How Each Zodiac Can Survive August 2024’s Mercury Retrograde, According To A Tarot Reader

This month’s Mercury Retrograde (when Mercury moves in the opposite direction in the sky) starts with Mercury in Virgo and ends with Mercury in Leo. Generally, the Mercury retrograde period is associated with confusion and delays—often of communications (Mercury is the messenger god, after all).  The beginning of the retrograde period from August 5 to 14th, while Mercury is in Virgo, might have you feel anxious about the little delays and oddities that impact you. From August 15th to 28th, there will be more focus inward. 

The Tarot has some insight for each Zodiac sign on how to make it through this time that is often associated with brain fog, stress, delay, and confusion.

Aries

Your Card: The High Priestess, Reversed

It’s time for you to listen to your intuition, Aries. If you’ve played around with the idea of keeping a dream journal now would be a good time to start. In the first half of the retrograde period see if you notice synchronicities around you and take note of them. Meditate and try to hear that inner voice. Introspection will become especially important in the latter half of the retrograde period.

Taurus

Your Card: Ace of Cups

Open your heart and allow yourself to make new emotional connections or deepen current ones, Taurus. There’s a lot of opportunity for you to gain invigoration from new love, new friendship, or new artistic endeavors. Though it can be tempting in times of confusion to shut yourself down and hibernate – now is not the time! Pay attention to when you feel called to be creative.

Gemini

Your Card: 2 of Swords

You feel like you are at a stalemate, and worse – like you can’t even see enough information to know what to do. This is an indecisive time for you, Gemini. You can still see it both ways, and you aren’t yet ready to make that big move. That’s ok. Sit with your feelings and any discomfort. See what develops. Trust yourself and your intuition on this one – once you are able to choose what to do, you’ll be able to create that best case scenario you’re hoping for.

Cancer

Your Card: 4 of Cups, Reversed

It’s hard for you to see the full picture right now, Cancer, and that makes everything feel rather dull. Evaluate how the extremes would view your situation – what does the pessimist in you say, and what does the optimist in you say? Finally, how do YOU feel about it? You’ve pulled away to regroup, but now it’s time to re-engage with the world and see all of the magic in it (and bring your own as well).

Leo

Your Card: Page of Swords

You’ve been learning so much about your way in the world, Leo – don’t stop now! Follow what you are most excited to understand. Embrace your thirst for information and continue on your path. Times are changing and may feel turbulent, but stand your ground! An inquisitive, thoughtful approach will guide you through anything. Remember that everyone and everything around you has a lesson to teach – especially in the first half of the retrograde period! You’ll have time in the second half to analyze what you learned!

Virgo

Your Card: 8 of Pentacles

Focus hard on work worth doing, and hone and master your skills. The upcoming Mercury retrograde is going to feel turbulent in many of the ways you don’t like, Virgo. Focusing your energy on something tangible, and keeping your precision through repetition will give you a guidepost that you can use to navigate. Keep working and building, set yourself some clear priorities and goals, and use your steadfast focus to your advantage.

Libra

Your Card: The Sun, Reversed

Your mindful, mature approach is able to maintain balance even in the most turbulent of times, Libra. Right now you might feel a bit down, even though you’ve been achieving things. Perhaps you believe that you are tempering over-enthusiasm, but it might have gotten out of hand.  During this period, notice when you dampen your joy – examine why. Ask if it’s necessary, and evaluate if it’s helping you. Notice where your joy comes from and nurture that part of you.

Scorpio

Your Card: 6 of Pentacles 

Giving and receiving are important experiences for us all, Scorpio.  You know better than most that generosity is an important part of this world. When we need help, we should ask. When we can give help, we should.   When you give, do so unconditionally – receive with the same spirit. That balance between giving and receiving is key to keeping the world going. Be mindful of that flow, and don’t allow it to become unbalanced.

Sagittarius

Your Card: The Magician

The Magician is able to bring his will into being – it is a powerful card symbolizing the ability to manifest. It’s time for you to be creative, Sagittarius, and bring some of your ideas into being. You’ll do so by honing your skills – especially those of communication. You have all the tools and it’s time to make it happen. Do not play small, instead focus your energy and watch the magic you can make.

Capricorn

Your Card: The Devil

You’ve been tangling with a lot of inner demons, and now it’s time to stand and face them. Don’t allow yourself to continue on a path of self-destruction or excess, Capricorn. There’s a saying – no need to run when you’re on the wrong road – but there’s also no need to walk it. Embrace your higher self. You can use the introspective period at the end of this Mercury retrograde to your advantage. You’ll emerge better and stronger for your efforts. 

Aquarius

Your Card: 7 of Swords

In the first half of the Mercury retrograde, you’ll see some shadows, Aquarius – not just in the world but within you. There’s deception afoot, and you might be put in a position where you feel you have to be sneaky, cunning – or even dishonest. Make sure that your actions are aligned with your intention and your motivations. In the second half of the retrograde, evaluate how you got there, and integrate the lessons you learned.  

Pisces

Your Card: 3 of Cups Reversed

The beginning of the Mercury retrograde period has you feeling a little left out. It’s many tiny things that make you feel more like an outsider looking in. In the second half of the retrograde evaluate what, exactly, it is that has you feeling that way? Do those feelings of separation impact your ability to rejoin those you care about? Do you feel like there’s an imbalance of feeling there? Is there a way you can restore balance?