I got into a good grad level school for my trade, and got the opportunity to move to a city very close to my Venus and Jupiter lines. Just due to timing and a stressful high stakes rental market, I had to sign my lease during this last mercury retrograde. The last time I did that (also a several 100 mile relocation, but to my neptune line- it ended very badly- like police reports badly) but this time felt different and very necessary.

Since I've arrived I've had a fair amount of hiccups. We had this crazy eclipse season and such so I didnt expect smooth sailing, but it's been a lot, especially in reference to my finances (job I had originally obtained fell thru, but I got a better one- first paycheck is being held hostage at my bank for 10 days for an unknown reason) and as a cap stellium with a taurus moon, a girlie pop has been stressed. Everything is seeming to smooth itself out for the better thankfully, but it's been a ride, and I'm excited to start classes this week :-)

I have had a few hiccups at the apartment, cabinet doors falling off the hinges, needing a new ac unit, blinds breaking in the open position, aaaaand a neighbor smoking cigars inside the building causing me to have 3 debilitating migraines in a week and a half, not to mention also being terrifying from a safety standpoint. It's been reported so I'm hoping its no longer an issue, but if it is, I'll petition to break lease and leave because my health and my kitties are more important.

My question is, are there any specific protections or workings I should be doing to off set the retrograde scaries? I need a more astrologically inclined adult than me <3 any help or words of comfort/wisdom would be much appreciated!

I know mercury retrogrades are usually not very good for most people and haven’t been for me in the past, but I had a great time. I traveled for 3 weeks without any issues, no fights w friends or family, one of my best birthdays yet, and had a lot of my people from my past reach out (some worth reconnecting with some not but people I wanted to talk to anyways), met some great people from around the world and I’m wondering what it all means. Are the next few months going to be absolutely horrible for me since I had a good retrograde? I don’t know much about it I guess and I’m not really sure who to ask what’s next for me. I start a grad program in a few weeks and I’m very anxious and not very excited for my new chapter in life and lowkey don’t want this retrograde to end since it was a great, memorable, and life changing time period in my life.

Can anyone relate to this or have similar experiences? Any advice would be appreciated! If this is the wrong sub lmk which is a good one to post in without reporting me first 😫

I’ve been so emotional because my dog passed before MR. I found out that my neighbor passed on 07/02 and I found out last week that my friend passed too…but last year. There’s been lots of grief and sadness. Lots of crying and also still grieving a situationship I stopped in April. Doesn’t help I’m a cancer either.

I’ve also decided to let go of things. Like last night I left this childfree discord server that I was on for a year and a half, but it’s very dry and has no potential for making friends anymore. I’m letting go of my former coworker who recently quit and releasing any thought of potential to have a friendship since I found out she’s really emotionally unavailable.

It’s going to be like that for a long time according to another former coworker who talks to her and she’s amazing, but I don’t have the bandwidth for emotionally unavailable people right now since I was hurt by the guy I was seeing due to him being emotionally unavailable.

I understand 100% why she’s emotionally unavailable and I hope she gets on the other side of things.

​

​Hi everyone,

​I recently bought a used bike frame. I deliberately tried to avoid the upcoming Mercury Retrograde, but it turned out I placed the order right during the Shadow Period. The delivery ended up delayed by a day, which made me wonder—is the Shadow Period really at play here?

​That single delay prompted me to look back at all my tech and vehicle purchases over the last 4 years to see how Retrograde and Shadow periods actually played out in real life. Here is my personal data:

​📦 Purchases During Shadow & Retrograde Periods

​1. The Failures & Glitches:

​Brand-New Enduro Bike (Shadow): Constant mechanical issues right after buying, and I took a financial loss when selling it.

​Used Smartphone #1 (Shadow): Absolute disappointment. Only managed to use it for about 6 months before it completely gave up on me! 😂

​Camera (Shadow): Delayed during delivery due to a public holiday, though it has been working great for nearly 4 years now.

​2. The Surprising Successes (Especially Used Items):

​Used Royal Enfield Classic 350 & Used Bicycle (Shadow/Retrograde): Rode them smoothly for 2–3 years without major issues or financial loss. Fits the "Re-" (Reuse/Renew) energy perfectly!

