On Monday, 6/29, Mercury enters their second retrograde of 2026 at 26° Cancer. This retrograde runs from 26-16° Cancer, strongly impacting our cardinal and water signs. It is a simple retrograde, meaning that it does not make any meaningful aspects to the planets during its backward journey, other than its inevitable conjunction with our Sun.
The Basics
Mercury, the planet of communication, technology, and travel, is the fastest-moving planet in our solar system and retrogrades three to four times every year. This means that Mercury’s retrograde cycle is “business as usual” and isn’t something that should be feared. However, it is a change in the energy signature of one of our personal planets, so it’s worth paying attention to and making adjustments where necessary.
Retrogrades don’t mean that the planet ACTUALLY is moving backward, of course. It is a shift in our perception of the planetary movement through our skies. In this way, our perspectives can become slightly skewed during these times, making it easy to miss key details or communicate ineffectively.
During Mercury’s retrograde, Mercury traces its path backward in our skies, and it is considered better to go over your work rather than start something new. Mercury passes over these degrees in the sky thrice: the first time during its pre-retrograde shadow, the second time while it moves backward during its retrograde, and again a third time while it moves forward in its post-retrograde shadow. Because of this, we all get the cosmic opportunity to relearn and refocus on certain things that are going awry in our lives.
By comparing the degrees of Mercury’s retrograde to your birth chart, you can understand how Mercury’s retrograde cycle might affect you.
Mercury’s retrogrades affect some people more than others. By order of significance, these people are most likely to be affected by a Mercury retrograde:
- If you have Sun, Moon, or Ascendant in Gemini and Virgo, or Mercury closely conjunct (within 2°) to your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant
- If your natal Mercury was in retrograde or out of bounds
- If the current retrograde crosses over your Sun, Moon, Mercury, or Ascendant (in conjunction) or makes a square or opposition
- If the current retrograde crosses over your Venus, or Mars, or makes a square or opposition with them
- If the current retrograde makes a trine with one of your personal planets or your Sun, Moon, or Ascendant
- If you work in a job that involves technology, communication, or travel, or are currently undergoing a task that involves one of these domains during this retrograde cycle
- If you live with, are in a relationship with, or closely work with a person who meets the above criteria
One can assume that the more of these factors in play, the stronger you may experience the effects of a Mercury retrograde cycle. This isn’t to say that what you experience will be bad or wrong – some people experience a lot of freedom from Mercury’s journey. The more open you are to giving up control and staying open to the ever-changing landscape of a Mercury cycle, the easier it will be.
The Nitty Gritty
This is a very simple Mercury retrograde, in that it occupies only one sign (Cancer) and it only conjuncts the Sun during its retrograde journey. This means there’s a slim chance some people won’t be affected by this retrograde at all. It’s as easy as any retrograde gets (because trust me, of the personal planet retrogrades – Mercury is easy), and we should all be very grateful for that right about now.
Those most affected by this retrograde will be anybody with Sun, Moon, Ascendant, Mercury, Venus, or Mars (and possibly Jupiter or Saturn) between 16°-26° of the cardinal signs (Aries/square, Cancer/conjunction, Libra/square, and Capricorn/opposition) and the water signs (Scorpio and Pisces, trine). We can widely say that the cardinal signs will have a more difficult time, where it may be somewhat easier for the water signs, but this will have as much to do with your personal relationship with Mercurial energy, cardinality, and Cancer energy as the exact aspects it makes.
Cancer is the 4th sign of the horoscope, and it is naturally ruled by the Moon. It is a cardinal, water sign. Cancer, the Moon, and to some degree the 4th house all have something to do with divine motherhood. Think of the most brilliant creations, but also our deepest secrets and childhood regrets. Sometimes better called our childish regrets. This is the sign of the moon; much of its truth is obfuscated by our luminary’s every changing faces. This retrograde forces us to reflect on Mercury in Cancer energies: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Things are going to get weepy. Some people like it that way. This will benefit those who can understand and synthesize emotions, but will hinder those who are afraid to cry (assume “cry” to be a loss analogy for any emotion, really, here), or who can only cry when they are alone.
I do think that this retrograde could be Red Flag Weather for depressive types; take that as you need to.
Carry a life jacket if you need to, and maybe even if you think you don’t. Again, apply that metaphorically as it works in your own life.
Cancer, the Moon, and Home (wherever you feel safest) are the antidote for what will ail you during this retrograde. Don’t get crabby; instead, create the perfect summer nest. Eat strawberries and drink lemonade. Go to the beach and let the waves wash, wash, wash it all away. Don’t travel unless you are the kind of person who can carry your home like a shell on your back.
Let it go to let it crow.
That’s not a typo.
Sitting so close to the Sun, Mercury is our most personal planet, governing the realms of thought, communication, travel, and technology. All of these things are altered during their retrograde cycle. This can look like miscommunications, typos, people speaking without thinking first, travel delays, detours, intrusive thoughts, and technological difficulties- all generally considered “bad things”. But it can also look like deep thoughts, realizations, meaningful conversations, directed change, and intense problem-solving.
Mercury retrogrades are very much in the eye of the beholder. Mercury retrogrades can vary much in the eye of the beholder.
I know that’s not grammatically correct. That’s the point here. (Mercury’s not going to retrograde in Virgo, so we shouldn’t worry about “correctness.”)
