Preparing for Mercury Retrograde
About a week before the Mercury retrograde period kicks in, I advise backing up computers, mobile phones, and any other software or digital devices you have. Pay whatever bills you can, and send anything through snail mail. Complete as many major projects or works that can be done before the Mercury retrograde period or schedule them as soon as possible after Mercury turns direct. If you know the retrograde periods, the best thing to do is to mark them in your planners. Allow/plan to slow down and focus on your preplanned activities during these periods.
Typically, there are three retrograde periods per year, and in 2026, they are as follows:
-
Mercury Retrograde in Pisces
27 February to 21 March 2026 – Shadow completes 10 April 2026
This Mercury retrograde in Pisces invites individuals into a subtle, inward, and emotionally nuanced period of reflection. Mental clarity may feel elusive at times, not because insight is absent, but because logic gives way to intuition, memory, and symbolism. This is a timely moment to review inner narratives, spiritual beliefs, creative ideas, and emotional assumptions that quietly shape behaviour.
Communication may be indirect or misunderstood, particularly when expectations are not clearly articulated. Individuals may find themselves revisiting past conversations, decisions, or emotional experiences, especially those left unresolved. Dreams and intuition are heightened and can offer valuable guidance, provided they are interpreted thoughtfully rather than taken literally.
The positive potential lies in developing deeper self-awareness, compassion, and emotional intelligence. It is an excellent time to revise creative work, reconsider personal priorities, and reconnect with inner values. The challenge arises when boundaries blur, facts are overlooked, or avoidance replaces clarity. Important decisions benefit from patience and grounding until Mercury clears its shadow, allowing insight gained during this period to be applied with confidence and realism.
-
Mercury Retrograde in Cancer
30 June to 24 July 2026 – Shadow completes 8 August 2026
Mercury retrograde in Cancer shifts attention towards emotional memory, family dynamics, and personal security. Individuals are drawn to reflect on how their past influences present thinking and communication. Conversations may circle around home, relationships, and emotional needs, often revealing where assumptions have been based on habit rather than current reality.
This period is ideal for revisiting family matters, renegotiating boundaries, or addressing emotional misunderstandings that have been occurring. Old messages, memories, or patterns may resurface, offering an opportunity for healing and emotional recalibration. Listening becomes as important as speaking, and sensitivity to tone and timing is essential.
The supportive side of this retrograde lies in strengthening emotional intelligence, deepening self-care practices, and redefining what safety and belonging truly mean. It can be a valuable time for journaling, counselling, or reflective conversations. The difficulty emerges if individuals become overly reactive, defensive, or stuck in the past. Emotional reasoning may temporarily override objectivity. Decisions involving family or property are best reviewed carefully and finalised once Mercury moves forward and clarity returns.
-
Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio
25 October to 15 November 2026 – Shadow completes 30 November 2026
Mercury retrograde in Scorpio brings intense mental focus. Individuals are compelled to look beneath the surface of conversations, motivations, and personal narratives to understand what is really going on. This is a period where truth-seeking is necessary. Hidden information, unspoken feelings, or unresolved power dynamics may surface, particularly in close relationships.
Communication during this phase will be probing and emotionally charged. While this can lead to meaningful breakthroughs, it also carries the risk of suspicion and misinterpretation if conversations are not handled with care. Individuals may revisit past decisions involving trust, finances, or emotional commitment, gaining insight into what truly holds value and power.
The opportunity here lies in psychological clarity, personal empowerment, and emotional honesty. It is an excellent time for deep therapeutic work and research. The challenge is avoiding obsessive thought patterns, emotional manipulation, or harsh self-judgement. Words spoken with intensity can have a lasting impact. Patience and self-awareness are essential. As Mercury clears its shadow, insights gained can be used constructively to make informed, grounded choices with renewed emotional authority.
Some people power up during Mercury Retrograde.
They have Mercury retrograde in their birth chart or, as we say, Natally. It can be a time when your capacity for focus and precision is at its peak. It can be a time of planning, preparing, or just sitting and thinking. This is a great time to review your everyday activities in readiness for the direct motion to kick in. However, don’t implement or send it until Mercury goes directly!
