Mercury retrograde in the year ahead
| Turns retrograde | Turns direct | Length |
|---|---|---|
| October 24, 2026 | November 13, 2026 | 20 days |
| February 9, 2027 | March 3, 2027 | 22 days |
| June 10, 2027 | July 4, 2027 | 24 days |
| October 7, 2027 | October 28, 2027 | 21 days |
Computed with the Swiss Ephemeris and refreshed every hour.
What retrograde means
Seen from Earth, a planet sometimes appears to slow down, stand still and drift backwards against the stars for a few weeks before moving forward again. Nothing about the planet changes: it is the view from a moving Earth. Mercury does this three or four times a year, for about three weeks each time.
Astrologers read these weeks as a time to look back rather than start afresh: to reread, recheck and return to unfinished things.
Venus and Mars
- Venus is retrograde now, until November 14, 2026.
- Mars: next retrograde from January 10, 2027 to April 1, 2027.
Where it falls in your chart
Each retrograde passes through one area of your birth chart. Draw your chart to see which one.
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