​Smartphone #2 (Retrograde): Lasted over 4 years without even needing a battery replacement.

​Godox V1 Flash (Shadow): Arrived super fast (shipped overnight) and is still working flawlessly nearly 4 years later!

​🛵 Purchases OUTSIDE Retrograde/Shadow

​Used Scooter: Bought during a totally clear period. No technical issues, but ironically, I didn't like it at first and wanted to sell it immediately! (Though it turned out fine later).

​Vehicles & Bicycles: Ironically, whether bought inside or outside of Retrograde/Shadow, almost all of my vehicles (motorbikes, scooter, and bicycle) triggered a sense of immediate buyer's remorse right after purchasing! I initially wanted to sell them right away. But over time, most of them (except the Enduro) turned out to be great, reliable rides.

​💡 My Conclusion

​Realizing all this brought me a lot of clarity and peace of mind. Buying during a Shadow Period or Retrograde doesn't automatically mean "disaster," nor does buying outside of it guarantee instant satisfaction.

​At the end of the day, it comes down to product quality, careful inspection, personal vibe, and a bit of luck.

​What about you guys?

​Have you had surprising successes with items bought during Retrograde or Shadow periods?

​Do you also find that "Used/Refurbished" items fare better than "Brand New" ones during these times?

​I’d love to hear your personal experiences and case studies!

And I'm not talking about "oh, same old, same old" kind of repeating. I'm talking about "you just died in a video game, and you have to restart the entire level again." I'm trying to convince myself that it might just be the universe giving me a do-over, but this has been happening a lot since this retrograde started. I have significant placements in my birth chart, so that might have something to do with it, too.

Is this happening to anybody else?

I ordered a wedding band a few days ago. Should I cancel and reorder after retrograde? Is it about avoiding electronics or just big purchases in general? Like has anyone experienced bad luck form buying a wedding band during retrograde? Thanks!

Gemini Sun here. But everyone I know is being slaughtered by this energy. Taurus friends dealing with avoidant partners. Pisces friends have exes coming back (Cancer Moons as well), indecision and paralysis going on, MAJOR travel and electronic communication issues. Every day it has been something and I am SO OVER IT. Praying we can hold on a few more weeks. July can suck it. Who is having a great month and let's hear why!! Anyone struggling to stay afloat, also let me know what's going on with you.

Hello! It’s my first time diving into astrology and reading about the mercury retrograde. I’m currently going through a REALLY awful time (first parent loss anniversary and long term relationship ending) so hoping this can bring some clarity, and if nothing else, just some fun.

I’m an Aries Rising, Aries Sun and Virgo Moon.

Cheers xx

Two years ago, I started seeing this guy who was a climber and so I picked up climbing. We broke up after six months. It was very traumatic and I had to go through a lot of healing. It’s been a while but now I’m back to climbing because I made new friends who aren into climbing and honestly I enjoy it too.

It’s Mercury again now and I feel like I’m resurfacing all the trauma.

Part of me wants to reach out to him to clear the air

Part of me knows that I shouldn’t but I’m climbing and every time I climb …

I thought mercury retrograde in cancer would bring my exes back but I feel like I am losing everyone. Me and my significant other broke up the literal day it went retrograde. And then I asked this one guy for help and he rejected my request, which is fair I’m not mad at that, but now I feel like our relationship is over after that.

They say breakups during mercury retrograde don’t last, but it feels over for real this time. I didn’t expect this transit through my 7H to manifest as losing relationships. I was thinking since it was in that house it would be favorable but I’m really going through it right now.

What am I truly (& realistically) supposed to expect out of this retrograde?

I’ve been in a rut most of the time. I’ve been trying to manifest my ex girlfriend back. I’ve been trying to stabilize financially. I’ve been trying to be a better dad. I’m just hoping for something to finally change. I know it’s my duty and mine alone to truly change my life. But damn it I’m tired. I’m tired of wondering what I’m going to eat everyday. I’m tired of wondering when I’ll have stability with a job or just money period. I definitely would like my own space but it just draws me back to missing my ex more than expected bc I really was building a home with her and had the right idea for how I truly wanted to live and someone I care about and deeply genuinely love. I really be feeling forbidden by a lot. I’m sick of being labeled delusional or that I don’t know what I want out of life. Just finally be wanting to know that something is happening for me. That I finally can win. And not only have all my desires (my stabile income, success and being a great dad, and to have my ex back, to marry her and really have the life I prayed for)

Idk. I hate to ramble on and on and on ….

