(Note: this page is being re-written for 2026, so parts below are complete and others in transition into the new year)
The Mercury retrogrades in 2026 are in the water elements. The water element has to do with emotions, empathy and intuition. Because Mercury is mental and analytical, the messenger is not particularly comfortable in Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio. The lesson and opportunity is to communicate emotions to heal old emotional wounds. This opens you to your intuitive and feminine side at greater levels.
Although I am no longer accepting new clients, I do want to keep everyone up to date with planetary shifts through this website, the free New & Full Moon email newsletter, and the quarterly Astromark newsletter. Additionally, existing clients from the past 30 years are welcome to schedule Periodic Updates to your chart or the Seven Ray Esoteric Astrology consultation.
Mars Retrograde
December 6, 2024 – February 23, 2025
6 degrees Leo back to 17 degrees Cancer
Ambitious Mars turns retrograde less often than all the other planets except Venus, about every 18-20 months. Retrograde Mars reviews where you are putting your energy. Leo asks if your actions and your heart are in alignment. Mars is the planet of athletics, assertiveness and putting your plans into action. Leo wants you to open your heart and be creative. Retrograde Mars helps you take action to release those activities that do not have heart-centered drives. Some form of letting go will be involved here because Mars will oppose death & rebirth Pluto three times between early November 2024 and late April 2025. This can be a rude, angry and violent energy, so hopefully domestic terrorists will not disrupt the USA Presidential Inauguration as they did at the Capitol Building on January 6, 2021. The positive perspective is to get a detached perspective on what actions need to stay or go in your life.
By January 7, 2025, Mars moves backwards into home, family and food sign Cancer. Some people will start a New Year’s diet, others will fix up their home for a future property sale. Mainly, Cancer wants to be safe and secure. This is a good time to research where you want to live next.
Venus Retrograde
October 3 to November 13, 2026
9 degrees Scorpio back to 22 degrees Libra
Text coming soon…
Mercury Retrograde
February 25 to March 20, 2026
23 degrees Pisces back to 8 degrees Pisces
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By
Mercury Retrograde
June 29-July 23, 2026
27 degrees Cancer back to 16 degrees Cancer
Text coming soon…
Mercury Retrograde
October 24 to November 13, 2026
21 degrees back to 5 degrees Scorpio
Text coming soon…
Retrograde dates for outer planets in 2026
Because outer planets spend so much time retrograde, it is most important to pay attention on the days surrounding when they go retrograde and direct. Also, if a planet turns retrograde or direct on a planet or angle (cusp of houses 1, 4. 7 and 10) of your natal chart, that makes the cycle more important personally. Dates are for USA time zones.
2025 dates will be coming soon. Below is 2024
Jupiter
Jupiter began his retrograde cycle on November 11, 2025 until March 10, 2026 (26 degrees back to 15 degrees Cancer). Text coing soon…
Saturn
Saturn is retrograde from July 12 to November 27, 2025 moving backwards from 2 degrees Aries to 25 degrees Pisces. Saturn, along with Neptune, are dipping their toes into Aries in 2025, and will be fully in Aries in 2026. The previous time Saturn was in Aries was April 1996 to February 1999. Where were you restructuring your life in order to pioneer a new path then? It’s coming back but likely in a different way since you are not the same person you were then. Saturn is finishing his 2+ year run in Pisces from January to May 24, 2025, then again September 1, 2025 until mid-February 2026. Pisces is excellent for going off on a vision quest in order to tune into the Aries new path it is time to bring forth.
Saturn begins his run in Aries on May 24. Aries is ready to pioneer a new path. Saturn reminds you that you are in it for the long term. That means you now need to put physical energy into initial efforts that will pay off down the road. A personal example is that I left my industrial sales rep job and started my full time astrology practice. It took about 4 years to get the practice into a sustainable mode, and that was 30 years ago. When Saturn was in Pisces 1994-1996 (as it has been the past two years), my desire to be in my corporate job was dissolving with no clarity on the path ahead.,.
Uranus
Uranus moves between earthy Taurus and early degrees of Gemini in 2025. He is/was retrograde September 1, 2024 until January 30, 2025 . The god of innovation and revolution moves into air-sign Gemini on July 7 at 2 degrees Gemini until he turns retrograde on September 5. This provides a teaser of what Gemini energy will be like for you when he returns to Gemini for seven years in April 2026. The previous time Uranus was in Gemini was roughly 1942-1949. The actual retrograde period is September 5, 2025 until March 3, 2026 between 2 degrees Gemini back to 26 degrees Taurus.
Tend to practical matters for most of 2025, but prepare for new ideas, new ways to communicate, travel, writing, and a much quicker pace.
Neptune
Neptune fully moves into Aries on January 27, 2026, having briefly tested Aries in the spring and summer of 2025. Neptune will be in Aries until 2038. He turns retrograde July 7, 2026 at 3 degrees Aries back to 1 degree Aries on December 2, 2026. Text coming soon….
Neptune has a 165r year orbit, so the last time he was in Aries was approximately 1861-1874. The civil was was going on then, and the early beginnings of the Women’s Suffragette movement was starting. African-American gained the right to vote then.
Pluto
Pluto turns retrograde May 6 ,2026 through October 15, 2026. It is retrograde between 6 and 3 degrees Aquarius. The planet of deep transformation is in the sign of innovation until 2044. The last time Pluto was in Aquarius was 1778-1798 when the early stages of the USA was forming during the Revolutionary War. Technology will increase at a lightening pace. Although Aquarius can often be brilliant, it can also think it knows better than everyone else. It can hold the higher ideal for society to step into, or be hard-headed lacking compassion for those who are not prepared or desiring the new way. In esoteric astrology (spiritual purpose), Pluto is associated with Ray 1 of will and power. The god of the underworld helps you release anything that gets between you and the ONE SOURCE of All That Is. Although not a comfortable process (releasing fears, self-worth issues, etc.) , you become empowered through a direct connection to that One Source. Call upon Master El Morya and Archangel Michael for help.
