The final Mercury retrograde of 2023 lasts from December 13, 2023, to January 1, 2024, moving from 08° Capricorn to 22° Sagittarius.

Mercury Retrograde Meaning

Mercury appears to move backward in the sky (retrograde motion) three or four times a year for about 24 days. It is generally problematic, affecting your thinking and communication. There are positives to Mercury retrograde, such as recalling fond memories or unexpectedly meeting up with people from your past.

However, the most common effects include confusion, anxiety, disagreement, technology breakdowns, lousy news, travel delays and lost items. Business negotiations may be in a state of flux. Some crucial details may not yet be available, and others may be unreliable or dishonest.

The retrograde phase is just one part of the retrograde cycle. Mercury travels direct, retrograde, and direct again over the same degrees, or “the retrograde zone.” The riskiest times for decision-making, negotiations, communication, and transport are the few days on either side of the exact retrograde and direct stations.

For more information, see Mercury Retrograde Natal and Transit.

Mercury Retrograde December 2023

Mercury entered the retrograde zone on November 25, 2023, at 22°10′ Sagittarius. During the first shadow period, you can get some idea of the thinking, communication, or transport issues that may arise during the retrograde phase.

1st shadow phase	Nov 25 to Dec 13	22° Sagittarius to 08° Capricorn
Retrograde phase	Dec 13 to Jan 01	08° Capricorn to 22° Sagittarius
2nd shadow phase	January 1 to 20	22° Sagittarius to 08° Capricorn

Mercury Stationary Retrograde December 2023

Mercury stations retrograde on December 13, 2023, at 08°29′ Capricorn. The horoscope below shows Mercury sextile Venus and trine Jupiter, two positive influences. However, Mercury retrograde aligns very closely with a negative fixed star.

Mercury sextile Venus is a harmonious influence that helps you express your love and affection more easily. It makes people more receptive and polite, making relationships and socializing more relaxed and enjoyable. Significantly, it reduces the potential for communication problems usually associated with Mercury retrograde, like misunderstandings and arguments.

Improved social and diplomatic skills allow you to bring people together and encourage cooperation. Doing business is favored because of a good head for numbers and the ability to find win-win situations. This aspect also enhances creative talents, especially with your hands and voice.

Mercury trine Jupiter has the opposite effect of Mercury retrograde, bringing optimism, good luck, and good news. Generosity and kindness promote spiritual growth. Positive and future-oriented thinking could even make this retrograde phase acceptable for making plans.

Combined with Mercury sextile Venus, it is perfect for matters concerning love and money. It favors making friends, doing business, studying and traveling. This is a long-term influence, too. Mercury trine Jupiter stays within an orb of 2°30′ from December 2 to 20. It is exact on December 5 and 18, and again on January 19.

The Constellations

From the horoscope above, Mercury stations retrograde in the Sign of Capricorn. But as the sky map below shows, it is in the Constellation of Sagittarius. The Signs and the Constellations do not match up. Over the last 2000 years, the Constellations have moved nearly 30° out of alignment with the Signs because of the precession of the equinoxes.

The Zodiac was invented only as a measuring device. The ecliptic line in the image below matches the degrees in the horoscope above. Like the original astrologers, I use the Constellations and fixed stars for interpretation, not the Signs.

Mercury stations retrograde conjunct M22, a cluster of stars in the face of the Archer called Facies. At 08°37′ Capricorn, Facies is only 0°08′ from Mercury by longitude, and virtually at the same latitude. This unique globular cluster is relatively bright and contains two black holes and a planetary nebula. Perhaps that explains its dire reputation in astrology.

Ruthlessness

Fixed star Facies makes people driven, outspoken, groundbreaking, influential, prolific, focused, penetrating, intense, fearless, ruthless and violent. It is associated with accidents, illness and weak eyesight but powerful insight. 

With Mercury: Fearless, vindictive, ‘warlike’ skills, ‘behind the scenes’ operations, and intolerance of others that is generally not openly expressed. ^[1]

The sextile to Venus, and especially the trine to Jupiter, may bring out the Sagittarius/Jupiter association of Facies. Interest in religion, politics, philosophy and travel is often expressed by producing or publishing something through words, images, and symbolism like literature, art or film. This self-expression is profound and leaves a lasting impression on others.

However, the incredibly close alignment of Mercury retrograde December 2023 with Facies suggests this star cluster has a more powerful influence than the planetary aspects. Therefore, communication breakdowns associated with Mercury retrograde increase the risk of ruthlessness and violence from Facies.

With wars already raging unhindered, there is a danger of “intolerance” and “vindictiveness” being expressed through “warlike skills” in “behind-the-scenes operations.” Assassination seems a likely modus operandi for the Archer. This is supported by the tightest aspect in the Mercury retrograde 2023 horoscope, the secretive Moon square Neptune.

• Mercury stations direct on January 1, 2024, at 22°10′ Sagittarius.
• Mercury leaves the retrograde zone on January 20, 2024, at 08°29′ Capricorn.
• See Mercury Transits for more detail on how Mercury retrograde December 2023 affects your birth chart.

Mercury Retrograde December 2023 Times

• Los Angeles – December 12,  11:09 pm
• New York – December 13,  2:09 am
• London – December 13,  7:09 am
• Delhi – December 13,  12:39 pm
• Sydney – December 13,  6:09 pm

Mercury Retrograde 2023 Dates

• August 23, 2023, to September 15, 2023 – 21° to 8° Virgo
• December 13, 2023, to January 1, 2024 – 08° Cap to 22° Sag
• April 1 to 25 – 27° to 15 Aries

References

1. The Power of the Fixed Stars, Joseph E. Rigor, 1979, p.186.