Is Mercury retrograde right now?
Mercury is in its pre-shadow. It stations retrograde October 24, 2026 at 20°59′ Scorpio and turns direct November 13, 2026.
As of October 21, 2026. This answer updates with your own clock when the page loads.
The short answer, then the dates. Every station, shadow and degree below is computed with the Swiss Ephemeris, shown in US Central time with UTC beside it. For what the season means and what to do with it, read Mercury retrograde, explained.
This retrograde, start to finish
A retrograde has four marks: the shadow opens, Mercury stations retrograde, it stations direct, and the shadow closes. The highlighted box is where Mercury is today.
Every Mercury retrograde, 2026 to 2028
Mercury turns retrograde three times a year, for about three weeks each time. The past ones stay on the list for reference; the next one is highlighted.
| Retrograde | Stations | Shadow |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 26 to Mar 20, 202623 days | 22°34′ Piscesback to 8°29′ Pisces | Feb 11 to Apr 9 |
| Jun 29 to Jul 23, 202624 days | 26°15′ Cancerback to 16°19′ Cancer | Jun 12 to Aug 6 |
| Oct 24 to Nov 13, 202620 days | 20°59′ Scorpioback to 5°02′ Scorpio | Oct 4 to Nov 30 |
| Feb 9 to Mar 3, 202722 days | 5°59′ Piscesback to 20°55′ Aquarius | Jan 25 to Mar 23 |
| Jun 10 to Jul 4, 202724 days | 6°22′ Cancerback to 27°28′ Gemini | May 26 to Jul 19 |
| Oct 7 to Oct 28, 202721 days | 4°56′ Scorpioback to 19°19′ Libra | Sep 17 to Nov 13 |
| Jan 24 to Feb 14, 202821 days | 19°42′ Aquariusback to 3°59′ Aquarius | Jan 8 to Mar 5 |
| May 21 to Jun 14, 202824 days | 16°19′ Geminiback to 7°45′ Gemini | May 6 to Jun 29 |
| Sep 19 to Oct 11, 202822 days | 18°36′ Libraback to 3°29′ Libra | Aug 30 to Oct 26 |
Dates in US Central time. Want them in your calendar? Subscribe to the free sky calendar.
What each mark means
Pre-shadow. Mercury is still moving forward, but it is walking ground it will soon retrace. Themes that will matter during the retrograde often show their first edge here, so this is the time to back up, finish, and get signatures settled.
Retrograde. From Earth, Mercury appears to stop and move backward. It is the season for anything with the prefix re: revise, review, reconnect, repair. Beginnings you want to run cleanly go better after it.
Post-shadow. Mercury is direct again and recrossing the same stretch of sky for the third time. Plans firm up, delays clear, and what you revised gets its second chance.
Your year, read from your own chart
Mercury's dates are the same for everyone. The Year-Ahead Reading reads how the coming twelve months move through your own chart, with the dates worth circling.
The Year-Ahead Reading on EtsyCommon questions
When is the next Mercury retrograde?
Mercury next stations retrograde on October 24, 2026 at 20°59′ Scorpio and turns direct on November 13, 2026 at 5°02′ Scorpio (US Central time). The shadow runs October 4, 2026 to November 30, 2026.
How many times is Mercury retrograde in 2027?
Three times: February 9, 2027 to March 3, 2027 in Pisces and Aquarius; June 10, 2027 to July 4, 2027 in Cancer and Gemini; October 7, 2027 to October 28, 2027 in Scorpio and Libra.
How long does Mercury retrograde last?
Between 20 and 24 days for every retrograde from 2026 to 2028, station to station. With the shadow on either side, the whole cycle runs about two months.
What is the Mercury retrograde shadow?
The pre-shadow begins when Mercury first reaches the degree where it will later turn direct, and the post-shadow ends when it clears the degree where it turned retrograde. Inside the shadow Mercury covers the same stretch of sky three times.
Is it Mercury retrograde in my timezone too?
Yes. A station happens at one moment for the whole Earth. Only the clock reading changes, so near midnight the date can differ by one day between, say, Chicago and London. This page shows US Central time and UTC, and the live answer above uses your own clock.
Also on the sky calendar: Retrogrades 2027 · Eclipses 2027 · Full Moon calendar · New Moon calendar · Add it all to your calendar