Mercury retrograde · 2038
Mercury retrograde 2038: dates, degrees and what it means for each sign
Everything about Mercury retrograde in 2038 in one place: the exact station dates and degrees, the shadow periods, which other planets are retrograde at the same time, and a reading with practical advice for each of the twelve signs.
Mercury is retrograde three times in 2038: March 18 – April 10 (Aries back into Pisces), July 21 – August 14 (Leo) and November 12 – December 2 (Sagittarius back into Scorpio). With the shadow periods, each cycle lasts about eight weeks. Astrologers read it as a time to re-read, back up and finish rather than to launch.
Mercury retrograde 2038: the dates
- March 18 – April 10, 2038 (23 days). Mercury stations retrograde on March 18, 2038 at 06:07 UTC, at 12°22′ Aries, backs into Pisces on April 8. Mercury stations direct on April 10, 2038 at 12:12 UTC, at 29°50′ Pisces.
- July 21 – August 14, 2038 (24 days). Mercury stations retrograde on July 21, 2038 at 06:59 UTC, at 18°35′ Leo. Mercury stations direct on August 14, 2038 at 08:49 UTC, at 7°03′ Leo.
- November 12 – December 2, 2038 (19 days). Mercury stations retrograde on November 12, 2038 at 14:56 UTC, at 9°25′ Sagittarius, backs into Scorpio on November 23. Mercury stations direct on December 2, 2038 at 12:30 UTC, at 23°14′ Scorpio.
Mercury is retrograde three or four times a year, for about three weeks each time. In 2038 every one of them begins in a fire sign.
Times are UTC. Nothing reverses in space: retrograde motion is the apparent backward drift a planet shows when Earth overtakes it (or, for Mercury and Venus, when the planet overtakes Earth).
Mercury retrograde 2038: all dates
| Retrograde (UTC dates) | From | To | Shadow period | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18 – Apr 10, 2038 | 12° Aries | 29° Pisces | Mar 4 – Apr 29, 2038 | 23 days |
| Jul 21 – Aug 14, 2038 | 18° Leo | 7° Leo | Jul 3 – Aug 28, 2038 | 24 days |
| Nov 12 – Dec 2, 2038 | 9° Sagittarius | 23° Scorpio | Oct 24 – Dec 20, 2038 | 19 days |
Computed from NASA JPL Horizons (geocentric positions in the tropical zodiac). The shadow period runs from the day the planet first crosses the degree where it will turn direct to the day it passes the degree where it turned retrograde.
Mercury retrograde Mar 18 – Apr 10, 2038: key dates
| Date (UTC) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Mar 4, 2038 | Pre-retrograde shadow begins: Mercury first crosses 29°50′ Pisces, the degree where it will later turn direct |
| Mar 18, 2038, 06:07 UTC | Mercury stations retrograde at 12°22′ Aries |
| Apr 8, 2038 | Mercury backs out of Aries into Pisces |
| Apr 10, 2038, 12:12 UTC | Mercury stations direct at 29°50′ Pisces |
| Apr 12, 2038 | Mercury re-enters Aries, moving forward |
| Apr 29, 2038 | Post-retrograde shadow ends: Mercury passes 12°22′ Aries again and covers new ground |
Computed from NASA JPL Horizons. A station in the first hours of a UTC day falls on the previous evening in the Americas.
Mercury retrograde Jul 21 – Aug 14, 2038: key dates
| Date (UTC) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Jul 3, 2038 | Pre-retrograde shadow begins: Mercury first crosses 7°03′ Leo, the degree where it will later turn direct |
| Jul 21, 2038, 06:59 UTC | Mercury stations retrograde at 18°35′ Leo |
| Aug 14, 2038, 08:49 UTC | Mercury stations direct at 7°03′ Leo |
| Aug 28, 2038 | Post-retrograde shadow ends: Mercury passes 18°35′ Leo again and covers new ground |
Computed from NASA JPL Horizons. A station in the first hours of a UTC day falls on the previous evening in the Americas.
