Overview
- The first Mercury retrograde of 2026 starts today in Pisces and is set to last until March 20, with additional retrogrades scheduled for June 29–July 23 and Oct. 24–Nov. 13.
- Astronomically, the retrograde is an optical illusion caused by orbital motion that makes Mercury appear to move backward from Earth’s viewpoint.
- Astrologers link this period to miscommunication, technology glitches, travel delays and the resurfacing of past relationships, advising review over new initiatives.
- Because the transit occurs in Pisces, coverage highlights heightened sensitivity, intuition and subtle misunderstandings, with some forecasts flagging Virgo, Pisces, Gemini and Sagittarius as especially prone to ex-related drama.
- Practical guidance across outlets includes delaying major agreements or big trips when possible, double-checking messages and backups, and noting a pre-shadow from Feb. 11 and a post-shadow through about April 9.