Mercury Retrograde Horoscopes

Mercury Retrograde gives us
A chance to show some heart

by Judi Vitale

Things have gone smoothly for most of us in many respects this summer, and many would say that's because Mercury has not been retrograde since last spring! Alas, every harbor that looks smooth as glass in the morning can get choppy later in the day, and as the summer season winds down it will do so under Mercury Retrograde from Aug. 2 - 26.

We'll need to prepare as we usually do: back up computer files, successfully upgrade systems and tend to motor vehicles to avoid potential foibles and breakdowns before the actual retrograde takes place.

Because Mercury is in Leo for the bulk of this retrograde period (Aug. 8 - 21), we'll be called upon to revisit the way we stand behind what we believe, think and say. Leo has trouble settling for less than the very best we can muster, so prepare for challenges that push you to be the best person you can be, both in terms of professional performance and personal integrity.

See how Mercury Retrograde in August 2011 will affect YOUR zodiac sign:

Aries (March 21 - April 19)
Life is probably going along well for you right now, but huge planets such as Uranus and Pluto don't leave you with much control over it. That's why you'll be a little disturbed when the things you want to do for fun are harder to achieve than you think they should be. That plan you had for a weekend at the beach with friends from school or an old job could turn out to be faulty when you find out you scheduled it over an event involving your family, children or concert tickets you bought before. Oops! Your best bet is to ask yourself, when faced with too many options, what "fun" really means to you, and then make that your priority. You'll want to do the things that keep that blissful smile plastered across your face as long as possible.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
The powers that be seem to think you have a little work to do on a domestic situation. While you may have to refurbish a family relationship or smooth ruffled feathers, or even just dust around the house, this could also involve a home improvement project or real estate deal. Although this is no time to sign on the dotted line, you can make a lot of progress investigating the issues that will make or break a deal. Some people from your distant past could also make an appearance, either while they're visiting their own relatives in your town or as guests in your home. You'll need to enforce whatever houseguest policies you have, of course, but remain open to the idea that there's little else that beats sharing quality time with people who know and share your history.

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)
This could be a particularly tough period for you because communication, transportation and connections -- most of the top starters on your "fun to-do" list -- will be impaired by the temporary absence of Mercury magic. You will need to be vigilant about your commitment to making things work in your life. Your relationship with a brother, sister or perhaps a neighbor could remind you how important it is to consider the way things you say will be interpreted before you let them come out of your mouth. You might also need to apologize for what another person deems to be insensitive. If you work in a field such as IT or public relations, make sure you're fully aware of what your customers want, because you run the risk of sweating hard over something that eventually gets taken back to the drawing board.

Cancer (June 21 - July 22)
You like to pretend there isn't such a thing as money worries, or at least to let someone else take care of them for you. The fact remains, though, that you need to be meticulous when it comes to counting up your assets. The fact that you need security so much won't be lost on you, especially if you feel your money supply is threatened for any reason. It's time to check and recheck the ledgers to ensure you have everything lined up the way you want. You might also hear about an expense you hoped had been overlooked, such as an old traffic ticket or late payment on a credit card. We all must pay the piper, and even if you have to suffer slightly, the lessons learned will be worth the tiny bit of pain you may have to suffer.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22)
You probably won't complain much about having Mercury go back into your sign for its retrograde because this will make it easier to focus on one of your favorite topics -- you and your image! It isn't easy being royalty -- it's so much of a front to keep up, after all! Still, you want to bring out the best of all your qualities and present them in a way that allows you to establish and maintain the stellar reputation you deserve. Work on the art of communication, especially, and avoid being critical of others. Instead, lead by example, and try not to blow a gasket should you run into a technical glitch with your computer or get a flat tire. It's all about slowing down and paying more attention to every gesture you make, each nuance you convey and the cool and confident package you present to the world.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22)
You could get slightly frustrated as this Mercury Retrograde grinds on, because when you're not doing something that lets you be of service, you figure you might as well not be doing anything at all! Maybe the lesson you're supposed to get right now is along the lines of "chill." While summer's still here, it really is totally permissible to take an afternoon here or there to sit safely in the sun and watch the clouds go buy. Now, can you do it without counting them or wishing you could get up there to rearrange them? Until you reach a point where you can let go of trying to control every bit of information that comes into your mind, you won't be open to inspiration. Rest, relax and allow yourself to redesign your life so you can take yourself out on a date every now and then. You well might meet up with your hot and steamy creative core.

Mercury Retrograde in Leo 2011 Horoscopes | Tarot.com -- Continued »