Mercury Retrograde 2026: What It Means & How to Handle It

desmoinesnewage
3 hours ago
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Mercury Retrograde 2026:

What It Means & How to Handle It

Alicia Anspaugh

Happy Mercury Retrograde!

Yup — we are in the first “official” Mercury Retrograde of 2026. We will have two more this year, so let’s dive in, shall we? ;D

What Is a Retrograde?

Retrogrades occur when planetary forces appear to move backward or reverse from our perspective here on Earth.

Translation:Things are gonna get a little wonkyfied.

What Mercury Represents

Mercury governs:

Communication
Technology
Transportation
Travel
Intellect
Trickery
Business

It rules the signs Gemini and Virgo.

Mercury Retrograde Basics

Mercury retrogrades three times per average year for anywhere from 3–5 weeks each time.

When the planet of rational thinking, communication, equipment, and business transactions stops operating normally, it can lead to all sorts of annoying events.

This is a good time to take stock of where you stand and come to terms with reality — no rose-colored glasses, no fluff, just the facts.

It’s a time to lay low, process, and digest the information you already have rather than adventure into unknown territory.

Visualize and perceive things from your internal point of view, and don’t start anything new until after the last retrograde shadow zone has passed.

When the planet of “business” is going in reverse, it’s also a good time to finish old business (pay bills, clean out closets, tie up loose ends).

Quick Notes

Many times, people from your past will re-enter your orbit during retrogrades. Mercury is notorious for this.

Sometimes it’s a chance to get things right.Other times, it’s simply to remind you why you parted ways in the first place.

There are also retrogrades where I personally experience a surge of creative energy — especially in writing. I’m suddenly able to pull projects off the back burner and get them completed. It always feels wonderful when that happens.

That said… there are some Mercury retrogrades that hit hard, and all we can do is hang on.

A Note for Mercury-Ruled Signs

Gemini and Virgo — I’m talkin’ to you.

Don’t be surprised if you feel a little off and your normally sharp mind and eloquence desert you.

Keep calm. All storms pass.

Actually… you know what?

Go dance in that rain.

The Three Phases

(Think of it like an Oreo cookie: shadow, retrograde, shadow.)

1️⃣ First Shadow Zone (about two weeks before)

You begin to see themes around communication, business, travel, and technology that will be highlighted during the retrograde itself.

2️⃣ The Actual Retrograde

The planet revisits issues or events that surfaced during the first shadow. Delays, miscommunications, and unresolved matters resurface for review.

Areas that were subtle before now move to the forefront for working out — through and against.

3️⃣ Final Shadow Zone

This completes the final phase. Communication, business, travel, and tech issues can now be finalized and brought to a close — like it or lump it.

Advantages, Opportunities & How It Helps

Mercury Retrograde teaches us the value of silence, rest, and unplugging from our technology-saturated lives.

There is so much noise in our society.

Sometimes it’s nice to enjoy rain on a roof, a walk in the woods, or a steamy mug of hot tea in peace.

Mercury Retrograde gives you the excuse to shut up, sit down, and take a load off.

What Gets Messy

Technology tends to fritz up
Arguments and misunderstandings increase
Transportation hiccups happen
Communication becomes twice as difficult

Lots of miscommunication. Lots of crossed wires.

If you have altercations during this time, forgive everyone involved and move on if possible. Most people aren’t trying to create chaos — they just can’t get the right words out.

If you can, wait to have important conversations until after the retrograde.

Because instead of COMMUNICATING,we start REACTING —

From our hurts.From our unmet needs.From our buttons being pushed.From neglecting ourselves.

Some astrologers call this acting from our shadow.

Also — now is the worst time to do anything shady. Stick to being aboveboard and honest. Communication is fuzzy enough without adding fuel.

It is, however, a great time to plan, research, and prepare.

How to Mitigate the Chaos

Prepare for hiccups
Allow extra time
Back up tech
Delay major conversations
Take nothing personally

REMEMBER:Things generally have nothing to do with you.

Mountains are mountains.Molehills are molehills.

Keep them separated by strong defining lines.

Crystals for Communication Support

Blue Calcite — cuts through Mercury garble, supports honest speech
Blue Lace Agate — helps you find the right words
Sodalite — clears mental fog
Green Calcite — supports harmonious communication
Prehnite — compassion and trust healing
Peridot — calms tempers
Dragon Quartz — motivation during sluggishness

*If you’d rather not piece everything together yourself, I’ve put together a Mercury Retrograde crystal kit, oil roller, and spray that are specifically blended for communication clarity and emotional steadiness during retrograde season. You can find them here if you’d like support already prepared.

Mercury retrograde relief crystal kit

Mercury retrograde relief Spray

Mercury retrograde relief Essential oil roller