Astrology Calendars Archive

Friday, DECEMBER 12

The Moon continues its transit of helpful, observant Virgo until 11:04 AM EST, when it heads into compromising, gracious, and reasonable Libra. While the Moon’s oppositions to Saturn and Neptune and square to Mars early today can be disorienting and tense, we’re tapping into our innovative spirit, and as the day advances, our determination to make things work.

With the Libra Moon, we’re gracious, accommodating, and willing to meet people halfway. Especially aware of our social skills and need for more effective communication, we’re ready to make long-lasting changes.

The Moon is void from 9:51 AM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (an opposition to Neptune), until the Moon enters Libra at 11:04 AM EST.

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Saturday, DECEMBER 13

This morning, Mars forms a quincunx with Uranus, and we could be dealing with minor changes of plans or a restless urge for change that interferes with the flow.

Some fear of change can temporarily stop us in our tracks. Our efforts to satisfy our desires can miss the mark, but this gives us a chance to make refinements and recalibrate.

Mercury’s sextile to Pluto today can bring new awareness to a matter that we’ve recently researched. We might uncover valuable truths or insights, or gain a deeper understanding of a situation.

We might discover new information that gives us an edge or finally “see” the truth of a matter that we’ve been avoiding.

It’s a good time to let go of something that has kept us bound or stuck in a difficult situation.

The Moon spends all day in the balanced, tactful sign of Libra, and we’re focusing on harmonizing our relationships and environment. The Moon’s sextile to Venus this evening further boosts our interpersonal skills.

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Sunday, DECEMBER 14

Mars forms a square with Neptune today, and we may struggle to focus on our priorities. Energy is up and down, particularly if inspiration wavers.

Motivation or energy levels may wane as we feel overwhelmed with possibilities and uncertain about our next step. Desires are hard to pin down.

Instead, inspiration comes from unusual sources. There can be a change of course or a break from the action.

With this transit, we should watch for difficulties with boundaries and limits. Attempts to take the easy way out will probably backfire.

From disappointment, however, we can find the motivation to make improvements.

The Sun forms a quincunx with Jupiter, and we can feel torn between two ideas or drives, perhaps see-sawing between alternatives.

It can be challenging to arrive at satisfying conclusions. It’s a time of adjustment and letting go of old habits to free ourselves for new experiences.

Ideally, with the Sun’s trine with Chiron, we see the opportunities to learn, grow, and improve, mainly through spontaneity, self-assertion, and courage. With less concern about who’s right or wrong, we’re open to learning and growing. Our egos don’t get in the way, helping us make real progress.

The chance to find a sense of purpose or a “mission” can arise now, increasing our confidence.

The Moon is void today from 10:36 PM EST, with the Moon’s last aspect before changing signs (a sextile to Mars), until the Moon enters Scorpio at 10:51 PM EST.

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The Moon is New in Sagittarius on December 19, 2025, at 8:43 PM EST.

New Moon in Sagittarius Chart: December 19, 2025

The New Moon in Sagittarius marks the beginning of a new cycle.

Representing new beginnings, the New Moon occurs with the Sun and Moon’s alignment in the mutable fire sign of Sagittarius. It’s a time when we can focus on some of the constructive traits of the sign of the Archer – optimistic, enthusiastic, adventurous, honest, outspoken, independent – and consider how to positively incorporate these qualities into our lives.

As we advance, we can focus on goals that will increase our understanding and awareness, give us the courage to expand our horizons, and gain confidence and optimism from a broader perspective. All too easily, we can get lost in the details of mundane existence. With this potent Sagittarius energy, however, we can find ways to transcend these details of day-to-day life and nurture our faith, hope, and vision.

Because Sagittarius thinks in big terms, we may have a tendency to overdo our expectations – something to watch for. We are setting the stage for reaping the rewards from our braveries, as little or big as they may be, in approximately two weeks’ time after the Full Moon occurs.

