Mercury Retrograde 2026
Exact mercury retrograde dates for 2026, computed directly from VSOP87 planetary theory — the ephemeris-grade math behind professional astronomy software — rather than copied from another site's table. Times are given in UTC and US Eastern.
Mercury retrograde dates 2026
| Stations retrograde | Stations direct | Degrees traveled | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 26, 2026 2026-02-26 06:41 UTC · Feb 26, 1:41 AM EST |
March 20, 2026 2026-03-20 19:27 UTC · Mar 20, 3:27 PM EDT |
Pisces 22°34′ → Pisces 8°29′ | 23 days |
| June 29, 2026 2026-06-29 17:30 UTC · Jun 29, 1:30 PM EDT |
July 23, 2026 2026-07-23 22:51 UTC · Jul 23, 6:51 PM EDT |
Cancer 26°15′ → Cancer 16°19′ | 24 days |
| October 24, 2026 2026-10-24 07:05 UTC · Oct 24, 3:05 AM EDT |
November 13, 2026 2026-11-13 15:48 UTC · Nov 13, 10:48 AM EST |
Scorpio 20°59′ → Scorpio 5°02′ | 20 days |
Shadow periods
The pre-shadow starts when Mercury first crosses the degree of its future direct station; the post-shadow ends when it re-crosses the degree where it turned retrograde. These book-end weeks are when retrograde themes fade in and out.
| Pre-shadow begins | Retrograde | Post-shadow ends |
|---|---|---|
| February 11, 2026 | February 26, 2026 – March 20, 2026 | April 9, 2026 |
| June 13, 2026 | June 29, 2026 – July 23, 2026 | August 7, 2026 |
| October 4, 2026 | October 24, 2026 – November 13, 2026 | November 30, 2026 |
What Mercury retrograde means
Mercury rules communication, travel, contracts, and technology, so its retrograde weeks are astrology's most-watched: plans get revised, messages cross, old conversations resurface. The classical advice is re- work — review, revise, reconnect, reflect — and to sign or launch either before the pre-shadow or after the post-shadow clears.
When does Mercury go retrograde in 2026?
Mercury stations retrograde on February 26, 2026 at 22°34′ Pisces and stations direct on March 20, 2026 at 8°29′ Pisces. Mercury stations retrograde on June 29, 2026 at 26°15′ Cancer and stations direct on July 23, 2026 at 16°19′ Cancer. Mercury stations retrograde on October 24, 2026 at 20°59′ Scorpio and stations direct on November 13, 2026 at 5°02′ Scorpio.
How long is Mercury retrograde in 2026?
February 26, 2026 to March 20, 2026: about 23 days. June 29, 2026 to July 23, 2026: about 24 days. October 24, 2026 to November 13, 2026: about 20 days.
What is the mercury retrograde shadow period?
The pre-shadow begins when Mercury first crosses the degree it will later return to at its direct station; the post-shadow ends when it re-passes the degree where it stationed retrograde. Within the shadow, retrograde themes build up and wind down.
How will these transits touch your chart? A transit only matters where it lands — and that depends on your exact birth moment. The GuidingDragon Year-Ahead Report maps the coming twelve months against your actual birth chart, month by month — delivered to your account within minutes.
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Calculate your free birth chart →See also: the full transit calendar · full moon calendar 2026 · eclipses 2026.