Mercury Goes Retrograde for Thanksgiving

Something to Be Thankful for this Year -- Really!

The holiday season can be stressful, and this year, it kicks off with Mercury turning retrograde on Thanksgiving Day. Be prepared for the usual shenanigans that happen when the communication planet moves backward -- travel woes, electronic snafus, and epic misunderstandings. But Mercury retrograde doesn't completely deserve its negative reputation. It may be a bad time for moving forward, but it's an excellent time for tying up loose ends, finding closure, and reflecting on what the past can teach us. This Mercury Retrograde cycle coincides with two other key cosmic events: the Sun's move into uplifting Sagittarius, and the New Moon Solar Eclipse. Let's take a look at what it all means, and how we can make the most of it.

Sun in Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

The Sun shifts from scrutinizing Scorpio to happy-go-lucky Sagittarius on Tuesday, November 22. Sagittarius is the Archer, with an arrow aimed at a target high in the sky and far away. During this time, we'll be feeling more aspirational, dreaming of travel to faraway places and what we want our future to look like. It's no coincidence that Sagittarius is connected to bountiful, generous Jupiter, and that the Sun moves into this sign right before we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. Sagittarius' optimism will help lighten the mood of Mercury retrograde, and this signs' good humor might even give us occasion to laugh about the mishaps we're likely to encounter during this time. It's best to daydream about the future during Mercury's three-week retrograde cycle -- once it's over, then you can use that Sagittarian inspiration to turn it into reality. Get your Sun in Sagittarius Horoscopes »

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius (November 25)

This New Moon echoes the push-and-pull of the Sun in Sagittarius during Mercury retrograde. New Moons signal new beginnings, and fill us with refreshing energy and enthusiasm. When this Moon phase happens in the sign of the Archer, we find ourselves wanting to take risks and set off on new adventures. Solar eclipses, however, pull us back, forcing us to finish unfinished business before we forge ahead. Think of the Solar Eclipse as Mercury retrograde's enforcer, making sure we slow down and don't let that freedom-loving Sagittarian energy go to our heads. Get your New Moon Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius Horoscopes »

Mercury Retrograde (November 24 - December 13)

So what's likely to happen with Mercury going backwards on Thanksgiving Day? Travel problems that prevent guests from getting dinner on time, or at all. Cooking appliances may go on the fritz. Senseless spats with family members may arise. You may forget to buy the wine before all the stores close for the holiday. Make your Thanksgiving to-do list well in advance, and check it twice. And a third time. The better prepared you are for Mercury retrograde, the more catastrophes you'll be able to avoid. Get your Mercury Retrograde Horoscopes »

The bottom line is, you don't have to let Mercury retrograde rain all over your Thanksgiving Day parade. Both Mercury retrograde and Thanksgiving are times for reflection. Instead of focusing on what's going wrong, be thankful for what's going right. Ground yourself in gratitude for your family and friends. Channel the good nature of Sagittarius and laugh. And look at the bright side: there's always Thanksgiving 2013! (Yes, Mercury will be retrograde for Thanksgiving 2012, too.)