Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn 2023-- Horoscopes for ALL 12 Signs!
December 13-January 1, 2023
Good evening, friends!
Thank you so much for your patience today. Oh, my goodness, has it been a tough one, LOL! Between blowing my nose, coughing, and rubbing my own back, I have had to feed everyone (can you believe it, my kids still have to eat even when I am sick and writing horoscopes! *sarcasm), and tend to every one of their requests—including casting a Horary chart to find the T.V. remote for the 1,000th time (amazingly, this works really, really well!)! But, I did it and here they are…the horoscopes for this Mercury retrograde in Capricorn for ALL 12 Signs!
Okay, let’s get into…the astrology.
In the following graphic are the stages of this Mercury retrograde in Capricorn 2023: Mercury entered the shadow period on November 25, 2023, and stations retrograde on December 13, 2023. He will then station direct on January 1, 2024, and leave the post-shadow period on January 20, 2024.
So, before we go into the horoscopes, I want to first take a look at the event chart for this Mercury retrograde which I have cast for 2:09 am ET using whole sign houses and the program Solar Fire. You can see the chart pictured below:
Here are some Mercury retrograde basics in Capricorn:
We can expect revisions, reflections, and renegotiations, as well as, rerouting, rescheduling, and reorganizing things. Capricorn is an Earth sign and as such is practical, steady, efficient, systematic, analytical, process-oriented, realistic, discriminating, and ordered. It’s important during this Mercury retrograde to pay attention to the goal but also to be flexible and forgiving if possible.
Because Mercury in Capricorn has no major dignities and will be regressing back into Sagittarius where he is in his detriment, it may be harder for Mercury to do Mercurial things like writing, speaking, and communicating effectively during this retrograde cycle. The caveat to this is that Mercury will be engaged in a trine to Jupiter until he leaves the three-degree range of engagement on December 21, 2023, the winter solstice, when the Sun ingresses into Capricorn. The Sun and Mercury will meet up in their cazimi moment the very next day on December 22, 2023, at 00°Capricorn 39’. So, up until this time, Mercury has some fortune bestowed upon him from Jupiter and will experience a third and final trine to Jupiter from Capricorn in the new year. And of course, when Mercury is in the lap of the king, during his cazimi (his conjunction with the Sun) he has more power to speak, write, and communicate, as well.
Once he is in Sagittarius, Mercury will enter into an engagement with Neptune by square which will be in effect for the rest of the retrograde and continue after he stations direct until the last ten days of January 2024. Mercury will also conjoin Mars on December 27, 2023, while he is traveling through Sagittarius, so first we have positive transits and then end the retrograde on more challenging ones. After his retrograde is over, we have another positive final trine to Jupiter on January 19, 2024, one day before Mercury exits the post-shadow period.
During this retrograde, we may experience changes of mind, voice, communication styles, or ideas. We could literally change directions, alter plans, or reschedule things—or these may become necessities because of challenges beyond our control.
Some Notable Dynamics of This Particular Retrograde:
The trines to Jupiter during the retrograde and after are beneficial and will bring aid, help, blessings, abundance, more joy, happiness, and prosperity to our experiences, environments, and mental attitudes.
The conjunction to the Sun could be invigorating and enlightening, lending some additional strength to Mercury during the cazimi moment, and the conjunction to Mars could represent people spouting out their ideas, thoughts, missions, and beliefs into the air and it could feel a bit aggressive, dangerous, and confrontational—there could be a lot of righteous zealots around that time, or it could be a time when we are defining our big picture plans for next year—could be a great day to set your new year’s resolutions, but try to be realistic as much as possible.
The squares to Neptune before, during, and after the retrograde suggests some wishful thinking, confusion, loss, or deception and may cause some trouble with dreaming up a fabricated reality or aiming for something we believe in that turns out to be a façade or an oasis.
So, this Mercury retrograde may be imbued with hope and optimism, overall. The most problematic period would be towards the end during his conjunction to Mars while in square to Neptune. That combination could prove to be challenging and may represent the peak point of frustration during this retrograde. Astrologer Reinhold Ebertin in his book, The Combination of Stellar Influences, describes Mercury, Mars, and Neptune combinations as,
“The pursuit of fantastic plans, speaking without acting, not keeping promises. Hopeless plans, the tendancy to harm others through falsehood or underhanded behavior, the process of undermining another person’s position.” (1972)1
Thankfully, there is another trine to Jupiter after all of that which hopefully means that things work out for the best in the end.
I would love to hear about your experience, so please leave a comment!
