Mercury Retrograde in Pisces (February 26th-March 20th, 2026): Release and Compassion

Alexandra
2 hours ago
12 min read

Mercury retrograde in Pisces is upon us, a time of illusion and intuition, spiritual renewal, and walking in dreams. The line between reality and surrealism feels thin, and sleep may get disturbed during this time… but that’s not by far the only feature of this much-discussed event.

Shortcuts: Dates, What is a Mercury Retrograde?, Mercury Retrograde in Pisces, Beware of the Shadow, In-the-Sign Predictions, Further Reading.

Dates:

Pre-shadow: February 6th-26th.

Event: February 26th – March 20th, 2026.

Post-shadow: until April 16th.

Explanation for astro-nerds: pre- and post-shadow are timeframes when we feel the energies build up before/gradually dissipate after the event is done. They’re not comparable in intensity with the actual event, but we may see the same themes pop up or resolve in the shadow periods that we engage in in the actual retrograde.

What is a Mercury Retrograde?

If you know this already, you can skip this here.

What is Mercury?

Mercury is a planet in astrology that stands for communication, trade, commerce, logistical endeavors, travel, thinking, learning, and related activities. It is in retrograde 3-4 times per year, which happen to be interesting times, because…

What is a Retrograde?

… a retrograde is a time when a planet’s “normal modus operandi” is disturbed or rather, turned inward. Imagine an extrovert suddenly feeling drawn to mostly spend time by themselves so they can work through some inner things that popped up and find a resolution: that’s what retrogrades feel like. They’re making all of us more drawn to our internal worlds, and they can feel – as this example hopefully shows – a bit foreign, since we’re often drawn to do things in ways we usually wouldn’t. The external world isn’t quite the same as it usually is, either. And that feels odd. Specifically, everything the retrograding planet signifies works slightly differently, which can be a blessing or a problem – depending on us, the situation, and the astrological context itself.

Mercury Retrogrades

So, putting it all together, Mercury Retrogrades are times when we (re)think decisions, when logistics and technology are more likely to turn haywire, and when events force us to rework plans on bigger or smaller scales. Mercury Retrogrades always last for 3 weeks and happen 3-4 times a year (3 times in 2026), and the way we process Mercury Retrogrades highly depends on multiple things:

1) The actual astrology of the retrograde (that’s different every time and every year.

2) The way you interact with the astrology (since we all have choices and can choose to go with the energy in healthy ways or to try and fight it tooth and nail… which will make it much worse for you in the long run).

3) Your birth chart and natal configuration: for example, people with Mercury Retrograde in their birth charts tend to find this energy less intense than people with Mercury not in retrograde. Which personal points are hit by the specific retrograde also greatly affects how this event plays out for you individually.

If you’re interested in all of that, keep reading this article and book a reading for more information on your personal astrology. And, if this content helps you, please consider donating to support my work directly. Anything helps!

Mercury Retrograde in Pisces

The first Mercury retrograde of this year is in Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac… And it’s a very magical moment in time for many reasons. Let’s start at the top.

Mercury Retrogrades, specifically ones in Pisces, are times when we turn back and examine what is going on in our present lives with a bit of a critical eye, and times when it becomes apparent what in our lives isn’t working as it should be, or would lead to future consequences we don’t want to have. These are times when decisions from the past pop up in our awareness again: was this the right thing? Is this the right thing going forward? Does necessity force us to go back to how things used to be – because the situation changed, or we did? There is a heightened emphasis on the past as we knew it, and on the present as we feel it: and the feeling part is especially important.

While Mercury is a planet much concerned with thinking, information, and – in summary – logic, Pisces is very much about the parts of life that can be felt but not understood from a mental perspective. It’s a psychic sign, a sign of feeling what is amiss without being able to tell why it is so. It’s a very subtle energy as well, in the way that a constant trickle of water is subtle… and yet, capable of shaping its path through rock. Subtle does not mean without impact. And that’s a key to understanding 2026, especially its first half. Essentially, this means that this Mercury Retrograde, the way we (re)evaluate decisions has to be through more than the mind alone: there needs to be room for your intuition, for making space for the subtle guidance in your life that comes straight from your soul or, as religious people would feel comfortable to say, from God. As Pisces is a highly spiritual sign about higher guidance, this Mercury Retrograde opens us up to synchronicities and serendipitous events that lead us where we need to be, even without our awareness that they’re happening (though hindsight usually reveals it).

Now, all of this is a usual Mercury Retrograde in Pisces. Guess what I’m going to say next: this is not a usual Retrograde of Mercury in Pisces.

Eclipses:

While Mercury enters Retrograde, one of the most potent windows of time for Divine redirection and soul-led events, the catalyzation and intensification of ongoing processes, and the (often surprising) new events that change our lives. Eclipse season is upon us once again (and this one is… big.), so a time of intensity and even more serendipity and change is upon us than usual.

