Retrograde calendar 2026–2027
Is Mercury retrograde right now? Exact start and end dates for every planetary retrograde and eclipse in 2026–2027, calculated from real planetary positions.
Right now (Nov 4, 2026)
- Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio until Nov 13, 2026
- Venus Retrograde in Scorpio until Nov 14, 2026
- Mars Direct · next retrograde Jan 10, 2027
- Jupiter Direct · next retrograde Dec 13, 2026
- Saturn Retrograde in Aries until Dec 11, 2026
- Uranus Retrograde in Gemini until Feb 8, 2027
- Neptune Retrograde in Aries until Dec 12, 2026
- Pluto Direct · next retrograde May 8, 2027
Mercury retrograde dates
| Starts (stations retrograde) | Ends (stations direct) | Sign |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 2026 | Mar 20, 2026 | Pisces |
| Jun 29, 2026 | Jul 23, 2026 | Cancer |
| Oct 24, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | Scorpio |
| Feb 9, 2027 | Mar 3, 2027 | Pisces → Aquarius |
| Jun 10, 2027 | Jul 4, 2027 | Cancer → Gemini |
| Oct 7, 2027 | Oct 28, 2027 | Scorpio → Libra |
Venus retrograde dates
| Starts (stations retrograde) | Ends (stations direct) | Sign |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 3, 2026 | Nov 14, 2026 | Scorpio → Libra |
Mars retrograde dates
| Starts (stations retrograde) | Ends (stations direct) | Sign |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 10, 2027 | Apr 1, 2027 | Virgo → Leo |
Jupiter retrograde dates
| Starts (stations retrograde) | Ends (stations direct) | Sign |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 11, 2025 | Mar 11, 2026 | Cancer |
| Dec 13, 2026 | Apr 13, 2027 | Leo |
Saturn retrograde dates
| Starts (stations retrograde) | Ends (stations direct) | Sign |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 26, 2026 | Dec 11, 2026 | Aries |
| Aug 9, 2027 | Dec 24, 2027 | Aries |
Eclipses 2026–2027
| Date | Eclipse | Sign |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 17, 2026 | Solar (annular) | Aquarius |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Lunar (total) | Virgo |
| Aug 12, 2026 | Solar (total) | Leo |
| Aug 28, 2026 | Lunar (partial) | Pisces |
| Feb 6, 2027 | Solar (annular) | Aquarius |
| Feb 20, 2027 | Lunar (penumbral) | Virgo |
| Jul 18, 2027 | Lunar (penumbral) | Capricorn |
| Aug 2, 2027 | Solar (total) | Leo |
| Aug 17, 2027 | Lunar (penumbral) | Aquarius |
What "retrograde" really is
Planets don't actually reverse. Retrograde motion is an optical effect: Earth and the other planets orbit the Sun at different speeds, and when Earth passes a slower outer planet (or a faster inner planet like Mercury passes Earth), that planet appears to drift backward against the stars for a while. The "station" is the day it seems to stand still before changing direction.
In astrology, retrogrades are treated as review periods: a time to revisit, double-check and finish rather than launch. Whether or not you believe the planet affects anything, the habits that come with it are useful: back up your files, re-read important messages, and leave buffer time when you travel. The Mercury retrograde survival routine turns that into a checklist.
Outer planets
Jupiter and Saturn are retrograde for about four months every year, while Uranus, Neptune and Pluto are retrograde for around five months. Because they're so slow, astrologers pay less attention to their retrogrades than to Mercury's, Venus's and Mars's.
Retrograde FAQ
Is Mercury retrograde right now?
Yes. Mercury is retrograde until Nov 13, 2026.
What does retrograde actually mean?
A planet is retrograde when, seen from Earth, it appears to move backward against the background stars. Nothing actually reverses: it is an optical effect caused by Earth overtaking (or being overtaken by) the other planet in orbit.
How often is Mercury retrograde?
Usually three, sometimes four times a year, for about three weeks each time. Mercury is retrograde roughly 19% of the year.
Station dates are calculated with Astronomy Engine and are accurate to within a few hours (UTC). See moon phases in the moon calendar.