Astrology enthusiasts may want to brace themselves: a weeks-long planetary shift is expected to stir up old secrets, unresolved emotions and lingering problems for people born under four zodiac signs.
Mercury began its retrograde cycle on Monday, a period astrologers often link to misunderstandings, communication breakdowns, tech frustrations and disruptions to travel plans.
The signs believed to be most affected by this retrograde, which continues until July 23, are Aries, Cancer, Gemini and Taurus.
For those signs, the coming weeks may put emotions front and center. Astrologers say long-buried feelings could reappear, conversations may become harder to navigate, and issues tied to home or family that once seemed settled may demand attention again.
From an astronomical standpoint, Mercury retrograde refers to a visual effect seen from Earth, in which the planet appears to slow, pause and move backward in the sky for roughly three weeks.
The apparent reversal is an optical illusion caused by the movement of Earth and Mercury around the sun. At times, Earth overtakes Mercury in its orbit, making the smaller planet seem as though it is traveling backward, even as it continues on its normal path.
In astrology, however, planets are associated with specific areas of human experience. Mercury is traditionally tied to communication, thought, learning, travel, technology, agreements and the details of everyday life.
Because Mercury appears to reverse course three to four times a year, astrologers believe its usual influence becomes unsettled during these periods, creating complications in the areas the planet is said to govern.
Mercury is moving into the star sign of Cancer, which is considered the home of emotions, family, home, roots, security and nostalgia (Stock Image)
Right now, this backward movement is taking place while Mercury is in the star sign of Cancer, which is linked to emotions, home life, family, memories and feeling safe and secure.
Because of this, the usual Mercury in retrograde mix-ups, such as having trouble communicating your point to someone, feel more emotionally intense and personal during this cycle.
First up to feel this planetary impact is Aries, the first sign in the zodiac. The retrograde is expected to have a strong impact on home and family life for all Aries.
Old secrets and tense issues with a relative’s living situation may resurface in July. Also, words an Aries thinks are meant as criticism may be misinterpreted during the retrograde. An Aries should double-check what someone said before judging.
All of this is taking place because Cancer rules Aries’s ‘fourth house,’ which governs home matters, family issues and emotional foundations.
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A ‘house’ in astrology refers to a specific sector of someone’s birth chart that governs different areas of their life, such as career, relationships or money.
Also feeling the weight of Mercury in retrograde is Cancer, the star sign this energy shift is taking place from our perspective on Earth.
This means Cancer’s first house, tied to self-identity, personal style and how you present yourself to the world, will be affected by Mercury’s slowdown.
From Earth’s perspective, Mercury (Pictured) has entered retrograde, where it appears to be moving backwards through the sky
For Cancers, retrograde could make you feel more introspective or sensitive about how you present yourself to the world.
Old conversations or decisions you have made will likely come back up and give you a chance to take another look at how you handled certain situations.
Another sign doing some serious thinking about their personal life is Gemini. However, the retrograde will impact the second house of Gemini, tied to money, possessions, self-esteem and values.
Geminis will feel themselves reflecting heavily on their finances over the next month, regretting purchases, catching up on old and forgotten bills and potentially questioning their own self-worth.
Valerie Mesa, an astrologer and writer for People, said: ‘Be careful not to spend for comfort or agree to something just because you feel guilty.’
One sign sure to be involved in several frustrating mix-ups and potential travel delays because of poor communication is Taurus.
Since Cancer rules the third house of Taurus, which governs communication, transportation and relationships with siblings, anyone born under the sign of Taurus may find themselves struggling to find their words until July 23.
This will lead to misread texts, saying something before thinking it through, scheduling disasters related to short trips, like on the Fourth of July, and frustrating conversations with brothers or sisters being brought back up.
Following this current three-week stretch, the next and final Mercury retrograde for 2026 is expected to begin on October 24 and run until November 13.
