Mercury retrograde in the 7th house

With Mercury retrograde in your seventh house, attention moves to the people you are closest to one to one. Conversations with a partner may feel slightly out of step. A misunderstanding could stall plans, or an old topic you thought was settled could come up again.

Former partners or business collaborators may reappear, sometimes with unfinished business, sometimes simply to say hello. Contracts and agreements may need reviewing or renegotiating.

Underneath it all, there is a chance to understand your relationships better. What do you need from the people closest to you, and are you asking for it clearly? This retrograde gives you the time and the prompts to find out.

Slow down on new partnerships. If you are about to sign a contract, enter a business arrangement or make a big relationship decision, take more time over the details and ask the questions you would usually skip.

Slow down in conversation. Repeat back what you heard before replying: "So you're saying you'd like more time on Sundays?" Misunderstandings happen easily this month, and this simple step prevents most of them.

Slow down on reacting to old patterns. If an argument feels very familiar, ask yourself what has really changed since the last time. That is often where the solution lies, and it stops you both repeating the same lines.

A seventh-house retrograde is ideal for strengthening the partnerships you already have. Look back, talk honestly and adjust.

• Say the unsaid thing. Choose a calm evening and raise one topic you have been holding back with your partner.
• Review your agreements. Look at shared arrangements, at home or at work, and check they still suit both of you.
• Close an old loop. If there is unfinished business with a former collaborator, reach out and settle it.
• Write down your needs. List what you want from your closest relationships, then share one item.
• Wait on big commitments. Save new contracts, proposals and major decisions until after Mercury turns direct.