Mercury Retrograde in Pisces 2026: Astrology, Meaning & Effects

How does Mercury retrograde behave in Pisces? 

Our first retrograde of the year happens in watery Pisces, blurring the lines between what is real and what is fantasy. Whenever Mercury retrogrades, we already know that wires are extra-sensitive to being crossed and that travel, technology, and communication all get caught in the stumble; during a Piscean Mercury retrograde, these missteps can cause us to get lost if we’re not careful. 

Pisces is a water sign that loves connections, emotions, and embodies intuitive knowledge,  when Mercury retrogrades through this sign, it can often signal a time in which our words might come across a little rougher or someone else’s words might cut a little deeper than intended. Mercury retrograde in Pisces can make us forgetful, often getting too lost in the dreamworld instead of staying grounded, making small mistakes happen easier and less likely to be caught. 

Exact dates and degrees of this retrograde:

The pre-retrograde shadow begins on February 11th, 2026,  at 8° Pisces 29′

Mercury goes retrograde on February 26th, 2026 at 10:48 p.m. Pacific Time at 22°33’ of Pisces

Mercury then turns direct on March 20th, 2026 at 12:33 p.m. Pacific Time at 08°29’ of Pisces. 

The post-retrograde shadow ends April 9th, 2026, at 22° Pisces 34′

Key aspects with dates Mercury will make during this transit: 

Mercury conjunct Venus on Feb 27

Mercury cazimi Sun on March 7

Mercury trine Jupiter March 8

Mercury conjunct Mars March 15

While in Pisces, Mercury makes a few interesting aspects. Almost immediately after turning retrograde, Mercury joins Venus for a conjunction on February 27th, and with Venus in the sign of its exaltation you can be sure that your words will reach someone’s hearts quite easily. As Mercury is currently retrograding through connection-centered Pisces, this means that you should know better than to flirt if you’re not actually interested. On March 7th, there is the halfway marker of every retrograde with a Mercury cazimi, when Mercury enters into the warmth of the sun. The best (and sometimes only!) day to make announcements, with Mercury swimming through the seas of Pisces, this might be a good time to take out your dream journal and see what messages you’ve been receiving lately. Mercury then trines Jupiter on March 8th, inviting you to think deeply about your faith and the magic you see around you; allow yourself to review your own inner spiritual path and see what you’ve learned over the past few weeks about where your values actually lie. March 8th will also be a day to watch out for tall-tales and folk myths – don’t get caught up in the excitement and believe anything you’re told! Finally, just a few days before Mercury turns direct again, it joins up with Mars on March 15th. During this time, be careful that your temper isn’t flaring too hot or that you aren’t letting resentment build. 

How each sign is influenced by this transit: 

Most challenging for:  

Earth signs (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn)

This Mercury retrograde is going to be particularly intense for boundary-loving earth signs. With the details getting lost in the flood of emotions that Pisces brings, Mercury is going to samba through your carefully curated garden and ask you to reconsider just why you’ve decided to plant the seeds you have. 

Most intense foe:

Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius)

As a fire-sign who can often get lost on their own adventures, Sagittarius may find this retrograde particularly difficult, and allow themselves to get lost in considering their own hype. However, our Taurus friends may find this transit particularly love, giving into a desire to frolic through fields of flowers searching for love. 

Most intense for:

Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces)

 Commit to an old passion project, but keep it to yourself so that you can properly swim in it and enjoy your dreamy nature in the present. It doesn’t have to be something saucy! Learning to cook a new dish that requires time and focus will help occupy your hands and mind, setting you free from concerning yourself with outside chatter. 

Horoscope for each sign:

Aries 

Mercury retrograde loves to give us a pressure test, and this one is going to be letting you see just how balanced of a checkbook you’ve been keeping. With Mercury taking a backstep all the way through Pisces, you may be tempted to make a big purchase that you’ve been dreaming about; double and triple check to make sure that you can buy it and keep a rainy day fund around. Better to wait a little bit to be delighted than to be frustrated when you can’t fix your car after an unexpected issue! 

Taurus 

With Mercury retrograding through dreamy and intuitive Pisces, you may feel a call to revise or rework your daily rituals. As a sign that loves a little treat and a lot of naps, make sure you don’t throw out the routines that help you stay disciplined, too. A daydream here and there never hurt, however, so keep yourself open to the signs, intuitive downloads, and whispers in the breeze that tell you you’re on the right track.

