Just hearing the phrase “Mercury retrograde” could give you a headache, given its reputation for slowing down even the best laid plans and setting off miscommunication chaos and technology issues galore. But it can help to understand how to make the most of this frequent astrological transit, and that involves taking note of the fact that its effect actually starts rolling in earlier than you might realize. The Mercury retrograde shadow, which happens ahead of each Mercury retrograde, is currently rolling through, having kicked off on Tuesday, October 21, and lasting until Sunday, November 9, which is when the final Mercury retrograde of 2025 officially begins.
The pre-retrograde shadow (or retroshade) serves as a period during which you’ll get a sneak peek of the challenges and opportunities you’ll be presented with during the retrograde itself. And the shadow happens because Mercury, typically the fastest planet in the solar system, is slowing down ahead of its backspin. Read on for all the details on the latest Mercury retrograde shadow period.
Big Picture Takeaways
- The Mercury pre-retrograde shadow period falls in Scorpio and Sagittarius, encouraging you to begin to slow down and reflect on how you can improve intimate relationships and satiate any appetite for adventure.
- This is the third and final Mercury retrograde shadow period making it a thrilling opportunity to step back, rest, recharge and recenter yourself before saying goodbye to 2025 and welcoming in 2026.
- During this Mercury “retroshade,” the messenger planet harmonizes with taskmaster Saturn and lucky Jupiter, amplifying your ability to tap into powerful as well as optimistic cerebral energy. In turn, don’t hesitate to make moves aligned with forward movement (like beginning a new wellness regimen) ahead of the actual Mercury retrograde on November 9.
What is the Mercury retrograde shadow period?
The pre-retrograde shadow happens before every Mercury retrograde, offering a preview of the themes, lessons, opportunities and challenges you’ll be experiencing when Mercury is officially retrograde for three weeks. The shadow presents situations, projects, conflicts and interactions that over the course of the upcoming Mercury retrograde will require revision, reflection or tweaking in some way.
The pre-retrograde shadow can often be felt just like the retrograde itself, leading to tech issues, crossed wires, deliveries going rogue and transportation slowdowns. On the plus side, you might feel compelled to commit to more self-work, reflection or meditation and to slow down, rest, recharge and prioritize restorative activities.
Mercury retrograde itself is the result of the trickster planet appearing to move backward from our vantage point on Earth, and these phases happen three to four times a year for about three weeks at a time. The pre-retrograde shadow is the result of the fact that, before Mercury can go retrograde, the messenger planet needs about two weeks to slow down. That’s because when Mercury is direct, it’s the fastest planet in our solar system, speeding around the sun every 88 Earth days.
And whenever Mercury’s typically speedy pace is curbed — even if it’s only decelerating versus moving backward through the constellations — communication, transportation and technology just don’t function as well as usual.
That said, there’s no need to hold off on signing contracts, making tech or transportation-related purchases, pausing travel or double-checking every single crucial detail as you generally would when Mercury is officially retrograde. Instead, just being aware that you’re in a pre-Mercury retrograde shadow period can be helpful for facing any bumps in the road, as well as silver linings, like an impromptu FaceTime from an old friend, that are more likely to occur now.
If you’re frustrated to learn that Mercury retrograde’s at times aggravating effects last for even longer than you might’ve realized, I can reassure you, as an astrologer and the author of Mercury Magic: How to Thrive During Retrogrades and Tap Into the Power of the Messenger Planet All Year Long, that it’s possible to capitalize on a pre-retrograde shadow.
When is the pre-retrograde shadow in October and November 2025?
This fall, Mercury is in its pre-retrograde shadow period from Tuesday, October 21 at 7:11 a.m. ET/4:11 a.m. PT until Mercury goes retrograde on Sunday, November 9 at 2:20 p.m. ET/11:20 a.m. PT. This third and final Mercury retrograde of 2025 will end on Saturday, November 29 at 12:38 p.m. ET/9:38 a.m. PT.
The pre-retrograde shadow kicks off when Mercury hits the exact degrees and minutes of the sign at which it’ll ultimately go direct (aka end its retrograde). So, on October 21 — and then again on November 29 — Mercury will be at 20°42 Scorpio.
What are the themes of the pre-retrograde shadow in October and November 2025?