Mercury retrograde Nov 12 – Dec 2, 2038: key dates
| Date (UTC) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Oct 24, 2038 | Pre-retrograde shadow begins: Mercury first crosses 23°14′ Scorpio, the degree where it will later turn direct |
| Nov 12, 2038, 14:56 UTC | Mercury stations retrograde at 9°25′ Sagittarius |
| Nov 23, 2038 | Mercury backs out of Sagittarius into Scorpio |
| Dec 2, 2038, 12:30 UTC | Mercury stations direct at 23°14′ Scorpio |
| Dec 12, 2038 | Mercury re-enters Sagittarius, moving forward |
| Dec 20, 2038 | Post-retrograde shadow ends: Mercury passes 9°25′ Sagittarius again and covers new ground |
Computed from NASA JPL Horizons. A station in the first hours of a UTC day falls on the previous evening in the Americas.
What else is retrograde at the same time
Retrogrades overlap, and astrologers read them together. These planets are also retrograde during at least part of each period:
- Mar 18 – Apr 10, 2038: Saturn (Dec 26, 2037 – May 11, 2038), Uranus (Oct 30, 2037 – Mar 28, 2038).
- Jul 21 – Aug 14, 2038: Neptune (Aug 4, 2038 – Jan 8, 2039), Pluto (May 25 – Nov 4, 2038).
- Nov 12 – Dec 2, 2038: Uranus (Nov 3, 2038 – Apr 1, 2039), Neptune (Aug 4, 2038 – Jan 8, 2039).
The whole year is on the retrograde calendar 2038.
What Mercury retrograde means in 2038
In astrology Mercury stands for communication, plans, travel, contracts and technology. Mercury retrograde is read as a review of how you think, talk and organise: messages cross, plans get revised, and people and conversations from the past return. In Aries the subject is independence, initiative, courage and how you start things. In Pisces the subject is faith, compassion, imagination and endings. In Leo the subject is confidence, creativity, romance and the need to be seen. In Sagittarius the subject is beliefs, travel, study and the search for meaning. In Scorpio the subject is trust, intimacy, shared resources and what stays hidden.
Who notices it most. For Mar 18 – Apr 10, 2038 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets from 29° Pisces to 12° Aries, and at the matching degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. For Jul 21 – Aug 14, 2038 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets between 7° and 18° of Leo, and at the same degrees of Taurus, Scorpio and Aquarius. For Nov 12 – Dec 2, 2038 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets from 23° Scorpio to 9° Sagittarius, and at the matching degrees of Taurus, Leo, Aquarius, Gemini, Virgo and Pisces. Everyone else can read it through the house it falls in, below.
What to do
Back up your devices, confirm times and bookings, and re-read before you sign or send. It is a good period for editing, repairing and finishing; brand-new contracts and big launches go more smoothly once Mercury is direct. The longer guide, with the astronomy and the reading of a natal Mercury retrograde, is on the Mercury retrograde page.
Mercury retrograde Mar 18 – Apr 10, 2038 for each sign
Read your rising sign first if you know it, since it sets the houses; then your Sun sign. Houses are counted from your sign in whole-sign style. The birthdays show whose Sun the retrograde touches directly: Mercury covers 29° Pisces to 12° Aries, and the Sun moves about one degree a day, so the dates are approximate.
Aries: 1st house, then 12th
Until Apr 8 (Aries), 1st house: your body, identity and how you come across. You rethink how you present yourself and what you say you want, and old statements get quoted back at you. What to do: re-read anything you send about yourself, from a bio to an application to a big announcement, and change your mind openly if you need to.
From Apr 8 (Pisces), 12th house: rest, solitude, endings and what you keep private. The noise is inside: overthinking, vivid dreams and things you never said. What to do: write it down before you say it, sleep more, and finish something privately before you announce it.
Strongest for Aries born around March 20 – April 2 (Sun at 0°–12°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Taurus: 12th house, then 11th
Until Apr 8 (Aries), 12th house: rest, solitude, endings and what you keep private. The noise is inside: overthinking, vivid dreams and things you never said. What to do: write it down before you say it, sleep more, and finish something privately before you announce it.
From Apr 8 (Pisces), 11th house: friends, groups and long-term hopes. Group chats misfire, plans with friends fall through, and old friends reappear. What to do: confirm arrangements twice, reconnect with one person you lost touch with, and review the goals you set a year ago.
Easier for Taurus born around May 19–20 (Sun at 29°–29°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Gemini: 11th house, then 10th
Until Apr 8 (Aries), 11th house: friends, groups and long-term hopes. Group chats misfire, plans with friends fall through, and old friends reappear. What to do: confirm arrangements twice, reconnect with one person you lost touch with, and review the goals you set a year ago.
