to June 26th, it’s time to talk about our feelings. And get nostalgic. So prepare to bust out those old photo albums, Tumblr archives, and childhood memories.

In this cardinal water sign, Mercury holds a magnifying glass over the emotions that are implied in our words and turns of phrase. Mercury in Cancer has a subtle communication style that may come across as passive-aggressive — for example, telling you “it’s fine” when it’s clearly not fine. But on the flip side, this combo has an exceptional gift for picking up on the undertones beneath the surface of every message.

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Say what you mean, and mean what you say

Over the coming weeks, practice closing the gap between what you say and what you actually mean. Sure, keeping your guard up and sticking to superficial small talk works — sometimes. But how would it feel to express yourself openly and earnestly? Mercury in Cancer has a unique talent for weaving honesty, warmth, and vulnerability through all our conversations — even when it makes us cringe. If you say how you really feel, you’ll save your future self from sighing with regret whenever you think about what you could have, would have, or should have said in the summer of 2025. Take a cue from Mercury in Cancer and dare to share.

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When Mercury moves through Gemini from May 25th to June 8th, it asks us to drop our wittiest puns in the group chat and max out our library cards with stacks of books we probably won’t finish. In this mutable air sign, the planet of communication is Little Miss Easily Distracted, to put it lightly. But surfing the channels of a dozen topics at once has its perks. Mercury in Gemini teaches us how to recognize unexpected patterns when we connect the dots between diverse subjects. Just make sure to set an alarm reminding you to touch grass during your rambling research sprees.

If you’ve been getting bored with your usual sources of gossip, trivia, and fun facts, try asking different questions over the coming weeks. Read an op-ed that challenges your assumptions. Learn a new language, just because. Or strike up a surprising conversation with a stranger — and take mental notes. Flitting between podcasts, how-to videos, and Wikipedia articles isn’t necessarily a sign of a scattered mind; it means that your curiosity is going strong.

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Just don’t forget your (critical) thinking cap

A word to the wise: There is such a thing as TMI, though it might not feel that way when the messenger planet is lodged in this chatty sign. It’s still important to pace yourself so you can digest your downloads. You don’t need to weigh in on every debate under the Sun or read every review before making that restaurant reservation. Before you plunge into yet another Reddit thread, take a hot second to reflect on the data you’re collecting. If you don’t use your critical thinking skills, most of the information in the world is pretty useless — and even downright misleading. For every fascinating tidbit you uncover, flex your inner fact-checker. And remember: A mindful pause can be worth far more than a thousand words.

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As Mercury travels through Taurus from May 10th to May 25th, hot takes cool down to a simmer and racing thoughts flow at a more leisurely pace. After the past few weeks of fiery exchanges, a softer approach to communication may be a sweet relief. In this fixed earth sign, the messenger planet is in no rush to win an argument or get to the bottom of a Wikipedia rabbit hole. Instead, Mercury in Taurus knows the smell of fresh-cut grass, the texture of a cashmere blanket, or the warmth of a hug from a friend can convey the proverbial 1,000 words. To absorb this wisdom, slow the roll of your text threads and news alerts so your body — and the Earth itself — can whisper its subtle secrets to you.

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Try not to get stuck in the mud

Yet this transit isn’t all daisy chains and comfortable silences. Mercury in Taurus can stubbornly cling to rigid judgments or outdated beliefs because they feel as cozy and familiar as a beloved sweater. The celestial bull can dig in its heels just to prove a point, so beware of moments when you slip into defensive mode or close yourself off from different perspectives. But in this placement, Mercury also teaches us that pausing to digest information is a crucial skill in our rapid-fire digital age. Don’t be afraid to be the last person to weigh in or to do a body scan before answering an email. Often our minds are much clearer after a long shower, a nourishing meal, or some solo time in nature. The world and its endless stream of ideas and opinions will still be waiting on the other side of your power nap.

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