When Is Mercury Retrograde in 2024?

Whether you’re an astrology student, an avid horoscope reader, or you’re actually not into astrology at all, chances are, at some point in your life, you’ve wondered, “Is Mercury retrograde right now?” And since Mercury retrograde is oftentimes the reason why you got stuck in nightmarish traffic or missed a crucial email, it’s not a bad idea to plan out when Mercury is retrograde in 2024.

Mercury retrograde, which happens three to four times a year, is best known for being the reason behind breakups or missed job opportunities. But the true meaning of Mercury retrograde is a bit more complex and nuanced than that.

So, what is Mercury retrograde actually? It’s a three-week period during which Mercury, the planet of communication, transportation, and technology, slows down and then appears to move backward from our vantage point on Earth. When this happens, the areas of life that Mercury oversees are thrown into a tailspin — sometimes for no reason at all, sometimes for very good reason.

Mercury may be known as the trickster planet, but it’s also the planet that influences how you think and express yourself. Its retrograde phases are actually opportunities to prioritize introspection and take a step backward to recharge, revise, and reimagine a particular aspect of your life.

Here’s everything you need to know about when Mercury retrograde will be retrograde in 2024 and the meaning of Mercury retrograde — undoubtedly the most misunderstood astrological phenomenon.

When Is Mercury Retrograde in 2024?

The year actually kicked off with Mercury ending its final retrograde of 2023. Yup, on Jan. 1, Mercury was retrograde (meaning it ended its retrograde phase) in mutable fire sign Sagittarius. Throughout 2024, however, Mercury will be retrograde three more times:

All of the retrogrades in 2024 occur — at least partially — in action-oriented fire signs, so the Mercury retrogrades of 2024 are wired to help you retrace your steps and reflect on your inner drive and game plans for achieving your wildest dreams. This will be true for everyone, given the tone of this year’s retrogrades, but to get a sense of your own unique experience of each retrograde phase, consider referring to your birth chart to see which houses are associated with the signs Mercury will move backward through.

For example, if Aries is the sign that appears on the cusp of your fourth house (which is directly at the center bottom of the chart), you’ll be tying up loose ends related to your home, family, and emotional life in April. If Sagittarius is on the cusp of your seventh house (which is on the left side of your chart, directly across from your rising sign or ascendant), you’ll be rethinking, redesigning, and renegotiating partnerships, whether romantic, platonic, or professional during the retrograde phase that ends on New Year’s Day and the final one of 2024 that spans the end of November and first half of December, as both fall in the sign of Sagittarius.

Is Mercury Retrograde Right Now?

Fortunately, Mercury is not retrograde right now. However, you may still be feeling the effects of the last Mercury retrograde, which ended on Jan. 1. This is called the Mercury Retrograde shadow period, which happens two weeks before Mercury retrograde begins and two weeks after Mercury retrograde ends. And according to one astrologer, the shadow periods can be almost as chaotic as the real deal.

For now, if you’re feeling sluggish, use the time to reflect on what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown during Mercury’s last backspin. The next Mercury retrograde doesn’t hit until April.

Mercury Retrograde Meaning

Need a quick refresher on what exactly is Mercury retrograde again? Although you’re bound to come across a lot of fear mongering about Mercury retrograde, it’s much more than just the headache-inducing phenomenon you’ve heard it is. In fact, every planet — Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto — goes retrograde at regular intervals for weeks or even months on end. It’s just that we tend to feel Mercury’s retrogrades the most.

When Mercury slows down and appears to move backward through the zodiac from our perspective on Earth, you can expect technology glitches, transportation delays, and miscommunications. But Mercury retrograde periods, which occur pretty much seasonally, are also a chance to slow down, tie up loose ends, and take stock of existing business and projects. In turn, once Mercury’s direct, you’ll be able to move forward with even more clarity and assurance that you’re right on track.