There is this one astrological event that somehow dominates conversations throughout the year - whether you are deeply into astrology or just astrology curious.
Any guesses? None other than the mercury retrograde! For the unversed, Mercury retrograde is an optical illusion that occurs when the planet Mercury appears to move backwards in the night sky. However, in reality, the Earth briefly overtakes Mercury in its orbit. This creates the visual effect that the planet is moving in reverse. Speaking of this astrologically, retrogrades, which occur in other planets as well, are thought to impede the realms that the planet governs. Since Mercury rules communication, information and travel, the retrograde period is believed to hamper these areas. Mercury Retrogrades Of 2026
- First Mercury Retrograde: February 26 - March 20, 2026: The first retrograde will arrive just as we settle into the new year. This often feels the strongest because we are still carrying the momentum and expectations of a fresh year.
- Second Mercury Retrograde: June 29 - July 23, 2026: Falling right in the middle of the year, and also overlapping with the monsoon season, this retrograde tends to affect travel, logistics and personal relationships the most.
- Third Mercury Retrograde: October 24 - November 13, 2026: This one arrives just before the year-end rush. Mercury retrograde during this period can bring confusion, work delays, creative blocks, old goals and past mistakes.
Nicholas Campion, professor of cosmology and culture at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, while speaking to BBC said, "Modern astrologers who believe in the influence of Mercury retrograde think it means plans are going to be put on hold or that it is a bad time to start a new job or begin something new. It is very much a feature of a particular strand of western astrology. He further added, "Western astrology now spreads all over the world through social media and apps, so it is becoming global."
