Tomorrow, Mercury is going into retrograde, and we all know what that means: chaos. An ex may resurface, an old friend may make contact or you may have a slip-up at work. But how should we cope with this astrological anarchy? We spoke to a psychic medium about how it might impact us and how to tread these turbulent waters.
Picture this: you wake up after having a steamy dream about your ex – unusual, but you compose yourself – you get ready and walk out of your house, only to bump into the friend you fell out with three years ago. You engage in small talk for a few minutes, rush off and breathe a sigh of relief. It’s pouring with rain, and you just need to get to work, but your phone slips out of your hand into the drain. Sound like hell? It’s mercury retrograde.
We’re well versed in mercury retrograde; it means one thing and one thing only: chaos. As of tomorrow, mercury is going into retrograde until the 13 November. And in this period, all bets are off. We asked spiritual medium TJ Higgs to tell us what we need to know and, crucially, how to brace for impact.
This retrograde falls in Scorpio, which is known for strong emotions, honesty and transformation. So while this period is notable for chaos, it can be a great time to lean into introspection and contemplation in all areas of your life.
“You might find yourself overthinking things, remembering situations from years ago or simply wanting a bit more space to yourself,” Higgs says. “In love, we may find ourselves revisiting feelings we thought we’d dealt with or questioning situations that haven’t quite felt right. You might find yourself thinking about an old relationship or wondering why something your partner said has affected you more than usual.
“My advice would be not to jump to conclusions. Rather than assuming you know what someone is thinking, ask them. If someone from your past suddenly reappears, remember that it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re meant to return to your life. Sometimes people come back simply to remind us how much we’ve grown.
“Friendships may also feel a little different. You might start noticing where you’re giving more than you’re receiving, or perhaps find yourself missing someone you’ve lost touch with. Think about what those friendships mean to you. Sometimes all that’s needed is an honest conversation, and sometimes we have to accept that people grow in different directions.”
As life begins to feel spiritually shaky over the next few weeks, Higgs advises we take notice of our friendships, relationships and careers. But how should we cope with these astrological changes?
Be more organised
As the universe throws exes and technology crashes at us, we need to be prepared to have a few setbacks over this time.
“Check your arrangements, read things properly and leave yourself enough time. Not because Mercury is going to deliberately disrupt your plans, but because a little preparation makes everyday life easier.”
Make time for yourself
Making time for yourself is important during Mercury retrograde, and as we head into the colder, darker months, finding some me-time can be transformative.
“We spend so much of our lives looking after other people, meeting deadlines and worrying about what comes next that we rarely stop to ask how we’re actually feeling,” Higgs says. “You don’t need to spend hours meditating or make enormous changes. Sometimes 10 minutes of peace, a walk or simply sitting quietly with your thoughts can help you understand what you need.”
Think before reacting
In the hustle of daily life and in the polarising online, everything is fast-paced, hot takes are thrown around and reactions are immediate and often thoughtless.
“Give yourself permission to pause,” Higgs says. “We live in a world where everything happens so quickly. Messages are sent instantly, opinions are shared without much thought, and sometimes we respond emotionally before we’ve really understood what’s being said.”
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