Pollyanna spin: Mercury retrogrades can bring hidden blessings. This forced slowdown provides an opportunity to focus on all the “re” activities in your life: revising, revisiting, reconnecting, reconfiguring. In other words, the things you generally don’t make time for because you’re too busy barreling ahead. Still, we aren’t going to hard sell you on the idea that Mercury retrograde is a walk in the park. These three-week cycles are notorious for spinning up misunderstandings, messing with digital devices, and screwing up schedules. People from the past tend to pop back up—and often unceremoniously.

Since Mercury is backing up through the Leo part of the sky, this flamboyant fire sign’s energy is getting involved. First and foremost, tamp down the peacocking and performative behaviors. Life may not be a dress rehearsal, but if it starts to resemble an episode of The Gilded Age, send your inner Bertha Russell back to her trailer. As the sign of the luxurious royal, Leo can get a little bit too concerned with status, “society,” and appearances.