Here are ALL the 2026 retrogrades: planets and zodiac signs, dates and themes, to help you plan and avoid getting caught off-guard by the “power outages.”

When planets go “backward” slowdowns and chaos can ensue. When a planet passes the Earth in its orbit around the Sun, it’s said to be going retrograde. From our vantage point on Earth, the planet appears to be on a reverse commute, backing up through the zodiac instead of advancing ahead degree by degree. While these aren’t optimal times to start anything new, they can be powerful periods to review our progress and enjoy nostalgia.

More than Mercury? Mercury retrograde gets a lot of attention in popular media and social media, since Mercury wreaks havoc on technology, communication and travel 3-4 times a year. But Mercury’s not the only member of the retrograde brigade! With the exception of Venus and Mars, ALL planets have retrograde cycles every year. Mars takes a retrograde break in 2026, but Venus does not; it’s one of six planets that have a 2026 retrogrades (plus one comet!).

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How to cope with the 2026 Retrogrades

• Think of the prefix “re-” when planning the best use of a retrograde: review, reconnect, reconfigure

• Retrogrades aren’t optimal times to start anything new, but they ARE stellar phases for tying up loose ends or giving stalled missions (or relationships) a second chance!

• Enjoy nostalgic moments

2026 Retrograde Dates and Zodiac Signs

The 2026 Retrogrades described below are excerpted from The AstroTwins’ 2026 Horoscope book.

Mercury Retrograde 2026

Mercury retrograde is a time to review your communication style, social contacts, systems for workflow, short trips and travel plans, contracts and agreements. There are three Mercury retrogrades in 2026, all in water signs.

2026 Mercury retrograde dates and zodiac signs
• The first Mercury retrograde of 2026: February 26 to March 20 in Pisces
• The second Mercury retrograde of 2026: June 29 to July 23 in Cancer
• The last Mercury retrograde of 2026: October 24 to November 13 in Scorpio

Read more about Mercury in astrology and all the 2026 Mercury retrogrades.

Venus Retrograde 2026

Venus retrograde is a time to review your relationships and love, personal values, self-worth, finances and spending habits, aesthetic and style choices.

2026 Venus retrograde dates and zodiac signs
• October 3 to 25 in Scorpio
• October 25 to November 13 in Libra

Read more about Venus in astrology.

Jupiter Retrograde 2026

Jupiter retrograde is a time to review your long-term goals, beliefs and philosophies, expansion plans, travel, education, and offers opportunities for growth.

2026 Jupiter retrograde dates and zodiac signs: Jupiter begins and ends 2026 in retrograde
• November 11, 2025 to March 10, 2026 in Cancer
• December 12, 2026 to April 12, 2027 in Leo

Read more about Jupiter in astrology.

Saturn Retrograde 2026

Saturn retrograde is a time to review your responsibilities, long-term commitments, structures and foundations, career and ambitions and personal discipline.

2026 Saturn retrograde dates and zodiac signs
• July 26 to December 10 in Aries

Read more about Saturn in astrology.

Neptune Retrograde 2026

Neptune retrograde is a time to review your dreams and intuition, boundaries, spiritual practices, creative projects, escapism tendencies.

2026 Neptune retrograde dates and zodiac signs
• July 7 to December 12 in Aries

Read more about Neptune in astrology.

Pluto Retrograde 2026

Pluto retrograde is a time to review your power dynamics, transformation, control issues, deep-seated fears, emotional intensity.

2026 Pluto retrograde dates and zodiac sign:
• May 6 to October 15 in Aquarius

Read more about Pluto in astrology.

Chiron Retrograde 2026

Chiron, a comet that orbits the Sun, reveals our power to process our trauma and suffering so that we can in turn, heal others. Astrologers call Chiron “the wounded healer.”

Chiron retrograde is a time to review your emotional wounds, healing practices, personal vulnerabilities, old traumas, self-empowerment strategies.

2026 Chiron retrograde dates and zodiac sign:
• January 1 to 2 in Aries (in a retrograde that began July 30, 2025 in Aries)
• August 3 to September 17 in Taurus
• September 17, 2026 to January 6, 2027 in Aries

Read more about Chiron in astrology.

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