Gemini 

What does your dream space look like, Gemini? When Mercury retrogrades through Pisces, you are going to be invited to think about the things that make a house a home, and what you would want for that to be if you could make your dreams come true. Be wary, however, of issues in getting that couch delivered or your fridge breaking down – the trickster planet just loves to giggle at our best-laid plans for a happy home. 

Cancer 

Joy can sometimes feel like a soap bubble that we’re tasked to hold very, very gently in our hands lest it pop. With Mercury retrograde transiting through the part of your life that includes pleasure and joy, your ability to laugh in the face of mishaps is going to be put to good use. Allow yourself to giggle if the train comes late, or if your computer decides it needs a new battery, or if the plane ticket you bought actually never got purchased. Sometimes, all we can do is chuckle and move on. 

Leo 

Have you been taking your vitamins and meeting your deadlines, Leo? With this Mercury retrograde, the siren call of laziness and junk food may be too loud to ignore. Mercury retrograde would just love for you to be more like your lion namesake and sleep 20 hours a day, and while rest is great, there is a limit. Eight hours sounds just pleasant enough, and might give you the energy you need to conquer that project at work you’ve been putting off. 

Virgo 

You value and cherish the people you’ve chosen to be close to, and you love them deeply through your own devotion. This Mercury retrograde, however, be wary of hurting your committed relationships Virgo, as a remark or a reminder that you meant to be helpful may actually come out sharp as a knife. If you do find your tongue becoming a little too sharp, remember that an apology can often braid together relationships that were once frayed. Criticism has its place, but perhaps be more wary of how you use it during this time. 

Libra 

Things that we are ignoring have a surprising way of coming back to bite us during Mercury retrograde, and this one is going to make sure that you’ve been paying your debts and taking care of your mind. With Mercury in Pisces, our minds can sometimes conjure up nightmares instead of dreams, and you’re invited to consider why you’re scared of that particular image. You may also be asked to pay for something you thought had been taken care of, so keep close tabs on your IOUs. 

Scorpio 

It’s time to get as deep as you can, Scorpio, and find what really makes your spirit sing. This Mercury retrograde may have you questioning why it is that things are the way they are, and you could easily get lost in the fog of trying to figure it out. Instead, let Pisces help you remember your deeper connection with the mysteries of the universe and give you insight into what questions you should really be asking – you may just get your answer if you listen closely enough. 

Sagittarius 

As a fun-loving Sagittarius, you know that sometimes the best role at the castle is the court jester. When Mercury retrogrades in February, allow yourself to consider what it is about being the class clown that intrigues you so – is it the attention, or the ability to cut through the tension? Pisces pushes us to connect with others, so make sure that you’re not using your humor to keep people at bay. Consider your words carefully, and remember – the world is watching. 

Capricorn 

Who do you belong to, Capricorn, and who belongs to you? WIth Mercury retrograde moving through the area of your life that contains the community around you, you are going to have to reconsider what it is about the people around you that you value. Pisces encourages you to see beyond the surface and to allow you and your team to envision a brighter future; don’t get too caught up in the tide, however, and ground yourself in concrete actions. I know you’re definitely good at that! 

Aquarius 

Some things are better left unsaid, and this month you are being asked to think about how you can keep some things to yourself even when you really, really want to share them. A little mystery during a Mercury retrograde can often be a gift of grace; it gives you a chance to consider more deeply about what you’re going to say so you don’t fall into the trap of speaking before thinking. Explore your thoughts and words in your heart before they come out and get a chance to be misconstrued. 

Pisces 

When Mercury retrogrades through one’s own sign, it can often cause us to rethink everything we know about ourselves. As someone who is naturally porous and prone to absorbing other’s emotions, don’t let this transit cause you to lose yourself. Ground yourself in the dreams you hold for yourself, and let others teach you but not force you to become something you’re not. Use this time to reconsider who it is that you want to be, and if you haven’t yet reached that goal, think about how you can keep the faith that you’ll get there even when times are tough. 

Keep track of all retrograde and astrological transits with our Astrology Calendar.