On October 31, Mercury comes to a standstill and begins to give us the impression it's moving backward. It's also Halloween, the day when the veil between the worlds is thin, and we can access the other side.

Mercury stations retrograde on Halloween in the sign of Scorpio, a sign associated with divination, occult matters, and death and rebirth. It's no accident, Mercury, which rules our thoughts and thinking patterns, stations retrograde in Scorpio on a day that highlights Scorpio's themes. It indicates what we will consider and think about during this retrograde cycle.

I see this as elegant synchronicity. Mercury retrograde is often a time when you turn inward in reflection. You can excavate magic when you shine a light on the dark spaces inside. It seems appropriate for this period to start on a day that links you to the hidden and unseen-- a day that honors and celebrates the mystery of interdimensional communication. 

It's a day when we honor our ancestors. It suggests this Mercury retrograde isn't only about self-reflection; it's also a time for collective reflection, with the participation of our spirit guides, helpers, and ancestors. We can look at the past and thank our ancestors for how they've shaped our world. Also, we can review our history and hold our ancestors accountable for participating in institutional oppression. In doing so, we can rethink some of those foundational ideas, beliefs, and principles. 

Of course, as with any Mercury retrograde cycle, all things Mercury will be up for you to rethink and refine. This means communication, your internal dialogue, organization, life's details, mindset, and transportation— how you get from point A to B. Back up your computer and phone, watch yourself driving, and read between the lines, seeing the subtext in conversations with others. Because these are heated times, you want to be patient with others and lead with compassion. If you intuitively feel something is off, wait for more information before rushing to conclusions or making up a story. 

This is an emotional retrograde. It's deep time, and you will want to leave shallow, surface conversations for another time. The sign of Scorpio is probing, and it seeks to get to the heart of things. It craves meaning. It's good for researching and completing projects that require your complete attention.

With Scorpio's emphasis on emotions (especially the unexpressed ones), you could have some heated and healing conversations, making this an excellent time to work with a therapist or healer. You can get to the root of why you have those unhealthy behavioral patterns in the first place. You can also go deeper into your relationships with others, opening yourself up to have more genuine heart connections. 

It's also a retrograde cycle in which people from the past can come back into your life, especially people with whom you have unfinished business. Just because you encounter your ex or they text from out of the blue doesn't mean you should get back together with them. Ask yourself, "What aspect of myself does this person represent?" Perhaps that individual represents a time when you felt your best and when you were confident and sure. Maybe they represent someone passionate. Perhaps they were stable when you were a little wild. Often, exes come back into our lives during Mercury retrograde because there is some aspect of ourselves we need to integrate and heal. These encounters can teach us so much! And they can be rich with meaning, even if you choose not to go back in.  

On the 31st, the Moon will join Jupiter in conjunction. This combination heightens our sense of what's possible. It makes us feel generous and optimistic. This transit is happening at the same time Mercury goes retrograde suggests you could gain awareness about any inner saboteurs, resistance, or fear. 

The Moon-Jupiter conjunction happens in the morning, at 7:29 am PST. After that, the Moon will be void of course until 7:38 pm PST. When the Moon's void of course, it's not applying aspects to other planets until it enters a new sign. During this time, we can feel unfocused because it's a more spiritual time. It's not a time to make big decisions or have difficult conversations — reserve those for a different day. The combination of Mercury retrograde and the void-of-course Moon could make things seem a little unsettled, and you could become frustrated by small details. So, give yourself extra time for driving, be patient with others, and don't force anything. Breathe and go with the flow. Again, this is a favorable influence to focus on your spiritual, creative, and emotional wellbeing. It's also a beneficial influence for adjusting your mindset and saying positive affirmations.

Think of what came up for you in your life on October 27, with the Mars-Saturn square. These could be themes for you throughout Mercury retrograde. 

Throughout the next three weeks, you could feel more depressed or anxious, as this retrograde could bring past emotions to the surface. Knowing this, I have created a 5-minute meditation to help reduce anxiety. (https://rachellangastrologer.com/new-page-1) I strongly recommend following a dedicated spiritual practice during this cycle. You might also want to journal what insights emerge from your subconscious mind and do engage in self-care rituals to stay grounded and balanced throughout this time.