Mercury is the planet of communication and the mind. It’s a quick-moving planet that spends about two to three weeks in a particular zodiac sign, unless of course, it happens to station retrograde. Mercury is an air-energy that represents the mind and intellect. Mercury is associated with all forms of communication, the in-flow and out-flow of intelligence, the way our mind functions. It’s also a planet that oversees and is connected to social media, online business, jokes, pranks, tricks, short-distance travel, and technology. 

In astrology, when a planet is retrograde, it doesn’t mean that the planet is suddenly moving backward, but it appears that way based on the speed of the Earth in comparison to other planets. When a planet is retrograde, it often signals that the energy from this planet is not operating as it normally does. This is why it is generally advised to not start something new during a Mercury retrograde. To not sign any legal documents, make any big purchases or decisions, and to give yourself extra room for any unexpected technological glitches or travel delays that may occur. 

Mercury retrograde is an ideal opportunity for self-reflection. It’s a time to reflect on your inner processes, to quietly observe how your mind is working, to ask yourself: Where am I heading in my life at this particular moment in time? It’s a chance to redo, rewrite, rethink, reconsider, reshare, revise, what we’ve already been working on. We can use the clarity we gained during Mercury retrograde to adjust and adapt the path we take moving forward. 

Mercury stations retrograde about three times each year for about three weeks. In 2026, Mercury will be retrograde in the three water signs: Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio. This first retrograde will be in Pisces.

Pisces is a feminine water sign represented symbolically by two fish swimming in opposite directions to reflect the lack of boundaries in this energy. Pisces is the natural ruler of the 12th house, which oversees our unconscious and things beyond the physical realm. It’s the house of karma, the house that is associated with our subconscious and shadow side, the parts of ourselves and society that we would rather not deal with including: psychic capabilities, large animals like whales and elephants, mental institutions, asylums, hospitals, and prisons. 

Pisces energy is one that doesn’t necessarily feel comfortable in the real world. Pisces energy is connected to dream worlds and imagination, it’s also a mutable energy that has a difficult time separating its own thoughts, dreams, opinions, from those they picked up from other people. Pisces energy is artistic, spiritual, and very sensitive to the emotions of other people. Pisces energy can be experienced as moody or dramatic, but oftentimes that comes from an extreme sensitivity and a strong uncomfortability with the harshness of the real world. 

Pisces energy can oscillate between fear and dislike to unconditional acceptance and love of the world around them. There is this recognition that every being – human, animal, plant – is all connected, but they are still human after all, and may absolutely loathe and struggle to be compassionate toward certain people in their lives. 

Mercury Retrograde in Pisces Timeline

• Feb. 6, Mercury entered Pisces
• Feb. 11, Mercury reached 8°29’ of Pisces. Pre-shadow retrograde phase begins.
• Feb. 12, Mercury conjunct North Node
• Feb. 16, Mercury reaches 15°24’ of Pisces which is the degree we had a Total Lunar Eclipse Full Moon in Pisces on Sept. 7, 2025
• Feb. 25, Mercury retrograde begins at 22°33’ of Pisces
• Feb. 27, Mercury conjunct Venus at 22°15’ of Pisces
• March 7, Mercury conjunct Sun at 16°52’ of Pisces
• March 15, Mercury conjunct Mars at 10°02’ of Pisces
• March 20, Mercury retrograde ends at  8°29’ of Pisces
• April 9, Mercury reaches 22°33’ of Pisces and the post-shadow retrograde period ends.

Mercury will be at 22 degrees, 33 minutes of Pisces when the retrograde begins on February 25, 2026. Mercury will slide back through Pisces until it reaches 8 degrees, 29 minutes of Pisces on March 20, 2026. On this date and at this degree, Mercury will station direct, and the retrograde will come to an end. 

March 20, the day that Mercury stations direct, is the same day that the Sun enters Aries and we have the Aries Spring Equinox, the arrival of Spring, and the official start of the astrological New Year.

Keep in mind that when a planet stations retrograde or when a planet stations direct, the energy will not automatically go back to normal. 

This retrograde portal opened up on February 11 when Mercury reached the point where its retrograde would end, 8°29’ of Pisces. And Mercury will not reach the degree its retrograde began at, 22°33’ of Pisces until April 9, 2026. Meaning that until ~April 9, 2026, Mercury is not operating at its full capacity and hiccups, errors, and mistakes are more likely to occur. 