This New Moon is near the midpoint of Venus and Mars and is widely conjunct both bodies, supporting our creativity, energy, and motivation levels. However, it forms a square with Saturn and Neptune, suggesting blocks to our efforts to begin anew, especially in the form of attitudes that swing from overly pessimistic to overly idealistic. Its quincunx to Uranus disrupts the flow as well, and it can result in some hesitance even with a strong desire to start fresh. We may not fully trust our inner muse.

This phase of the Moon occurs at 28 degrees and 25 minutes of Sagittarius, affecting people born with personal planets and points at approximately 24 to 30 degrees of the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces)  and 0 to 2 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) most significantly.

The chart above is excellent for visualizing the major influences in the New Moon chart along with the chart patterns. Below, the chart wheel is of the same event but with a few more points, such as the major asteroids and Chiron.

New Moon in Sagittarius Chart (additional points)

Jupiter square Chiron.

Jupiter at 22° Cancer 40’  forms a square to Chiron at 22° Aries 40′ on December 21st, 2025. This is the second in a set of three such aspects in an approximately nine-month period while Jupiter is in Cancer and early Leo.

During the period influenced by this outer-planet transit with longer-term influence, we can find ourselves yearning for meaning and understanding, yet it’s a daunting task to align with a personal philosophy or belief system that authentically mirrors our core. Beliefs and ideas might lead us astray, or we could be confronted with a crisis of faith. It’s not uncommon for something to occur that challenges our fundamental beliefs, leaving us in a state of disarray or confusion.

There may be instances where we feel isolated in our opinions, visions, or future plans, as others may not understand our vision. Past decisions that once seemed wise may now appear questionable. We might encounter a person or obstacle that disrupts our lives, but these experiences ultimately serve as crucial lessons in self-belief and understanding our purpose.

It is of utmost importance to look within ourselves to gain a deeper understanding of our true needs and beliefs during this period. Mindlessly following something that doesn’t serve our purpose can lead us astray. Before embarking on new business endeavors, it’s crucial to pause and reflect. This is a time for reorganizing and reassessing our goals, beliefs, path, and personal philosophy. It’s best to watch for overdoing and overcompensating.

Read more about Jupiter square Chiron and its manifestations through transit, in the natal chart, and in relationships.

Jupiter square Chiron dates:

1st: on October 23rd, 2025, at 24° Cancer 35′ (first)

2nd: on December 21st, 2025, at 22° Cancer 40’Rx (second)

3rd: July 1st, 2026, at 0° Leo 24’ (final)

Jupiter square Chiron

The Moon is Full in Cancer on January 3, 2026, at 5:03 AM EST.

Full Moon in Cancer chart: January 3rd, 2026

A Full Moon occurs when the Sun in Capricorn forms an opposition to the Moon in Cancer. The Full Moon is a time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of that which was started at the New Moon. It is an emotional time – a time of romance, fertilization, and relationships.

The Cancer-Capricorn polarity deals with the balance between the private life, domesticity, the need for a home base, and nurturance (represented by Cancer) versus the public life, career, reputation, and accountability (represented by Capricorn).

Attachments and love are ruled by Cancer, while achievements and rewards/punishments are ruled by Capricorn. In some ways, this polarity deals with the balance between unconditional love and conditional love. The Cancer Moon encourages us to value our home base and our roots, while Capricorn persuades us to consider our sense of duty and responsibility along public lines.

While Cancer may most enjoy attaching to the home and family, Capricorn urges us to attend to the responsibilities to the outside world. Neglecting either end of the axis will surely backfire on us. Ideally, a balance should be found between the two energies, and this is what the Full Moon invites us to do.

This Full Moon is about balancing our commitment to our career and families. Something has been building inside of us, and now is the time when the energy of the cosmos fairly demands that we let it out. Over the next two weeks, we will discover what this means for us. For now, we can’t sit on our feelings. We need to express them.

Something is exposed or illuminated, prompting us to get in touch with those things in our personal lives that we may have been neglecting or putting off. With so much attention to our relationships, careers, and personal plans these days, a push for considering our emotional needs occurs now.