So, as I go through the horoscopes for each of the 12 signs, just keep in mind that the overall themes of this Mercury retrograde start hopeful and practical and then move into a more zealous, righteous, dreamy, possibly unrealistic, and somewhat aggressive phase that could feel draining, deflating, or mentally confusing, and then by the end of the post-shadow period we are back to being enthusiastically logical.
This feels a lot like the ‘build, break, build’ method used by management in a business—first, you build up your employees by telling them what they are doing well (build up their confidence), then you talk about how they could improve (break them down), and finally, you end on another positive thing that you appreciate about them being your employee (building them back up).
So, we are all being built up, broken down, and built up again during this Mercury retrograde.
Okay, let’s get started…
Mercury Retrograde in Capricorn Horoscopes For All 12 Signs
Here is a short horoscope for each sign for the mercury retrograde starting on December 13, 2023, and ending on January 1, 2024. This will make the most sense if you read your rising sign.
Aries
This Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be in your tenth house of career, public recognition, and your mother. You can expect to have to review, reevaluate, and reassess how you put yourself out in the world, the work you do for a living, and/or the relationship with your mother.
Mercury governs over your third house of siblings and community and your sixth house of sickness and stress, so there could be something that comes up involving your siblings, neighbors, health, hard work, labor, sacrifice, selfless service, or things that frustrate you—and one or a few of these things could affect your work environment.
Because Mercury will be forming a trine to Jupiter in your second house of money and possessions on December 18, 2023, there could be some good fortune regarding your abilities to be self-sufficient at this time.
Once Mercury travels back into your ninth house of long-distance travel, beliefs, and higher education on December 23rd, 2023 things could shift and get a bit more confusing. You could decide to go back over an educational goal or travel itinerary and iron out any kinks or uncertainties, making better plans for the future. There could be a revision to your beliefs or principles at this time. Since Neptune is traveling through your twelfth house, it could be all too easy to think something was divinely guided when it wasn’t or to get preachy about a belief that you have and think it will be your savior, so watch out for self-deception and lies.
During this retrograde build up your public reputation, career, or relationship with your mother, break down any disillusioned beliefs you may have that are leading you off your path, and build your confidence back up by being truly authentic in how you put yourself out there. Good luck, Aries!
Taurus
This Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be in your ninth house of beliefs, foreign travel, and higher education. You can expect to have to review, reevaluate, and reassess your travel plans, your beliefs about life, or your educational goals. It could feel like you have to slow down and resist trying to push situations through when they don’t want to budge.
Mercury governs over your second house of money, self-sufficiency, and possessions and your fifth house of children, recreational activities, and creativity, so there could be something that comes up involving how you materially care for yourself or how you express yourself creatively. It could also symbolize delays with travel plans and family members.
Because Mercury will be forming a trine to Jupiter in your first house of self, health, and your immediate environment on December 18, 2023, there could be good fortune, happiness, or good news that comes in!
Once Mercury travels back into your eighth house of soul contracts, other people’s money, investments, and death on December 23rd, 2023 things could shift and get a bit more confusing and you may decide to revise a contract, an investment portfolio, or a relationship with a significant other, especially in terms of how you share your resources. You may also find yourself thinking about death and estate planning. I would advise, however, that you actually sign these documents after the first of January, 2024 when Mercury turns direct.
During this retrograde build up your beliefs, educational goals, or your relationship with foreigners or travel or even foreign languages, break down any disillusioned reliance you may have on other people that is leading you off your path of self-sufficiency, and build your confidence back up by supporting your convictions with facts, figures, and references. Good luck, Taurus!
Gemini
This Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be in your eighth house of death, debts, other people’s money, and soul contracts. You can expect to have to review, reevaluate, and reassess your shared finances, your debts and loan commitments, and/or the estates of others who have passed away. There could also be the transformation of soul contracts; what you karmically owe someone else or what they karmically owe you and how those debts are going to be settled up. There could be a revision to a will or an insurance policy—hopefully, you can sign these documents after Mercury stations direct on the 1st of January, 2024! When planets travel through our eighth house we could also spend a period of time thinking about death and fears surrounding the unknown.
Mercury governs over your first house of self, health, and your immediate environment and your fourth house of home, family, and roots so there could be something that comes up involving how you plan and provide for yourself via your committed relationships and support from family members.
Because Mercury will be forming a trine to Jupiter in your twelfth house of self-undoing, confinement, and mental health on December 18, 2023, there could be good fortune, mental happiness, or good news that comes in from an unexpected source.
