Mercury retrogrades are famous for sowing the seeds of confusion, sprinkling flies in the ointment, and making you look left when you should have been looking right. They’re not exactly deal breakers, but they can certainly throw a cosmic monkey wrench into the smooth workings of your day-to-day life. That’s why it’s always a good idea to add two weeks to any deadline you’re working with and to go over an contract or agreement with a fine tooth comb during this time. You don’t want to get snagged on a hidden technicality. Also avoid purchasing any big ticket items because chances are you’ll find some kind of fault in the merchandise or discover that the price was inflated or the property over-valued. Mercury will be retrograde from Aug. 12 to Sept. 5.