Every new year brings its fair share of highs, lows, challenges and opportunities. How you’ll experience them is bound to change, in part because the astrology of each 12-month cycle is truly unique. But you can count on certain astrological events to occur annually, and in 2026, Mercury will go retrograde three times. The planet of communication, transportation and technology’s retrograde periods are known for wreaking havoc and spurring chaos—from traffic delays to glitchy Wi-Fi, crossed wires with your significant other and missed emails. But, as the author of Mercury Magic: How to Thrive During Retrogrades and Tap Into the Power of the Messenger Planet, I can reassure you that there are also opportunities for rest, revision, reimagining and even taking care of old business so that you can fully move forward with greater clarity.
For that reason, it can help to get a sense of what you can expect in terms of 2026’s Mercury retrogrades. Read on for 2026 Mercury retrograde dates, themes and the signs who will be most affected during each of the messenger planet’s backspins.
When is Mercury retrograde in 2026?
In 2026, Mercury will go retrograde on three occasions:
February 25 to March 20: Mercury will go retrograde at 22 degrees Pisces on February 25 at 10:48 p.m. PT/February 26, 2026 at 1:48 a.m. ET and go direct on March 20 at 12:32 p.m. PT/3:32 p.m. ET at 8 degrees Pisces.
June 29 to July 23: Mercury will go retrograde at 26 degrees Cancer on June 29 at 10:35 a.m. PT/1:35 p.m. ET and go direct at 6:31 pm P./9:31 p.m. ET at 16 degrees Cancer.
October 24 to November 13: Mercury will go retrograde at 20 degrees Scorpio on October 24 at 12:12 a.m. PT/3:12 a.m. ET. It will then go direct at 5 degrees Scorpio on November 13 at 7:53 a.m. PT/10:53 a.m. ET.
What to know about each Mercury retrograde in 2026
Each Mercury retrograde in 2026 occurs in a water sign—the group best known for being emotionally intelligent, artistic, intuitive and protective of their bonds, especially with loved ones. For that reason, you can expect all three periods to be fertile ground for self-reflection, nurturing your sense of security and relationships, particularly with family members as well as connecting even more deeply with your intuition.
Here’s a rundown on the specifics for each Mercury retrograde period during 2026, as well as the signs that will be most affected—and how.
Mercury retrograde in Pisces: February 25 to March 20
When Mercury goes retrograde in Pisces on February 25, you can anticipate confusion, miscommunications and glitchiness to result from Pisces’ preference for illusion, escapism and wearing rose-colored glasses over clear, concise, logical communication, cold, hard facts or rational, pragmatic thought. That’s because Pisces is ruled by Neptune, the planet of dreams and spirituality.
You might also struggle with crossed wires or slowdowns that result from indecision, wishy-washiness and lacking self-motivation. This is thanks to Pisces’ mutability, which offers the water sign plenty of adaptability but can also spur indecision and passivity.
How to make the most of Mercury retrograde in Pisces
When Mercury is retrograde in this empathic, psychic water sign, you’ll notice amplified intuition, imagination, daydreams and the ability to take note of emotional subtext in your conversations. You might also go back to the drawing board to revisit emotional experiences that you can now tap into as a source of inspiration for a creative or spiritually fulfilling outlet.
Because Pisces is associated with the Twelfth House of Spirituality, the best possible way to take advantage of Mercury’s time moving backwards through the sign of the Fish is to carve out time for rest and rejuvenation. Whether you’re not feeling as social as usual or you just feel pulled to invest in more self-work, a less hurried, more imaginative approach to life can preempt burnout and frustration.
Signs most affected during Mercury retrograde in Pisces
The signs that will feel this Mercury retrograde the most are the mutable signs: Gemini (mutable air), Virgo (mutable earth), Sagittarius (mutable fire) and Pisces (mutable water).
Mercury retrograde in Cancer: June 29 to July 23
When Mercury is retrograde in Cancer, the cardinal water sign, you could find challenges arise from thoughts and words being so colored by mood—something that is a natural side effect of the messenger planet spending time in a sign ruled by the emotional, changeable moon. You might find it’s harder to tap into facts, rationality and impartiality over the course of this transit. Frustration could also spike as a result of having a tougher time taking the initiative and kicking off new undertakings, which cardinal signs, like Cancer, tend to be big fans of.
And because Cancer is so family-oriented, you might find that stereotypical Mercury retrograde chaos tends to play out more on the homefront than anywhere else. For this reason, you’ll do well to make a point to hold space for emotions while striving for more objectivity—especially when connecting with loved ones.
How to make the most of Mercury retrograde in Cancer
When Mercury is retrograde in this security-seeking, sentimental water sign, you’ll be invited to reflect on your most heartfelt emotions and to take walks down memory lane with relatives. This period lends itself to revisiting traditions and tackling re-dos around your home, whether that’s a redecoration project, repairs or working to heal emotional wounds from the past. You can also reassess investments and savings plans, thanks to Cancer’s focus on security.
Given Cancer’s association with the Fourth House of Home Life, you can also use this period to research and revise plans related to real estate, whether that’s planning for a move, prepping your home to list it for sale or tackling a necessary renovation.
Signs most affected during Mercury retrograde in Cancer
The signs that will feel this Mercury retrograde the most are the cardinal signs: Aries (cardinal fire), Cancer (cardinal water), Libra (cardinal air) and Capricorn (cardinal earth).
Mercury retrograde in Scorpio: October 24 to November 13
When Mercury is retrograde in Scorpio, the fixed water sign, typical retrograde headaches might be rooted in stubborn or controlling behavior or power plays. Co-ruled by action-oriented Mars and transformative Pluto, Scorpio is intensely laser-focused, which can set the stage for being quite willful—and, at times, obstinate—but when communication, transportation and technology is compromised, adaptability is often required to prevent aggravation. This mismatch can set the stage for people refusing to admit they’ve made a mistake, which can hold up repairs that move the ball forward.
Because Pluto, which oversees the underworld and skeletons in our closets, is running the show during this spooky season Mercury retrograde, it’ll also fuel the exposure of secrets — yours or someone else’s. That said, you may need to navigate some interpersonal drama. Similarly, you may encounter challenging communication that centers on your most intimate relationships and shared financial goals.
How to make the most of Mercury retrograde in Scorpio
When Mercury is retrograde in this passionate, intimacy-adoring water sign, you’ll do well to be aware of heightened emotions as well as the opportunity to land on healing resolutions. This is the perfect retrograde phase for tuning into your heart and your inner voice to take stock of how well you’ve healed old wounds inflicted by past breakups because Scorpio values meaningful, transformative exploration of deep-rooted emotions.
You can also use this Mercury retrograde to reassess financial projects and investments, especially wills, estates and inheritances, because Scorpio is associated with the Eighth House of Joint Resources. You may find information about funds that were previously lost or hidden.
And because Scorpio is so invested in family traditions and respectful of previous generations, use this period to do some digging about your roots. You could find a great deal of fulfillment from working on a family tree, spending more time with senior relatives or even baking up a beloved recipe that’s been passed down over the years.
Signs most affected during Mercury retrograde in Scorpio
The signs that will feel this Mercury retrograde the most are the fixed signs: Taurus (fixed earth), Leo (fixed fire), Scorpio (fixed water) and Aquarius (fixed air).
