Mercury goes retrograde approximately three times a year, and in 2025, the retrograde periods are as follows:

• March 15th – April 7th: Mercury moves from 9° Aries to 26° Pisces
• July 18th – August 11th: Mercury moves from 15° Leo to 4° Leo
• November 9th – November 29th: Mercury moves from 6° Sagittarius to 20° Scorpio

Firstly what is a retrograde? 

A retrograde occurs when a planet appears to move backward in the sky due to an optical illusion caused by differences in planetary orbits. All the major planets (except the luminaries—the Sun and Moon) experience retrograde motion from time to time.

When a planet goes retrograde, its energy shifts, altering its influence and the best practices for working with it.

What is Mercury Retrograde all about?

Mercury rules communication, contracts, technology, local travel, and legal matters. It feels most at home in Virgo and Gemini and governs the 3rd House of Communication and the 6th House of Daily Routines and Health.

In a business chart, Mercury represents how a business communicates—its messaging, marketing, and intellectual processes.

During Mercury retrograde, however, this energy becomes unpredictable. Disruptions, technological glitches, and miscommunications are more likely to occur. Business owners may feel disoriented, stagnant, or like progress has slowed to a crawl.

How to Work With Mercury Retrograde in Business

Rather than pushing forward at full speed, Mercury retrograde is a time to pause, reflect, and reassess. Here’s how you can navigate this period effectively:

• Double-check everything: Proofread communications, review contracts, and confirm appointments.
• Avoid major launches and tech setups: If possible, delay launching new offerings, purchasing new technology, or signing contracts.
• Back up your data: Protect yourself from potential tech mishaps.
• Plan for delays: Be flexible with travel, timelines, and expectations.
• Revisit old projects: This is an ideal time to refine, rework, or relaunch something from the past.

But since Mercury retrogrades so frequently, it’s not always possible to avoid its effects. Instead, the key is to plan ahead, anticipate potential challenges, and have backup strategies in place. Miscommunications, delays, and tech hiccups are likely—so stay flexible and proactive.

By the time Mercury turns direct, if we’ve used this period for reflection and review, we’ll be well-positioned to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Interestingly, if your business chart has Mercury retrograde, you might experience this time differently. Rather than facing setbacks, you could find it to be a highly productive or even successful period for your business!

Mercury Retrograde in 2025: The Fire & Water Influence

This year, Mercury retrogrades through fire and water signs, blending the energies of creativity, inspiration, and individuality (fire) with flow, intuition, and emotional depth (water). Each retrograde will bring unique lessons and opportunities:

• March Retrograde (Aries/Pisces): Calls for balancing bold action with intuitive reflection. A great time to step back and assess business leadership, branding, and messaging while also embracing moments of retreat.
• July Retrograde (Leo): Encourages creative reconnection. Instead of launching, use this time for deep work on past projects or ideas that have been shelved or postponed.
• November Retrograde (Sagittarius/Scorpio): Focuses on vision, beliefs, and research. It’s a powerful time for refining long-term business goals and diving deep into strategy.

You may want to ask yourself

What lights your business fire?

and

How can you be more in flow with your business?

Where Is Mercury Retrograding in Your Chart?

Each Mercury retrograde will be influenced by the zodiac sign and house it occurs in within your business chart. (If you are not sure what the different houses represent in a business chart, then check out my business astrology basics free training.) The March retrograde (9° Aries – 26° Pisces), for example, will activate different business areas depending on where these degrees fall in your chart:

• Aries (Branding & Leadership): A time to reflect on how your business is showing up in the world. Where can you take a stand, express thought leadership, and shine?
• Pisces (Intuition & Flow): A call to slow down and embrace rest. With Venus also retrograde, this is an excellent period to take a break, reschedule a launch, or even go on a retreat.

Traditionally, Mercury is considered in detriment in Pisces, meaning it doesn’t function optimally. However, from a modern perspective, this transit enhances intuitive communication—though while retrograde, clarity may be elusive.

What This Means for You

Where does Mercury’s March 2025 retrograde fall in your business chart? This will indicate the areas where reflection and review are most needed.

For me, Mercury will retrograde over my business’s 8th House (transformation, external investment, and funding) & 7th House (business partnerships). I plan to use this time to refine my book chapters and book proposal, ensuring everything is in top shape before resubmitting to my publisher once Mercury and Venus turn direct.

By working with, rather than against, Mercury retrograde, you can harness its energy for deep reflection, refinement, and renewal—setting your business up for success once Mercury moves forward again.

Want more?

If you would like to learn more about business astrology, particularly planning and timing for your business based on astrology, check out my Level 2 Business Astrology Certification.