Today's Fortune
Mercury Retrograde Calendar
Is Mercury in retrograde right now? Free calendar of Mercury retrograde dates 2026–2028 with shadow periods and the sign of each retrograde.
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Dates are in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and may differ by a day where you live.
Mercury retrograde dates calendar
Mercury goes retrograde 3–4 times a year for about three weeks each. Shadow periods are listed too.
Mercury retrograde 2025
- Mar 15, 2025 – Apr 7, 2025♈ Aries · Pisces
Shadow period Mar 1, 2025 – Apr 26, 2025
- Jul 18, 2025 – Aug 11, 2025♌ Leo
Shadow period Jun 30, 2025 – Aug 25, 2025
- Nov 9, 2025 – Nov 29, 2025♐ Sagittarius · Scorpio
Shadow period Oct 21, 2025 – Dec 17, 2025
Mercury retrograde 2026
- Feb 26, 2026 – Mar 20, 2026♓ Pisces
Shadow period Feb 11, 2026 – Apr 9, 2026
- Jun 29, 2026 – Jul 23, 2026♋ Cancer
Shadow period Jun 13, 2026 – Aug 7, 2026
- Oct 24, 2026 – Nov 13, 2026♏ Scorpio
Shadow period Oct 4, 2026 – Nov 30, 2026
Mercury retrograde 2027
- Feb 9, 2027 – Mar 3, 2027♓ Pisces · Aquarius
Shadow period Jan 25, 2027 – Mar 23, 2027
- Jun 10, 2027 – Jul 4, 2027♋ Cancer · Gemini
Shadow period May 26, 2027 – Jul 19, 2027
- Oct 7, 2027 – Oct 28, 2027♏ Scorpio · Libra
Shadow period Sep 17, 2027 – Nov 13, 2027
Mercury retrograde 2028
- Jan 24, 2028 – Feb 14, 2028♒ Aquarius
Shadow period Jan 8, 2028 – Mar 5, 2028
- May 21, 2028 – Jun 14, 2028♊ Gemini
Shadow period May 6, 2028 – Jun 29, 2028
- Sep 19, 2028 – Oct 11, 2028♎ Libra
Shadow period Aug 30, 2028 – Oct 26, 2028
What is Mercury retrograde?
Mercury retrograde is when Mercury appears to move backward across the sky as seen from Earth. It doesn't actually reverse — it's an optical effect of faster-moving Mercury overtaking Earth on its inner orbit. In astrology Mercury rules speech, thinking, communication and travel, so this period is associated with miscommunication, scheduling errors and tech glitches.
What to do during Mercury retrograde
- • Reread important messages and emails before sending
- • Check the fine print on contracts and big purchases, and give yourself time
- • Reconfirm travel bookings and appointment times
- • Use it to re-view, re-do and re-organize rather than to start something new
Station times are precise astronomical calculations (astronomy-engine); the interpretations are for fun and reference only. Base important decisions on real circumstances, not astrology.
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Mercury retrograde is the stretch of time when Mercury appears to move backward across the sky as seen from Earth. Because astrology links Mercury to speech, thinking, communication and travel, these weeks have long been associated with miscommunication, scheduling mix-ups and tech glitches. The Giggleus Mercury retrograde calendar tells you instantly whether Mercury is retrograde right now, whether you're in a shadow period, and how many days remain until the next one.
The station retrograde and station direct times are computed directly with an astronomy library, so they're precise. Every Mercury retrograde from 2025 through 2028 — including the October 24, 2026 retrograde in Scorpio — is listed by year, together with the pre- and post-retrograde shadow periods and the zodiac sign where each retrograde happens. Each sign also gets a short note on what to watch for and how to use the period.
Mercury usually goes retrograde three or four times a year, for about three weeks each time. Many people treat it as a good time to review and tidy up unfinished business, so use it as a light reminder to double-check plans and messages. It's free with no sign-up, and the interpretations are for fun and reference.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When is Mercury retrograde in 2026?
A. There are three in 2026: February 26–March 20 (Pisces), June 29–July 23 (Cancer) and October 24–November 13 (Scorpio), in UTC. The shadow periods before and after each are listed in the calendar.
Q. What is the Mercury retrograde shadow period?
A. It runs from when Mercury first enters the part of the sky it will later retrace, before the retrograde, until it passes the degree where the retrograde began, after it ends. Astrologers treat it as the build-up and after-effect of the retrograde.
Q. What should you avoid during Mercury retrograde?
A. Traditionally: miscommunication, contract and scheduling errors, and tech problems. Rereading important messages and reconfirming contracts and bookings is usually enough. Interpretations are for fun and reference.