This is a time to clear up past patterns that have been holding us back from personal fulfillment, particularly those that are home or family-centered or that revolve around our work-home balance and attitudes toward comfort and responsibility.

The Sun closely aligns with Venus and Mars at the time of this Wolf Moon, and this lunation harmonizes with the Moon’s nodes. We can feel a wonderful spark of creativity and progress now. Our revelations are pivotal and growth-oriented. Relating and creating can be motivators as we set our goals and intentions. We feel very personally involved and want to put ourselves fully into the experience. It can also be a time to make notable connections and strong memories.

Full Moon in Cancer 2026 chart with additional points

This phase of the Moon occurs at 13 degrees and 2 minutes of Cancer, opposite the Sun at the same degree of Capricorn, affecting people with personal planets and points at approximately 9 to 17 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn).

The Moon is New in Capricorn on January 18, 2026, at 2:52 PM EST.

New Moon in Capricorn Chart: January 18th, 2026

The New Moon in Capricorn marks the beginning of a new cycle. The Sagittarius New Moon cycle ends and the Capricorn New Moon cycle begins.

This New Moon chart has an interesting lineup and shape. Even looking at the aspect grid reveals the unusual number of inner planetary conjunctions and then sextiles and conjunctions further down the grid. It’s reminiscent of the August 30th, 2019 New Moon in Virgo, and it’s a powerfully creative influence.

The New Moon is exact on January 18th when the Sun and Moon align in the sign of Capricorn. This lunation symbolizes a new beginning in the cardinal earth sign of Capricorn. It’s a time to focus on some of the constructive traits of the sign of the Goat–tenacious, resourceful, disciplined, wise, ambitious, prudent, constant–and consider how to positively incorporate these qualities into our lives.

Now, we can focus on practical and attainable long-term goals, work on developing maturity and common sense, prepare for the future, make commitments and recognize responsibilities, and nurture our dreams in a realistic manner.

With this potent Capricorn energy, we have the chance to create some serious order in our lives. It’s time to make some solid plans and to set the stage for reaping the rewards from our new beginnings, as little or big as they may be, in approximately two weeks’ time after the Full Moon occurs.

One of Capricorn’s “lessons” is acceptance of the concept that reasonable boundaries and rules actually do offer us freedom–freedom from worry and chaos, for example. Setting goals for ourselves allows us to focus on what really matters.

This New Moon is aligned with Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Pluto. In other words, all of the inner planets are aligned, although Venus is the only inner planet not in Capricorn (Venus is in early Aquarius). This lunation is sextile Saturn and Neptune, trine Uranus, and it’s also opposite Jupiter.

We’re ready to make something special of our profession, reputation, long-term goals, and responsibilities. It’s a powerful time for practical solutions and innovation. Teaming up to achieve a work or material goal can be successful and attractive now. Meeting new people through these endeavors can also figure strongly. It’s as much of a practical time as it is a magical period. We’re both inspired and ready to put in the work to make things happen.

New Moon in Capricorn Chart 2026: Additional Points

This phase of the Moon occurs at 28 degrees and 44 minutes of Capricorn, affecting people born with personal planets and points at approximately 25 to 30 degrees of the Cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn)  and 0 to 3 degrees of the Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) most significantly.

Saturn sextile Uranus

Saturn, at 27° Pisces 34′, forms a sextile with Uranus, at 27° Taurus 34′ on January 20, 2026. This is the final of three in this set (as with many outer-planet transits, this aspect repeats three  times over the course of many months).

When Saturn and Uranus connect, we see how we combine tradition and progress, stability and change, development, and innovation.

With Saturn forming a sextile to Uranus, it’s a time when we’re more likely to be doing what we enjoy, and enjoying what we’re doing, mainly related to career, work, and life path matters, but extending to other areas of life. Events occurring now build character, and life lessons are digestible. It’s a period of solid, meaningful progress.