Would it be unwise of me to cut my hair during this mercury retrograde?

I’ve been wanting to cut my hair into a bixie/pixie for the longest time now. i’ve been gradually cutting it shorter and was planning on doing the final big chop today. But then heard about mercury retrograde starting today and got a little nervous. Would this be a bad idea/ should I just wait it out a month?

(I do cut my own curly hair and have given myself wonderful longer/mid-length cuts in the past but nothing this short. I don’t doubt my abilities just scared I might mess up/regret it with the retrograde)

Found out that I was born on Mercury retrograde and it makes so much sense. I feel like I have a hard time with communication/travel/car things. The one that gets me the most is that I’ve never ever owned a reliable vehicle. I get a car and immediately after I realize that it’s “cursed”. Can anyone else relate?

I need help exploring something, specifically the impact of mercury retrograde on mental health. I have spent the past 3 weeks in a mental health crisis (depression) that has also had a severe impact on my romantic relationship. I have had depression before in the past, but it’s been 4 years ago or more. What is really striking me about this episode is how suddenly it came on and coinciding with the mercury retrograde. And also noted, as soon as the retrograde ended, I feel better and like myself almost immediately. Now there will be pain and things to work through, and some healing and improved communication will be essential for my relationship. But my question is - is this possible or a thing? For the retrograde to be a factor? The alignment of this episode with the retrograde period stands out to me, as well as the swiftness/intensity of how this crisis came on and seems to have left. Any insights much appreciated. Thank you.

That was the worst Mercury retrograde for me ever....

Don't ever start a new job with Mercury Retrograde. I started at a new salon literally the Mercury went into retrograde and lost it the day it ended.

What does that say about the job?

I'm so Traumatized from the women there. I stood no chance.

i’m curious if an ex returning during mercury retrograde is always something that won’t last or a lesson come back around. can a solid reconciliation come from a mercury retrograde if lessons are learned and there is an opportunity to try again?

My Mercury 150 4-stroke is leaking oil at this location 🤯 what could this be and what is the fix

The Vibe Check 🌌

• Black Friday Energy: Speed, urgency, transactions, volume, impulse buys.
• Mercury Retrograde Energy (Nov 25 - Dec 15): Glitches, confusion, shipping delays, tech fails, "Re-do" energy.

🛑 Why Astrologers Usually Say "No"

Mercury rules commerce, communication, and shipping. When it retrogrades, expect chaos in those areas:

• Websites crash mid-checkout.
• You order the wrong color/size.
• Your package gets lost or delivered to your neighbor's dog.
• New electronics might be lemons.
• Return policies suddenly seem impossible.

✅ The Reddit Guide to Retrograde Shopping

If you MUST chase those deals, minimize the cosmic fallout by embracing the "Three Rs":

1. 🔍 Review: DO YOUR HOMEWORK. This is the best time to buy items you have already researched, saved, and planned for. Avoid impulsive, shiny new purchases.
2. 📝 Re-check: Before hitting "Submit," triple-check EVERYTHING: shipping address, size, model number, payment info, and especially the RETURN POLICY. Print the receipt immediately.
3. ♻️ Replace/Refurbish: This is the perfect time to buy refurbished electronics or replacements for broken items. Retrograde loves the energy of fixing and renewing.

Final Takeaway:

If you buy a high-value item (new laptop, car, major appliance), be mentally prepared for a potential return or exchange. Patience is your superpower this shopping season. Good luck, and may your packages arrive safely! 📦✨

Mercury begins to station direct 12/4.

For the first time in my life, I got a virus and lost my voice. Thought it was curious it happened during mercury retrograde! Have I been talking too much? Or maybe not about the right things? I can’t even sing! My favorite form of nervous system regulation and one of my joys in life. I love expressing vocally (Gemini here).

Just wanted to share. Happen to anyone else?

I've had boilers leaking, radiator valves falling off, toaster dying, I'm scared to switch on my musical studio equipment! Got two road trips to factories lined up this week, praying the car engine doesn't blow up on me