Mercury has three apparent retrograde periods in 2026. This guide lists the station dates and times in Universal Time (UTC), the sign at each station, and what the calendar can and cannot tell you. A local calendar may show a different date near midnight because of time zones.
| Cycle | Retrograde station | Direct station | Sign at the stations |
|---|
| 1 | 26 Feb 2026, 06:48 UTC | 20 Mar 2026, 19:33 UTC | Pisces |
| 2 | 29 Jun 2026, 17:36 UTC | 23 Jul 2026, 22:58 UTC | Cancer |
| 3 | 24 Oct 2026, 07:13 UTC | 13 Nov 2026, 15:54 UTC | Scorpio |
In UTC, the date ranges are February 26 – March 20, June 29 – July 23, and October 24 – November 13, 2026.
Times follow Astrodienst’s UT table; UTC is the calendar reference here. Convert them to your local time zone before planning. Near midnight, the local date may differ. These are apparent planetary stations, not a personal horoscope.
Retrograde is an apparent change in a planet’s direction against the background stars as seen from Earth. Mercury does not reverse its orbit around the Sun. The dates below describe an astronomical position; they do not predict a communication problem or a personal outcome.
Use the dates as a calendar reference if they are useful to you. For travel, contracts, health, money or work, use the relevant facts and ordinary planning standards on every date. Astrology alone is not a reason to cancel, delay or make a consequential decision.
- Check the time zone before adding a station to your calendar.
- Confirm important dates, names and terms directly with the people involved.
- Keep ordinary backups and enough time for routine changes, as you would throughout the year.
Some astrological traditions treat retrograde periods as prompts to review communication, plans or unfinished tasks. These are symbolic interpretations, not evidence that a delay or disagreement will happen to you. Your choices should rest on current information and your own circumstances.
For more context, see the Mercury retrograde calendar, the glossary entry for retrograde motion, and the Mercury glossary.
Sources: Astrodienst’s retrograde table · JPL Horizons documentation
