Mercury Retrograde 2026
The next period: October 24 – November 13, in Scorpio. Dates for all 3 periods, what to do and what to avoid, and who feels it most.
- Step 1 · entering the shadowFeb 11Mercury crosses the degrees of the coming retrograde: the themes that will surface are already taking shape.
- Step 2 · turning backwardFeb 26 · 06:17 UTCStation in Pisces at 22°. Tension peaks 1–2 days before and after.
- Step 3 · turning forwardMar 20 · 19:04 UTCStation in Pisces at 8°. Misunderstandings begin to clear.
- Step 4 · leaving the shadowApr 9Mercury is back at the point of the first station. It is safe to start something new.
- Step 1 · entering the shadowJun 13Mercury crosses the degrees of the coming retrograde: the themes that will surface are already taking shape.
- Step 2 · turning backwardJun 29 · 17:07 UTCStation in Cancer at 26°. Tension peaks 1–2 days before and after.
- Step 3 · turning forwardJul 23 · 22:27 UTCStation in Cancer at 16°. Misunderstandings begin to clear.
- Step 4 · leaving the shadowAug 7Mercury is back at the point of the first station. It is safe to start something new.
- Step 1 · entering the shadowOct 4Mercury crosses the degrees of the coming retrograde: the themes that will surface are already taking shape.
- Step 2 · turning backwardOct 24 · 06:45 UTCStation in Scorpio at 20°. Tension peaks 1–2 days before and after.
- Step 3 · turning forwardNov 13 · 15:22 UTCStation in Scorpio at 5°. Misunderstandings begin to clear.
- Step 4 · leaving the shadowNov 30Mercury is back at the point of the first station. It is safe to start something new.
What is happening
Several times a year, Mercury appears to turn around and travel backward across the sky. It is an optical effect: Earth overtakes Mercury on its orbit. In astrology, these three weeks are linked with hiccups in communication, paperwork, technology and travel.
Themes of the period: candid conversations you have been putting off, a second look at agreements, and people and tasks from the past coming back. Mercury does not forbid action — it asks you to double-check and leave a buffer in your deadlines.
February 26 – March 20 (in Pisces); June 29 – July 23 (in Cancer); October 24 – November 13 (in Scorpio). Each period is its own story, with the theme of its sign.
What to do and what to avoid
General guidance for every sign.
What to do
- Reread contracts
- Repay debts
- Back up your data
What to avoid
- Big purchases
- New loans
- Sharp emails
Who feels it most
Most affected: the signs where the retrograde runs and the signs ruled by Mercury.
Other signs feel it more gently. This is a general Sun-sign outlook; for precision, look at the house and aspects in your natal chart.
Frequently asked questions
When is Mercury retrograde in 2026?
February 26 – March 20 (in Pisces); June 29 – July 23 (in Cancer); October 24 – November 13 (in Scorpio). Times of the turns are in UTC.
Can I sign contracts during Mercury retrograde?
If it can’t wait, yes: reread the terms, keep a copy of the correspondence and leave a buffer in your deadlines. The riskiest days are around the planet’s turns.
What is the retrograde shadow?
These are the weeks before and after a retrograde when the planet crosses the same degrees. In 2026, the nearest shadow runs from October 4 to November 30.