From Apr 8 (Pisces), 10th house: career, reputation and public role. Career conversations loop back: a delayed decision, a former boss, a public statement you want to rephrase. What to do: update your CV and portfolio, re-read before you publish, and follow up on an application you had given up on.
Easier for Gemini born around May 21 – June 3 (Sun at 0°–12°): Mercury sextiles your Sun. Strongest for Gemini born around June 19–20 (Sun at 29°–29°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Cancer: 10th house, then 9th
Until Apr 8 (Aries), 10th house: career, reputation and public role. Career conversations loop back: a delayed decision, a former boss, a public statement you want to rephrase. What to do: update your CV and portfolio, re-read before you publish, and follow up on an application you had given up on.
From Apr 8 (Pisces), 9th house: travel, study, beliefs and publishing. Travel plans, courses, visas and publishing dates shift, and you revise an opinion you were sure of. What to do: recheck bookings and documents, leave slack in an itinerary, and return to a course or a text you left unfinished.
Strongest for Cancer born around June 21 – July 4 (Sun at 0°–12°): Mercury squares your Sun. Easier for Cancer born around July 20–21 (Sun at 29°–29°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Leo: 9th house, then 8th
Until Apr 8 (Aries), 9th house: travel, study, beliefs and publishing. Travel plans, courses, visas and publishing dates shift, and you revise an opinion you were sure of. What to do: recheck bookings and documents, leave slack in an itinerary, and return to a course or a text you left unfinished.
From Apr 8 (Pisces), 8th house: shared money, debts, intimacy and trust. Shared money, taxes, debts and insurance paperwork come back with corrections, and so do conversations about trust. What to do: go through joint accounts and old forms carefully, and have the honest talk in two calm parts.
Easier for Leo born around July 22 – August 4 (Sun at 0°–12°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Virgo: 8th house, then 7th
Until Apr 8 (Aries), 8th house: shared money, debts, intimacy and trust. Shared money, taxes, debts and insurance paperwork come back with corrections, and so do conversations about trust. What to do: go through joint accounts and old forms carefully, and have the honest talk in two calm parts.
From Apr 8 (Pisces), 7th house: partnerships, marriage and one-to-one relationships. Misunderstandings with a partner or a client; a past partner may get in touch, and agreements need rewording. What to do: ask what the other person actually meant, and re-read a contract with a partner or client before you sign.
Strongest for Virgo born around September 21–22 (Sun at 29°–29°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Libra: 7th house, then 6th
Until Apr 8 (Aries), 7th house: partnerships, marriage and one-to-one relationships. Misunderstandings with a partner or a client; a past partner may get in touch, and agreements need rewording. What to do: ask what the other person actually meant, and re-read a contract with a partner or client before you sign.
From Apr 8 (Pisces), 6th house: daily work, routines and health habits. Work details slip: calendars, handovers, tools, and small errors that multiply. What to do: double-check deadlines and files, clean up your task list, and rebuild one routine that stopped working.
Strongest for Libra born around September 23 – October 6 (Sun at 0°–12°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Scorpio: 6th house, then 5th
Until Apr 8 (Aries), 6th house: daily work, routines and health habits. Work details slip: calendars, handovers, tools, and small errors that multiply. What to do: double-check deadlines and files, clean up your task list, and rebuild one routine that stopped working.
From Apr 8 (Pisces), 5th house: romance, creativity, children and fun. An old flame, an old hobby or an unfinished creative draft comes back, and plans for fun get rescheduled. What to do: edit the draft instead of starting a new one, and treat a returning romance as a conversation to finish, with the decision later.
Easier for Scorpio born around November 21–22 (Sun at 29°–29°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Sagittarius: 5th house, then 4th
Until Apr 8 (Aries), 5th house: romance, creativity, children and fun. An old flame, an old hobby or an unfinished creative draft comes back, and plans for fun get rescheduled. What to do: edit the draft instead of starting a new one, and treat a returning romance as a conversation to finish, with the decision later.
From Apr 8 (Pisces), 4th house: home, family, roots and where you live. Home and family logistics get tangled: leases, repairs, a talk with a parent that you have had before. What to do: recheck the paperwork about where you live, finish the repair you started, and let a family conversation take two rounds.
