The first Mercury retrograde of the year is here. From March 14 to April 7, 2025, our planet of expression and communication will slow its roll, first in Aries and then in Pisces.
It is well established that Mercury retrograde is not an ideal time to make agreements, start relationships, get hitched, swear a blood oath, buy real estate or sign contracts as what you initiate will eventually fall apart because the bedrock is rocky AF.
Astrologer Palmist Ankur tells The Post there are specific reasons why Mercury retrograde can send a business deal off the ever-loving rails, “In astrology, Mercury governs communication, negotiation and mediation, making it a crucial factor in business dealings. It represents the ability to convey ideas, engage in discussions and finalize agreements.”
Business leaders often consult Ankur to gain insights on the best times to make announcements, solidify negotiations and sign agreements.
He explains that two major planetary conditions, Mercury retrograde and Mercury combust (when Mercury moves too close to the sun in its orbit), are known to disrupt transactions and increase the likelihood of deals falling through.
“Mercury retrograde is notorious for communication breakdowns, technological failures and
misunderstandings—hardly ideal circumstances for signing a multi-billion-dollar deal. Similarly, Mercury combustion happens when Mercury moves too close to the Sun, diminishing its influence and creating confusion, delays and miscalculations.”
He notes that these conditions don’t necessarily certify failure but signify obstacles and a roll of the dice in terms of risk versus reward.
Ankur shared that the following mergers and acquisitions announced during Mercury retrograde
either folded or were beset by unforeseen complications.
“These are just a few examples of major corporate deals announced under Mercury
retrograde or combust, many of which faced significant hurdles.”
Deals announced during Mercury retrograde:
- Citicorp and Travelers Group (April 7, 1998 – also combust)
- Sprint Corporation and Nextel Communications (December 15, 2004)
- HP’s acquisition of Autonomy Corporation (August 18, 2011 – also combust)
- BHP Billiton’s bid for Rio Tinto (February 6, 2008 – also combust)
- Microsoft’s attempt to acquire Yahoo! (February 1, 2008)
- GE’s acquisition of Honeywell (October 22, 2000)
- Adobe’s acquisition of Figma (September 15, 2022)
“These cases illustrate how critical it is to consider cosmic timing when making significant business moves. Some of these deals failed outright, while others suffered massive losses or legal entanglements,” explained Ankur.
He told the Post that regardless of celestial hindrances, success is always a possibility, but planning major moves and mergers around Mercury’s transits sets the stage for smoother negotiations and considerably less hitch in the giddy up.
Mercury retrograde and Mercury combust can impact all manner of major contractual decisions, including, but not limited to, real estate purchases, legal agreements and marriage contracts.
If you’re uncertain about whether to sign on the dotted line or chill your t–s until you’re under more favorable skies, Ankur recommends consulting an astrologer for guidance.
And if you think that idea is hogwash or swine soap, I gently remind you that Nancy Reagan guided her husband’s political career with weekly calls to her astrologer, and leaders as far, wide and way back as Cleopatra, Queen Elizabeth I, and Charles de Gaulle never made major moves without consulting the cosmos.
Astrology 101: Your guide to the star
Astrologer Reda Wigle researches and irreverently reports back on planetary configurations and their effect on each zodiac sign. Her horoscopes integrate history, poetry, pop culture and personal experience.
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