One of the eclipses already happened on February 17th, but is still active when Mercury Retrograde starts. The other, ruled by Mercury, is coming on March 2nd-3rd (depending on time zone), happens during Mercury Retrograde itself, and proves to be one of the most intense times of the Mercury Retrograde, followed by the timeframe of March 15th-20th, when Mercury dances with the North Node of destiny itself. Long story short, the next right step towards fulfilling our soul’s purpose will be revealed in this overall event in practical terms, or in the form of puzzle pieces you can put together again.

But that’s not all.

The End of an Era

Mercury Retrograde rarely exists in a vacuum. Actually, it only exists in a vacuum when you put it in a textbook to learn about it and completely ignore any and all modifying contexts, but only focus on its “pure” energies. Outside of that context, Mercury Retrograde always takes place within a greater whole. And this time, the greater whole contains an event that last happened in that way in the 9th century A.D.

Saturn and Neptune walked hand-in-hand as they entered Aries, re-entered Pisces, and then, on February 14th, finally re-entered Pisces for a final time. Saturn will remain in Aries until 2028, Neptune until 2039. So, these are long-term astrological events. And, with the sign of Aries involved, they’re all about new beginnings – just as Neptune and Saturn in Pisces (2011 onward and 2023 onward, respectively) focused on endings themselves, among other things.

What’s interesting here is that the Mercury retrograde, an event centered around processing the past and re-thinking decisions, and in some ways, cleaning up loose ends in our lives, is happening in Pisces a mere 12 days after. Essentially, this Mercury Retrograde is about cleaning out and closing out our lives in the past 15 years. This is an event to emotionally process, to say goodbye, to make wisdom out of the experiences we encountered. But this is all in service to a greater new beginning, a new sense of rebirth, a new dawn, and a new identity waiting to be born in the times ahead.

This is the final step towards the end – that is the first step toward the new beginning. If this article helped you so far, please consider supporting my work directly via donation: every little bit helps! Thanks for thinking on it!

Returning home

With one of Pisces’s rulers in the sign of Cancer, this Mercury Retrograde is all about returning home: proverbially, or in some cases, literally. What is your home? Spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, it’s time to return to where we feel comfortable, where we feel safe and at peace, where we belong. It’s time to remember what matters most and what’s most worthy of being protected, served, sheltered, nurtured… and to build our new beginnings and lives as a whole on those things.

This Mercury Retrograde walks hand-in-hand with Jupiter in Cancer and, as such, brings up a lot of emotions, sometimes making us less than rational. Which brings me to my next point…

Beware of the Shadow: Caution Helps You Through These Times

Mercury Retrogrades in Pisces are magical times of redirection, intuition being heightened, creativity unlocked, dreams becoming vivid, and destiny at play. However, they also have a dark side we need to be aware of for the next 3 weeks:

Logistical Issues, Technology May Act Up

Mercury retrogrades are the most likely times for technology to break, for things to get lost, for accidents to happen (especially when people get reckless), and for delays/other issues in travel, logistics, shipments, and plans. This is a time to prepare for the unexpected and take (sane and common sense) precautions.

Emotional Upheaval

Mercury is incredibly challenged in Pisces, and this plays out when it comes to linear, left-brained activities such as thinking and using logic or being objective in general. Part of this is because Pisces is intuitive, compassionate, and creative (rather than analytical or fact-driven). But Pisces’s shadow side is plain old delusion and being overly emotional, which can cloud someone’s thinking just as easily as intuition can advance it. So, be careful to keep a sane and healthy relationship with the objective reality while making room for intuitive guidance. Also, make sure you’re not letting your emotions get the best of you when you’re upset, or when something greatly reminds you of the past (though the present moment bears little objective resemblance to it).

In summary, the next 3 weeks may make this particularly difficult, so it’s important to keep an eye on yourself and check yourself before you wreck yourself. You don’t have to respond immediately (at least, not in all situations). If you can, take a moment – or a walk – before saying something you’ll have to clean up afterward.

Sleep and Rest

Sometimes, Mercury Retrogrades disturb our sleep and make us feel like we don’t even know when we’re awake and when we’re dreaming because our dreams are so vivid and reality feels so surreal. This is especially potent when the Mercury Rx is in Pisces. Plus, Pisces is the sign concerned with sleep (and lack thereof), so you might experience issues with insomnia or just a generally heightened need for sleep and rest. As Pisces is a sign that zaps our energy and asks us to rest, making more time to relax and keeping a light schedule is recommended.

Addictions

If you’re a recovering addict, this may be a time to prepare for, as Mercury in Pisces may bring this topic up for you. On the positive end of the spectrum, this event may bring opportunities to heal patterns of addictions (especially with Saturn conjunct Neptune in the mix). So, you don’t worry: this doesn’t mean you’re doomed to fall back and revert to where you used to be – at all.

