Mercury retrograde 2026
In 2026 Mercury goes retrograde 3 times: in Pisces, in Cancer, and in Scorpio. All three periods fall in water signs.
Period 1: Feb 26 to Mar 20
It moves back from 22°33′ Pisces to 8°29′ Pisces.
- Shadow begins
- Feb 11, 17:13 · 8°29′ Pisces
- Mercury stations retrograde
- Feb 26, 01:47 · 22°33′ Pisces
- Mercury stations direct
- Mar 20, 15:35 · 8°29′ Pisces
- Shadow ends
- Apr 9, 07:42 · 22°33′ Pisces
Period 2: Jun 29 to Jul 23
It moves back from 26°15′ Cancer to 16°19′ Cancer.
- Shadow begins
- Jun 12, 20:54 · 16°19′ Cancer
- Mercury stations retrograde
- Jun 29, 13:37 · 26°15′ Cancer
- Mercury stations direct
- Jul 23, 18:57 · 16°19′ Cancer
- Shadow ends
- Aug 6, 23:37 · 26°15′ Cancer
Period 3: Oct 24 to Nov 13
It moves back from 20°58′ Scorpio to 5°02′ Scorpio.
- Shadow begins
- Oct 4, 05:11 · 5°02′ Scorpio
- Mercury stations retrograde
- Oct 24, 03:16 · 20°58′ Scorpio
- Mercury stations direct
- Nov 13, 10:52 · 5°02′ Scorpio
- Shadow ends
- Nov 30, 01:17 · 20°58′ Scorpio
The shadow is the stretch of zodiac Mercury covers three times: before, during and after the retrograde. US Eastern time (New York).
What helps during these periods
- Review contracts and important messages before you send or sign them.
- Back up your files and leave room in travel plans and deadlines.
- Revisit pending projects, fix and reorganize rather than launch something new.
- Listen patiently: misunderstandings are more likely.