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Mercury Retrograde Cycle
Mercury enters Retrograde Arc (Shadow). June 13, 2026
Tropical. 16° Cancer 18' Sidereal. 22° Gemini 10’. aśleṣā
Mercury-Budha stations Retrograde (vakra). June 29, 2026
Tropical. 26° Cancer 15' . Sidereal. 2° Cancer 07’ punarvasū
Sun-Surya Mercury-Budha Inferior Conjunction. July 13, 2026
Tropical. 20° Cancer 42’. Sidereal. 26° Gemini 34' punarvasū
Mercury stations Direct. July 23, 2026
Tropical. 16° Cancer 18' Sidereal. 22° Gemini 10’. Punarvasū
Mercury leaves Retrograde Arc (Shadow). August 7, 2026
Tropical. 26° Cancer 15' . Sidereal. 2° Cancer 07’ punarvasū
Some of this is adapted from previous newsletters about Mercury retrograde, but the dates, degrees and signs are unique to this Mercury retrograde cycle, some of which was mentioned in the last News & Views about Mercury entering the retrograde arc. We still had an inkling of what Mercury retrograde is about (which is why some of what is below has already been mentioned in the last News & Views), but now on the 29th it will be full force. Rather than just Mercury retrograde, which stations on the Full Moon, there is an intense planetary picture of Mars-Uranus-Nodes that takes place during this retrograde, and that is why it might be felt even more intensely.
As always as you can see above, Mercury's retrograde cycle lasts three weeks from June 29-July 23, and this time the intensity lies in the fact that during its cycle, the planetary picture of Mars-Uranus-Nodes occurs, which can be quite an intense assortment of planets. But actual aspects that involve Mercury include
Scroll down to see how Mercury affects you personally.
But in general, be prepared for the next 3 weeks, since things Mercury represents get slowed down and turned on their head. Until Mercury stations direct, this is a time, where things get done slowly, and may seem like there is no progress at all. Yes, that can mean on the political front, or the economic front, the War in Iran might not have the solution people were hoping for, and gas prices and other inflationary prices may not go down as quickly as we would like.
While Mercury moves slowly, Mars and Uranus move quickly when they are conjoined or working together. You may want to move things forward, but Mercury retrograde will cause you to move one step back. It can be very confusing, erratic, and make you just a little crazed at times. Most important, is to take one step at a time, and not to get riled when things seem to be speeding ahead but something happens that force you to slow down or even change course.
Since this is the summer and plans may not materialize the way you would like them to, always make sure that you have a plan B. Try not to cancel anything that you have made for after July 23, when Mercury goes direct, especially since Mercury will still be within the retrograde arc through August 7. Take time to review travel plans and make sure your reservations are intact. Things definitely get mixed up or delayed, especially when it comes to travel and lodging reservations. So just be on top of everything.
Mercury retrograde, which you may be used to hearing about, occurs every 3 1/2-4 months, and has become widespread in social media, books, films, and television productions. It is mentioned in commercials and even newspapers publish articles about it when the dates draw near. Even though it is so common in the media, every time we encounter this trickster planet wielding its power of testing our patience, flexibility, and ability to adapt to whatever situation comes our way. Still, it is a time to take note especially if the retrograde span of degrees hits something in your chart as I explain at the end of this section.
Retrograde planets occur when the planet is closest to earth and slows up in its orbit as seen from the earth. Remember that the Sanskrit word Vakra, which is the word Indians use for retrogrades, literally means "bent," "crooked," or basically taking your own unique path. This means that when a planet retrogrades it takes an unexpected, new turn, and it also means that things in the world may also seem to take a different turn. Don't hesitate to try something different that you have never tried before, or be surprised when others do the same.
Mercury REtrogrades for 20-24 days, every 3.5-4 months per year. These are periods to REview, REvise, REstructure, REbuild, REvitalize. For that reason, you might want to look back at the last time Mercury was retrograde, which was between February 26-March 20, 2026. Was there a project you began that was left unfinished? Was there an argument you had ith someone close to you that did not get resolved? It is important to go back to that period, and see if there is something that occurred that you want to resolve, revisit, or revise.
