Is the planet of communication, technology and travel, in a messy retrograde cycle today? Find out and learn everything you need to know about Mercury retrograde, right here.

Is Mercury retrograde right now?

NO: Sorry, it must be something else! Have you checked your daily horoscope?”

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When Is Mercury in Retrograde Next?

All the Mercury Retrogrades in 2026

There are three Mercury retrograde cycles in 2026. Here’s a brief preview of each.

MERCURY RETROGRADE IN PISCES (FEB 26 TO MAR 20)

Back up all your important data, switch to stronger passwords, and submit any lingering paperwork now! Mercury turns retrograde for the first time this year on February 26, backtracking through Pisces until March 20. In the Fish’s kaleidoscopic waters, few things are as they appear. Brace for crossed wires, false starts and missing details.

Take nothing at face value, not even people’s enthusiastic promises or cheerful nods of approval. If you really want to know what someone’s thinking, you’ll probably have to ask them outright. Even then, expect a little vagueness or mixed signals. When in doubt, slow down, clarify, and keep your sense of humor handy. It’ll help you navigate these murky waters with minimal stress.

MERCURY RETROGRADE IN CANCER (JUN 29 TO JUL 23)

Mercury spins into its second retrograde of 2026, this time backing up through sensitive, nostalgic Cancer. From June 29 to July 23, take extra care with anything involving family, home projects or heartfelt conversations. Double-check messages before you hit send. Emotions can run high and misunderstandings may crop up if you’re not crystal clear.

This is an ideal time to revisit old memories, sort through family keepsakes, or reconnect with relatives you haven’t heard from in a while. But don’t let sentimentality cloud your judgment. If you need to set clearer boundaries, practice saying what you mean with kindness AND firmness. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, resist the urge to isolate into your shell. Reach out for support from the people who know you best.

MERCURY RETROGRADE IN SCORPIO (OCT 24 TO NOV 13)

Expressive Mercury turns retrograde in Scorpio, kicking off a cosmic masquerade ball from October 24 to November 13. With this backspin unfolding in the zodiac’s most secretive sign, take nothing at face value. This retrograde makes matters of love, money, and communication especially tricky.

Old secrets and unfinished emotional business could resurface, demanding resolution. The challenge? People may not present true to form, and key details could be concealed. If something feels off, channel your inner private investigator and dig quietly behind the scenes—but first, ask if it’s even worth your energy. Resist the pull to chase taboos, plot revenge, or let your shadow side run the show. Scorpio energy can stir up obsessions best left alone. Guard your own confidences like a hawk; even a casual tea spill could snowball into a serious breach of trust.

Read about All the 2026 Mercury Retrogrades

What happens when Mercury is in retrograde?

Mercury retrograde occurs 3-4 times a year wreaking havoc on our:

interpersonal communication (omg did I send that text to the wrong person?!)
travel plans (it’s not considered obsessive to triple check itineraries during Mercury retrograde)
the fine print (is my ticket for tonight’s Harry Styles show or tomorrow’s?)

Basically anything that ordinarily feels “easy” takes extra effort during a signal-scrambling Mercury retrograde. These are the main Mercury retrograde symptoms.

You’ve likely experienced the effects of Mercury retrograde, maybe without even realizing it!

Basically anything that ordinarily feels “easy” takes extra effort during a signal-scrambling Mercury retrograde. These are the main Mercury retrograde symptoms.

You’ve likely experienced the effects of Mercury retrograde, maybe without even realizing it!

Mercury Retrograde Meaning

Messenger planet Mercury is the ruler of information, communication and our intellectual processes.

The closest planet to the Sun, Mercury orbits all year long through each zodiac sign, staying in each one for approximately three weeks. These cycles shape our cultural interests. From the topics we buzz about to the ways we communicate, whatever sign Mercury is occupying plays a role.

Mercury retrograde facts:

• Mercury turns retrograde for three or four cycles each year

• During a Mercury retrograde, the planet appears to travel backward through the sky and it moves backward through the zodiac

• On Mercury’s reverse commutes, it lingers in one or two zodiac signs for approximately 10 weeks

What is Mercury retrograde spiritual meaning? In short, the flow of energy is reversed.

What can I do if the answer is yes to “is Mercury in retrograde?”

Is Mercury in retrograde? If so, there’s no need to panic! But pace yourself during these data-skewing, three-week cycles.

While the scrambled signals can be agonizing, we have a chance to dive into deeper discourse. People from the past may reappear, like old friends, estranged relatives and exes with unfinished business.

Is there a magic 8-ball to tell me what to do if Mercury is in retrograde?

We wish! But not really, although we ourselves may have turned over a magic 8 ball for fun, asking it to answer “yes or no?” to a burning question during a Mercury retrograde! But you’re better off going with what you can control. For example, try to focus on all things with the prefix “re” such as:

revising
reviewing
redesigning
reconsidering

Pay closer attention to your inner world and get in touch with your thoughts, which signal all your feelings. Is it time to update certain beliefs? Mercury retrograde can help!

Check out our article Mercury Retrograde: How to Survive a Three-Week Communication Crisis

What Sign Is Mercury In Right Now?

Head over to our friends at Astro-Seek.com for up-to-the minute info on what sign Mercury is transiting through. Remember, Mercury changes zodiac signs every one to three weeks.

So there’s more to knowing “is Mercury in retrograde?”—where is Mercury today?!

See Astro-Seek’s Today’s Current Planets positions and transits chart

What Is Mercury Retroshade?

So you think Mercury retrograde just ends? Guess again! Astrologers (including us) believe there is a shadow period before and after Mercury’s backspin. We coined the now-popular phrase retroshade to describe the two weeks before and the two weeks after Mercury retrograde.

It’s during retroshade that we feel the effects of Mercury, not just during the retrograde.

Was I born during Mercury retrograde?

Check your birth chart to see if you were born during a Mercury retrograde. If you don’t have a birth chart, you can do a free birth chart by entering your time and place of birth.

Or if you need a refresher where Mercury is in your chart, just enter your details in our Was I Born During Mercury Retrograde Cosmic Calculator which includes links to explanations about where Mercury is in your birth chart.

Do other planets go retrograde?

Yes they do! Mercury isn’t the only planet that goes retrograde and can create hiccups in your daily movements. When things seem “off” ask yourself not only is Mercury in retrograde but what other planets are in retrograde.

Read what it means when other planets are retrograde in our article: Retrogrades in Astrology: What It Means When Planets Go “Backward”

So next time things are feeling a little off, your question after “is Mercury in retrograde?” might be “which other planets are in retrograde?” You can always check your daily horoscope!