In the Signs Predictions

This section considers your Sun and Rising Signs (ASC). If you want more personalized advice, please consider getting a reading.

Shortcuts: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Further Reading.

Aries:

This event heightens your need for rest and gently invites you to have more spiritual and intuitive experiences and perspectives on life. Not all is under your control at this time, but learning to accept what is brings you peace and freedom. This time may also help you end things that you do control that weren’t serving you. This is a time to prepare for a new beginning. If this article helped you, please consider donating to support my work! Thank you for considering!

Taurus:

This event highlights your friend groups, social life, and all group projects you’re involved in, revealing the truth even as communication and logistics may appear veiled. A long-term view on the future and hopes, dreams, and ambitions may be a heightened theme at this time. Know that this is a time to rework plans, not just work on seeing them through. If this article helped you, please consider donating to support my work! Thank you for considering!

Gemini:

This event centers on your career, work, reputation, and public life. Themes of authority (your own, or the authority figures around you) are also highlighted, making it especially important to check your p’s and q’s in communication with bosses and work-related endeavors. This is a time to find (or take the next step on) your calling. If this article helped you, please consider donating to support my work! Thank you for considering!

Cancer:

This event highlights the belief systems you hold and may have an amplified effect on your travel and communication skills, especially when in cross-cultural contexts. But this event is also a great teacher as your learning- and potentially teaching-journeys are highlighted. Beliefs are revealed and, in some cases, re-worked or re-committed to. Information flows to you. If this article helped you, please consider donating to support my work! Thank you for considering!

Leo:

This event puts your intuition in super-drive and allows you to understand the deep things in life, the themes that are universal but hit us so personally because they’re so intense. Shared resources are also a theme, and so are the subjects of truth, trust, intimacy, and power. This is a time to listen to what is and isn’t spoken, and to speak yourself only with deliberation. If this article helped you, please consider donating to support my work! Thank you for considering!

Virgo:

This event highlights your one-on-one relationships: anything from a contractual client relationship to business partners to your boyfriend/girlfriend, or even your spouse. At this time, people’s true colors emerge, and the way the relationship is going becomes a theme. This is a time for amplified communication (and a higher likelihood of miscommunication) in your relationships and to learn from/with other people. Make sure you set appropriate boundaries when necessary, as Mercury in Pisces can make it easy to slouch on that. If this article helped you, please consider donating to support my work! Thank you for considering!

Libra:

This event is all about the day-to-day minutiae of your life: your routines, chores, tools, work life, the ways you serve others: all areas in which life may become more chaotic and unexpected than usual. This means that making sure big and small tasks are all done and that plans make sense and are checked up on after is key. Health is highlighted as well (but not necessarily in a negative way!) You may need more rest. If this article helped you, please consider donating to support my work! Thank you for considering!

Scorpio:

This event impacts your life areas that focus on anything that’s fun and brings your heart joy: hobbies, pleasure, vacation, romance, creative endeavors, and children. This is a time of heightened creativity and inspiration, and/or a time of rest, so creativity can emerge in full force just after. In love, the true nature of your relationship may be revealed. Children and fertility (if applicable) may be highlighted as well. But self-expression and authenticity become a major theme for all. If this article helped you, please consider donating to support my work! Thank you for considering!

Sagittarius:

This event brings up your home – physically, emotionally, and socially, as the people you consider home may also be affected by this. Family, too, is highlighted, allowing for beautiful things like intuitive guidance, forgiveness, and unconditional love, but also a heightened potential for miscommunications with them. This is a time to draw inward rather than outward, and a time when your private life is highlighted over your public/work-related life. If this article helped you, please consider donating to support my work! Thank you for considering!

Capricorn:

This event brings further potential for miscommunication, logistical issues, (re)thinking what’s going on and where you’re going, as well as travel and shipment related delays, but it also strengthens your intuition and allows you to learn exactly what you need to know at this point in time with information falling into your lap serendipitously or being revealed through your intuition or dreamtime. Your local life and life with neighbors/siblings (if applicable) may also be highlighted right now. If this article helped you, please consider donating to support my work! Thank you for considering!

Aquarius:

This event highlights your finances and money-related endeavors, bringing results from the past or requiring a fine-tuning of the present on behalf of the future. This is also a time when your self-esteem and the things you place (your own) worth in surface for you: is this an opportunity to listen to your spiritual side and your intuition? Let end what needs to end. If this article helped you, please consider donating to support my work! Thank you for considering!

Pisces:

This event brings a new perspective on who you truly are and may show you big events in your life (in your past, present, or future) that require a change in course or new steps for you to take. This is also a time to express what you need and who you are without apology. You may learn something new about yourself. If this article helped you, please consider donating to support my work! Thank you for considering!