The point is that you get the choice in how you greet and move through a Mercury retrograde. Inevitably, some things will go wrong. Especially if there’s technology involved —so, you know, pretty much everything these days. It’s not about you; it’s not personal.
Mercury retrogrades are the antithesis of modern capitalist society. They are all about the journey. Mercury is one of the great travelers – Hermes (one of Mercury’s many faces) was one of the few beings who was able to walk into the land of the dead and leave again. When Mercury retrogrades, the paths shift. We can view this as liminal — a fallow phase — but it can also be a time of great adventure and opportunity. You will find that different retrogrades will bring up various themes, based upon your current life experiences and how the retrograde interlocks with your own birth chart.
This isn’t the time to force things; it’s the time to read the currents and go with the flow (or step out of the way!).
If Mercury prograde (direct) is the in breath, Mercury’s retrograde is the inevitable exhale that must follow. We weave in and out of Mercury retrogrades all year long, which is why I call this a business-as-usual aspect. The problem is the “Out to Lunch” sign on the door, even though it’s only 9 am. Or maybe “On Vacation”. This is a problem specifically because we live in a Hustle Culture that demands constant effort and often immediate results.
Mercury retrogrades are the perfect time to schedule a staycation and use your PTO, or a for-real getaway if you can handle a bit of uncertainty in your travel itinerary. Expect major airline delays and road closures, though. It’s time best spent editing and refining. Sometimes, it’s best spent in the solitude of your bed, catching up on sleep, or out puttering around in your garden.
Mercury’s retrograde unfolds in three phases. First, Mercury passes from 16°-26° Cancer in forward motion, starting on 6/12; this is known as Mercury’s pre-retrograde shadow. Then, on 6/29, Mercury retrogrades and begins its backward path from 26°-16° Pisces; this is their retrograde phase. Finally, after Mercury stations direct on 7/23, they move from 16°-26° again in forward motion, marking the post-retrograde cycle. This can be seen as a lesson played out in three parts. We should note that the degrees of Mercury’s station, 16° and 26° Cancer, hold special significance as Mercury will hold each of these degrees for a number of days, much longer than Mercury normally remains in a degree.
In fact, Mercury will be in the sign of Cancer for nine weeks in total. For perspective, Mercury can remain in a particular sign for as little as two weeks. This is a long time for people to bring so much water into conversations, again, knowing yourself and how well you can remain afloat when the Gen Pop floods is a major plus here.
Standard Mercury retrograde advice applies: proofread thrice and make sure you are sending that sext to Joe in finance, not Joe your neighbor, who needs to reset your breakers. Expect delays. Enjoy the journey.
I don’t see this particular retrograde as being that hard on us as a collective. If I weren’t grieving, I would probably be looking forward to it. This is a chance to really get your emotional shit in order. I’d say there’s a higher than average chance of the whole cliche “Ex Enters the Scene”; keep in mind that most of the time, they are your Ex for a REASON.
And don’t sweat the small stuff. That’s like, top Mercury Retrograde advice: if you can be the only one to shrug off the stupid shit like having to wait in traffic or there not being oat creamer at the corner store, or whatever – you can stop a whole train of Mercury retrograde shit.
Leave responsibility where it should be.
Well, how the Fuck to I Magic About This Shit?
There are always a hundred different ways to do magic about and with the energy of Mercury’s ever-repeating retrograde cycles. There is the caveat that traditional astrology cautions the planetary magician against working with planets during their retrograde cycles, but we are MODERN planetary magicians, amiright?
As Mercury’s domains are communication, thought, travel, and technology, any magic to control or appease Mercury into having an easier time with that area of your life during a retrograde is certainly warranted. You can ward against Mercury Chthonia’s effect on your particular computer, for example, or maybe for your business or your server. You can mitigate sales interruptions if you sell primarily online. Cast spells to keep your silver tongue or make your competitor slip up at the spelling bee.
Things can get cloudy during the retrograde, which can be used to your advantage magically, either in a beneficial way for you or a Malefic way if directed towards others.
All of that said, Mercury is a guide and a messenger. Mercury can be called on to get into (or out of) tight spots and for all kinds of subterfuge.
Mercury is a natural trickster, and they favor those who are bold in tongue and somewhat sneaky in action. Talk to Mercury. Out loud. Listen with your inner knowing, or use any means of divination. In Picatrix, Mercury is associated with dream work.
Mercury is also the lower (human) octave of luck and inspiration. They can create and solve a wide range of problems.
As one of the personal planets, Mercury’s energy is quick, adaptable, and available to everyone. They make a great wingman. Light a candle for them on a Wednesday, in their planetary hour, and tell them your troubles. Tell them your dreams. Tell them anything that comes into your mind. Bonus points if you share a cop of coffee (chicory coffee would be even better) with them.
Read More:
To All The Mercury Retrogrades I’ve Loved Before
A Road Opener For Mercury Day
How to Work With Personal Planet Retrogrades
Practices to Support Yourself During Mercury’s Retrogrades
The Details
6/12 – Mercury enters its pre-retrograde shadow 16° Cancer
6/29 – Mercury retrogrades 26° Cancer
7/12 – Sun conjunct retrograde Mercury 20° Cancer
7/14 – New moon 21° Cancer
7/23 – Mercury stations direct 16° Cancer
8/6 – Mercury exits its post-retrograde shadow 26° Cancer
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