by Amelia Quint

Retrogrades are supposed to be a bad thing for relationships, right? Not exactly. If you’re expecting things to keep going as they have been you might be in for a few surprises, but if you’re ready to grow along with the people you love, you might just enjoy them!

If there’s only one type of retrograde you know about, make it Mercury retrograde, between March 5th and 28th. Mercury represents the way you think and express yourself, and rules over all forms of communication from DMs to intense, in-person conversations. When it reverses course, the messages you send and receive are bound to cause some confusion. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you have to stop swiping in Bumble or delete the app until it’s all over!

Your best Mercury retrograde remedy? Remember that it’s an optical illusion. Mercury appears to be moving backwards on its path through the sky, but it’s just a trick. In the same way, these three weeks might throw you a couple curveballs, but consider them a cosmic invitation to see your life from a totally new angle.

You’ll notice things that are so obvious, you can’t believe you didn’t see them already! Whether you’ve been taking your love for granted, skipping out on one too many friend dates, or constantly rescheduling that catch-up with your work wife, you’ll start to remember what brought you together in the first place. Know that your relationships are always evolving, so getting this kind of new perspective can bring you even closer than before.

Meanwhile, do your best not to worry too much about any perceived awkwardness, because everyone’s going to be feeling it! Instead, be as compassionate as you can with your thoughts, words, and actions —especially towards yourself. If you’re feeling like your needs aren’t being met, Mercury could be challenging you to speak up and ask for what you aren’t getting.

This month, Mercury will be retrograde in Pisces, the sign of spirituality. If you aren’t sure how your current relationships fit into your life path, this three week stretch will give you a much better idea of what the lesson is behind that bond. It’s going to do a lot to repair emotional hurts and help you have faith in what comes next. Which of your relationships needs some cosmic healing? Read for your sign to find out!

Aries

With Mercury retrograde in your twelfth house of endings, there’s a relationship in your life that still has a few loose ends to tie up. What’s keeping you from cutting the cord? Let it go, and move on to better, brighter connections.

Taurus

Mercury retrograde in your friendship zone is going to clear the decks on your social circle, cycling out anyone who doesn’t have your best interests at heart. By the time it’s done, you can trust that whoever’s still in your corner truly supports you.

Gemini

Having Mercury retrograde in your professional sector can feel like a comedy of errors at work, but try your best to see it as an opportunity to hone your communication skills as a leader! If you ace this, important players will be totally impressed with your finesse.

Cancer

No one likes to feel fenced in. With Mercury retrograde in your expansion sector, you’re itching to get out of your comfort zone. What’s standing in the way of you breaking out of that rut? These three weeks will help you find the answer, and give you a boost towards moving past it.

Leo

It’s always nerve-wracking to be the first to open up about something, but with Mercury retrograde in your intimacy zone, it’s worth it to be a little vulnerable. By being honest about your desires, you take back your power.

Virgo

With Mercury retrograde in your one-on-one relationship zone, your service-oriented sign should reevaluate whether you’re giving as much as you’re taking. If one’s more weighted than the other, use this period to get them back in balance.

Libra

Mercury retrograde in your health and habits sector could equal a few weeks of scheduling snafus, but these might be a message from the universe that you need to slow down. Self-care is a must, so put extra time into exercise, diet, skincare, or whatever else makes you feel nourished.

Scorpio

Is your candle burning at both ends, or not at all? With Mercury retrograde in your pleasure zone, it’s possible that you’re moving a little too fast in an attraction, or shutting yourself off from love. By the time these three weeks are over, you’ll find the right speed.

Sagittarius

There’s only so much you can do to fix your past. Thanks to Mercury retrograde in your personal history zone, you spend the next three weeks finally coming to terms with the family, friends, and emotional hurts that make you the incredibly strong person you are today.

Capricorn

If you’re having trouble finding the right word or phrase to express yourself, you can thank Mercury retrograde in your communication zone over the next three weeks for that. If you can, reconnect with an old friend to help you find your voice again.

Aquarius

Feeling out of place at the office? Mercury retrograde in your self- and net-worth sector is here to remind you how much value you bring to the table! If you feel down, call an old boss or colleague for a pep talk. By the time it’s all over, you have so much more confidence in your skills.

Pisces

With Mercury retrograde in your sign, you feel like shedding your skin. It’s okay to let your personal style evolve! Try on a few new looks before committing to something new. Your to-do? Let the negative self-talk go and start building yourself up instead.