Il Mercury pre-shadow phase starting on October 21, 2025 marks the beginning of a slow buildup before the actual retrograde hits in November.
This is when Mercury starts moving over the degrees it will later revisit once it turns retrograde, which means the themes that show up now are the ones that will loop back again.
Since this pre-shadow starts in Scorpione, the tone is more emotionally charged and focused on hidden motives, buried thoughts, and intense conversations.
It’s impossible not to notice the subtle shift in the atmosphere.
Paying attention now can help you avoid bigger stress when the retrograde finally begins.
1. Conversations
During the pre-shadow phase, Mercury begins tracing the path it will eventually backtrack over.
That means anything communicated over the coming days will be revisited in November.
This is why it helps to look back at conversations from earlier this month or even late September. Instead of brushing that off, take it as a sign to clean things up a little.
Right now’s a good time for checking in with the people around you. Being proactive will reduce unnecessary drama when the retrograde hits, helping you sustain long-term harmony.
If anything feels off in your relationships, trust that feeling and try to fix it.
Mercury in its pre-shadow phase will reward you for every responsible step you take.
Plus, it’s much easier to fix things now before the energy becomes much more tangled.
2. Be More Present
Once the pre-shadow begins, your phone might start to feel heavier than usual.
Doomscrolling will suddenly drain your energy faster. Every notification will make you feel like you’re scattering your energy. So, practicing mindfulness becomes a must.
This is a good time to step back from technology and create more intentional moments.
Instead of checking your phone every few minutes, try leaving it in another room while you do simple tasks like cooking, walking or even just having a conversation.
Mercury in Scorpio pushes for deeper focus and emotional honesty, and it’s hard to tap into that when your attention is constantly split between apps, messages, and distractions.
Small breaks from technology let your mind slow down enough to catch subtle emotional cues you would normally overlook.
Being present also helps you pick up on early patterns that might become more obvious during the retrograde.
These intentional pauses create mental clarity and make it easier to handle the deeper reflections that this Mercury phase is preparing you for.
3. Hold Off on New Contracts or Deals
While this is not the retrograde itself, the pre-shadow still marks a period where certain details can (and probably will) start slipping through the cracks.
Mercury puts pressure on verità. It’s easy to miss subtle wording or assume everyone is on the same page when in reality, as is always the case, there are unspoken expectations.
If you have the option to delay signing big contracts, negotiations or launches until after the retrograde—consider it.
And if you can’t delay, then double check the terms more thoroughly than usual. Read things word for word. Ask questions even if they feel obvious.
You might also notice that these things will circle back during the retrograde period.
That’s why it’s not ideal to jump head first. You don’t know all the details yet.
Instead, use this time to research, gather information, and compare options.
You’re not avoiding progress. You’re setting yourself up for success.
4. Journal or Meditate
Mercury entering the pre-shadow brings a more introspective tone.
Things that usually like to stay hidden are bound to surface. Expect emotional triggers, suppressed thoughts, and deeper fears and doubts around trust and control.
It sounds scary, but this is a great period to turn inward instead of pushing outward. The way you do that is through logic and productivity, particularly journaling.
Writing down your thoughts isn’t just for clarity. It also slows them down. It reveals patterns that you didn’t notice before. You can revisit memories that suddenly feel relevant again.
Meditation, however, can also help you connect with your deeper mental state. It allows you to avoid lingering in reaction mode.
Simply acknowledge the pre-shadow phase as a period of clarity and closure.
While these themes might get louder and more intense during the retrograde itself, working with them now gives you a head start.
5. Speaking and Listening with Patience
As mentioned already, communication tends to get distorted during the pre-shadow phase and this effect grows stronger each day leading to the retrograde.
What this means is that people speak more emotionally. They read between the lines.
So, this isn’t the best time to assume others know exactly what you mean.
Pratica pazienza when expressing yourself can prevent misunderstandings. When you talk, do it slowly and with intention. When someone speaks to you, listen fully as well.
Don’t plan your response while they’re still talking.
And if anything feels unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. Right now, guesswork only fans the flames of confusion.
All of this may sound simple, but during Mercury pre-shadow it makes a huge difference.
Many conflicts that happen during Mercury phases are not about the actual words but about unspoken tones or projections. This is especially true with Mercury in Scorpio because emotional nuance is amplified.
By being more mindful and slower in your communication, you set a tone of mutual understanding rather than quick emotional reactions.
6. Revisit Projects, Not Start Fresh Ones
The energy of Mercury pre-shadow is best suited for review rather than innovation.
If you have any ongoing projects, now’s the time to refine them, fix minor issues, and bring more structure to your workflow.
Because of this, starting something from scratch, especially if it involves long-term commitments or multiple people, can feel way harder than usual—so it’s best to postpone it.
You might find yourself lacking clarity or second guessing your direction, which is a sign that the timing isn’t ideal for any grand new beginnings.
Instead of forcing it, focus on editing, updating, or organizing what already exists.
Look at your past to-do lists and check if something important fell through the cracks.
By revisiting your work with fresh eyes, you might notice better strategies o small improvements that make everything smoother.
This period is about building a stronger foundation before moving forward.
7. Tune Into Your Body
Mercury may rule the mind, but during pre-shadow its influence can show up through physical fatigue, irrequietezza, o semplicemente mental fog.
This is partly due to the Scorpio influence that draws energy inward for processing rather than outward for action.
Pay attention to your energy levels starting around October 21. If you feel more tired or mentally scattered than usual, take it as a sign to slow down.
Pushing yourself harder will only create frustration.
Simple habits like drinking enough water, getting consistent sleep, and reducing digital overload can help keep your nervous system balanced.
Rest when you need to, even if it is just a five minute break in silence.
The more you stay in tune with your physical signals, the more you can navigate Mercury pre-shadow without feeling overwhelmed.
