From April to May 2023: Here’s what Mercury Retrograde has in store for your zodiac sign

It has been a big few weeks astrologically speaking. Not only did we have big energy-shifting planets like Saturn and Pluto changing signs, but on Thursday, April 20, we have a Solar Eclipse in Aries—and Mercury Retrograde begins just a few hours later on Friday, April 21.

Solar Eclipses are usually a time of high-intensity, transformative energy. This energy propels big changes to speed up in our lives. Conversely, Mercury stationing retrograde in Taurus asks us to slow down. You might be feeling a little unnerved or pulled in many different directions in the coming three weeks. As I always stand by, the Universe and astrology are designed to call us into our higher selves, so even if the next few weeks feel a little rocky, or turbulent, know that this is all to ground you into a higher version of yourself.

To support you, here’s a framework to go by, based on your sign. Make sure to check your Rising Sign as well for greater accuracy.

Aries (March 21-April 19)

Aries, not only do you have a Solar Eclipse happening in your home sign—big shifts are incoming for you, especially in how you lead yourself and others—but you also have Mercury Retrograding through your second house. This is the perfect invitation to slow down, and review your daily spending and budgeting habits. Does your spending align with your core values? Or have you been spending mindlessly? This is a time to be fearlessly honest about your spending habits, and make any tweaks or redesigns to your daily money routines. Manage that money, Aries. You’re being invited to be a greater leader, and this starts with leading yourself first.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)

Get ready to realign with your highest self, Taurus! This Mercury Retrograde literally has your name on it, and it will bring forth triggers or experiences that ask you: Who are you really? What do you really believe in, and do those beliefs align with how you show up in the world? These next three weeks will propel you to double down on who you are, what you stand for, and how to more fully manifest those values into the physical world.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

For the twins of the zodiac, this retrograde could call forth an inner strength from you. Mercury is retrograding in your 12th house, asking you to go deeper into healing your shadow, inner child wounding, and even reassessing your intuitive abilities! You’ll reap the great rewards of this transit by being fearless in pursuit of the truth of who you are; no more distracting or running away. A mantra for these weeks: "If I can feel it all, I can heal it all"—not the M.O. for your mentally-focused sign, but you’ll have the energetic push to heal deeply from past wounds these next three weeks.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)

Big-hearted Cancer, these next three weeks of Mercury Retrograde will bring forth energetic invitations for you to realize what your true visions for the future are. You’ll also find yourself reassessing your social networks, and perhaps reprioritizing friend groups that actually support your highest visions for yourself and the world. Think big. Use this transit to really see how you create your reality and be open to being called to new networks that are more expansive to you and show you just how much is possible for your big-hearted, caring sign.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)

Leos naturally shine bright and hold the spotlight well, but for the next three weeks of this retrograde, you might find yourself learning the value of grace as your social status, career ambitions, and goals go through a reassessment. The best way to move through these three weeks is by sinking deep into true self-love for yourself as changes in your social status and even career status may shake up your ego foundations. All of this is to help you gain a deeper level of confidence and clarity in yourself, regardless of what people think of you.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Virgos, this retrograde will invite you to let go of control—which isn’t always comfortable for the practical, detail-oriented Virgo—and go with the flow for a bit. This transit is through your ninth house of adventure, travel, and moving out of routines, so you might find yourself being thrown off-kilter with unexpected plans, or even unexpected desires to travel or move somewhere new. Let yourself flow where the winds blow over the next three weeks, and you’ll find yourself moving out of this retrograde with new experiences and realizations about yourself that you could never have planned to happen.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

Sweet Libras, this is a deep transit for you. Mercury is retrograding through your eighth house of joint ventures, long-term investments, and life-long merges. The truth of this transit, no matter how internally challenging it might feel (eighth house transits are renowned to be a bit emotional), is to know that this is a time for a deep letting go. Has there been a partnership, relationship, or financial situation that has just been plaguing you for too long now? This is the energetic invitation to truly let go, on the deepest level, and let God. When you move out of this retrograde in three weeks, you’ll find yourself finally able to set fire to what no longer serves you, and truly move forward for a fresh start.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Scorpio, you are the sign of deep healing, and for several transits now, you have been healing so much. Take a pause and show yourself some love for all the internal work you’ve done. This retrograde will be moving through your house of 1:1 partnerships and relationships, and you may find yourself feeling nostalgic or a little lost in your current partnerships. Make sure to communicate very intentionally at this time with anyone you are feeling friction with, and if a difficult convo can be saved until after the retrograde (May 12), do your best to postpone the conversation. You’ll move out of this retrograde with a more finely tuned knowing of what you want, and how to communicate it in partnerships.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Sagittarius, this Mercury Retrograde is moving through your sixth house of health, wellness, and daily routines. Is there anything health or wellness-related that you have been wanting to dive deeper into? Think slow, mindful practices to keep you feeling your most vibrant, glow-filled self. You might even pare back on wellness routines, to really assess which ones serve you fully. You will move out of this retrograde with a new sense of groundedness in what truly makes you feel your best and most present.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

Capricorn, this transit may feel a little bit like your creative spark lost some of its juice. Mercury will be retrograding through your fifth house of playfulness, romance, and creativity, and retrogrades can give the illusion we are going backward. Let yourself lie low for a bit, if you feel like you’ve lost some of that lust for life, and know that you’ll come out of this retrograde feeling more steady in what truly brings you passion vs what are just quick fixes. On a brighter note, single Capricorns might find themselves wanting to dabble in a little flirtation, or dating this season—just keep in mind that retrogrades are not usually long-lasting energy, and these dalliances could likely end up being for fun only. 

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

Aquarians, you’ve had a lot of big shifts happening for you astrologically, and you might find that during this retrograde, you feel a little shaky, or called to go to a place that feels comfortable and like home. Create this for yourself, whether that’s a trip home to a loved one, or loving up on your own home to get cozy and cocoon up for a while. You may also find that during this retrograde, issues around your childhood, or with your mother will come to the forefront, but breathe deep and do your best to see how anything that comes up during a retrograde has the power to be healed, and healed fully, so you can move forward a little lighter than when you started.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)

Pisces, you have the most stereotypical Mercury Retrograde happening, which, if you aren’t astrologically familiar with, means keep a close eye on miscommunications, tech frazzles, or travel mix-ups. Mercury is retrograding through your third house of communications and close travel, and retrogrades can bring about erratic or slow-moving energy. You may also find that past relationships come to the surface during this time, so check in with yourself if you really want to reply to that ex. The best way to move through this transit is to triple-check any sensitive communications, and breathe through any tech or travel hiccups. Sometimes, things are slowed down in order to speed up, and that is likely the energy for you at this time.