Mercury turns retrograde in Pisces

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.