With Mercury moving forward and then backward through, first, mutable fire sign Sagittarius and then, fixed water sign Scorpio, this pre-retrograde can teach you lessons related to your sense of adventure, thirst for knowledge, desire to explore philosophies and points of view outside of your own as well as your intimate relationships, rebirth, transformation, power dynamics within emotional bonds and shared financial goals.
Pro-tip: For a sense of what this Mercury retrograde could look like — as well as what the shadow could offer a sneak peek of — think back, if you can, to November 25 to December 15, 2024. That’s the last time Mercury took a backspin through Sagittarius (albeit not Scorpio!), so you may be in for a similar experience this go round. How the pre-Mercury retrograde shadow in October and November 2025 will impact your sign
Here is how the pre-Mercury retrograde shadow in Scorpio and Sagittarius will affect you — and what you can do now to make the most of the upcoming retrograde, based on your sign. (Be sure to read your rising sign, if you know it. If you don’t, you can find it in your birth chart or by using this CafeAstrology calculator.)
Aries
Before Mercury goes retrograde, you’ll get a sense of rockiness within your closest emotional bond that you might be working on smoothing over once the messenger planet is actually retrograde, because the shadow period kicks off in your intimacy sector. While you’re not the biggest fan of swimming in deep, challenging emotions, preferring to be direct and come up with a path forward then getting on with it, slowing down and reflecting on your needs — in and out of the bedroom — benefits your emotional well-being and relationship dynamics. And from October 29 until November 9, the shadow period activates your adventure zone, so take a moment to reflect on how you can even better trust your gut and act on your wanderlust in order to broaden your horizons going forward.
Click through for more on Aries.
Taurus
If there are unresolved issues you’ve been meaning to tend to within a one-on-one relationship — be it romantic, professional or platonic — you’re likely getting the sense that it’s time to be bold about addressing any discord, because Mercury is slowing down in your partnership sector to start. Even if you’re butting heads with someone over something that feels like it should be left in the past, you’ll do well to think about how you can tackle it once and for all now. Because Mercury then enters your shared resources sector on October 29, financial goals you share with a loved one or a significant other are now coming up for review.
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Gemini
You can’t help but feel Mercury’s moves more than other signs, given that it is your ruling planet, and right now, you’re likely feeling the effects of it slowing down in your health and routine sector, nudging you to review your self-care protocol and everyday hustle. If there’s something that’s no longer working for you, you have a chance to research and revise your approach. You might want to explore a game plan from the past, like taking a certain type of yoga you used to love or using a calendar system that once helped you feel more organized. Because Mercury then enters your partnership sector on October 29, you’ll also be musing about ways you can smooth over conflicts within your one-on-one bonds.
Click through for more on Gemini.
Cancer
This pre-retograde shadow could actually feel really playful and heartfelt, because it’s falling in your romance and self-expression sector. You could be realizing how much you’ve been putting fun, pleasure and chemistry with your significant other or someone special on the backburner. Now, you’re inspired to find ways to build in more room for spontaneity, joy and tapping into your artistic impulses. The shadow also impacts your wellness and routine zone, beginning October 29, offering you a sneak peek of the self-work you’ll be doing around streamlining your everyday schedule and being more intentional with the to-dos you say “yes” to in order to feel more balanced and less stressed.
Click through for more on Cancer.
Leo
What makes you feel most secure, and what emotional wounds have you been carrying around that finally need intense healing? These are questions that could arise while Mercury is in its pre-retrograde shadow in your home sector. You might be inspired to work through ongoing conflicts with loved ones or even deal with to-dos around your home that you’ve been putting off (think unpacked boxes or appliance repairs). From October 29 to November 9, the shadow impacts your romance and self-expression zone, and you could start itching for walks down memory lane that boost your sense of joy and infuse your sweetest bonds with more fun and pleasure. Whether you’ve been wanting to reconnect with a partner or explore a creative endeavor that was previously put on pause, now’s the moment to map out some bold moves.
Click through for more on Leo.
Virgo
Like Gemini, you tend to feel Mercury’s effects more than most signs, because it is your ruling planet, and this time, it’s offering a sneak peek of the coming retrograde in, first, your communication sector and then, your home zone. For starters, until October 29, the shadow could bring out that stereotypical retrograde chaos like feeling misunderstood, especially with friends, colleagues, neighbors and siblings if you have them. There’s also a super-frenetic tone to Mercury slowing down here, which could make you feel like you have to attend every brainstorm, create every presentation, tackle every errand and go full force socializing, before the retrograde begins. Try to remind yourself that you can take your time. Then, as the shadow impacts your home sector, you’ll be musing about ways tying up loose ends around the house as well as bonding with loved ones could boost your emotional well-being.