This can be a time to solidify connections, bond with allies, and work on the primary structures of our lives. The changes we make can have long-lasting benefits. Original ideas may take form or develop quite successfully now. There is an opportunity to combine stability and improvement or excitement with good results. The same can be said about innovation and tradition.

While this aspect forms infrequently, when it does occur, it usually perfects three times over the course of about ten to eleven months. Rarely, it is a one-time pass.

For example, in 1996-1997, Saturn formed a sextile to Uranus first in May 1996, perfected the aspect again in November 1996, and then formed for the final time in March 1997. This occurs due to planetary retrogrades. In effect, we can say that the Saturn-Uranus sextile was in effect from May 1996 to March 1997.

In 2025-2026, Saturn forms a sextile to Uranus in April 2025, then August 2025, and finally, January 2026. Effectively, it’s in play from April 2025 to January 2026.

Read more about this Saturn-sextile-Uranus aspect, whether it occurs in the natal chart, Solar Return chart, or is a transit to transit (as it’s occurring now) or transit to natal.

Saturn sextile Uranus dates:

• on April 4th, 2025, when Saturn is at 24° Pisces 56′
• on August 11th, 2025, when Saturn is at 1° Aries 12′ (second time)
• on January 20th, 2026, when Saturn is at 27° Pisces 34′

Saturn sextile Uranus

Fun Facts:

The last time Saturn formed a sextile to Uranus was in 1996-1997 when Saturn happened to be in Aries but Uranus was in Aquarius. However, the last time Saturn formed a lower sextile to Uranus like this Saturn-Uranus sextile was from September 1979 to July 1980 when Saturn was in Virgo and Uranus was in Scorpio.

The Moon is Full in Leo on February 1, 2026, at 5:09 PM EST.

Full Moon in Leo Chart: February 1st, 2026

The Full Moon in Leo marks a strong awareness of our feelings on a matter.

The Moon is full when the Aquarius Sun opposes the Moon in Leo. The Full Moon is a time of culmination and the promise of fulfillment of that which was started at the New Moon. It is an emotional time–a time of romance, fertilization, and relationships.

The Leo-Aquarius polarity deals with the balance between all that is personal (Leo) and all that is impersonal (Aquarius). The energy of the Leo Moon is creative self-expression and the boost to the individual ego that we receive through pleasure and romance, while the Aquarius Sun rules the group, more impersonal friendships, and objectivity. This Full Moon urges us to strike a balance between romance and friendship, and between expressing ourselves in personal and impersonal ways.

The Leo Moon is proud and intensely individual–not content with simply being just one of the team. The Aquarius Sun, while individualistic as well, values independence and the “team.” The Full Moon illuminates this conflict.

With the Moon full and bright in the sky, symbolic illumination occurs in our own lives. However, these new feelings and revelations are emotional ones, as there is a sense of emotions bursting forth into our consciousness. It’s time to express ourselves, and to let things out of our systems.

Over the coming weeks, we will discover what this means for us. For now, we can’t sit on our feelings. We need to express them. Of course, we might want to exercise some care while doing so, knowing that what is coming out of us is not particularly rational as yet.

The same Full Moon in Leo chart with additional points:

Full Moon in Leo Chart: 2026 Additional Points

This phase of the Moon occurs at 13 degrees and 4 minutes of Leo, affecting people born with personal planets and points at approximately 9 to 17 degrees of the Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) most significantly.

Uranus now turns direct at 27° Taurus 28′. Each year, Uranus is retrograde for approximately 5 months. Today, Uranus ends its retrograde phase as it stations and turns direct.

Uranus Retrograde September 6, 2025, to February 3, 2026

Uranus Retrograde in Gemini + Taurus: September 6, 2025-February 3, 2026

• Uranus enters retrograde zone/shadow on May 20, 2025, at 27° Taurus 28′
• Uranus stations and turns retrograde on September 6, 2025, at 1° Gemini 28′ Rx
• Uranus stations and turns direct on February 3, 2026, at 27° Taurus 28′
• Uranus leaves retrograde zone/shadow on May 21, 2026, at 1° Gemini 28′

Uranus has been retrograde since September 6th, 2025, and with its station now, Uranian energy hangs heavy in the air this week. As the planet gains speed in the next few weeks, our urge to express our unique selves, take some chances or risks, rebel, listen to our instincts, and stir up change are reawakened or externalized.

