Mercury Retrograde August 2024: Self-Care Guide for every Zodiac

August will see Mercury in retrograde STARTING under the earth sign Virgo, with it SHIFTING into fire sign Leo after 14 August. This is a period to be particularly conscious of your romantic relationships and doing all you can to prevent any misunderstandings. While its pre-retrograde shadow begins on 16 July, it leaves on 11 September.

According to the famous Astrotwins, for Elle magazine, you should follow this advice:

"When Mercury creeps back through Virgo, become the ultimate efficiency expert. Take stock of where you’re spending your time and energy. What activities and people are bringing a return on your investment and which ones drain you? Less is 1,000 times more between August 5 and 14, so pick one (maybe two) key items to focus on, and remove the randomization from your life. As you chip away the excess, you’ll have time to polish the diamonds in the rough—like those half-done projects that are begging to be brought to fruition.

When Mercury slips back into theatrical Leo from August 14 to 28, think about your ideal audience. Who do you want to attract into your realm? Where do you want to get noticed, and what would you like to be known for?

Play your cards right, and you could blow up or go viral. Mercury resumes direct motion on August 28. Simplify your efforts, and make a splash [in the area of your choosing] before summer is through."

Feeling stressed by delays, breakdowns or unexplained events that Mercury retrograde sometimes throws up?

According to ancient wisdom, during times of stress, each sign would get out of balance in different ways. Here are some handy self-care tips to avoid this stress playing havoc with your mental state!

Aries

During times of frustrations, such as during Mercury retrograde, excess Aries energy was traditionally viewed to overpower the nervous system and was believed to cause loss of mental balance. It was also thought Aries could suffer from over-exertion and possible anger!

Aries should therefore seek calm at all costs: try incorporating cooling peppermint into a face oil, for an evening facial gua sha massage -the ultimate sensory simmer-down! In this Aries oil, peppermint, frankincense and lavender work together with mushrooms to support a calm, sharpened sense of focus and glowing, silky skin ready for massage.

Taurus

In times of stress, ancient wisdom believed Tauruses were prone to over-indulgence and too much comfort, with a tendency to brood over troubles which only made matters worse!

Tauruses should therefore not spend too long overthinking any troubles, as this can make any existing condition worse!

Try a visionary celebrity astrologer reading via Inbaal Honigman: an educated guess at what the future holds in life, love, career and relationships will do wonders for any stressful Mercury-Retrograde scenarios.

Power Half Hour Tarot and Chart reading: £80, via Inbaal Honigman

Gemini

When out of balance, ancient wisdom attributed the following characteristics and illnesses to Gemini as: nervous overreactions and restlessness, leading to exhaustion.

As a result, Geminis should be careful to avoid burnout, as well as getting run-down.

Nootropics, £37.99, Hux Health.

Cancer

Cancerians were traditionally believed to suffer from high emotions caused by mental irritants, nervous reactions and leading to a general lessening of vitality.

Therefore, Cancerians should channel emotional strength to avoid any bad energy from their surroundings rubbing off on them.

Reishi in morning coffee is an all-day soothing wonder that will provide an overall relaxed state and can help calm the nervous system during the stressful Mercury Retrograde period.

Try Reishi Mushroom Powder, £39.99 with 20% off with EASTER20, available at Dirtea.

Leo

When out of balance, ancient wisdom attributed Leos to be at risk from over-exertion! As a result, Leos should find a way to cool and calm down, and ground their fiery nature.

Leos should take a minute to download breathwork and meditation app Open to breathe, move and meditate.

Virgo

During times of stress such as Mercury Retrograde, ancient wisdom believed Virgos to be prone to imbalance of the gut microbiome from anxiety, producing acidity in the body and other troubles. Virgos therefore need to calm any excessive worrying and restore the gut microbiome and skin’s barrier back to good health.

Virgos should make an alkalising smoothie with a gut and microbiome balancing scoop of Jerms, available at Selfridges, £34.

Libra

When out of balance, ancient wisdom believed Libras to be vulnerable to nervous exhaustion. A big focus for Libras during times of stress such as Mercury Retrograde is to restore balance to the mind and skin.

Libras should book in for an Astro-facial at Salon C Stellar: this wonder-treatment involves massage, exfoliation, extractions and a super high-tech laser to cap it off, with a massage oil based on your moon sign to connect to your emotions as well as your skin. Bliss.

Astro-facial: Salon C Stellar, Soho, London, UK: £220 for 75 minutes

Scorpio

When out of balance, it was believed Scorpios could over-worry and be prone to over-analysis of other’s actions. Scorpios can therefore flourish by nurturing their sensual personalities and working on grounding.

Sagittarius

It was believed that Sagittarius could suffer from too much restlessness, which could lead to accidents and injuries! Despite the frustrations of the Retrograde season, Sagittariuses can benefit from freeing their spirit again, and building up their sense of adventure back up.

Sagittariuses can regain their wanderlust by being transported to urban oases, rural escapes and sun-bathed coastal havens via City, Country Coast, by Soho Home.

Capricorn

When out of balance, ancient wisdom believed Capricorns to impose self-limiting beliefs, causing an impediment to freedom of thought, expression, and functioning.

Capricorns should focus on soothing their inner tensions and worries, and reducing anxiety.

A journalling session to recap on ambitions, goals and manifestations is the perfect solution to ride out the curveballs of Mercury Retrograde.

Aquarius

In times of adversity such as Mercury Retrograde, it was believed Aquarius could sometimes have a highly sensitive nature, which meant they were susceptible to anxiety. Aquarius should therefore focus on building their sense of inner power, via shifting to a confidence-boosting approach to life!

An amethyst crystal-powered incense holder is perfect to change the atmosphere of the home, and help alleviate worries or fears about unpredictable Mercury Retrograde events!

Pisces

During moments of turmoil such as the miscommunications caused by Mercury Retrograde, ancient wisdom believed Pisces to be prone to over-thinking about others’ actions, plus having a high level of physical and mental sensitivity. Pisces as a result need to nurture their inner selves with a dreamy contemplation-boosting approach.

Try Nightcap on the rocks before bed to destress and unwind, with complex notes of wood and bright spice for a calm, dreamy feeling.

Wishing every sign luck for Mercury Retrograde August 2024!

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