Mercury Retrograde 2027
The next period: February 9 – March 3, Pisces → Aquarius. Dates for all 3 periods, what to do and what to avoid, and who feels it most.
- Step 1 · entering the shadowJan 25Mercury crosses the degrees of the coming retrograde: the themes that will surface are already taking shape.
- Step 2 · turning backwardFeb 9 · 17:05 UTCStation in Pisces at 5°. Tension peaks 1–2 days before and after.
- Step 3 · turning forwardMar 3 · 12:04 UTCStation in Aquarius at 20°. Misunderstandings begin to clear.
- Step 4 · leaving the shadowMar 23Mercury is back at the point of the first station. It is safe to start something new.
- Step 1 · entering the shadowMay 26Mercury crosses the degrees of the coming retrograde: the themes that will surface are already taking shape.
- Step 2 · turning backwardJun 10 · 17:49 UTCStation in Cancer at 6°. Tension peaks 1–2 days before and after.
- Step 3 · turning forwardJul 4 · 19:11 UTCStation in Gemini at 27°. Misunderstandings begin to clear.
- Step 4 · leaving the shadowJul 19Mercury is back at the point of the first station. It is safe to start something new.
- Step 1 · entering the shadowSep 17Mercury crosses the degrees of the coming retrograde: the themes that will surface are already taking shape.
- Step 2 · turning backwardOct 7 · 14:10 UTCStation in Scorpio at 4°. Tension peaks 1–2 days before and after.
- Step 3 · turning forwardOct 28 · 13:41 UTCStation in Libra at 19°. Misunderstandings begin to clear.
- Step 4 · leaving the shadowNov 13Mercury 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 9 – March 3 (Pisces → Aquarius); June 10 – July 4 (Cancer → Gemini); October 7 – October 28 (Scorpio → Libra). 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 2027?
February 9 – March 3 (Pisces → Aquarius); June 10 – July 4 (Cancer → Gemini); October 7 – October 28 (Scorpio → Libra). 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 2027, the nearest shadow runs from January 25 to March 23.