What you need to know about Mercury retrograde in November

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If your November includes travel, holiday shopping, festive social events, or end-of-year work projects, you'll need to take special care to manage every detail of your plans.

This is because the "wielder" of the universe, Mercury, will be in the background from November 9 to 29, bringing high potential for misunderstandings, scheduling conflicts, and mental fatigue.

The timing of this backlash is quite inconvenient, as it coincides with a busy time of year, but knowing in advance what to expect can help you avoid the biggest hassles.

What is Mercury's background?

Before we get into the details of this specific period, it's worth understanding the concept in general.

In astrology, Mercury is the planet that rules communication, planning, logical thinking, and movement.

Several times a year, this planet "slows down" and appears to move backwards in the zodiac for about three weeks. This symbolic movement is called retrograde and affects all areas that Mercury controls, bringing delays, misunderstandings, or the need to revise plans.

Therefore, Mercury retrograde periods are known for communication problems, travel difficulties, technological malfunctions, and situations that require patience and caution.

In these weeks, it's wise to slow down, double-check details, and express yourself clearly, to avoid Mercury's petty games.

Mercury retrograde in November 2025

This can be a stressful and chaotic period, but it also has its positive sides. Retrogrades are a regular part of astrology and are not necessarily negative.

This phase can serve as a reminder to review plans, reflect on recent decisions, and slow down a bit, a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

It is a time for review and reflection rather than for quick action.
Also, flashbacks often bring opportunities to revisit situations, conversations, or ideas from the past. Use this time to close unfinished business, look at old plans with a new perspective, and correct past misunderstandings.

How long does this backstory last?

This month, Mercury retrograde begins on November 9th and ends on November 29th, about three weeks of mental turmoil.

This is beyond the end of the year, so you won't have another backlog after it until the end of February 2026.

As always, there are “shadow” periods before and after the retreat. The “shadow before the retreat” began on October 21st, so it’s worth noting the ideas, themes, and interactions that have occurred since then, as many of them will return during the retreat.

"The Shadow Behind the Scenes" will last until December 16, a good time to process lessons learned and fix any setbacks that have affected work, plans, or relationships.

A background on Sagittarius & Scorpio

This time, Mercury will move retrograde through two zodiac signs, Sagittarius and Scorpio, activating energy in different areas of life for each.

From November 9 to 18, Mercury will be retrograde through Sagittarius. In traditional astrology, Sagittarius is considered a “difficult Mercury” sign because this analytical and meticulous planet has a hard time functioning in Sagittarius’ fiery and spontaneous energy. During this period, you may feel more distracted, lost in the “big picture,” and overlooking small but significant details.

However, it is a good time to review your personal beliefs and rekindle big ideas that can lead you to a new path in life. Allow yourself to be free from limiting beliefs.

From November 18 to 29, Mercury will be moving through strategic and secretive Scorpio. In the second half of the retrograde, hidden information or situations from the past may come to light that you can now see with new eyes.

On November 19–20, the Sun and Moon in Scorpio will join with Mercury in the background, deepening your sense of introspection. Scorpio energy is about investigation, discovery, and transformation of secrets, so you may feel compelled to dig beneath the surface and uncover new truths.

Be careful during the last week of the retreat

Be careful with organizing travel and social plans, checking every detail.
Avoid emotional reactions in conversations and don't let old issues ruin communication, as misunderstandings are more likely than usual.

Be careful with large purchases, offers can be misleading and people may not be thinking clearly. Read the details, return policies carefully and don't be tempted to spend.