Mercury retrograde 2026 and 2027: dates and live status
Mercury retrograde is the period when Mercury appears to move backwards against the stars as seen from Earth – an optical effect of Earth and Mercury moving at different speeds around the Sun. It happens three or four times a year and lasts about three weeks. In 2026 Mercury is retrograde from February 26 to March 20, June 29 to July 23 and October 24 to November 13; in 2027 from February 9 to March 3, June 10 to July 4 and October 7 to October 28 (US Eastern Time).
Right now
Checking Mercury…
| Turns retrograde | Turns direct | Zodiac | Shadow (UTC dates) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-26 06:47 UTC | 2026-03-20 19:34 UTC | 22.6° Pisces → 8.5° Pisces | 2026-02-11 – 2026-04-09 |
| 2026-06-29 17:37 UTC | 2026-07-23 22:56 UTC | 26.3° Cancer → 16.3° Cancer | 2026-06-13 – 2026-08-07 |
| 2026-10-24 07:15 UTC | 2026-11-13 15:52 UTC | 21.0° Scorpio → 5.0° Scorpio | 2026-10-04 – 2026-11-30 |
| 2027-02-09 17:35 UTC | 2027-03-03 12:34 UTC | 6.0° Pisces → 20.9° Aquarius | 2027-01-25 – 2027-03-23 |
| 2027-06-10 18:18 UTC | 2027-07-04 19:40 UTC | 6.4° Cancer → 27.5° Gemini | 2027-05-26 – 2027-07-19 |
| 2027-10-07 14:40 UTC | 2027-10-28 14:10 UTC | 4.9° Scorpio → 19.3° Libra | 2027-09-17 – 2027-11-13 |
| 2028-01-24 11:03 UTC | 2028-02-14 12:38 UTC | 19.7° Aquarius → 4.0° Aquarius | 2028-01-08 – 2028-03-05 |
- Updated
- How we calculate it
- Computed on your device
The status box shows whether Mercury is retrograde, direct or in its shadow right now, and counts down to the next station in your local time.
Below it is the full table for 2026 and 2027 with the exact station times, the zodiac degree where Mercury turns, and the pre- and post-shadow dates that many astrologers also watch.
How the dates are calculated
We compute Mercury's geocentric apparent longitude with Astronomy Engine (MIT license) and find the moments when its daily motion changes from forward to backward (retrograde station) and back again (direct station); the search is solved numerically to a tolerance of under one minute, so the precision of the times is limited by the underlying ephemeris (about ±1 arcminute in position), not by the search. Dates in the summary above are in US Eastern Time; the table shows UTC, and the live box converts to your time zone, so a station late in the evening in one place can fall on the next date elsewhere.
The pre-shadow begins when Mercury first reaches the degree where it will later turn direct; the post-shadow ends when it gets back to the degree where it turned retrograde. Shadow periods are an astrological convention, not an astronomical event.
Why planets look like they go backwards
Mercury orbits the Sun in about 88 days, much faster than Earth. Around the time it passes between Earth and the Sun (inferior conjunction), our changing viewpoint makes it seem to slow down, stop and reverse for a few weeks. Mercury itself never changes direction.
Mercury retrograde 2026 (US Eastern Time)
Feb 26, 1:47 a.m. – Mar 20, 3:34 p.m. · from 22.6° to 8.5° Pisces · shadow (UTC dates) Feb 11 – Apr 9.
Jun 29, 1:37 p.m. – Jul 23, 6:56 p.m. · from 26.3° to 16.3° Cancer · shadow (UTC dates) Jun 13 – Aug 7.
Oct 24, 3:15 a.m. – Nov 13, 10:52 a.m. · from 21.0° to 5.0° Scorpio · shadow (UTC dates) Oct 4 – Nov 30.
Mercury retrograde 2027 (US Eastern Time)
Feb 9, 12:35 p.m. – Mar 3, 7:34 a.m. · from 6.0° Pisces back to 20.9° Aquarius · shadow (UTC dates) Jan 25 – Mar 23.
Jun 10, 2:18 p.m. – Jul 4, 3:40 p.m. · from 6.4° Cancer back to 27.5° Gemini · shadow (UTC dates) May 26 – Jul 19.
Oct 7, 10:40 a.m. – Oct 28, 10:10 a.m. · from 4.9° Scorpio back to 19.3° Libra · shadow (UTC dates) Sep 17 – Nov 13.
The next one starts Jan 24, 2028 (6:03 a.m.) in Aquarius.
What it means in astrology
Traditionally Mercury is linked with communication, travel plans, paperwork and technology, so its retrograde is treated as a time to review, revise and re-connect rather than to rush. Many people simply use it as a reminder to double-check details. It is symbolism, not a reason to postpone anything important – that decision is always yours.
Questions
Is Mercury in retrograde right now?
The live status at the top of this page answers that for today, in your time zone, with a countdown to the next station.
How many times a year is Mercury retrograde?
Usually three times, occasionally four, each lasting about three weeks (about 20–24 days in 2026–2027).
What is the Mercury retrograde shadow period?
The weeks before and after the retrograde when Mercury moves over the same stretch of the zodiac it will cover (or has covered) while retrograde. Astrologers use it as a lead-in and wind-down; astronomically Mercury is moving forward then.
Does Mercury actually move backwards?
No. It is an apparent motion caused by Earth and Mercury moving at different speeds around the Sun.
Which signs does Mercury retrograde 2027 affect?
In 2027 Mercury turns retrograde in Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio and moves back into Aquarius, Gemini and Libra respectively. Your birth chart shows which houses those degrees fall in for you.
Sources
Astrology, numerology and the Chinese zodiac are offered for entertainment and self-reflection. They are not scientifically validated and are not a substitute for professional advice (medical, psychological, legal or financial). Astronomical positions are calculated precisely; interpretations are traditional symbolism, not predictions.