Easier for Sagittarius born around November 22 – December 5 (Sun at 0°–12°): Mercury trines your Sun. Strongest for Sagittarius born around December 21–22 (Sun at 29°–29°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Capricorn: 4th house, then 3rd
Until Apr 8 (Aries), 4th house: home, family, roots and where you live. Home and family logistics get tangled: leases, repairs, a talk with a parent that you have had before. What to do: recheck the paperwork about where you live, finish the repair you started, and let a family conversation take two rounds.
From Apr 8 (Pisces), 3rd house: communication, learning, siblings and short trips. Messages cross, short trips change, and siblings or neighbours resurface with unfinished conversations. What to do: confirm times and addresses, back up your phone, and reply after a second read rather than at once.
Strongest for Capricorn born around December 21 – January 4 (Sun at 0°–12°): Mercury squares your Sun. Easier for Capricorn born around January 20–21 (Sun at 29°–29°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Aquarius: 3rd house, then 2nd
Until Apr 8 (Aries), 3rd house: communication, learning, siblings and short trips. Messages cross, short trips change, and siblings or neighbours resurface with unfinished conversations. What to do: confirm times and addresses, back up your phone, and reply after a second read rather than at once.
From Apr 8 (Pisces), 2nd house: money, income, possessions and self-worth. Bills, invoices, subscriptions and price quotes need a second look; a payment can arrive late or wrong. What to do: check statements line by line, chase what you are owed, and re-read the terms before any purchase you could postpone.
Easier for Aquarius born around January 20 – February 2 (Sun at 0°–12°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Pisces: 2nd house, then 1st
Until Apr 8 (Aries), 2nd house: money, income, possessions and self-worth. Bills, invoices, subscriptions and price quotes need a second look; a payment can arrive late or wrong. What to do: check statements line by line, chase what you are owed, and re-read the terms before any purchase you could postpone.
From Apr 8 (Pisces), 1st house: your body, identity and how you come across. You rethink how you present yourself and what you say you want, and old statements get quoted back at you. What to do: re-read anything you send about yourself, from a bio to an application to a big announcement, and change your mind openly if you need to.
Strongest for Pisces born around March 20–21 (Sun at 29°–29°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Mercury retrograde Jul 21 – Aug 14, 2038 for each sign
Read your rising sign first if you know it, since it sets the houses; then your Sun sign. Houses are counted from your sign in whole-sign style. The birthdays show whose Sun the retrograde touches directly: Mercury covers 7° Leo to 18° Leo, and the Sun moves about one degree a day, so the dates are approximate.
Aries: 5th house
Area of life: romance, creativity, children and fun. An old flame, an old hobby or an unfinished creative draft comes back, and plans for fun get rescheduled. What to do: edit the draft instead of starting a new one, and treat a returning romance as a conversation to finish, with the decision later.
Easier for Aries born around March 27 – April 8 (Sun at 7°–18°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Taurus: 4th house
Area of life: home, family, roots and where you live. Home and family logistics get tangled: leases, repairs, a talk with a parent that you have had before. What to do: recheck the paperwork about where you live, finish the repair you started, and let a family conversation take two rounds.
Strongest for Taurus born around April 27 – May 9 (Sun at 7°–18°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Gemini: 3rd house
Area of life: communication, learning, siblings and short trips. Messages cross, short trips change, and siblings or neighbours resurface with unfinished conversations. What to do: confirm times and addresses, back up your phone, and reply after a second read rather than at once.
Easier for Gemini born around May 28 – June 9 (Sun at 7°–18°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Cancer: 2nd house
Area of life: money, income, possessions and self-worth. Bills, invoices, subscriptions and price quotes need a second look; a payment can arrive late or wrong. What to do: check statements line by line, chase what you are owed, and re-read the terms before any purchase you could postpone.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Cancer Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Leo: 1st house
Area of life: your body, identity and how you come across. You rethink how you present yourself and what you say you want, and old statements get quoted back at you. What to do: re-read anything you send about yourself, from a bio to an application to a big announcement, and change your mind openly if you need to.
Strongest for Leo born around July 29 – August 11 (Sun at 7°–18°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Virgo: 12th house
Area of life: rest, solitude, endings and what you keep private. The noise is inside: overthinking, vivid dreams and things you never said. What to do: write it down before you say it, sleep more, and finish something privately before you announce it.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Virgo Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Libra: 11th house
Area of life: friends, groups and long-term hopes. Group chats misfire, plans with friends fall through, and old friends reappear. What to do: confirm arrangements twice, reconnect with one person you lost touch with, and review the goals you set a year ago.
