Mercury Retrograde Is Here & This Is What Your Sign Needs To Know

From August 4 to August 28, Mercury—the planet of information, communication, and technology—will be retrograde. Until August 14, Mercury will be in the sign of Virgo, before backtracking through Leo for the remainder of its backspin.

Known for causing delays, miscommunications, and more, Mercury retrograde can get a bad rep. And indeed, while we may run into some snafus over the next few weeks, retrograde periods are also a necessary time to reflect and refine areas of our life that need our attention.

Depending where this Mercury retrograde falls in your birth chart, we all have different things to expect, so here's what all 12 signs need to know for this go-around.

As Mercury retrograde gets underway, Aries, it's going to be in your sixth house of health, self care, and routines. According to astrology expert and author of Astrology SOS, Imani Quinn, you might face some more challenges in those areas.

With Mercury retrograde moving through your fifth house of creative expression, Taurus, you might feel a bit creatively stifled, or like you can't express yourself the way you'd like to. Even if you try, you might still feel misunderstood.

Things might be a little choppy on the home front for you, Gemini, as Mercury retrograde emphasizes your fourth house of family and home. According to Quinn, don't be surprised if you have tech issues at home, or run into hurdles with things like moving or signing a lease.

With Mercury retrograde moving through your third house of communication, Cancer, you're dealing with themes around how you communicate with others. As Quinn explains, you're known to be a sign that can have relatively weaker boundaries, so this is a time to make sure you're being heard.

How are your finances looking, Leo? As Mercury backspins through your second house of money and possessions, you might run into some roadblocks in those areas. Think delayed payments, losing valuables, or even having trouble with your bank app.

Are you OK, Virgo? Not only is this Mercury retrograde in your sign, but that also means its landing in your first house of self and identity. In other words, it's giving identity crisis. According to Quinn, you're getting hit the hardest this retrograde, but it's giving you an opportunity to reflect deeply on where (and who) you are in your life.

With Mercury backspinning through your 12th house of endings, closure, and the subconscious, Libra, the challenges this retrograde may bring up will be largely internal for you. As Quinn explains, you'll be reassessing thoughts and feelings, and doing a bit of renovation on your inner world.

Watch out for what you say in the public eye, Scorpio, as this Mercury retrograde highlights your 11th house of networks and larger communities. Mercury retrogrades are known to cause miscommunication, and in your case, it could be on an even bigger scale.

Your job could experience a bit of a shake up now, Sagittarius, as this Mercury retrograde backspins through your 10th house of career and public image. As such, try to be patient—and potentially even hold off on finishing big projects or signing any contracts until the end of the month.

Hope you don't have any big trips planned, Capricorn, because Mercury retrograde is passing through your ninth house of travel and expansion. Mercury actually rules travel, which is why retrogrades are notorious for traffic delays and other mishaps.

This Mercury retrograde is highlighting your eighth house of intimacy and transformation, Aquarius. As such, Quinn explains, you might be dealing with some negative self talk, or running up against miscommunications that hinder intimacy.

How are your closest relationships doing, Pisces? With Mercury retrograde backspinning through your seventh house of longterm partnership, don't be surprised if you hit a "rough patch," so to speak. But have no fear, retrograde periods offer us a time to reflect, so be patient and think about what your relationship needs.