Mercury retrograde: October 24 – November 13, 2026
Mercury turns retrograde on and direct on . Below: the shadow, what to do and avoid, and what the retrograde means for each sign.
What Mercury retrograde in Scorpio means
Mercury seems to move backwards — a time of review, repeats and delays in communication, documents, tech and travel. It isn’t a “bad time” — it’s a time to review: go back, double-check, finish.
Mercury turns in Scorpio — the sign of depth, shared money and secrets. The review covers not only messages and documents but debts, loans, taxes, joint budgets and heart-to-heart talks. What was kept quiet for a long time comes up.
Venus (October 3 – November 14, 2026) is also retrograde in these days: two personal planets retrograde at once — a season for finishing, not starting. Especially in relationships, money and agreements.
- double-check messages and documents
- finish what you started
- return to old contacts and ideas
- make backups
- collect debts and get back what is yours
- rewrite texts, CVs and plans
- signing important things unchecked
- buying gadgets and cars
- starting big projects
- deciding on the fly
- buying tickets without checking dates and names
Lasts 20 days, 57 with the shadow. Mercury doesn’t really go backwards: it only looks that way from Earth when it passes between Earth and the Sun and overtakes us.
Mercury retrograde for each sign
Houses are counted from your sign: your sign is the 1st house, the next one the 2nd and so on. If you know your Ascendant, read its sign too — it’s more precise.
Double-check loans, taxes and shared money — errors and delayed payments are possible. Good for closing debts and sorting out complex feelings, not for new obligations.
Aries horoscope 2027 →Misunderstandings with a partner and clients, agreements under review. New contracts — after the station; good for calmly discussing old grievances.
Taurus horoscope 2027 →Glitches in workflows, mixed-up tasks and schedules. Double-check your work and review your routine; close loose ends, start new treatment only with a second opinion.
Gemini horoscope 2027 →Exes or old feelings return, creative projects need polishing. Be careful with new romances and risky bets; good for getting back to an old hobby.
Cancer horoscope 2027 →Old family topics, talks with relatives about the past, small breakdowns at home. Don’t start repairs or a move; sorting things out and fixing the old is perfect now.
Leo horoscope 2027 →Mercury’s own theme — communication glitches, mix-ups in messages, delays with papers and transport. Reread messages, leave early; good for finishing courses and reviving old contacts.
Virgo horoscope 2027 →A budget and pricing review. Double-check payments, receipts and transfers; postpone big purchases, especially gadgets. Good for collecting debts and finding forgotten money.
Libra horoscope 2027 →Review your plans and how you present yourself. Don’t rush big decisions about yourself or loud announcements — go back to old ideas and finish them.
Scorpio horoscope 2027 →A time of quiet and analysis: forgotten and hidden things surface. Rest, journal, finish the old; don’t sign anything important without understanding it.
Sagittarius horoscope 2027 →Old friends get in touch, future plans need a review. Group chats and teams are more confusing — clarify; good for renewing useful ties.
Capricorn horoscope 2027 →Mixed-up instructions and trouble with bosses, career plans under review. Job changes and big statements — after the station; good for finishing projects.
Aquarius horoscope 2027 →Delays with travel and documents (visas, tickets, certificates), rethinking views and studies. Book with a margin; good for resuming studies.
Pisces horoscope 2027 →All Mercury retrogrades 2026–2028
| Retrograde | Sign | With shadow | |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 26 – March 20, 2026 | Pisces | February 11 – April 9, 2026 | |
| June 29 – July 23, 2026 | Cancer | June 13 – August 7, 2026 | |
| October 24 – November 13, 2026 | Scorpio | October 4 – November 30, 2026 | |
| February 9 – March 3, 2027 | Pisces → Aquarius | January 25 – March 23, 2027 | |
| June 10 – July 4, 2027 | Cancer → Gemini | May 26 – July 19, 2027 | |
| October 7 – 28, 2027 | Scorpio → Libra | September 17 – November 13, 2027 | |
| January 24 – February 14, 2028 | Aquarius | January 8 – March 5, 2028 | |
| May 21 – June 14, 2028 | Gemini | May 6 – June 29, 2028 | |
| September 19 – October 11, 2028 | Libra | August 30 – October 26, 2028 |
Shadows run from the first touch of the turning degree to leaving it.
Frequently asked questions
When is Mercury retrograde in 2026?
In 2026 Mercury is retrograde 3 times: February 26 – March 20 (Pisces); June 29 – July 23 (Cancer); October 24 – November 13 (Scorpio). The current period is October 24 – November 13, 2026 in Scorpio.
When does Mercury retrograde end?
Mercury turns direct on November 13, 2026, 15:52 (UTC). The post-retrograde shadow lasts until November 30, 2026 — things gradually get back on track.
What should you not do during Mercury retrograde?
Better to avoid signing important things unchecked, buying gadgets and cars, starting big projects, deciding on the fly. If it can’t wait, read documents twice and leave extra time.
Can you sign contracts during Mercury retrograde?
Yes, if it continues something old: a renewal, an amendment, going back to a former partner. Big new contracts are better moved to after the shadow — or check every clause and keep copies of the correspondence.
What is the Mercury shadow?
The degrees Mercury crosses three times: before turning, backwards, and forward again. This time the shadow is October 4 – November 30, 2026. In the pre-shadow, topics appear that you’ll have to revisit; in the post-shadow they close.
When is the next Mercury retrograde?
The next one is February 9 – March 3, 2027, in Pisces.