Once Mercury enters your seventh house of committed relationships on December 23rd, 2023 things could shift and get a bit more confusing relationship-wise. You may need to rehash the agreements that you have with your spouse. Since Mercury will square Neptune during this retrograde period, it is wise to do your best to be completely honest and authentic with your communications with your partner especially since this transit can mean deception, lies, and mental confusion.
During this retrograde build up your soul contracts, investments, and ability to handle debt, break down any self-deception or untruths you may have surrounding committed relationships or partnerships that are leading you off your path, and build your confidence back up by investing in healthy relationships to money, estate planning, and marriage. Good luck, Gemini!
Cancer
This Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be in your seventh house of committed relationships, pleasure, and legal contracts. You can expect to have to review, reevaluate, and reassess your marriage, partnerships, or legal agreements.
Mercury governs over your twelfth house of self-undoing, mental health, and animals larger than a goat and your third house of siblings, habits, and daily route, so there could be something that comes up involving your blind spots, siblings, neighbors, or your vehicle—and one or a few of these things could affect your relationship.
Because Mercury will be forming a trine to Jupiter in your eleventh house of friends, allies, and groups on December 18, 2023, there could be some good fortune, luck, or help from a friend or organization that you are part of.
Once Mercury travels back into your sixth house of stress, service, health issues, co-workers, as well as pets smaller than a goat on December 23rd, 2023 things could shift towards how well you are handling your health and stress, especially any stress with co-workers in the work environment. This house also has to do with sacrificial service to others, so you can expect to be reevaluating those themes at this time. Since Mercury will square Neptune during this retrograde period, it is wise to be honest with yourself about how you are managing your stress instead of brushing it under the rug and ignoring the signs and symptoms of burnout.
During this retrograde build up your relationships and legal agreements, break down any disillusioned beliefs you may have about your health and well-being that are leading you off your path, and build your confidence back up by being truly authentic in how you relate to others and what you are willing to sacrifice for your relationships. Good luck, Cancer!
Leo
This Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be in your sixth house of service, stress, health issues, co-workers, and pets. There could be a need to revisit something with your health, or an area of your life where you are working hard and sacrificing a lot, or something that is causing you a considerable amount of stress.
Mercury governs over your second house of money, self-sufficiency, and possessions, and your eleventh house of friends, allies, and groups, so there could be something that comes up involving your friends or your immediate environment or identity that possibly stresses you out or that you feel like you are making a sacrifice for.
Because Mercury will be forming a trine to Jupiter in your tenth house of career on December 18, 2023, there could be some good fortune regarding your career that alleviates some of the hardship and sacrifice that you may be experiencing.
Once Mercury travels back into your fifth house of children, pleasure, and creativity on December 23rd, 2023 things could shift and get a bit more confusing. You could decide to go back over something to do with your kids or something that has to do with a creative expression. There could be a revision to how you spend your free time and what kinds of recreational activities you do for fun or how you experience pleasure in your life. Since Neptune is traveling through your eighth house of debt, death, and other people’s money, it could be all too easy to think something was divinely guided when it wasn’t or to get really preachy trying to justify a pleasurable activity that you enjoy spending money on. Watch out for self-deception or disillusionment in those areas. This could bring up debt and debt management.
During this retrograde build up health and wellness with special attention to stress management, break down any disillusioned beliefs you may have that justify self-indulgence that are leading you off your path, and build your confidence back up by managing your time or resources differently so that you are not dragged down. Good luck, Leo!
Virgo
This Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be in your fifth house of pleasure, creativity, children, and pregnancy. You can expect to have to review, reevaluate, and reassess how you spend time with your children or how you creatively express yourself or experience pleasure in your life. It may be a time when you are rethinking or reconsidering becoming pregnant or the idea of conceiving a child.
Mercury governs over your first house of self, personality, health, and your immediate environment as well as your tenth house of career, public reputation, and the mother, so there could be something that comes up involving you, your living situation, or your career that may affect your recreational activities, children, or thoughts about pregnancy.
Because Mercury will be forming a trine to Jupiter in your ninth house of belief systems, foreign affairs, and higher education on December 18, 2023, there could be some good fortune or good news that comes in regarding the creative expression of your knowledge or some benefits or aid from a foreign source or an educational source.
Once Mercury travels back into your fourth house of family, roots, and landed property on December 23rd, 2023 things could shift and get a bit more confusing. You could decide to visit family or iron out uncertainties regarding property or ancestry, possibly making better plans for the future. Since Neptune is traveling through your seventh house of committed relationships, it could be all too easy to think a relationship was divinely guided when it wasn’t or to get on a high horse about a belief that you have and think it should be the foundation for forward action, so watch out for self-deception and lies.
