On Saturday, 10/24, Mercury enters its third retrograde of 2026 at 20° Scorpio. This retrograde runs from 20°- 08° Scorpio, strongly affecting our fixed (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius) and water (Cancer and Pisces) signs. During this retrograde, Mercury conjuncts the Sun (this always happens) and squares Mars in Leo. The other significant aspect to this retrograde is that it will occur entirely within the timeframe of Venus’s retrograde; in fact, both Mercury and Venus station direct on the same day.
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 shouldn’t 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 three times: the first time during its pre-retrograde shadow, the second time while it moves backward during its retrograde, and the 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 are in play, the stronger the effects of a Mercury retrograde cycle may be. 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 Details
Within the scope of Mercury’s constant retrogrades, this one may look like weak sauce, as it is heavily overshadowed by Big Sister Venus’s retrograde, which happens far less often than Mercury’s and therefore holds greater significance. That isn’t to say this retrograde won’t be impactful; simply that it will be less noticeable and may appear more like background noise. The entirety of Mercury’s retrograde occurs inside of Venus’s retrograde- Venus retrogrades on 10/3, and Mercury enters its pre-retrograde shadow the day after. Both planets station direct on 11/13, and Mercury (being the faster planet) exits their own pre-retrograde shadow long before Venus does.
Double personal planet retrogrades are Hard Mode: emotion dysregulation will be at an all-time high (Venus retrograde in Scorpio, then Libra), while we are also closed off and non-communicative (Mercury retrograde in Scorpio). And, widely, this is a three personal planet retrograde as Mars enters his own pre-retrograde shadow on 11/5 at 20° Leo. Mars will retrograde early in 2027 with, you guessed it, a Mercury retrograde in tow. This means that this Mercury retrograde AND the next will both involve our other personal planets. That’s what we call a double whammy, or astrological 1-2 punch.
It is a sign that relationships will be of a pressing concern from 10/03 (when Venus begins her retrograde) all the way to 4/1/27, when Mars stations direct.
We are getting a little bit ahead of ourselves here, but we have to look at the big picture. This is a part of a long-haul astrological sequence of events that should not be diminished or overlooked.
Those most affected by this retrograde will be anybody with Sun, Moon, Ascendant, Mercury, Venus, or Mars (and possibly Jupiter or Saturn) between 05° -20° of the fixed signs (Taurus/opposition, Leo/square, Scorpio/conjunction, and Aquarius/square) and the water signs (Cancer and Pisces, trine). We can broadly say that the fixed signs will have a more difficult time, whereas it may be somewhat easier for the water signs, but this will have as much to do with your personal relationship with Mercurial energy, fixidity, and Scorpio energy, as well as the exact aspects it makes to your natal birth chart.
Scorpio is the 8th sign in the horoscope, ruled by Mars (traditional) and Pluto (modern). It is a fixed, water sign. Scorpio and the 8th house rule over emotions, secrets, and the esoteric unknown. As fixed water, Scorpio is naturally retentive, which is a detriment to communication, which functions best when it flows freely. We can expect people to be especially secretive and uncommunicative when Mercury retrogrades in Scorpio. We can also expect some vindictiveness and control, traits of the scorpion, one of Scorpio’s animistic totems.
While most signs are represented by a single avatar, Scorpio has four: the scorpion, the eagle, the grey worm, and the Phoenix. The Scorpion and the grey worm are gross (worldly, meaning of the earth in an alchemical sense) – they represent the two immature forms of Scorpionic behavior. The grey worm is completely retentive, sucked so far in on itself that it does not interact with the world at large. The Scorpion will sting because it can. The two higher/mature forms of Scorpio soar above in the skies: the eagle watches from a distance, sometimes judgy and always aloof, whereas the Phoenix is the embodiment of pure transformation itself. Transformation is allotted to Scorpio partly because it is the 8th sign, and 8, as the ouroboros, is a number of regeneration.
Water retrogrades tend to be weepy, but the immature forms of Scorpio cannot stand to be seen crying. This may cause some serious emotional repression, which is especially dangerous during a Venus retrograde. This – along with the season (as we head into the dark quarter of the year) is Red Flag Weather for depression of all kinds. The big flex will be to ask for help often and early; unfortunately, one of the tricks depression plays is to convince you that you are not worthy of getting help.
Carry a lifejacket if you need to, and maybe even if you don’t. Apply this as literally or figuratively as you need to in your own life.
The antidote to any hard astrological energy is always the signs opposite, in this case, earthy Taurus. When life gets hard during this retrograde, treat yourself to the very best comforting self-care: eat your favorite foods, curl up with your favorite fuzzy blanket and a purring cat, and do the things that are most likely to bring you joy. The problem remains that Venus, ruler of Taurus, is also retrograde, so for some, joy may be impossible to find.
This too shall pass. That may be the only answer. Write it on your hand if you need to.
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 to choose 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 could walk into the land of the dead and return. 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 bring up various themes, depending on your current life experiences and how each retrograde interlocks with your 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 you feel like you are drowning, you are right on time. See above regarding prophylactic life jacket use.
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 (if you are lucky enough to have a late Autumn garden anyway).
Mercury’s retrograde unfolds in three phases. First, Mercury passes from 05°- 20° Scorpio in forward motion, starting on 10/04; this is known as Mercury’s pre-retrograde shadow. Then, on 10/24, Mercury retrogrades and begins its backward path from 20°- 04° Pisces; this is their retrograde phase. Finally, after Mercury stations direct on 11/13, it moves from 04°-20° 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, 04° and 20° Scorpio, hold special significance, as Mercury will occupy each of these degrees for several days, much longer than they normally remain in a degree.
In fact, Mercury will be in the sign of Scorpio 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.
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 do 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. The caveat is 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 to make that area of your life easier during a retrograde is certainly warranted. You can ward off Mercury Chthonia’s effect on your particular computer, for example, or on 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
Venus retrograde: Autumn 2026
The Details
10/3 – Venus retrogrades 08° Scorpio
10/4 – Mercury enters their pre-retrograde shadow 05° Scorpio
10/6 – Mercury conjunct retrograde Venus 08° Scorpio
10/24 – Mercury retrogrades 20° Scorpio
10/25 – retrograde Venus enters Libra
10/30 – retrograde Mercury in Scorpio square Mars in Leo
11/4 – Sun conjunct retrograde Mercury 12° Scorpio
11/5 – Mars enters his pre-retrograde shadow 20° Leo
11/13 – Venus stations direct 22° Libra, Mercury stations direct 05° Scorpio
11/30 – Mercury exits its post-retrograde shadow 20° Scorpio
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