Your Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide for Work: The Do’s and Don’ts

• By Alice Hu

• On October 22, 2026

• In Astrology

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If you’ve been feeling like it’s been Mercury retrograde all October, you’re not wrong. We’ve had Venus retrograde in Scorpio since October 3, 2026, and it brings up many of the themes, challenges, and learnings Mercury retrograde in Scorpio will surface starting on October 24, 2026.

With both planets in Scorpio, this is an opportunity to break karmic cycles and outdated patterns. When Mercury retrograde gets added into the mix, what you’ve been focused on this month will be further amplified and supercharged. The only way out is through!

What Could This Look Like?

• Understanding how to have a better relationship with yourself
• Acknowledging how you’ve been self-sabotaging
• Recognizing you need to take radical responsibility for your life
• Asking to be paid more or charging more if you have your own business
• Tapping into your ambition and dreaming bigger
• Planning and strategizing for the remainder of the year and 2027

And What Does It Mean for Work?

When it comes to work, ambition, respect, self-worth, and power are all being brought up with the retrograde. There is an opportunity to redefine self-worth that is tied to money and/or power. As Scorpio is a sign related to money, specifically shared assets and resources, this is a great time to upgrade and update your money mindset. Revisit your relationship with money. Want to ask for a raise? Grab all your receipts! Make a plan so there will be no objections to your promotion ask.

During this time, be mindful about what you share and how you share it. When having hard conversations at work, take a pause and ask: What value does my response bring, and will it have my intended effect? Just because it’s the truth doesn’t mean it doesn’t need to be finessed so the other party can really receive the information.

Give extra grace when it comes to miscommunication: assume the best, not the worst! Everyone will be deep in thought and in their world. Don’t get caught up in gossip. And listen to your intuition.

And if you’re in sales or marketing, Mercury retrograde is the perfect time to reengage old clients, bring back old offerings or products, and message people you haven’t heard back from. Stay away from launching new campaigns. If you must, double-check everything. Signing something? Double-check that too!

Here’s your work Mercury retrograde Do’s and Don’ts cheat sheet:

Do

• Pause before responding: Does it add value and support your intended outcome?
• Give extra grace around miscommunication and assume the best.
• Trust your intuition.
• Reconnect with past clients, revisit old offerings, and follow up on unanswered messages.
• Double-check campaign details, contracts, and anything you’re signing.
• Give yourself extra time for everything, especially travel.

Don’t

• React impulsively during difficult work conversations.
• Assume the worst or take miscommunication personally.
• Get caught up in gossip.
• Forget that others may be absorbed in their own thoughts.
• Launch new campaigns, but if you do, double-check the details.
• Rush!
• Forget to double-check contracts, emails, and texts.

This is also a time when intuition is heightened. Watch for synchronicities and signs from the universe!

Curious about how this Mercury retrograde affects you? Read for your rising sign below.

Aries: This is a transformative time for you and the perfect time to deep dive into your inner world. This is a good time to revisit your finances, especially shared finances.

Taurus: You’re thinking a lot about your relationships. Take it as an opportunity to show up more authentically, ask for what you need, and prioritize the relationships that mean the most to you.

Gemini: You may be experiencing some doubt or frustration related to your work environment and how you get work done. This may include finding common ground with certain coworkers.

Cancer: How can you bring more joy and fun into your existing romantic relationship? If you’re single, review your dating profile or write down your ideal partner wish list.

Leo: You’re sorting through family drama. Maybe a secret has been shared with you and you’re reconciling what it means for you. This is a great time to do ancestral healing work.

Virgo: Your intuition is loud right now!! Take time to connect with it and see where it’s leading you. It’s the perfect time to journal.

Libra: You’re thinking a lot about self-worth and your income. Take time to think about how to diversify your income streams and have more fun making money.

Scorpio: Your gift of seeing the truth is now being turned inward. You’re understanding ways your identity is shifting. Lots of introspection, so make sure to clear your energy and spend more time processing your thoughts.

Sagittarius: You’re thinking a lot about your inner artist. It’s a good time to explore a new creative hobby. Your intuition comes clearly through music, arts, and entertainment.

Capricorn: You’ve outgrown your dreams. Dream bigger. If what you planned for yourself hasn’t come to full fruition yet, don’t worry. Continue to believe it will happen.

Aquarius: How can you redefine success on your terms? Don’t be blinded by ego when thinking about career success.

Pisces: Existentialism may be creeping in. So your desire to escape through travel, a book, or a movie is strong right now. Be curious about what’s changing within, and don’t be afraid to change your life based on your new beliefs.