Messenger planet Mercury, representing information, the gathering of ideas and useful facts, questioning and debating, stations Retrograde on 9 November 2025 (depending where in the world you live) at 6 degrees of the visionary sign of Sagittarius, the sign of Mercury’s Exile. It will move back into the sign of Scorpio on 18 November 2025. It entered its ‘shadow period’ on 21 October 2025 at 20 degrees of Scorpio; the degree it will retrograde back to before going direct. This cycle occurs three times a year, for three weeks at a time. (See chart below, Sydney time/date).
Mercury conjunct Mars
Mars will conjunct Mercury on 12 November at 6 degrees of Sagittarius, where there may be new thoughts, and new insights, possibilities and directions. or a conversation or communication (Mercury) which is severing (Mars). A situation may have reached a boiling point and we need to express ourselves and then let go. Be mindful of being too forceful or even aggressive in the way you approach the matter.
Planetary ruler Jupiter retrograde at 25 degrees of Cancer
The planetary ruler of Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius is Jupiter. Benefic Jupiter is also currently stationing Retrograde at 25 degrees in the sign of his Exaltation, Cancer. He goes retrograde on 11 November 2025 until 10 March 2026. Cancer is the sign of emotions, caring, and nurturing, family-oriented and protective. We may be asking ourselves – where do I belong? Who is my tribe? Where is my ‘home’, my ‘roots’? Am I living my truth, being my own authentic self? What do I feel, am I feeling insecure? At this time we can re-examine our life’s journey so far, what we need to release, and where we want to go next, venturing and growing – into the new and unknown.
Jupiter retrograde in Decan III of Cancer
This is in Decan III of the sign, which is associated with the 4 of Cups Tarot card. This is where we have had enough, we are satiated and need to be mindful not go to excess, and overdo things. Our abundance however may be restricted during the retrograde period. This can be a time where we struggle to obtain the bounty we may otherwise receive when Jupiter is direct, and we then have more than we need and can share our resources.
Mercury Retrogrades at Decan I of Sagittarius
The first Decan or first 10 degrees of Sagittarius is represented by the 8 of Wands Tarot card. This card is pictured with the eight wands or rods and represents swift movement, action, lots of things happening at once, and happening quickly. The wands also look like arrows, and we can muse about where our arrows are going, asking – what is our future vision and aim, what is our target? This is also a good time to re-examine our own truth, our values, our beliefs and ethics, and to having faith to inform where we are going in achieving our goals.
However, during these two planets retrogrades, we need to cool our heels, slow down, review the process, and sit with not knowing the answers yet.
Mercury Retrogrades into Decan III of Scorpio
Mercury retrogrades into Scorpio on 18 November, which is a review of the illusions we hold and need to let go of. The third decan of Scorpio is associated with the 7 of Cups Tarot card, where things are ‘up in the air’, there are many options and choices, and it’s difficult to get to grips with what is real and what is a delusion. Take your time.
Grand (Retrograde) Water Trine
This also ties in with the Grand Water Trine, with 4 planets being Retrograde at the same time, and all stationing! (Mercury in Scorpio, Jupiter in Cancer and Saturn and Neptune conjunct in Pisces; closing out their cycle in this sign). The Water element represents our feelings, the subconscious, our intuition, and there is focus and insight on the deeper meaning of our lives with this trine.
Mercury opposes Uranus in Taurus at 29 degrees
Mercury also opposes breakdown and breakthrough planet Uranus on 19 November, who is briefly back in the sign of Taurus for the last time in 84 years, entering Gemini for his 7 year cycle on 26 April 2026. At 29 degrees, this is known as the ‘anoretic’ or ‘critical’ degree, where there is (again) a culmination. What we think, and our ideas could be de-stabilising at this time. Try not to overthink things. There could also be unexpected news, a surprise, a shock, and even upsets to the earth (Taurus) (earthquakes, tsunamis, cyclones).
Mercury Cazimi
On 20 November, retrograde Mercury will conjunct the Sun at 28 degrees of Scorpio. The ‘cazimi’ is the renewal of Mercury “in the heart” of the Sun. This amplifies its energy and brings up information from the depths of our subconscious. There is also a New Moon in Scorpio at this time too (More on this in a future post).
Mercury stations direct, Saturn stationing direct
Mercury stations direct at 20 degrees of Scorpio on 29 November, and exits its shadow on 16 December (at 6 degrees of Sagittarius where it started its retrograde). On 27 November, practical, structured, grounded and realistic planet, Saturn, resumes his direct motion in Pisces at 25 degrees. Moving forward we might find ourselves achieving clarity, integrating information and moving in the direction we wish to go in after a time of being patient, introspective, visioning, focussing and working out where we want to go, with commitment and discipline.
