Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio 2026: Astrology, Meaning & Effects

How does Mercury Retrograde behave in Scorpio? 

Mercury retrograding through any sign is cause for pause, but when it does so in Scorpio, we need to ensure we are prepared for anything. Mercury retrograde is a thrice-annual event that pushes us to reconsider, revisit, and recall the communication, travel, and technological areas of our lives—observing what a little pressure on those systems will tell us about what needs strengthening and what was already about to break. 

When Mercury retrogrades through Scorpio, it lifts what was hidden to the surface and won’t let any mysteries remain unsolved; Mercury wants us to examine and analyze all of the dark, spooky corners of our lives as it travels through the inky depths of Scorpio. As a sign of the things that go bump in the night, Scorpio isn’t afraid of anything – but it does encourage you to see how your words, thoughts, and actions align, and to treat mistakes as a clue to what really matters. 

Exact dates and degrees of this retrograde: 

This retrograde’s pre-shadow period begins on October 4, at  5°02’ of Pisces

Mercury goes retrograde on October 24, 2026, at 20°58’ of Scorpio 

Mercury turns direct on November 13, 2026, at 05°02’ of Scorpio

This retrograde’s post-shadow period ends on November 29, at 20°58’of Scorpio

Key aspects with dates during this transit:  

October 30, 2026: Mercury retrograde squares Mars. Transit will be supercharged with aggression, debate, and even passionate flirting. Keep your head on your shoulders, and don’t go squaring up to anyone because of a misperceived slight. 

November 4, 2026: The Sun forms a conjunction with Mercury retrograde. On November 4, the swampy waters of Scorpio get a little clearer during the Mercury cazimi. When Mercury and the Sun come together during a retrograde, the fog lifts – use this time to clarify any doubts you’d been having and to clear up anything you may have misconstrued recently.

How this transit influences each sign: 

Most Intense for:

Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn) 

A Mercury retrograde in Scorpio will dig up some intense feelings for Earth signs, with the Bull feeling as if their gardens are waterlogged in all this confusion and heavy emotions. 

Most Challenging for:

Air Signs (Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius) 

Air signs will be in a challenging situation with this transit, and you may find that you cannot research their way out of the issues that arise. Please remember that you have a whole community of people to help you.

Most Beneficial for:

Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces) 

Mercury retrograding through Scorpio will boost Water signs, allowing them to clean up the mess that the dancing planet creates quite easily. Don’t worry, nothing too important will get lost in the flooding swamp. 

Horoscopes for each sign: 

Aries 

People at work may seem more irksome than usual, with their words seeming to have more barbs than a scorpion’s tail and their messages laced with maybe some hidden meanings. Don’t let your temper flare, Aries, as Mercury is trying to show you what happens when there’s a little bit of pressure in our lives and how we can handle it better. When work seems to be causing you to turn red in the face, practice your breathing exercises, and remember – no one is out to get you. 

Taurus 

When you love someone, you tend to be very loyal and stick with them through thick and thin. With Mercury retrograding through Scorpio in the part of your chart containing the loving relationships you hold dear, you may have to rethink anything that makes you question your loyalty. Did their words hurt you, or were you expecting something else? Don’t just let yourself stew in secret. Ask for clarity, and know that love helps gardens bloom with gorgeous flowers. 

Gemini 

Scorpio loves a good fright, and with Mercury retrograding through your fears, you may find that every shadow seems to hold a different monster. Allow yourself to use your quick wit to determine what is actually creeping around in your mind, and don’t get lost in the fog above the swamp of Scorpio. When you’re finding yourself at a loss and feeling scared, let yourself ask someone for help. They’re willing and ready to give it to you, even if they won’t say it alone. 

Cancer 

A Mercury retrograde loves to see our best-laid travel plans get all knotted up, so with this transit, make sure you’re reading the fine print and checking the list twice to keep any secret surprises from messing up your vacation. If you’re not going on or planning a trip, it is still wise to make sure that what you’re writing and sending to others is clear as day. You want your words and actions to line up, and whether that’s on a beach or in an e-mail, clarity is your friend here. 

Leo 

If your usual flair for the dramatic is falling flat this Mercury retrograde, know that Scorpio is asking you to figure out how to shine from the inside out. With this retrograde going through the part of your chart that contains your public roles, don’t be surprised if a leadership position you’re in suddenly seems to be pushing you to think of new ways that you can help others find their way. You’ll be able to keep your reputation as a leader and grow as a coach. 

Virgo 

The community around you relies on your keen eye for details and ability to organize things well, but with Mercury retrograding through Scorpio, your words may cut too deep. You may be unable to remember all of the finer details of your plans. When you’re ready to share what you believe to be constructive criticism, remember to evaluate just how necessary it is. You may find the plans fall together better if you praise what’s going well. 

Libra 

As the sign of the scales, you find harmony and balance as things of beauty and wish for others to. However, with a Scorpio Mercury retrograde, you may question why this is so perfect. Allow yourself to meditate and reflect on all of the ways you have built connections between people and things, and how these harmonies are making the world a better place. Scorpio wants us to go deep; you will find the answers when you follow it into your spirit. 

Scorpio 

Don’t let your desire for mystery keep you from saying what you mean, Scorpio. With Mercury transiting the house that makes up who you are, you may fumble over some words to keep people from seeing the real you, leading to confusion. Instead, take the time to deeply analyze and reevaluate what you want others to know about you, and then carefully share the image you desire. When you let people in, it can be scary – thankfully, nothing scares you!

Sagittarius 

Do you know your own worth, Sagittarius? This Mercury retrograde, you might be tempted to sign a contract or make a deal, and later find out that you didn’t get what you thought you were agreeing to. Double and triple check any language that comes across you regarding your resources, and then only agree when you’re sure you’re getting your due. You might even get a better result than you bargained for with some care and forethought! 

Capricorn 

Our families and close friends are sometimes unknowable creatures, and this transit encourages you not to take it personally when you can’t figure it out. When our weekly dates and daily chats take on an inscrutable tone, give yourself and those you feel closest to a bit of grace. Mercury retrograde loves to cause confusion in messaging, asking us to deeply reconsider why we say things in the way we do. Use your storied discipline not to take things to heart when you haven’t asked for clarity first. 

Aquarius 

Your home may need a little makeover, or you might need to rethink the concept of “home” entirely, during this Mercury retrograde. As a sign that loves to do a little research and a lot of thinking on any subject, this retrograde may have you going down rabbit holes in an attempt to figure out the perfect color for your bathroom walls or discover a mysterious figure that pops up in your family tree that no one seems willing to talk about. Do the digging, but come up for air and wait until Mercury stations direct to go any deeper. 

Pisces 

This transit may have you wanting to take on all the creative projects you dream about, leaving you with knitting needles, paint brushes, and journals strewn about every which way. Your mind is going to be going a mile a minute trying to keep you in the pleasure zone, but when things seem overwhelming or you don’t feel like you’re making progress, put the tools down and take a break. You can always come back to the project once you’re settled again. 

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