Note that Uranus began its retrograde in the sign of Gemini, but while retrograde, Uranus returned to the sign of Taurus. This is its final run through Taurus before moving into Gemini consistently.

The Moon is New in Aquarius on February 17, 2026, at 7:01 AM EST. This New Moon is a Solar Eclipse.

New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aquarius Chart: February 17th, 2026

This eclipse is the first in a Leo-Aquarius set. Its effects can be felt for up to six months after the actual date of the eclipse. In the sign of Aquarius, this eclipse is about friendship, fellowship, group activities, social pursuits, group projects, trying something new, humanitarian efforts, or joining a group. This New Moon eclipse might challenge these matters and present opportunities for new beginnings. Long-term changes are in the works!

This phase of the Moon occurs at 28 degrees and 50 minutes of Aquarius.

A similar Solar Eclipse (at approximately the same degree of Aquarius) occurred on February 15th, 2018. Before that, similar degrees and signs happened in eclipses on  February 16th, 1999, and February 16th, 1980. An eclipse set along the Leo-Aquarius axis most recently occurred from 2016-2019. Before that, it was from 2008-2009.

This eclipse can highlight and challenge our issues surrounding our social connections, place in society, friendships, alliances, and innovative approaches. We might take steps toward improving in these areas by tackling things that undermine our goals or connections.

Circumstances nudge or encourage us to see where we haven’t been true to our authentic selves. Ultimately, we are now in a position to understand that changes or endings are necessary for our own growth, and that we can handle these things.

This is a time when we should solve problems that require thinking “outside of the box.” We look to the future with a new, positive, and hopeful vision, frequently brainstorm and socialize, and focus on extending a friendly hand, receiving support, and expressing platonic love for those around us. It’s a time to give our emotions and passions a “break,” as we develop more objectivity and some detachment from past haunts.

We might learn how something (or someone) works or revitalize ourselves through experiences that are new or simply different.

This cycle encourages us to reach out to people in our social circle and in our community, and recognize the value of our friendships and social networks. We might also recognize that some level of detachment and distancing ourselves from our habits and attachment to the past will help us break away from destructive behaviors that are holding us back.

With this potent Aquarius energy, we have the chance to make progressive changes in our lives. For some of us, circumstances are such that we need to pay more attention to these matters.

Aquarius teaches us that it can be all too easy to slip into feelings of being alone in the world (“it’s me against the world”) and to forget that there is support to be found, if only we reach out and find it. Similarly, there are solutions to our problems, if only we develop faith that answers are available to us, and we reach out to find those solutions. It is a time to consider, appreciate, and value our place in the community and in our social circle, and to give something back.

It’s a powerful time to re-evaluate our happiness goals and alliances.

This New Moon clashes with Uranus, bringing rebellious, impulsive, abrupt, and innovative energy. We should watch for shooting ourselves in the foot–self-destructive tendencies may not be intentional, but we may go against our best interests by rushing things or disconnecting with our hearts to the point that we are rebelling or reacting instead of doing what we truly want to do.

This eclipse occurs close to the iconic Saturn-Neptune alignment in Aries, effectively magnifying its energies. With this transit, our sense of security is dissolving so that it can be rebuilt. New truths or realities are revealing themselves. Due to this powerful transformation, we can be more susceptible to stress and illness.

Flaws in an important system in our lives reveal themselves around the time of the eclipse, prompting us to redo or to start fresh. Something ends in order for something else to start anew. We may be called to give up something in order to move forward into a new chapter in our lives. Although the “new” may be unrecognizable, it is important to allow the necessary surrender to the unknown.

