Welcome to the preshow, folks.
While Mercury, the trickster messenger planet of communication, coordination, creative expression, and information processing, doesn’t officially station retrograde until November 25th, the pre-shadow or retroshade period begins this week on November 7th.
Mercury in retrograde
The fastest-moving planet in our solar system, Mercury, goes retrograde three to four times a year, and when you factor in the shadow periods of the retrograde, we spend up to six months a year at the mercy of Mercury’s slow-down showdown.
Mercury is known as a personal planet, which means that it affects us significantly and daily. Because the realms that Mercury rules are so integral to our daily routines, we feel the effects of these retrograde more acutely.
Mercury begins its pre-shadow phase when the planet crosses the zodiac degree in which it will eventually station directly, in this case that’s 6°23 of Sagittarius at 7:33 EST on November 7th.
Mercury retrograde shadow period 2024
Mercury retroshade refers to the two-week period immediately preceding the transit and the two weeks following it. Known as the pre-and post-retrograde shadow, these bookends bring the same emotionally congested and off-kilter energy as the retrograde transit but offer lessons in preparation and integration.
As the planet readies itself for retrograde, the pre-shadow can amplify anxiety and make unresolved issues, looming exes, and general emotional chaffing more present and pressing; cue the overthinking, the messy expressions and questionable logic.
Mercury retrograde November
Many an astrophile considers Mercury retrograde a three-part series: setting the stage (pre-shadow), a chaotic climax (retrograde) followed by a little tidy-up after the main event (post-shadow)
The pre-retrograde/retroshade period will extend from Nov. 7 to 25, and the post-retrograde period will reign from Dec. 15 to Jan. 2, adding a nice little edge of tinsel and trauma to the holidays this year.
The pre-shadow period is typically not quite as calamitous as the actual retrograde. It does, however, offer the opportunity to make preparations, tidy corners, button up bulls–t, and otherwise set yourself up for success as we move toward and through more compromising astrological weather.
In a recent TikTok, the brilliant astrologer Evan Nathaniel Grim of Inner Worlds Astrology explained, “While you can absolutely still make major decisions during the pre-shadow phase, it is a reminder to exercise greater caution and to realize that decisions made during the pre-shadow are subject to be revisited during the retrograde weeks later.”
He advises that while the pre-shadow phase is something of a testing ground, we should all aim to reserve our energy stores for the first half of the retrograde. “Make sure you invest the majority of your energy into the November 25th to December 6th portion of the retrograde. The December 6th through 15th segment is best for dedicating slow and steady effort towards something really close to the finish line.”
Who will be most affected by this retrograde?
Because Mercury retrograde is going down, or back as it were, in a mutable sign, those with personal planets within that modality, looking at you, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces, will be most affected by this transit. To take it up a notch or degree, folks with major placements from 6-22 degrees of these mutable signs will be most impacted and should harness their powers of discernment to avoid blowing their proverbial load.
However, if you fall under these stars and specific degrees, you also have the most to gain in terms of energetic payoff, meaningful reflection and significant momentum.
When is Mercury retrograde 2024?
Mercury’s backspin through Sagittarius will be the planet’s final retrograde of 2024. The first Mercury retrograde of 2K25 will take place from March 14, 2025 – April 7, 2025. Mercury will begin its retrograde in Aries and conclude in Pisces.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the star
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience. To book a reading, visit her website.