Easier for Libra born around September 30 – October 12 (Sun at 7°–18°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Scorpio: 10th house
Area of life: career, reputation and public role. Career conversations loop back: a delayed decision, a former boss, a public statement you want to rephrase. What to do: update your CV and portfolio, re-read before you publish, and follow up on an application you had given up on.
Strongest for Scorpio born around October 30 – November 11 (Sun at 7°–18°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Sagittarius: 9th house
Area of life: travel, study, beliefs and publishing. Travel plans, courses, visas and publishing dates shift, and you revise an opinion you were sure of. What to do: recheck bookings and documents, leave slack in an itinerary, and return to a course or a text you left unfinished.
Easier for Sagittarius born around November 29 – December 11 (Sun at 7°–18°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Capricorn: 8th house
Area of life: shared money, debts, intimacy and trust. Shared money, taxes, debts and insurance paperwork come back with corrections, and so do conversations about trust. What to do: go through joint accounts and old forms carefully, and have the honest talk in two calm parts.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Capricorn Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Aquarius: 7th house
Area of life: partnerships, marriage and one-to-one relationships. Misunderstandings with a partner or a client; a past partner may get in touch, and agreements need rewording. What to do: ask what the other person actually meant, and re-read a contract with a partner or client before you sign.
Strongest for Aquarius born around January 27 – February 8 (Sun at 7°–18°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Pisces: 6th house
Area of life: daily work, routines and health habits. Work details slip: calendars, handovers, tools, and small errors that multiply. What to do: double-check deadlines and files, clean up your task list, and rebuild one routine that stopped working.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Pisces Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Mercury retrograde Nov 12 – Dec 2, 2038 for each sign
Read your rising sign first if you know it, since it sets the houses; then your Sun sign. Houses are counted from your sign in whole-sign style. The birthdays show whose Sun the retrograde touches directly: Mercury covers 23° Scorpio to 9° Sagittarius, and the Sun moves about one degree a day, so the dates are approximate.
Aries: 9th house, then 8th
Until Nov 23 (Sagittarius), 9th house: travel, study, beliefs and publishing. Travel plans, courses, visas and publishing dates shift, and you revise an opinion you were sure of. What to do: recheck bookings and documents, leave slack in an itinerary, and return to a course or a text you left unfinished.
From Nov 23 (Scorpio), 8th house: shared money, debts, intimacy and trust. Shared money, taxes, debts and insurance paperwork come back with corrections, and so do conversations about trust. What to do: go through joint accounts and old forms carefully, and have the honest talk in two calm parts.
Easier for Aries born around March 20–30 (Sun at 0°–9°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Taurus: 8th house, then 7th
Until Nov 23 (Sagittarius), 8th house: shared money, debts, intimacy and trust. Shared money, taxes, debts and insurance paperwork come back with corrections, and so do conversations about trust. What to do: go through joint accounts and old forms carefully, and have the honest talk in two calm parts.
From Nov 23 (Scorpio), 7th house: partnerships, marriage and one-to-one relationships. Misunderstandings with a partner or a client; a past partner may get in touch, and agreements need rewording. What to do: ask what the other person actually meant, and re-read a contract with a partner or client before you sign.
Strongest for Taurus born around May 13–20 (Sun at 23°–29°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Gemini: 7th house, then 6th
Until Nov 23 (Sagittarius), 7th house: partnerships, marriage and one-to-one relationships. Misunderstandings with a partner or a client; a past partner may get in touch, and agreements need rewording. What to do: ask what the other person actually meant, and re-read a contract with a partner or client before you sign.
From Nov 23 (Scorpio), 6th house: daily work, routines and health habits. Work details slip: calendars, handovers, tools, and small errors that multiply. What to do: double-check deadlines and files, clean up your task list, and rebuild one routine that stopped working.
Strongest for Gemini born around May 21–31 (Sun at 0°–9°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Cancer: 6th house, then 5th
Until Nov 23 (Sagittarius), 6th house: daily work, routines and health habits. Work details slip: calendars, handovers, tools, and small errors that multiply. What to do: double-check deadlines and files, clean up your task list, and rebuild one routine that stopped working.
From Nov 23 (Scorpio), 5th house: romance, creativity, children and fun. An old flame, an old hobby or an unfinished creative draft comes back, and plans for fun get rescheduled. What to do: edit the draft instead of starting a new one, and treat a returning romance as a conversation to finish, with the decision later.
