For the week of November 1st thru the 8th, be sure to read your Rising Sign as well:

Aries

Not only is Mercury retrograde for the foreseeable future, but your ruling planet Mars is currently running a transit gauntlet. No sooner does it separate from its square to Saturn, then it applies to a square to treacherous Pluto. For Aries, who is no coward when it comes to conflict, this is probably par for the course. However, the fly in the ointment, is being obliged to compromise and even collaborate with the same folks who are on your last nerve. Mars in Libra is here to remind us that so much more can be accomplished with even a drop of honey than with a whole gallon of vinegar. One way to disarm your opponents is through uncharacteristic charm. One lesson to take out of the whole Mercury retrograde period, is that the less said the better. It will all be misconstrued any way. Smile and take notes for later. You’ll want to make sure they’re listening when you finally have your say.  

Taurus

Venus moves into Sagittarius on Friday bringing Taurus along for the ride. Sagittarius is a sign that is generous and indulgent, and ready to explore new horizons. For Taurus, who has a special relationship with the earth and nature, this can be quite literal. This is also a celebratory Venus period, and as we get closer to the holiday season, there will be more than your share of excuses to celebrate. One thing that becomes apparent at these junctures of the year, is that when you share what you have with others, what you receive in return makes it all worthwhile. This is truly about the cycle of reciprocity and the benefits it brings to all parties involved. Which is also a topic related to the Mercury retrograde phase. Being in the sign of Scorpio, you become more intimately aware of your interrelationships with others, and how these impact you and your well-being. 

Gemini

During this Mercury retrograde phase which lasts until the 20th of November, Gemini will find themselves consumed with their everyday lives: whether that be at work, or readdressing their health and well-being. As mentioned last week, one thing Mercury in retro can be good for is removing some of the excess clutter from your life, and this will be especially true in your work space. This is also where you are more likely to see the most common Mercury retro glitches concerning breakdowns in communication or technology. This is a great time to reorganize, catch up on work that was placed on the back burner, or work on a research project. It is also a time to reconsider commitments, or back out of projects that are not working. It is also a good period to reassess any health concerns, diets or routines: do the research, get all the info, taking into consideration the whole body/mind relationship as well. Then focus on streamlining your life. 

Cancer

Relationships can feel complicated these days for some Cancers, and fraught with all sorts of mixed feelings. On the one hand, you strive to find points of agreement. But it will be way too easy to have your buttons pushed in this sort of weather. Especially if others keep trying to take control. If you find relationships are especially difficult, best not to push too hard right now, and wait till things cool down. Communications can often get misconstrued when Mercury is retrograde any way. What the next few weeks will be good for is finding time to connect with yourself, and those things that bring you joy. Take some time out in order to create the space you will need to connect to that still center that brings you just the inspiration you will need. Mercury retrograde is great for perfecting a skill, or immersing yourself in a creative project or activity. 

Leo

We can get so bogged down in the distractions that the Mercury retrograde period can bring, that we could lose sight of some of the advantages. Leo has already had a head start though. And that has to do with this creative inspiration and insight that is latent not only in the  Mercury retrograde but the current Solar transits. Look for opportunities to immerse yourself in inspiring environments, activities and projects that can tap into even a little of that creative energy. Other things this Mercury retrograde period are good for are: reflecting and reminiscing on the past; going back home or visiting family members. Pay attention to your home, your family and community, and the foundations of your life. What can you do to improve or make these areas more secure?

Virgo

During this Mercury retrograde period that lasts until November 20th, it will be important to make sure that you are hearing things clearly. Avoid making assumptions until you have all the information you need. And even then check your facts again, just to make sure. This is great weather for doing research and solving puzzles, but could be problematic if you have to learn a new skill, or take on a new project with a lot of new pieces. Better for finishing off projects and tying up loose ends, or learning more about a subject or skill you already know something about. That being said, this period is best used when you are tuning inside and tuning out the excess noise in your life. Allow the busyness of your mind to settle, and create quiet time to find more clarity. This will serve you well in the months going forward. Think of it as a mental reboot.

