Mercury Retrograde: decor edition

DON’T JUMP THE GUN, ARIES

Did you flip your laptop open at 1 a.m. and order that burgundy sofa you’d been eyeing — and now you just wish you’d picked beige instead? You have it tough this season, Aries. You’re stuck between a rock and a hard place this month, a.k.a your own spontaneous impulses and your better judgment.

Our advice for you this season? Cool it with the online decor shopping during the retrograde, or you’ll be stuck with a living room full of statement pieces that don’t go with each other.

TAURUS, PAUSE THE FINE LIVING

We know you like the finer things in life, Taurus. But perhaps this is not the best time to venture into a decor store and max out your credit card.

If you’ve been itching to make that luxury purchase to live your best life, sit it out. Wait till the Retrograde ends. If you still feel like a coffee table that costs half your rent is a need and not a want (especially when you don’t even drink coffee), by all means, go for it! Try to hold off on buying the matching chairs.

GOLDEN WORDS ARE ALWAYS WRITTEN, GEMINI

Gemini, Mercury is your ruling planet. Placing an order for new tiles in your kitchen? Be extra careful when checking measurements, and no, sq ft is not the same as sq mtr — unless you want a truckload of mint green backsplash to turn up in your driveway. You may be a smooth talker, but you can’t smooth-talk your way into a full refund for this one.

This is your moment to return to the written word. Keep receipts, take screenshots and relay all your grievances via email. And don’t flirt with the customer care rep!

CANCER, KEEP IT COOL

Keep your friends close and your box of tissues closer, Cancer. Are your living room walls looking too white? Perhaps. Should you try and make the space cosier by painting it a soothing shade of blue? Perhaps not. Don’t pick up new home projects to tackle this month. Call your gardener, and finish sowing the seeds in your half-finished vegetable garden first.

Amidst the chaos of the retrograde, emotions tend to run high — and yours are already dialled to the highest setting. Take it easy! Finish what you’ve started instead of starting something new.

YOU’RE THE MAIN CHARACTER LEO!

Congratulations Leo! You get a free pass to make the Mercury Retrograde all about you. After all, the planet is going retrograde in your sign, which means anything and everything Leo governs is going to be pulled into the limelight. What falls under your gambit? You’re naturally inclined towards being the leader of the pack, are self-assured and don’t like to mince words.

Are you feeling the urge to tell a dear friend what you really think of the new painting above their couch? Don’t. Or if you do, try to make it sound constructive.

NOBODY’S PERFECT, VIRGO

Mercury is your ruling planet, Virgo. You may think you’re safe in your home territory, but look out! Your pursuit of perfection and high standards may make things messy during the retrograde. Stop trying to rearrange your shelves and drawers. There is no perfect spot for that lamp. Put your rulers and measuring tapes away, and breathe.

You don’t need to call six people to confirm if your perfectly straight photo frame is slightly askew. Step away and take five. Have faith in your creativity and your vision. Don’t let Mercury play tricks on you!

LIBRA, JUST BE YOURSELF!

You’re the people’s princess, the easygoing friend who can smooth things over in a snap. But you’re indecisive, Libra. This indecision, coupled with the Mercury Retrograde in Leo, may lead to people being more, uh, expressive of your decor choices.

But don’t let anyone sway you! So what if your friends think you own too much pink? Get that magenta throw, cosy up and spend retrograde in your own little bubble. You’ve earned it.

SAFETY IN NUMBERS, SCORPIO

It’s time to invest in a new safe for all those secrets you’ve been hiding, Scorpio. While Mercury in retrograde advises us all to venture inwards and reflect, you’ve done plenty of thinking. Overthinking, even.

Our advice? Find a confidante or two. Call them over to your house, have a quiet dinner, and confide in them. Don’t be surprised if they think that the ancient wall clock in the corner of your room is haunted. Your space reflects your moodiness, but the right person will be able to see through it and be there for you.

STAY HOME, SAGITTARIUS!

Sagittarius, do you really need to travel all the way to another country to buy that one antique you still think about? Or are you using it as an excuse to travel? Your friends are tired of hearing about that fantastic candelabra you saw on your trip to Italy — and so are we.

You’re an incurable travel enthusiast, ready to book a ticket at the drop of a hat. Stay away from planes, stick to your local decor store, and stay put!

CAPRICORN? PLANNING IS WINNING

Capricorn, you’re a natural planner. You’re the best-prepared one during a crisis, and you know a retrograde is coming long before we do. You can handle all the pressure Mercury’s throwing at you. But if things do go awry, try to keep a cool head!

This is the best time to finally start planning that renovation you’ve been dreaming of — planning, not executing. Do your research, lay down the foundation, and start signing contracts and placing orders as soon as pesky little Mercury starts orbiting in the right direction again. You’ve got this!

REMEMBER THE FORGOTTEN, AQUARIUS

Out of all the zodiacs here, you’re the least likely one to be scared of the Retrograde. And that’s good, Aquarius! But your aloof nature and disregard for structure put you at risk of being misunderstood by others: a rampant phenomenon during this strange cosmic transit.

Here’s a grounding activity for you during the Retrograde. Step into your storage area, that one section of your closet you’d completely forgotten about, and sift through to find your next pièce de résistance. You may just come across a long-lost object you’d completely forgotten you owned!

PINCH YOUR PENNIES, PISCES!

Dreamy little Pisces. You begin every home makeover by fantasising about all the things you’re going to buy. But this retrograde, you’re going to have to be a little more frugal.

But that’s not bad news for you, you Piscean! You’re creative. You think on your feet. When the Retrograde closes a door, you know how to open another window! Go find that cost-effective DIY decor hack and let your creativity flow!

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