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Libra
Mercury begins its slowdown in your money sector, urging you to take a microscope to how you’re bringing in cash, your relationship to material possessions, your self-worth and your values. If it feels like something is off — like your job just isn’t aligned with your big picture goals any longer or you need to go to bat for a bump in pay, because it’s what you know you deserve — you can start thinking about any research or prep work you’ll need to do to revise your path. And after October 29, the Mercury shadow will impact your communication sector, which could set the stage for crossed wires when connecting with friends, colleagues, siblings and neighbors. The benefit of this transit, though, is the opportunity to reflect on and revise how you’re showing up and expressing yourself within these bonds.
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Scorpio
The Mercury pre-retrograde shadow begins in your sign, laying the groundwork for you to finesse how you’re showing up in the world. You could be inspired to refresh your wardrobe, brush up your resume or even go after a passion project you’ve been keeping in your back pocket. But don’t feel as if you have to hit the gas on that immediately. Slow and steady — which you tend to be a master of — is your best bet for the next few weeks. And after October 29, Mercury’s slowdown impacts your money sector, so take more care when earning, saving, investing or making other plans tied to your income. Get clear on what’s going in and out and you’ll be informed and empowered and prepared to make impactful revisions to your moneymaking plans once the retrograde hits.
Click through for more on Scorpio.
Sagittarius
Initially falling in your spirituality sector, the Mercury pre-retrograde shadow could have you feeling like slowing down, resting, recharging and prioritizing solo time, which isn’t exactly your M.O. most of the time. Trust that if you’re being called to engage in restorative mind-body practices over Halloween parties or other early holiday season festivities, there’s a reason, and you’ll benefit emotionally, mentally and physically by listening to your intuition. As of October 29, the retroshade will hit your sign and self-image sector, and you’ll have more energy to channel into pursuits that are close to your heart. Find room in your hectic schedule for dreaming and taking action tied to these goals, as it could set the stage for you to feel more truly seen and understood.
The pre-retrograde shadow is impacting your adventure and higher learning zone, cranking up restlessness while potentially making it a bit harder than usual to get out, address your wanderlust and soak up knowledge in the way you’re generally fired up to do. Instead, you’re being called to do self-work related to this area of your life. Over the next few weeks, you’ll be thinking about how you’ve satiated your desire to spread your wings in the past and to see if you can zhush any details that will make it easier to do that even more going forward. For example, you might map out a plan to go to bat for more flexibility on the job or reconnect with friends who adore travel just as much as you do.
Click here for more on Sagittarius.
Capricorn
Mercury’s shadow begins in your networking and long-term wishes sector, and you’ll become more aware of the team efforts and group activities that feel most aligned with your big picture goals. If you’ve been pouring your energy into collaborative projects that bore or frustrate you, you might want to start making moves to free yourself of these commitments in order to find experiences that are more aligned with who you are today. After October 29, Mercury shifts into your spirituality sector, which might make you feel less energetic and go-getter than usual. You may find that your intuition is compelling you to streamline your commitments in order to make more room for self-care and restorative practices (whether that’s walking at your favorite nature preserve or using a meditation app).
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Aquarius
The Mercury pre-retrograde shadow period falls in your career zone, so get ready for slowdowns, blasts from the past and potential crossed wires tied to your professional path. You could find yourself faced with having to make the same old case for more responsibility or facing misunderstandings with higher-ups. Either way, you’ll do well to embrace introspection over pushing forward, when possible. Now’s the time to review big picture goals and how you define success. From October 29 on, Mercury’s slowdown in your networking and long-term wishes sector challenges you to start to reassess the communities, groups and teams you consider yourself a part of.
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Pisces
This particular retroshade hits your adventure and higher learning sector to start, which could amplify restlessness. You could feel a bit aggravated if you’ve been feeling a surge of wanderlust you can’t seem to satiate. This upcoming retrograde will offer clarity around the “why” if you’re willing to be honest with yourself while tuning into your gut impulses. As Mercury’s shadow begins to impact your career sector as of October 29, you’ll be called to reflect on your professional path. Allow yourself to dream and meditate on how you’d like to make your mark in the public eye. While this more passive action might not spur immediate results, the self-work you do now can set you up for success down the road.
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