Because Mercury retrograde occurs every 3.5-4 months there is no reason to panic or think that the world will come to an end, or that everything you begin will ultimately fail. It simply means we have to be more aware about what occurs around us, and especially be more conscious of how we communicate, since that is one thing Mercury represents. Be sure that you are clear in what you wish to convey, and even if you must repeat yourself to be understood, be patient and just repeat yourself. Conversely, if you do not hear or understand what someone else says, especially if that person is your partner, boss, colleague, or friend, whose relationship you value, do not hesitate to ask them to repeat themselves in order to be clear.
If you must do something on a retrograde station, or during a retrograde period that relates to the activity Mercury represents, like communicating, doing business, taking short trips, or posting on social media, please do not panic because sometimes we have to sign a contract, or take a trip, or teach a class, and look how many times during the year you would have to do nothing if you truly let Mercury retrograde affect your judgment. If you are more sophisticated about your astrology, choose a good electional chart within the retrograde cycle: a waxing moon phase, planetary hour, or chart of the moment that will be more positive, and will balance the slow motion of Mercury when it retrogrades. Do affirmations, prayers, think ahead since planet will eventually go direct.
If you are born with Mercury retrograde, when that planet transits retrograde you are not more or less affected than anyone else, but it means you may be used to the planet working differently in the natal chart and are used to that energy. It also may mean you do not act adversely when a planet retrogrades since you are used to always making adjustments when you need to and being flexible and open to change.
Communicate clearly, focus rather than disperse your energy, expect transportation and communication delays as usual, but you will just have to concentrate and maintain patience more than ever. Do not be reactive to what others do and say since everyone is feeling the same energies. During these times even little annoyances can interfere with our usual schedules, plans, and even emotions, so it is most important that you do any mental or physical exercise that helps you stay calm and focused. Do not get rattled by little things since you can easily turn something minor into something major.
If you suspect your devices are acting funny, or slowing up, do not wait until they break down, but give them a check-up. If a project gets delayed, then just call up your patience since getting flustered and impatient are not going to change the situation, but your attitude will. And if communication with someone close to you turns into a disagreement, just pull away and change the subject. Nothing gets resolved during Mercury retrograde.
Remember that if you keep on top of things, and tackle them before they occur, Mercury retrograde will not be that awful. Mercury retrograde always brings the same general uneasiness, even though much of it is unwarranted. Sure, there will be the mild annoyances and disruptions, which may include communication snafus, scheduling conflicts, misunderstandings, and transportation slowdowns, and if you are prepared and figure these things are possible, they will not throw you off your center when they occur.
Think before you speak, do not overreact to what others say and do, and refrain from juggling your usual array of activities. Mercury multitasks well when it moves forward at a steady pace, and not when it appears to slow up, which is what retrogrades are all about. Retrogrades are a great time to look inward and revise and fix something you have previously worked on since once it goes direct you will be able to move forward with something new that you have incorporated in a project, relationship, move, or just with your own appearance, attitudes, and goals. Be quiet, meditate, and look inside. Be more alert than usual, develop more patience, and generally take things slower. Look inward and you will be able to problem solve. Retrogrades are always a time for reflection and revision.
You can always use those words that begin with RE to define any retrograde cycle. These are periods to REview, REvise, REstructure, REbuild, REvitalize. All retrogrades require you to go inward, and review your actions to see if there are things that you especially want to focus on improving in your life. This also has to do with projects you are working on, travel plans that you are considering, relationship patterns with friends, partners, and family members. Mostly it is a time to rethink, and to be a bit quieter in your life than usual. Mercury retrograde periods, especially, are great times to go on a retreat, get away for a few days, and take more walks, get a massage, meditate, take a yoga class, or just do anything that is different from your usual routine that is more grounding and relaxing.
It is also a good time to catch up on books, movies, podcasts, and whatever else you enjoy doing that does not require running around and tiring yourself out. Once Mercury stations direct on July 23, you could look forward with a sense of improved energy, optimism, and getting many things done.
Scroll down to read whichever zodiac you use.
Read if you use sidereal Indian astrology. Mercury is in sidereal Gemini from May 28-June 22, 2026; Retrograde arc begins June 13. Mercury enters Cancer June 22; Mercury retrogrades June 29; Mercury R re-enters Gemini July 7; Mercury goes direct July 23; Mercury D re-enters Cancer August 5; Retrograde Arc ends August 7; Mercury enters Leo August 22.