During this retrograde build up your creative output, break down any disillusioned beliefs you may have surrounding your foundation, family, or landed property that are leading you off your path, and build your confidence back up by being truly authentic in how you creatively express yourself. Good luck, Virgo!
Libra
This Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be in your fourth house of the home, foundation, family, landed property, and your roots. You can expect to have to review, reevaluate, and reassess how you associate with your family and where you came from.
Mercury governs over your ninth house of belief systems, long-distance travel, and higher education as well as your twelfth house of self-undoing, mental health, and animals larger than a goat, so there could be something that comes up involving a teacher, guru, priest, a hidden enemy, or a large animal that may affect your family life.
Because Mercury will be forming a trine to Jupiter in your eighth house of shared resources, debts, and estate planning on December 18, 2023, there could be some good fortune or good news regarding investments you may have made.
Once Mercury travels back into your third house of writing, siblings, neighbors, and daily route on December 23rd, 2023 things could shift and get a bit more confusing. You could decide to go back over something with a sibling or maybe you need to repair something on your car. There could be a revision to your daily route at this time or your written work. Since Neptune is traveling through your sixth house of selfless service, stress, and animals smaller than goats, it could be all too easy to think that a sacrifice was divinely guided when it wasn’t or to get sanctimonious about a belief that you have and think if you can just get your message across people will see that you are right, so watch out for disillusionment, lies, or being a martyr.
During this retrograde build up your family roots, break down any disillusioned beliefs you may have about your message or how you communicate that is leading you off your path, and build your confidence back up by being truly authentic in how you lay your foundation. Good luck, Libra!
Scorpio
This Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be in your third house of siblings, communication, neighbors, and local transportation. You can expect to have to review, reevaluate, and reassess how you think, perceive, organize things, and perhaps go about your day. You may be reconsidering learning something new or how you learn something in general.
Mercury governs over your eighth house of shared resources, investments, death, and other people’s money as well as the eleventh house of friends, allies, and groups so there could be something that comes up involving your debts, shared finances, or your friends that affects your style of communication, your relationship with your siblings, or your modes of transportation.
Because Mercury will be forming a trine to Jupiter in your seventh house of committed relationships and legal contracts on December 18, 2023, there could be some good fortune or good news in regard to your message or your communication style with a spouse or partner.
Once Mercury travels back into your second house of money and possessions on December 23rd, 2023 things could shift and get a bit more confusing. You could decide to go back over your finances or how you are being self-sufficient and attempt to clear up any uncertainties, making better plans for the future. There could be a revision to your beliefs or principles about money at this time. Since Neptune is traveling through your fifth house of creativity and children, it could be all too easy to think something was divinely guided when it wasn’t or to get holier-than-thou about a belief that you have about something you’ve created, so watch out for self-deception, lies, and disillusionment. For some of you, this could pertain to pregnancy.
During this retrograde build up your clear communication, break down any disillusioned beliefs you may have around self-sufficiency, money, or possessions that are leading you off your path, and build your confidence back up by being truly authentic in how you communicate your needs. Good luck, Scorpio!
Sagittarius
This Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be in your second house of money, possessions, skill acquisition, and what you eat. You can expect to have to review, reevaluate, and reassess what you bring into your life that supports your well-being and where you spend your resources, such as money, energy, and time. How you take care of yourself and meet your basic needs could also be a theme.
Mercury governs over your seventh house of committed relationships, partnerships, and legal contracts as well as your tenth house of career, public recognition, and the mother so there could be something that comes up involving your partner, spouse, career, or mother—and one or a few of these things could affect how you care for yourself in a self-sufficient way.
Because Mercury will be forming a trine to Jupiter in your sixth house of service, health issues, co-workers, and pets on December 18, 2023, there could be some good fortune or good news in regards to a way in which you support yourself.
Once Mercury travels back into your first house of self, health, and immediate environment on December 23rd, 2023 things could shift and get a bit more confusing. This is because Mercury will square Neptune during this time. You could decide to change your appearance or your environment, including making a local move in an attempt to make things better. There could be a revision to your beliefs or principles at this time surrounding your health. Since Neptune is traveling through your fourth house of home and family, it could be all too easy to think something was divinely guided when it wasn’t or to get moralistic about a belief that you have and think it will create roots to grow, so watch out for self-deception, lies, and disillusionment in the home.
During this retrograde build up your skills, break down any disillusioned beliefs you may have surrounding your self-image or where you live that are leading you off your path, and build your confidence back up by being truly authentic in how you provide for yourself. Good luck, Sagittarius!
