Mercury in Reverse Cowgirl

Mercury Retrograde's Rendezvous in Sagittarius

Christie Brinkley by Chris Von Wangenheim

As the Holidaze gallop towards us at accelerated speed, Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius is likely to ignite severe burn-out…

OR a better approach at boundaries! Let me start by saying: I truly believe the facade of happily “put-together” OR even the end-of-the-year being put in its perfect place is just that… A FACADE. If you’re able to pull off the illlusion of “having it together”, I fully assume you: a) are very isolated or have insane Virgo placements (JK), b) likely do not have to work or are receiving big paid time off, c) indulging in wild stimulants that keep you on the “go, go, go”. Anxiety and hyper-vigilance CAN keep one wired and on an off chance be channeled into “productivity”. FOR ME, the focus is usually NOT THERE. Worry tends to make me tired!

So, that being said, if you’re looking for advice to “have it all”, you’re in the wrong place. This particular Mercury Rx Guide is for the Frustratingly Fatigued Femmes and People Pleasers who don’t know when to say “no” (and, yes, I’m speaking from experience). Though energy levels are different for each person’s situation and system (a very subjective subject in itself), there’s no “one-size-fits-all”. Burn-out, however, can come for anyone and is a common symptom of American labor expectations. As mental intake of info and attention spans scramble, we’re hooked to constant communication, so many screens. Mercury’s backspin NEVER helps with even-flow of energy.

Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius has a very pointed and vicious vibe of being “on” around the clock… all whilst assuming it is “the fun one”, not realizing many of us would rather do less (plus feel OKAY to do so) during the most stressful time of the year. The FOMO is too real, the bar is set too high, there’s too little time. Unlike my some of my closest Sagittarius friends who would happily do goofy and/or creative shit at 3AM, I’m mostly a homebody with a physically intense “day job” of 6AM to 8PM, joking (but in truth) that I sleep 9-to-5 (sung Dolly Parton style). I NEED MY REST.

I’d argue that we ALL need rest right now (as emphasized for the Taurus Moon’s glutton in grief).

I would rather hibernate until the Holidaze are over, please and thanks.

As if late November and all of December aren’t incredibly overloaded, Sagittarius is “in detriment” while vacationing on Mercury. The Sign’s “big picture” perspective clashes with the Planet’s preferred detail-orientation, the lack of nitty-gritty glue creating focus issues. Sagittarius is ruled by the Planet of Expansion, Jupiter, while the 2 other Mutable Signs, Gemini and Virgo, are ruled by Mercury. Jupiter is currently in Gemini, Sag’s Sister Sign, so we’ve a little switch of primary planets in the Gemini-Sagittarius Axis, adding a spicy flavor to this cosmic “freaky Friday” flip-flop. There WILL BE merry-meets between Mercury Sag and Jupiter Gem that light the way.

Keeping our wits about us during Mercury Reverse Cowgirl is a challenge as the pairing can be quite pleasurably distracted…

Making it entirely easy to miss directions along the way! As Mercury rules Communication, Commerce, Schedules, Travel ~literally all at risk for craziness during the Holidaze~ 2024’s last Mercury Rx is a hot-bed of forgetfulness that can spin us into a panic. If we’re constantly back-tracking to fix overlooked details due to the Centaur’s easy miss of important tidbits that make or break plans, then there’s extra work to do. Extra work we don’t need, extra work we do not have time for. Sagittarius is already highly associated with travel and Mercury Rx is notorious for messing up travel plans. Getting “back on track” will be a test of not just time management but ego: to dodge the fiery lava flow or force the trajectory of driving thru the shit? Detours up ahead (and a foreshadow for the Sagittarius New Moon)!

Mercury’s many realms of scrambled signals (and how to deal) are outlined in Let’s Get Retrograde…available to paid subscribers at the end of this post til 12/21.

The last Mercury Retrograde of 2024 will span from November 25 to December 15, 2024.

Regarding Sagittarius specificity, all important transits plus practical applications are up ahead. BUT before diving into details, it’s imperative to note November’s sensational shifts, some subtle, others personally and collectively felt as planets settle more fully into their positions. These elements absolutely color the chaos (or ground us) during the backspin:

• 11/3 Mars entered Leo. The rest of 2024 will have to reckon with the Fiery Lioness in the Planet of Energy and Action. Lots to be said about this placement, especially as Mars will also backspin, partially at the same time as Mercury. Mars Retrograde in Leo will have its own dedicated post.

• 11/11 Venus entered Capricorn for daddy energy with a touch of class. In “cuffing season” ~always highly affected by Mercury Retrograde~ setting standards for how we’d like to be treated romantically, socially and (yes) sexually is boosted by the Sea-Goat in the Planet of Love and Lifestyle. Venus in Capricorn sextiles Saturn in Pisces on 11/22, giving a sexy edge to ground rules for relationships with foundational trust at its core.

• 11/12 Saturn direct in Pisces. Dreamy merprincexx definitely struggled in strict Saturn, but spiritual soundboards vs. the harsh reality of restrictions added a moral compass to merely existing in these times. As an emotively conflicting but vital collaboration, direct motion is ripe for integrating lessons until Saturn’s next switch May 24, 2025. Sag Mercury squared Saturn in Pisces on direct day; this back-to-reality moment may have made a need for boundaries blink brightly in neon lights.

• 11/19 Pluto moved into Aquarius, ringing in a major New Age that will last until March 8, 2043. Our 2025 Astrology Guide + Aquarius SZN 2025 will cover more details, but expect the unexpected for this revolutionary shift. We are likely ALL feeling this ingress in uncomfortable ways at the moment and this huge change will be hard for those without much Air energy in their chart (though Libra may struggle a bit more than others).

Mercurial Methods to the Madness: