Sometimes People Just Suck: A Mercury Retrograde Story

Whether they’re ignorant, stupid, hateful, or purposefully antagonizing for their own benefit, humans are often slaves to their emotional trauma and issues—especially in their weakest moments. And what better cosmic backdrop for such moments than Mercury retrograde?

I woke up Sunday morning to a perfect Mercury retrograde storm brewing. The planet was almost at a standstill, ready to begin its retrograde cycle, and in Sagittarius no less.

Quick Mercury Retrograde Basics

If you’re not familiar with Mercury retrograde, check out this article for the general rundown. But for now, just know this: retrogrades often bring miscommunications, misunderstandings, and people airing their grievances in the messiest ways possible.

Back to the Story

Sunday morning, I rolled out of bed, made some coffee, and opened up a notification to this reply on a thread. It was an escalating train wreck of an exchange, and it couldn’t have been more astrologically relevant. Let’s unpack it through the lens of Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius.

Sagittarius Energy and the Dark Side

Ruled by Jupiter—the planet of expansion (think: loud voices, big opinions, and judgmental vibes)—Sagittarius energy is all about seeking truth. But here’s the catch: when Sagittarius is out of balance, it’s less about universal truths and more about personal truths. It can get preachy, miss the details, and come across as downright obnoxious.

Mercury retrograde amplifies these issues. Add in Jupiter’s current struggle (it’s in detriment in Mercury’s home sign of Gemini), and you’ve got the perfect setup for miscommunications and exaggerated overreactions.

The Exchange Breakdown: Mercury Rx + Sagittarius Chaos

Let’s dissect the thread and see how astrology shows up in real life:

1. First Comment:
   Someone jumps in to correct the phrase “bald-faced lie,” claiming it’s actually “bold-faced lie.” Technically, they’re not wrong—it can be “bold-faced lie,” and it’s part of AAVE (African American Vernacular English). But, fun fact: the original term was “barefaced lie,” dating back to the 1500s. So, the first commenter? They had their facts only partially right, which is very Mercury retrograde.

2. Second Comment (Me):
   I replied with what I thought was a cheeky, harmless jab: “I said ‘bald-faced lie’ once and got corrected. Instead of arguing, I thanked them and moved on... let them go out into the world and look stupid, I say!” It was flippant and rude—classic Sagittarian energy—and, unfortunately, it triggered the drama to come.

3. Third Comment:
   Oh boy. A Sagittarius Sun jumped in with a spectacular overreaction. They accused me of ignorance, cultural insensitivity, and basically lumped me into the collective pile of “white women who mind business that doesn’t pay them.” The kicker? They blocked responses to their comment, Sagittarius soapbox-style. (Dialogue? Nah, just hear me out and sit down.)

   But here’s where the retrograde really shines: they clearly misread my comment and projected a lot of assumptions onto it. Classic Mercury retrograde—especially in Sagittarius, where emotions and opinions run hot. To top it off, their ruling planet, Jupiter, isn’t exactly functioning at its best, which just made the whole thing more dramatic.

   Eventually, they must have realized the misstep because they deleted their comment and made their profile private. Typical Sagittarian pride—say it loud, but never apologize.

Why This Retrograde Is Extra Messy

This Mercury retrograde isn’t your average miscommunication fest. Mercury is retrograding in Jupiter’s sign (Sagittarius), while Jupiter is stuck in Mercury’s sign (Gemini), and not in a great position. This planetary opposition amplifies tension and projection. People are more likely to throw their issues onto others, and vice versa. Relationships of all kinds—friendships, partnerships, random internet exchanges—are going to feel this one.

The Takeaway: How to Survive Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius

1. Read carefully. Whether it’s a comment thread or a contract, double-check the details.

2. Get your facts straight. If you’re going to make a bold claim, make sure it holds up. No one likes a loud, wrong Sagittarius moment.

3. Choose your battles. Maybe now’s not the best time to pick fights with strangers or yell your opinions into the void. Pause, reflect, and focus on what actually matters.

Good luck navigating this one! And hey, if you want more astrology tips (with a side of sass), sign up for my newsletter. Let’s make it through this cosmic chaos together.