Capricorn
This Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be in your first house of self, identity, health, and immediate environment. You can expect to review, reevaluate, and reassess your body, mind, style, or appearance. This retrograde could also symbolize relocating or going back over the plans to relocate.
Mercury governs over your ninth house of belief systems, higher education, and long-distance travel as well as your sixth house of service, health issues, and pets, so there could be something that comes up involving your school, travel plans, beliefs, co-workers, pets, or stress and one or a few of these things could affect your attitude or your environment.
Because Mercury will be forming a trine to Jupiter in your fifth house of children, recreational activities, pregnancy, and creativity on December 18, 2023, there could be some good fortune or good news concerning your health and identity. For some of you, this may have to do with the announcement of a pregnancy.
Once Mercury travels back into your twelfth house of mental health, blind spots, and animals larger than goats on December 23rd, 2023 things could shift and get a bit more confusing, hidden, or elusive. There could be a revision to your subconscious beliefs or principles at this time. Since Neptune is traveling through your third house of communication, siblings, and your daily route, it could be all too easy to think something was divinely guided when it wasn’t or to get dogmatic about a belief that you have and think it will be your savior, so watch out for self-deception, lies, and self-sabotage.
During this retrograde build up your self-identity, break down any disillusioned beliefs you may have that are affecting your mental health and leading you off your path, and build your confidence back up by being truly authentic in how you present yourself. Good luck, Capricorn!
Aquarius
This Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be in your twelfth house of subconscious programs, mental health, hidden enemies, and large animals. You can expect to have to review, reevaluate, and reassess your subconscious programming and how you sometimes do things that you regret later.
Mercury governs over your fifth house of recreation, creativity, pregnancy, and children as well as your eighth house of other people’s money, shared resources, soul bonds, and debts so there could be something that comes up involving your children, your creative output, or your shared resources such as investments and debts that affect your mental health at this time.
Because Mercury will be forming a trine to Jupiter in your fourth house of home, family, and landed property on December 18, 2023, there could be some good fortune or good news that may boost your confidence.
Once Mercury travels back into your eleventh house of friends, allies, and groups on December 23rd, 2023 things could shift and get a bit more confusing. You could decide to go back over plans with friends or organizations you are part of, in an attempt to iron out any kinks or uncertainties, making better plans for the future. There could be a revision to your beliefs or principles at this time. Since Neptune is traveling through your second house of money and possessions, it could be all too easy to think something was divinely guided when it wasn’t or to be really opinionated about a friend that you have, only to find out there was some form of betrayal. Watch out for deception, lies, and disillusionment around the topics of money and friends.
During this retrograde build up your positive mental health, break down any disillusioned beliefs you may have around friends, groups, or allies that are leading you off your path, and build your confidence back up by paying attention to your blind spots. Good luck, Aquarius!
Pisces
This Mercury retrograde in Capricorn will be in your eleventh house of friends and allies, hopes and wishes. You can expect to review, reevaluate, and reassess your friend groups, your associations, and what you wish and hope for.
Mercury governs over your fourth house of family, foundation, and landed property as well as your seventh house of committed relationships, partnerships, and legal contracts. So there could be something that comes up involving your spouse or your family that affects your hopes and wishes or your friend groups in some way.
Because Mercury will be forming a trine to Jupiter in your third house of communication, siblings, neighborhood, and daily route on December 18, 2023, there could be some good fortune or good news in regards to your ability to communicate effectively with your friends, experience unhindered local travel, or good news about a sibling.
Once Mercury travels back into your tenth house of career, public recognition, and the mother on December 23rd, 2023 things could shift and get a bit more confusing. You could decide to go back over something at work, a public announcement, or how you communicate with your mother and try to make better plans for the future. There could be a revision to your beliefs or principles at this time. Since Neptune is traveling through your first house of self, identity, and health, it could be all too easy to think something was divinely guided when it wasn’t or to get really preachy about a belief that you have and think it will be your savior, so watch out for self-deception, lies, and disillusionment.
During this retrograde build up your friendships, break down any disillusioned beliefs you may have around your private identity and your public identity that may be leading you off your path, and build your confidence back up by being truly authentic in how you grant your wishes to yourself. Good luck, Pisces!
I would love to hear how this Mercury retrograde goes for you! Please leave a comment.
I hope this is helpful!
Until tomorrow,
AstroMommy
Ebertin, Reinhold, and Reinhold Ebertin. The Combination of Stellar Influences. Ebertin, 1972.
Wow! Super accurate! Thanks for all your hard work! Hope you gwt a good night sleep and lots of love from your family! ❤️❤️❤️❤️