Venus Retrograde – October – November 2026
- The Venus retrograde from October 2 to November 15 brings a period of introspection and reassessment regarding personal values, relationships, and self-worth. Venus ( ruler of Taurus and Libra).
-
On a personal level, this Venus retrograde draws attention to self-worth, emotional attachments, and relationship dynamics. In Scorpio, individuals are invited to confront deeper truths around intimacy, trust, control, and dependency. Old relationship patterns or unresolved emotional bonds may resurface, not to reopen wounds, but to be consciously transformed. This can be empowering, though not always comfortable.
-
When Venus returns to Libra, around 25 October, the energy shifts, and the emphasis moves to balance, reciprocity, and personal values within relationships. People may reassess what they give and receive, both emotionally and materially. It is a valuable period for inner recalibration rather than outward change. The benefit lies in gaining clarity about authentic needs and boundaries. The downside is a tendency to idealise the past or delay necessary decisions until emotional equilibrium is restored.
- Interestingly, Venus retrograde has an approximate 8-year cycle, meaning it returns to the same zodiacal degree every eight (8) years. Often, this time brings people (friends and lovers) back into our lives. Whether the experience is pleasant will depend on how it was finished!
Jupiter Retrograde in 2024/2025 & 2025 /2026
Jupiter retrogrades in Gemini and Cancer during 2024–2026, offering opportunities for introspection and growth in communication, learning, and emotional foundations, impacting the collective at deep levels. Jupiter’s direct motion from February to November 2025 is a time of expansive action, learning, and emotional enrichment. The period invites individuals and society to harness Jupiter’s optimism and growth-oriented energy, aligning intellectual pursuits (Gemini) with nurturing, emotionally fulfilling goals (Cancer). This forward movement sets the stage for meaningful progress before Jupiter slows for its next retrograde cycle.
- October 2024–February 2025 (Jupiter in Gemini): In Gemini, the ruler of the 3rd house of communication, intellect, and local connections, Jupiter’s retrograde emphasizes re-evaluating how we gather and share information. This period may spotlight outdated thought patterns, ineffective communication styles, or misaligned learning endeavours. On a societal level, it could bring a collective reassessment of how we process media, interact within communities, and exchange ideas. Challenges may arise in adapting to new technologies or navigating conflicting narratives, but these tensions refine intellectual and communicative clarity. It’s a time to deepen learning, reconnect with meaningful conversations, and revisit education, writing, or teaching plans.
- November 2025–March 2026 (Jupiter in Cancer): As Jupiter retrogrades in Cancer, ruler of the 4th house of home, family, and emotional roots, the focus shifts to matters of security and belonging. This retrograde invites a collective review of how we nurture ourselves and others, explore ancestral connections, and build emotional resilience. On a personal level, unresolved family dynamics may surface, offering a chance for healing and reestablishing supportive foundations. Globally, this retrograde could spotlight housing, caregiving, and collective emotional well-being issues, urging society to address imbalances in these areas. The influence of Cancer encourages introspection and prioritization of what truly nurtures and sustains both individuals and communities.
- Together, these retrogrades mark a period of reflection and growth, blending intellectual clarity (Gemini) with emotional wisdom (Cancer). They offer an opportunity for individuals and the collective to align expansive visions (Jupiter) with meaningful connections and supportive foundations. By the time Jupiter turns direct, both cycles will have deepened awareness and paved the way for more thoughtful communication, emotional security, and holistic growth.
- The planet’s expansive energy drives forward momentum in communication, learning, emotional security, and nurturing during Jupiter’s direct (normal) motion from February to November 2025, spanning Gemini and Cancer. This phase represents a dynamic contrast to the reflective retrograde periods, emphasizing growth, external opportunities, and proactive development in the themes ruled by these signs. 4 February to 10 June 2025 (Jupiter in Gemini): As Jupiter moves through Gemini, the ruler of the natural 3rd house of communication, learning, and social connections, there is a collective surge in intellectual curiosity and exchange. This period encourages the exploration of new ideas, skill-building, and forming connections within local and digital communities. Innovation in education, media, and technology will likely thrive, with a heightened focus on collaboration and adaptability. Travel, networking, and communication-related ventures will gain momentum, offering personal and professional growth opportunities. However, there may be a tendency to overextend or scatter energy, making focus and discernment essential.10 June to 11 November 2025 (Jupiter in Cancer): As Jupiter transitions into Cancer, ruler of the natural 4th house of home, family, and emotional roots, the focus shifts to nurturing and creating a sense of security. This period supports growth in domestic life, housing, and familial relationships. Society may see an increased emphasis on caregiving, emotional well-being, and the importance of community support systems. On a personal level, this phase encourages investing in emotional health, creating safe spaces, and deepening connections with loved ones. Jupiter’s influence in Cancer may also inspire a renewed appreciation for cultural heritage, ancestral traditions, and environmental stewardship.