If you have a planet, point, or angle in your chart between 22° Gemini 10’-2° Cancer 07’ where Mercury retrogrades, this is what may be slowed down, reviewed, revised, and ultimately reinvigorated and reinvented during this retrograde arc (shadow) period of June 13-August 7, 2026, but is especially significant during the actual retrograde period between June 29-July 23, 2026. If you have a planet, point, or angle on the actual degree of the retrograde or direct station, Mercury will cross that degree twice. If you have a planet, point, or angle between those degrees, Mercury will cross the span of those degrees three times. While Mercury transits may not linger like transits of the slow-moving outer planets, it can still be annoying especially if plans do not work out, or your travel plans get changed or delayed. General descriptions of the grahas (planets) are as follows:
Sun. power, vigor; Moon. maternal, mind; Mars. strength, courage; Mercury. speech, learning; Jupiter. knowledge, wealth; Venus. love, happiness; Saturn. sorrow, fear, Rahu. intensity, compulsion; Ketu. extremes, spirituality; Lagna. destiny, vitality. If you want to use Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and other angles, you can look below at tropical Western astrology for their keywords.
The bhavas (houses) that sidereal Gemini and Cancer occupy are the areas that may be slowed down, reviewed, revised, and ultimately reinvigorated and reinvented. If you do not know which houses sidereal Gemini and Cancer occupy, look at your ascendant (lagna) or Moon, or even your Sun (if you do not know your ascendant or Moon), and just count from there. General descriptions for bhavas (houses) are as follows:
1. appearance, destiny, temperament, personality, constitution; 2. Money, family life, food, speech, early childhood; 3. Siblings, Fine arts, courage, desires; 4. Mother, happiness, real estate, vehicles; 5. Children, romance, investments, speculation; 6. Open enemies, work, competition, obstacles, illness; 7. Marriage, partners, contracts, passion; 8. Life and death cycle, research, accidents, other's money, inheritance; 9. Father, teacher (guru), religion, higher learning, opportunity; 10. Career, status, public recognition, reputation; 11. Profits, rewards, gains from work, awards, older siblings; 12. spiritual practice, secret enemies, foreign travel, debt, confinement.
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Read if you use tropical Western astrology. Mercury will be in tropical Cancer from June 1-Augsut 9, 2026.
If you have a planet, point, or angle in your chart between 16° Cancer 18'-26° Cancer 15', where Mercury retrogrades, this is what may be slowed down, reviewed, revised, and ultimately reinvigorated and reinvented during this retrograde arc (shadow) period of June 13-August 7, 2026, but is especially significant during the actual retrograde period between June 29-July 23, 2026. If you have a planet, point, or angle on the actual degree of the retrograde or direct station, Mercury will cross that degree twice. If you have a planet, point, or angle between those degrees, Mercury will cross the span of those degrees three times. While Mercury transits may not linger like transits of the slow-moving outer planets, it can still be annoying especially if plans do not work out, or your holiday plans get changed or delayed. General descriptions of the grahas (planets) are as follows:
Sun. vitality, individuality, ego; Moon. emotions, habits, conditioning; Mercury. communication, intelligence; Venus. love, beauty, creativity; Mars. physical energy, aggression, courage; Jupiter. expansion, abundance; Saturn. limitation, disciplined, fear; Uranus. originality, independent, rebellious; Neptune. spiritual, immaterial, imagination; Pluto. intensity, power; North Node. power, place where you must strive; South Node. place where it is easy, habits; Ascendant. personality, destiny; IC. home, family, mother; Descendant. partnerships, contracts; Midheaven. career, father.
The house that tropical Cancer occupies is the area that may be slowed down, reviewed, revised, and ultimately reinvigorated and reinvented. If you do not know which house tropical Cancer occupies, look at your ascendant or Sun (if you do not know your ascendant), and just count from there. General descriptions for houses are as follows:
1. personality, body, appearance; 2. finances, possessions, values. 3. communication, siblings, short journeys, learning; 4. family, mother, home; 5. children, recreation, entertainment; 6. health, service, pets; 7. marriage, contracts, partnership; 8. business transactions, sexuality, life and death matters; 9. higher education, travel abroad, publishing, law; 10. profession, status, father; 11. gains, friendships, hopes, dreams; 12. compassion, spirituality, limitations, solitude.
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