Astrology for two
Mercury retrograde 2026: the dates, computed
Mercury moves backwards (goes retrograde) three times in 2026: from February 26 to March 20, in Pisces; from June 29 to July 23, in Cancer; and from October 24 to November 13, in Scorpio. From October 24 to November 13, Mercury and Venus are retrograde at the same time, the only stretch of the year with both planets moving backwards.
1st cycle: Pisces
| Shadow begins (pre-shadow) | February 11, 2026 at 22:13 UT |
|---|---|
| Backward turning day (retrograde station) | February 26, 2026 at 06:46 UT |
| Forward turning day (direct station) | March 20, 2026 at 19:34 UT |
| Shadow ends (post-shadow) | April 9, 2026 at 11:41 UT |
| Days moving backwards | 22.5 |
| Signs | Pisces |
2nd cycle: Cancer
| Shadow begins (pre-shadow) | June 13, 2026 at 00:54 UT |
|---|---|
| Backward turning day (retrograde station) | June 29, 2026 at 17:36 UT |
| Forward turning day (direct station) | July 23, 2026 at 22:56 UT |
| Shadow ends (post-shadow) | August 7, 2026 at 03:36 UT |
| Days moving backwards | 24.2 |
| Signs | Cancer |
3rd cycle: Scorpio
| Shadow begins (pre-shadow) | October 4, 2026 at 09:10 UT |
|---|---|
| Backward turning day (retrograde station) | October 24, 2026 at 07:15 UT |
| Forward turning day (direct station) | November 13, 2026 at 15:52 UT |
| Shadow ends (post-shadow) | November 30, 2026 at 06:16 UT |
| Days moving backwards | 20.4 |
| Signs | Scorpio |
The instants come from the ephemeris and are in UT (universal time). In the Americas, a turn in the early hours UT still falls on the previous day.
What Mercury retrograde changes for a couple
In the tradition, Mercury rules conversation, messages and agreements. When it moves backwards, the period is read as prone to misunderstandings, badly timed messages and old conversations coming back, including with people from your past. The day Mercury stops in the sky and changes direction (the station) concentrates that reading.
In Cosmea, every contact Mercury makes with your two charts during the retrograde loses a point and carries the note "Mercury retrograde: miscommunication risk" in the day's reason. Mercury station days get their own notice. Unlike Venus, whose station turns the day red for new commitments, Mercury weighs on the score without setting the colour on its own.