Saturn Retrograde in 2026
Saturn will retrograde from 24 July 2026 to 11 December 2026 in Aries. Saturn (ruler of Capricorn and traditional ruler of Aquarius):
Saturn retrograde in Aries marks a review of personal authority, initiative, and the use of will. Aries seeks action and momentum, while Saturn requires patience, accountability, and earned confidence. During this retrograde phase, individuals and organisations alike are asked to pause and reassess how leadership, courage, and independence have been exercised since Saturn entered Aries.
Progress may feel slower or blocked, particularly where action has been driven by urgency rather than strategy. This is not a time for forcing outcomes. Instead, Saturn demands maturity in how decisions are made, risks are taken, and responsibility is owned. The retrograde exposes weaknesses in foundations, especially where confidence has been assumed rather than built.
Aries Saturn Retrograde Conjunction
For Aries individuals, this is a reassessment of identity, direction, and self-leadership. Saturn retrograde presses pause on outward momentum and redirects your attention inward. Confidence, motivation, and independence are tested, often through delays or the need to revisit earlier decisions.
This can feel heavy, particularly if your self-worth has been tied to speed, achievement, or constant action. However, the opportunity lies in redefining who you are from a place of self-mastery rather than impulse. Aries individuals are asked to slow down, refine goals, and develop patience without losing courage.
The challenge is frustration, irritability, or self-doubt. The reward is a stronger sense of purpose and authority that holds under pressure once Saturn moves forward.
Libra Saturn Retrograde Opposition
For Libra, Saturn’s retrograde highlights your relationships, commitments, and the balance between self and others. You may be required to reassess agreements, partnerships, or long-standing relational patterns that no longer feel equitable.
This period can lead to a reassessment or a sense of responsibility in close relationships. You may need to redefine your boundaries. If an imbalance exists, it becomes harder to ignore. The temptation may be to withdraw, yet Saturn calls for clarity and accountability.
Your opportunity is to redefine relationships that are fair, sustainable, and respectful. The challenge is avoiding projection or resentment. Relationships that endure this period often emerge stronger and more clearly defined.
Capricorn Saturn Retrograde Square
Capricorn experiences Saturn retrograde as dynamic tension between ambition and your emotional foundations. Responsibilities around family, home, or inner security may conflict with professional expectations or long-term goals.
This period asks Capricorn individuals to reassess how much pressure they place on themselves and whether success has been built at the expense of emotional well-being. You may need to restructure your personal life to support your future ambitions.
Your challenge lies in loosening the need for control. The benefit comes through recalibrating priorities, allowing emotional realities to influence your decisions rather than undermine them.
Cancer Saturn Retrograde Square
For Cancer, Saturn retrograde creates friction between emotional needs and external expectations. Individuals may feel tested by authority figures, career demands, or social responsibilities that challenge personal security.
This is a time to strengthen emotional resilience and redefine success on one’s own terms. Cancer individuals are encouraged to develop firmer boundaries and take responsibility for their own authority rather than seeking external validation.
The risk is emotional withdrawal or defensiveness. The opportunity lies in building confidence through self-trust and disciplined self-care.
Outer Planet Overviews & Retrogrades (Rx) 2026
Although these planets exhibit their unique characteristics, at least amongst psychological astrologers, it is commonly understood that they will mostly operate unconsciously. When they contact one of the personal planets, they prompt change and growth. This change often creates freedom of thinking, being, and circumstance.
We often see these energies manifest through the collective unconscious. These energies are powerful and, on a personal level, accessed through connection and activation via the personal planets such as the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, and Mars.