Mercury will be conjunct Venus, the Sun, and Mars during its retrograde

Think of this next month as a time to get clarification with and from others. A chance to ask and answer: are you sure you meant that? And during this retrograde, Mercury will sit knee to knee with Venus, the Sun, and Mars. Translation: your heart, your ego, and your temper all get called into the conversation circle and we’re having a chance to redo, rethink, reshare, revise, reconsider, reevaluate. 

Mercury Retrograde Conjunct Venus

When Mercury retrograde meets Venus, the past can feel sweet, tender, or unfinished. Old lovers, old conversations, old values may resurface, not to haunt you but to clarify you.

This transit invites you to rethink what you love, how you express affection, and whether your words match your heart. You may feel called to revisit a relationship, rewrite a message, or finally say what you could not before.

It can bring reconciliations, thoughtful gestures, or unexpected messages of appreciation. But during retrograde, the magic is in reflection, not impulse. Instead of rushing to sign contracts or make declarations, ask: does this feel aligned long term, or just familiar?

Creatively, this is a beautiful time to edit, refine, and rework. Rewrite the poem. Re-record the voice memo. Revisit the offer. Venus softens Mercury’s edge, but retrograde asks for discernment. Unconditional love, yes. Blindness to red flags, no.

Mercury Retrograde Conjunct the Sun

When Mercury retrograde merges with the Sun, this is the heart of the retrograde. Illumination. Revelation. The “aha” moment. Your thoughts become louder. Your inner dialogue gets a spotlight. You may revisit decisions, rethink plans, or recognize where your ego has been steering the narrative.

This can feel busy mentally. Old emails resurface. Conversations loop back around. Plans require revision. Instead of pushing forward, refine. Clarify. Recalibrate.

This is not about launching something new. It is about realigning your message with your truth. The Sun exposes what Mercury has been circling. Pay attention to what becomes undeniable.

Mercury Retrograde Conjunct Mars

When Mercury retrograde links with Mars, the tongue sharpens. Thoughts move fast. Reactions move faster. Old arguments can resurface. Unresolved tension may demand a voice. There is power here, but it must be handled consciously.

This transit can bring courage to say what you have been suppressing. It can also bring impatience, defensiveness, or impulsive words that echo longer than intended.

Instead of firing off the text, draft it. Instead of reacting, breathe. This energy is potent for editing, strategizing, researching, and tackling mentally demanding tasks. Channel the heat into clarity rather than conflict.

If conflict does arise, choose it with intention. Retrograde Mars with Mercury is less about winning and more about understanding why the fight exists in the first place.

Horoscopes:

Find the house that Pisces rules for you in your natal chart. Think back to what has been going on in your life, especially in the area of your life ruled by Pisces, since February 11, 2026. What have you been focusing on? What have you been creating? Writing? Talking about? 

If you have natal planet placements like your Sun or Rising Sign, or important astrological points like your North Node, Midheaven, or IC, between 8-23 degrees of the mutable signs, Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo, and Pisces you may feel this retrograde more personally than others. 

If you have natal planet placements or important astrological points between 8-23 degrees of Taurus, Cancer, Scorpio, or Capricorn, you may ultimately enjoy this Mercury retrograde, or at least once its over, you may have appreciation for the information or clarity this transit brought to your personal life

Mercury retrograde in Pisces is not about perfection. It is about perception.Mercury retrograde in Pisces is less “wrong address” and more “wrong dimension.” Conversations feel telepathic one moment and completely scrambled the next.

The usual outward expression of ideas turns inward. Instead of launching, we review. Instead of announcing, we edit. Instead of deciding, we discern.

Pisces dissolves boundaries. It blurs the line between your thoughts and someone else’s. It heightens empathy but can also distort perception.

If typical Mercury retrogrades are about fixing typos, this one is about clarifying illusions.

Where have you been idealizing?
Where have you been absorbing other people’s emotions as your own?
Where have you been afraid to see clearly?

Let the fog roll in. It is not here to confuse you. It is here to show you what you have been projecting onto the horizon.

Ready to go deeper?

If this cosmic moment is stirring something in your soul, a longing for freedom, clarity, or reconnection to your true path, I invite you to book a 90-minute Deep Dive Astrology Session with me.

Together, we’ll explore your natal chart, current transits, and soul blueprint so you can align with your purpose and make empowered decisions rooted in truth.

Book your session here

Or learn more about my astrology offerings at elevatedaura.com

You’re not meant to figure this all out alone. The cosmos is always guiding you and I’m here to help you interpret the messages.