Easier for Cancer born around July 14–21 (Sun at 23°–29°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Leo: 5th house, then 4th
Until Nov 23 (Sagittarius), 5th house: romance, creativity, children and fun. An old flame, an old hobby or an unfinished creative draft comes back, and plans for fun get rescheduled. What to do: edit the draft instead of starting a new one, and treat a returning romance as a conversation to finish, with the decision later.
From Nov 23 (Scorpio), 4th house: home, family, roots and where you live. Home and family logistics get tangled: leases, repairs, a talk with a parent that you have had before. What to do: recheck the paperwork about where you live, finish the repair you started, and let a family conversation take two rounds.
Easier for Leo born around July 22 – August 1 (Sun at 0°–9°): Mercury trines your Sun. Strongest for Leo born around August 15–22 (Sun at 23°–29°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Virgo: 4th house, then 3rd
Until Nov 23 (Sagittarius), 4th house: home, family, roots and where you live. Home and family logistics get tangled: leases, repairs, a talk with a parent that you have had before. What to do: recheck the paperwork about where you live, finish the repair you started, and let a family conversation take two rounds.
From Nov 23 (Scorpio), 3rd house: communication, learning, siblings and short trips. Messages cross, short trips change, and siblings or neighbours resurface with unfinished conversations. What to do: confirm times and addresses, back up your phone, and reply after a second read rather than at once.
Strongest for Virgo born around August 23 – September 2 (Sun at 0°–9°): Mercury squares your Sun. Easier for Virgo born around September 15–22 (Sun at 23°–29°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Libra: 3rd house, then 2nd
Until Nov 23 (Sagittarius), 3rd house: communication, learning, siblings and short trips. Messages cross, short trips change, and siblings or neighbours resurface with unfinished conversations. What to do: confirm times and addresses, back up your phone, and reply after a second read rather than at once.
From Nov 23 (Scorpio), 2nd house: money, income, possessions and self-worth. Bills, invoices, subscriptions and price quotes need a second look; a payment can arrive late or wrong. What to do: check statements line by line, chase what you are owed, and re-read the terms before any purchase you could postpone.
Easier for Libra born around September 23 – October 3 (Sun at 0°–9°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Scorpio: 2nd house, then 1st
Until Nov 23 (Sagittarius), 2nd house: money, income, possessions and self-worth. Bills, invoices, subscriptions and price quotes need a second look; a payment can arrive late or wrong. What to do: check statements line by line, chase what you are owed, and re-read the terms before any purchase you could postpone.
From Nov 23 (Scorpio), 1st house: your body, identity and how you come across. You rethink how you present yourself and what you say you want, and old statements get quoted back at you. What to do: re-read anything you send about yourself, from a bio to an application to a big announcement, and change your mind openly if you need to.
Strongest for Scorpio born around November 15–22 (Sun at 23°–29°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Sagittarius: 1st house, then 12th
Until Nov 23 (Sagittarius), 1st house: your body, identity and how you come across. You rethink how you present yourself and what you say you want, and old statements get quoted back at you. What to do: re-read anything you send about yourself, from a bio to an application to a big announcement, and change your mind openly if you need to.
From Nov 23 (Scorpio), 12th house: rest, solitude, endings and what you keep private. The noise is inside: overthinking, vivid dreams and things you never said. What to do: write it down before you say it, sleep more, and finish something privately before you announce it.
Strongest for Sagittarius born around November 22 – December 2 (Sun at 0°–9°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Capricorn: 12th house, then 11th
Until Nov 23 (Sagittarius), 12th house: rest, solitude, endings and what you keep private. The noise is inside: overthinking, vivid dreams and things you never said. What to do: write it down before you say it, sleep more, and finish something privately before you announce it.
From Nov 23 (Scorpio), 11th house: friends, groups and long-term hopes. Group chats misfire, plans with friends fall through, and old friends reappear. What to do: confirm arrangements twice, reconnect with one person you lost touch with, and review the goals you set a year ago.
Easier for Capricorn born around January 14–21 (Sun at 23°–29°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Aquarius: 11th house, then 10th
Until Nov 23 (Sagittarius), 11th house: friends, groups and long-term hopes. Group chats misfire, plans with friends fall through, and old friends reappear. What to do: confirm arrangements twice, reconnect with one person you lost touch with, and review the goals you set a year ago.
