Mercury turns retrograde in Scorpio

Mercury now turns retrograde at 20° Scorpio 59′.

Mercury is retrograde from October 24th, 2026, at 20° Scorpio 59′, until November 13th, 2026, at 5° Scorpio 02′.

Mercury Retrograde Cycle from October 24 to November 13, 2026:

Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio: October 24th to November 13th, 2026

• On October 4, 2026, Mercury enters the Retrograde Zone (pre-retrograde shadow) at 5° Scorpio 02′
• On October 24, 2026, Mercury stations and turns retrograde at 20° Scorpio 59’Rx
• On November 13, 2026, Mercury stations and turns direct at 5° Scorpio 02’D
• On November 30, 2026, Mercury leaves the Retrograde Zone (post-retrograde zone) at 20° Scorpio 59′

Read more about Mercury Retrograde. Where is Mercury Retrograde transiting by house in your natal chart? Does it conjunct a natal planet, your Ascendant, or Midheaven? Read interpretations of Mercury Retrograde in Transit for a more personalized meaning of the transit cycle.

Mercury Retrograde

Mercury spends this retrograde cycle in the sign of Scorpio.

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.

Mercury’s post-retrograde shadow is generally better for new long-term endeavors than the pre-retrograde 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 note that things are most wonky on the days of the stations whether Mercury is turning retrograde OR direct (the start and end date 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.

There is absolutely a positive side to Mercury Retrograde. This period is best used for re-organizing and reflecting. We look at the world a little differently–through different filters–and can come up with some very important inner revelations. It may be difficult to communicate them under this influence, but not everything needs to be rationalized.

Mercury retrograde periods can be times of heightened inner awareness, when meditation, benefiting from keeping a journal, reworking old plans, and reviewing past work are favored. Mercury retrograde is powerful for studies, particularly for returning to old studies or for re-learning or refreshing knowledge in a subject already taken.

Minor breaks in the mechanical aspects of communication can actually reconnect us to other means of communication, such as when there is an unexpected power outage and we’re forced off the computer and television, finding different and often satisfying ways to entertain ourselves.

It is important to note that there is absolutely no reason to suspend projects or anything of the sort during the Mercury Retrograde cycle. It’s not an ideal time to start new ones or to sign contracts, simply because a change of mind is quite likely once Mercury turns direct. However, it’s a fabulous time to do some “outside of the box” thinking. Acting on our ideas, however, might be best left for a Mercury Direct period.

Pay close attention to what you say and communicate in general, particularly around the days of Mercury’s stations (in this case, October 24th November 13th, 2026), as well as around retrograde Mercury’s conjunction to the Sun (called the “inferior conjunction“) on November 4th, 2026, at 12 degrees Scorpio (midway between the start and end of the retro period).

If you are itching to make a point with someone, especially, or if you are planning on “signing on the dotted line,” try to hold off. It is likely that you will have a change of mind once the station passes, and you can do some damage in the meantime. When a planet stations, its energies are very strong in our lives.

When Mercury stations, communications have more impact, so that negative ones could have long-term implications at this time. However, if you are very clear within yourself and about what you are communicating, this can be a positive thing.

With Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio:

While Mercury is retrograde in the sign of Scorpio, it’s a strong time to get in touch with our instincts, motivations, and “dark” side. Our society generally doesn’t value emotional communication as much as more rational approaches, but now is the time to explore our more intimate and emotional natures and how these affect our decision-making processes. Increased sensitivity or emotional “radar” is likely.

We should watch that we don’t get into a paranoid frame of mind, or read too much negativity into what others say. Retrograde Mercury periods tend to send us to the past for more or previously hidden information, and while in Scorpio, this is especially the case.

When Mercury is in Scorpio in general, our thoughts and communications are more probing and intense. While Mercury in Libra urged us to find balance and arrive at reasonable solutions, Mercury in Scorpio instinctively knows that life simply isn’t fair. Mercury in Scorpio seeks truths in all that is hidden and undercover.

We tend to probe, observe, and focus our thoughts under this influence. Looking for motivations–the more deeply buried, the better–satisfies an intellectual need now. Our thoughts are profound. We throw away superficial manners of communicating in favor of deep conversations.

Scorpio is exceptionally sharp, profound, and analytical yet also intuitive. Thinking is inclined to be one-track-minded, focused, and even obsessive.

Retrograde Mercury aligns with the Sun in Scorpio on November 4th, bringing illumination to our thoughts. It’s a favorable time for processing recent events and ideas, and for beginning to look at problems or issues from a new perspective and with a new understanding. Significant new ideas can be birthed at this time.

We might look at past decisions and ideas from a new, possibly enlightened perspective, and find usefulness in old or past ideas and recycling them in new ways.