Mercury retrograde is a stretch of about three weeks when Mercury appears to move backwards across the sky, as seen from Earth. The planet keeps orbiting the Sun in the same direction: the backward look comes from how Earth and Mercury move relative to each other.
Is Mercury really moving backwards?
No. Retrograde motion is an optical effect of the orbits, not a change in Mercury's path.
Retrograde motion is an APPARENT change in the movement of the planet through the sky.
Mercury orbits closer to the Sun than Earth, and faster. Each time it passes between Earth and the Sun, it seems to stop, drift back against the stars for a while, then stop again and move on. Those two pauses are called stations: the moment a planet seems to stand still before it changes direction.
When is this Mercury retrograde?
This one starts on 24 October 2026 and ends on 13 November 2026. Mercury stays in Scorpio for the whole retrograde.
| Stage | Date and time (UTC) | Mercury's position |
|---|---|---|
| Stations retrograde | 24 Oct 2026, about 07:15 | About 21° Scorpio |
| Stations direct | 13 Nov 2026, about 15:50 | About 5° Scorpio |
NinePath calculated these times with Astronomy Engine, the open-source library it uses for planet positions (version 2.1.19, geocentric, tropical zodiac): 07:15 and 15:52 UTC, shown rounded to the nearest five minutes. The times are in UTC, so your local date can differ. In Hawaii the start falls on the evening of 23 October. In Sydney the end falls early on 14 November.
What does Mercury retrograde mean in astrology?
In astrology, Mercury is linked with communication. One summary of the tradition says Mercury "represents the principles of communication, mentality, thinking patterns" and governs "messages and forms of communication such as post, email and telephone". Some astrologers also look at retrograde planets when they read a birth chart.
These are readings from a tradition, not measurements. The astronomy says only that Mercury looks as if it goes backwards for a few weeks.
NinePath's day type doesn't use Mercury at all. It comes from your Personal Day number and the Moon's sign, so a retrograde doesn't change it.
If you like the idea, you can use the three weeks as a reminder to reread and double-check. That habit is useful in any month.
What this means for your day
For your day
Do
Reread one important message before you send it today.
Don't
Don't put off a decision only because Mercury is retrograde.
Questions people ask
How long does Mercury retrograde last?
This one lasts about 20 days, from 24 October to 13 November 2026 (UTC). Mercury's retrograde usually lasts about 20 to 24 days.
How often does Mercury go retrograde?
About every 116 days, which is Mercury's cycle as seen from Earth. That makes about three retrogrades a year.
Should I avoid signing contracts during Mercury retrograde?
That is your choice, not a rule. Mercury's orbit doesn't change during a retrograde, so read the terms carefully, as you would in any month.
Sources
- NASA StarChild: What does it mean for Mercury to be in retrograde?. Retrograde motion is apparent: the planet does not move backwards in its orbit.
- Wikipedia: Apparent retrograde motion. Planets seen from Earth stopping and reversing direction; Mercury's retrograde tied to inferior conjunction; Mercury's synodic period of 116 days and about 20 to 24 days in retrograde.
- Wikipedia: Planets in astrology. Mercury's traditional link with communication and messages.
- Wikipedia: Western astrology. Some astrologers include retrograde planets when reading a chart.