Mercury Is About To Be Retrograde in Gemini *and* Taurus—Here’s What That Means for Your Sign

As a reminder about the basics of Mercury and what its retrograde cycles tend to signify, “Mercury is the planet that represents communication, thinking, and flirting, among other things,” says Holmes. “When it goes retrograde, there’s an optical illusion that makes it appear to be moving backwards. Mercury retrogrades are generally a period for rest, recycling, and retrospection.”

With that, read on to learn Holmes's predictions for the two-sign retrograde as well as what each of the signs can expect from this Mercury retrograde in Gemini and Taurus.

Mercury retrograde in Gemini

Since Mercury rules Gemini, it’s exalted (aka right at home) when it’s direct (aka not retrograde) in this sign. But when it’s moving backwards—which will be the case from May 10 to 22—you get a cosmic formula for the stereotypical Mercury retrograde obstacles. “We get communication issues. We get misunderstandings. We get extra gossip,” astrologer Stephanie N. Campos previously told Well+Good. That reality underscores the importance of being mindful of what you're doing and saying during this time.

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Mercury retrograde in Taurus

When Mercury moves into Taurus on May 22, you might benefit from planning for the unexpected in everything you do—like, say, building a bit more time into your travel plans. Furthermore, this might a good time to go over your beliefs and finances, as those are two areas where Taurus craves stability.

How Mercury retrograde in Gemini and Taurus may affect your sign

Aries

“Aries is at this point where they really need to be thinking about their values and becoming clear on what it is that they believe in,” says Holmes. This Mercury retrograde in Gemini and Taurus is activating Aries’s third house of communication, which means it’ll be key to reflect on how you speak and communicate. “They are probably going to start doing some subconscious deep diving and show one authentic self-expression,” says Holmes.

Taurus

With the retrograde transit partially happening in their sign, it likely won't be too difficult of a time for the bull. “For Taurus, this Mercury retrograde is a good time to figure out what they can bring to the table," says Holmes. Mercury’s backwards dance activates Taurus’s first house of self and second house of assets, resources, and self-worth. And because Earth sign Taurus loves to live lavishly, you might benefit from considering how to be a little more frugal. (Read: Save your frivolous spending for post-retrograde happenings.)

Gemini

“This is going to be a shadow-work period for Gemini,” says Holmes, adding that this air sign’s first house of self and 12th house of sorrows, loss, and hidden life will be activated during the second 2022 Mercury retrograde. Geminis should also expect folks to reach out during this time, which might seem inconsequential. However, says Holmes, “if someone is willing to reach out to you, it’s probably due to the fact that you have a big influence on others.” So, Gemini, remember that people come to you for a reason, and feel good about that truth.

Cancer

Cancer placements may have noticed their network has expanded in the past few months, which is likely to continue during the Mercury retrograde in Gemini and Taurus, says Holmes. That’s because the 11th house of community and the 12th house are activated for Cancer. But, especially during this transit, “make sure you understand your knowledge and the implications of how others perceive that knowledge,” says Holmes. Essentially, just because you need to say something doesn’t mean someone needs to hear it. “Sometimes it is better to just close your mouth and listen,” Holmes adds.

Leo

The Mercury retrograde in Gemini and Taurus will activate Leo’s 10th house of career and 11th house of networking, says Holmes. Because of that, this is a pretty fruitful time for the lion. However, Holmes offers a warning: “This Mercury retrograde is a time when Leo is more notable within their career and within their community, so they should be careful what they say and to whom because they're being noticed right now.”

Virgo

Virgos would be wise to focus on their education during this retrograde, says Holmes. That might mean signing up for a workshop you’ve been eyeing or reading a book pertaining to your field. That’s because your ninth house (education, travel, and philosophy) and your 10th house of career will activate with this retrograde, “make sure that you're reflecting on the knowledge that you were excited to gain, as that can help you figure out how to move forward,” says Holmes.

Libra

Libras are being called to explore their knowledge because this retrograde is impacting their eighth house of death, mental health, and other people’s resources as well as their ninth house of travel, education, and philosophy, says Holmes. “Being a cardinal air sign, Libras are curious, ask questions, and listen to what people are saying, but information is always changing. Make sure you fact-check what you have to say, because reality doesn’t always match perspective,” she adds.

Scorpio

“This is opening up Scorpio's seventh house of committed partnerships and their eighth house of shared resources,” says Holmes, suggesting that Scorpio takes stock on their current relationships—old and new—to see where is worth investing their energy. This might be tough, because it’s possible that the introspection will bring up unideal feelings, like mistrust. The fix? “Don’t project what happened in the past onto what is happening in the present,” says Holmes.

Sagittarius

Like Scorpio, Sagittarius will also have their seventh house of relationships activated during the Mercury retrograde in Gemini and Taurus. Additionally, their sixth house of health and routine will also be in play. “Sagittarius has been working to get their life together, and in that process, there might be some home-related issues that may be distracting for this placement,” says Holmes. Reflect on what those issues might be, and try to come up with a plan to resolve them post-retrograde.

Capricorn

For Capricorn, this Mercury retrograde activates the fifth house of creativity as well as the sixth house of health and routine—so Capricorns might find themselves embracing creative projects that they have in the works. “Capricorn is very masterful and has an air of professionalism,” says Holmes. “The creative projects that they bring aren't just feel-good projects for them. They are things that people are actually going to like and appreciate.”

Aquarius

Because the fourth house of parents, home, and foundations is activated, Aquarius might benefit most from spending time with family members during this retrograde. “This might allow you to better see where people in your familial community are coming from, what's changed, and what's stayed the same,” says Holmes. That might just be the context you need to figure out what values to hold on to and which to release.

Pisces

The Gemini-Taurus Mercury retrograde is set to activate Pisces' third house of self-expression and fourth house of home. This is a time for Pisces to be mindful of how they are expressing themselves. “Operate with a sense of emotional management,” says Holmes. “In order for you to be understood, you need to be careful in regards to how you go about the delivery.”