Libra

Venus moves into Sagittarius on Friday, bringing Libra along for the ride. Our hearts grow 3 sizes when Venus is in this sign of expansion and hope. Joyous and celebratory, Venus in Sagittarius asks us at this time, what would it mean for you to follow your bliss? This is also an ideal time to mend bridges with others, bringing offerings of peace and opening up the lines of communication. Greater wholeness can be achieved by accepting and appreciating the differences in each other, and what these have to teach us. The Mercury retrograde period can bring pressures to bear, especially if there are recent misunderstandings or conflicts with others, however, the Venus transit can help to ameliorate these, easing over any misunderstandings. What the retrograde period is good for is reassessing your current priorities and any questions of self-worth and self-esteem. Good time to also consider taking a vacation from spending, and pay down your debt, asking yourself, how much do you really need? 

Scorpio

The New Moon in Scorpio last week allowed you to seed new beginnings. But the Mercury retrograde period also cautions you to not leap in without being thoroughly prepared and informed. Chances are you probably won’t have all the facts right away. What comes to light during this period could change your plans as well as the prevailing story. There is no use in regretting past decisions, nor worrying about what may be. But do pay attention to those experiences, people and activities that feed you, as opposed to drain you. This retrograde period is best used for serious personal reflection and exploration. It’ s about reacquainting yourself with yourself, and being honest about what is, or is not working for you. The rest will then fall in place in its own time. 

Sagittarius

With both of the traditionally benefic planets now in your sign, Sagittarius will be more than ready to kick up their heels. Not that you weren’t ready to do so to begin with, but there are bound to be excuses to celebrate over the next few weeks. Generosity increases when Venus comes to call, but so does the urge to over-spend and self-indulge. So long as you are mindful that the bills are going to be due later, what Venus is trying to show you are those people, experiences and activities that fill your heart with happiness. If you were to find your joy, where would you look to find it? During this same period Mercury retrograde is helping you to divest yourself of what you no longer need in your life. Reflection, self-exploration and looking within, can help you to facilitate this process. Letting go of those things that you no longer need, and connecting with those people and things that bring you joy: sounds like a recipe for happiness. 

Capricorn

Confronted with hard decisions and critical choices, many a Capricorn may find their lives transforming in remarkable ways. And for some it may even mean that their lives will never be quite the same. One phase is ending as another is about to begin. All the more reason to connect with your soul’s purpose at this critical time. This will serve as a lodestar: a guiding star. And there are windows of opportunity for you to do so in the coming weeks, even during the Mercury retrograde phase. Ask yourself, what are those things that would bring greater meaning and purpose in your life? And what are those particular goals that would be worth sacrificing for? Mercury retrograde can bring distractions and shifts in associations, and can be rife with misinformation. But what it is good for is revisiting a dream that you once had. It is a great time to reassess your aspirations, hopes and wishes, especially in light of any changing circumstances.

Aquarius

Before you can make a new beginning you are going to first need to bring the previous phase of your life to full closure. There may still be some things that you are not fully aware of going on behind the scenes though, so patience is required. All the more so, during the Mercury retrograde periods, such as we are in until November 20th. During this period you may need to reassess some of your goals. It is not necessarily a time for action, but it is a time to step back so that you can get a clearer perspective. Just remember, that often what seems like a really good idea during the retrograde phase will have its faults revealed later on when Mercury is direct again. Once again, with the Saturn/Neptune sextile perfecting next week, the focus should be on those goals that will ultimately bring greater meaning and purpose in your life. It’s about quality of life, not quantity. 

Pisces

For years Neptune has been working its way through your sign, bringing mixed blessings in its wake, but ultimately trying to remind you of those things that bring deeper meaning into your life. This week, and through much of the Mercury retrograde period that lasts until November 20th, you will be connecting with some of those meaningful things. Ultimately it will bring a deeper but more clarifying perspective. Sometimes all it takes is stepping back, listening and watching, rather than speaking or acting. Realize that not all the facts may be evident until after Mercury will be direct again. However, the personal insights that you are able to make during this time will be invaluable. Be patient, for things could come to light that could bring clarity to a situation. Gaining this higher perspective will serve you well for months to come.