An eclipse occurs close to the nodal axis, and this eclipse is closer to the North Node of the Moon. While we’re heading into unknown territory in some ways, we have a good sense that we’re doing so to our advantage. This eclipse occurs before the North Node enters Aquarius.

Major developments in the personal areas ruled by Aquarius in our charts are likely to occur over the upcoming months.

The above chart is excellent for seeing the fundamental influences and chart pattern of this New Moon. The chart below adds more details with additional points:

New Moon in Aquarius Chart 2026: Additional Points

This phase of the Moon occurs at 28 degrees and 50 minutes of Aquarius, affecting people born with personal planets and points at approximately 24 to 30 degrees of the Fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) and 0 to 4 degrees of the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, and Pisces) most significantly.

This Solar Eclipse is part of a set of eclipses falling along the Leo/Aquarius sign axis from February 2026 to January 2028:

• Annular SOLAR Eclipse 2026 February 17 at 28 Aquarius 50
• Total SOLAR Eclipse 2026 August 12 at 20 Leo 02
• Annular SOLAR Eclipse 2027 February 6 at 17 Aquarius 38
• Total SOLAR Eclipse 2027 August 2 at 9 Leo 5
• Penumbral LUNAR Eclipse 2027 August 17 at 24 Aquarius 12
• Annular SOLAR Eclipse 2028 January 26 at 6 Aquarius 11

Leo-Aquarius Eclipse sets (current, future, and some in recent history):

• August 2035 to January 2038
• February 2026 to January 2028
• August 2016 to January 2019
• February 2008 to August 2009
• August 1998 to February 2000
• August 1989 to July 1991
• August 1979 to January 1982

Saturn conjunct Neptune.

In February 2026, Saturn, at 0° Aries 45’, forms a conjunction with Neptune at the same degree. This is a standalone transit. [Note: Often, aspects formed between outer planets and slow-moving points occur three times in a set due to retrograde motion, but this one is a one-time pass.]

A Saturn-Neptune conjunction marks a time when our ideals are put to the test. Circumstances are such that we need to rebuild trust and faith. This transit marries two very different energies, the dreamer and the realist. Bringing plans and dreams to reality can be one manifestation. Practical idealism is within reach, and we might dedicate ourselves to a particular ideal, vision, or goal.

This transit deeply affects or describes our perceptions. It also brings our insecurities and any latent tendencies to depression or feelings of isolation to the fore. The propensity to second-guess or doubt things is strong. Past neglectfulness can now show itself more concretely. It can be a time of increased dread, guilt, or remorse. Feelings of impending doom can persist until we work through our fears and concerns.

We may want to do something special, compassionate, and generous, but our desire to gain materially, in terms of security or recognition, is also present. It’s a time when we might work on realizing our dreams in a methodical fashion. We may focus on assisting the downtrodden or underdog.  Certainly, we can become more aware of the divides and inequalities in society, as well as the structures that are decaying or no longer working effectively, and the financial difficulties that arise from these issues. Areas and institutions that no longer realistically support us become glaringly flawed. In the spotlight are breakdowns, decay, thefts, clandestine investigations, depression, and scandal.

Possible health issues that we may see more of with this transit in play include toxicity, allergies, drug sensitivities, chronic problems, retaining waste or blockages of waste, cancer, liver diseases, and susceptibility to colds and flu. We might pay more attention to deficiencies of magnesium and bioflavonoids. It can be a time of a lot of self-diagnosing, misdiagnosing, or dealing with hard-to-diagnose problems.

This can be a time when a system that previously made us feel secure dissolves, and we’re now tasked with building something new. Skepticism about religion and spirituality is on the rise. We might strive toward disciplined and responsible expressions of compassion.

While this transit is an unusual combination, to some degree, we’ve been primed for this energy due to Saturn’s very recent transit of Pisces.