From Nov 23 (Scorpio), 10th house: career, reputation and public role. Career conversations loop back: a delayed decision, a former boss, a public statement you want to rephrase. What to do: update your CV and portfolio, re-read before you publish, and follow up on an application you had given up on.
Easier for Aquarius born around January 20–30 (Sun at 0°–9°): Mercury sextiles your Sun. Strongest for Aquarius born around February 12–19 (Sun at 23°–29°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Pisces: 10th house, then 9th
Until Nov 23 (Sagittarius), 10th house: career, reputation and public role. Career conversations loop back: a delayed decision, a former boss, a public statement you want to rephrase. What to do: update your CV and portfolio, re-read before you publish, and follow up on an application you had given up on.
From Nov 23 (Scorpio), 9th house: travel, study, beliefs and publishing. Travel plans, courses, visas and publishing dates shift, and you revise an opinion you were sure of. What to do: recheck bookings and documents, leave slack in an itinerary, and return to a course or a text you left unfinished.
Strongest for Pisces born around February 18–28 (Sun at 0°–9°): Mercury squares your Sun. Easier for Pisces born around March 13–21 (Sun at 23°–29°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Mercury retrograde 2038: questions
When is Mercury retrograde in 2038?
In 2038: March 18 – April 10 (Aries back into Pisces); July 21 – August 14 (Leo); November 12 – December 2 (Sagittarius back into Scorpio). Dates are UTC.
When does Mercury go direct in 2038?
Mercury stations direct on April 10, 2038 at 12:12 UTC, at 29°50′ Pisces. Mercury stations direct on August 14, 2038 at 08:49 UTC, at 7°03′ Leo. Mercury stations direct on December 2, 2038 at 12:30 UTC, at 23°14′ Scorpio.
Which sign is Mercury retrograde in during 2038?
Mar 18 – Apr 10, 2038: from 12°22′ Aries back to 29°50′ Pisces. Jul 21 – Aug 14, 2038: from 18°35′ Leo back to 7°03′ Leo. Nov 12 – Dec 2, 2038: from 9°25′ Sagittarius back to 23°14′ Scorpio.
When is the Mercury retrograde shadow period in 2038?
For the Mar 18 – Apr 10, 2038 retrograde the pre-shadow begins on March 4, 2038 and the post-shadow ends on April 29, 2038. For the Jul 21 – Aug 14, 2038 retrograde the pre-shadow begins on July 3, 2038 and the post-shadow ends on August 28, 2038. For the Nov 12 – Dec 2, 2038 retrograde the pre-shadow begins on October 24, 2038 and the post-shadow ends on December 20, 2038.
Who is most affected by Mercury retrograde in 2038?
For Mar 18 – Apr 10, 2038 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets from 29° Pisces to 12° Aries, and at the matching degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn. For Jul 21 – Aug 14, 2038 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets between 7° and 18° of Leo, and at the same degrees of Taurus, Scorpio and Aquarius. For Nov 12 – Dec 2, 2038 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets from 23° Scorpio to 9° Sagittarius, and at the matching degrees of Taurus, Leo, Aquarius, Gemini, Virgo and Pisces. Others feel it through the house it falls in for their rising sign.
Is Mercury retrograde in 2039?
Yes: March 1 – March 23, 2039; July 2 – July 27, 2039; October 27 – November 16, 2039.
Sources
The checkable facts on this page come from these external sources. The astrological interpretation is our own.
- Horizons System (planetary ephemeris service) · NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryMercury in 2038, computed from JPL Horizons positions: retrograde 2038-03-18 06:07 UTC at 12°22′ Aries, direct 2038-04-10 12:12 UTC at 29°50′ Pisces; retrograde 2038-07-21 06:59 UTC at 18°35′ Leo, direct 2038-08-14 08:49 UTC at 7°03′ Leo; retrograde 2038-11-12 14:56 UTC at 9°25′ Sagittarius, direct 2038-12-02 12:30 UTC at 23°14′ Scorpio
- Mercury Facts · NASAMercury orbits the Sun every 88 Earth days, faster than any other planet
- What does it mean for Mercury to be in retrograde? · NASARetrograde motion is an apparent change in a planet's movement through the sky; the planet does not physically move backwards in its orbit
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AstraLink content is written by our editorial team, reviewed for astrological accuracy, and refreshed as the sky moves. Interpretations are for reflection and entertainment; they are not medical, legal or financial advice.