Saturn conjunct Neptune date:

Standalone: on February 20th, 2026, at 0° 45′ of Aries (first and last)

Previous Saturn-Neptune conjunctions (in history):

In 1989, in the sign of Capricorn:

Was Exact Mar 3 1989 5:44 am (EST +5:00)
Was Exact Jun 23 1989 11:11:28 pm (EDT +4:00)
Was Exact Nov 13 1989 6:39:10 am (EST +5:00)

In 1952/53, in the sign of Libra:

Was Exact Nov 21 1952 8:17:08 am (EST +5:00)
Was Exact May 17 1953 1:28:14 pm (EDT +4:00)
Was Exact Jul 21 1953 9:21:35 pm (EDT +4:00)

In 1917, in the sign of Leo:

Was Exact Aug 1 1917 0:20:16 am (EST +5:00)

Main Astrology Calendar

Mercury now turns retrograde at 22° Pisces 34′.

Mercury is retrograde from February 26, 2026, at 22° Pisces 34′, until March 20, 2026, at 8° Pisces 30′.

The shadow period begins on February 11th and ends on April 9th.

Mercury Retrograde Cycle from February 26 to March 20, 2026:

Mercury Retrograde Cycle: February/March 2026

• On February 11, 2026, Mercury enters the Retrograde Zone (pre-retrograde shadow) at 8° Pisces 30′
• On February 26, 2026, Mercury stations and turns retrograde at 22° Pisces 34′ Rx
• On March 20, 2026, Mercury stations and turns direct at 8° Pisces 30′
• On April 9, 2026, Mercury leaves the Retrograde Zone (post-retrograde shadow) at 22° Pisces 34′

The year 2026’s first retrograde Mercury cycle takes place solely in the sign of Pisces.

Mercury’s shadow period begins on February 11th and ends on April 9th. Note that the shadow period begins before Mercury turns retrograde–when Mercury first passes over the degree that Mercury later returns to in retrograde motion. The shadow period ends when Mercury again passes over the degree at which it first turned retrograde. The shadow period is different than Mercury’s storm period in astrology, which refers to the period when Mercury is moving especially slowly.

Note that Mercury’s post-retrograde shadow is generally better for new long-term endeavors than the pre-retrogrades shadow. For new enterprises in the pre-retrograde shadow, the venture’s secondary progressed Mercury will turn direction (retrograde) in the coming years, which may not be ideal.

Also consider that things are most wonky on and around the days of the stations whether Mercury is turning retrograde OR direct (the start and end dates of the retrograde cycle) as the shifts occur, after which we grow more accustomed to the energy.

Mercury is retrograde approximately three times a year for approximately three weeks each time. As such, retrograde Mercury is a fairly common occurrence (Mercury is retrograde approximately 18% of the time).

As the planet of communication, Mercury retrograde tends to breed a certain level of confusion. Mercury rules our “lower” mind–how we perceive and interpret information that we receive from our environment, and how we relay that information to others. Mercury has rulership over such things as speaking, negotiating, buying and selling, listening, formal contracts, documents, travel, the mail and shipping, and so forth. All of these areas of life are affected when Mercury is functioning in a sluggish state. Decision-making is challenged during Mercury retrograde.

Needless to say, it is not advised to sign contracts, engage in important decision-making, or launch a new business. Delays and challenges are more probable with Mercury retrograde. It’s a time when being careless with money, our personal information, or paperwork can be costly.

While Mercury is retrograde, we may be rethinking a previous opinion or idea. Looking to the signs and houses it transits can give clues as to what we may be reconsidering. In Pisces this time, we are reconsidering matters of faith or compassion, spiritual or emotional health practices, and issues of closure and unfinished business.

While Mercury is retrograde in the sign of Pisces, we may be returning to past projects and refining or tweaking them. We can find usefulness in old or past ideas and recycle them in new ways. We might consider scrapping a need for closure on a particular matter, for example, recognizing that the best closure sometimes involves accepting that there isn’t closure! We can be especially spacey when it comes to facts and figures. Convoluted directions and instructions can be a problem. However, we may be more able to tap into our inner muse and come up with especially inventive ideas.