On February 26th, 2026, we’re starting a new round of Mercury retrograde, and this one is entirely in the sign of Pisces. This retrograde will last until March 20th, and this is the first Mercury retrograde since 2019 that occurs entirely in Pisces!Â
This one comes just as Saturn and Neptune have fully left Pisces, and this Mercury retrograde is kicking up any last-minute, remaining energy to be dealt with as we move into the new paradigm.
If there’s anything left to be understood and released, the next 3 weeks can be as good a time as any to do that!
Make sure you stay on top of all astrological happenings like Mercury retrograde with our free astrology calendar!
What is Mercury Retrograde?
Planets or bodies are called retrograde when they appear to move backward through the zodiac. This isn’t the usual motion for the planets, so their energy tends to operate in reverse, and can get thrown off.
The Sun and Moon are the only planets that don’t retrograde, so we don’t have to worry about them, but Mercury is the only one who retrogrades multiple times every year. Mercury likes to be a pest!
Mercury retrograde is perhaps the most notorious, and occurs roughly 3 – 4 times each year for about 3 weeks at a time (it’s 22 days this time, just over 3 weeks). Mercury retrograde tends to be a little bugger, who throws monkey wrenches in everything it can!
Thanks to Mercury being a tech ruler, and our increasing reliance on tech in our modern world, this retrograde can throw off a LOT. Add in Mercury ruling communication, and we have difficulty seeing eye-to-eye and making our points.
But, there is still a positive side to Mercury retrograde, and one of them is the opportunity to start over, to take a second chance, to revisit, and to redo. Mercury retrograde has us looking backward, being reflective, and noticing the things we missed the first time around, which gives us the ability to do a better job this time.
During every Mercury retrograde, it’s a smart idea to make plans to pick something back up you started but didn’t finish, failed with, or didn’t get off of the ground. It’s also smart to revisit somewhere you’ve been to before, re-learn something, reconnect with someone, or restore something stale.
On a personal level, look to the house in your natal chart the retrograde occurs in since the areas of life that house rules gets the impact of the Mercury retrograde. You may have troubles to plan for, but you can also make plans for those second chances.
If the retrograde will conjunct (align with) any of your natal planets, that planet gets super focus during the retrograde, and you can see major developments with whatever that planet rules (as well as the house in your chart the planet rules).
If you don’t know your birth chart, use our free calculator and look for your Pisces house and planets for this retrograde!
Impact of the 2026 Mercury Retrograde in Pisces
Pisces is a quiet Water sign, and not one to ruffle any feathers, but with Mercury retrograde in this sign, we all might have a lot going on behind the scenes. Some of this can spill out, and we can become aware of something that has been hidden to us for some time, which gives insights and revelations.Â
Pisces is a spiritual sign, so Mercury retrograde in Pisces can make us more focused on our spiritual needs. We can become aware of ways our spiritual selves have been neglected, and work on fixing that.
Pisces is a compassionate, empathetic sign, so Mercury retrograde in Pisces can make this difficult, and we tend to go either way. We’re either too compassionate and are easily taken advantage of, or we don’t have enough compassion and can be cold and distant.
If the former, we have to consider healthy boundaries, which is super important with this Mercury retrograde. The retrograde can make us aware of the holes in our boundaries and how we’ve allowed others to trample them, and what we need to do to have stronger boundaries now.
If the latter, this is likely a way to protect ourselves, and we’re trying to avoid some hurt, some pain, some trauma. That doesn’t work though, so the retrograde can be an opportunity to face it and try to come to terms with it.
Pisces is a super creative sign, so that can be a great outlet for this Mercury retrograde. Focus on creative projects and ventures, hobbies and pursuits, and when you’re stressed out, let this calm you.
We might wander and roam with this Mercury retrograde in Pisces, since Pisces is such a fluid sign that’s hard to pin down. This is worsened if we’re stressed out, and we might be all over the place and lack any focus at all.
Try to give yourself time and space to get lost in daydreams and your imagination. This can help you get focused when you need to, and can be a way to work through some of the stress (along with utilizing creativity).
More than anything, be gentle with yourself, and others!
Use this Pisces Mercury Retrograde to Release
As mentioned at the start, this Mercury retrograde in Pisces comes just after Neptune and Saturn have left Pisces (January 26th for Neptune, February 13th for Saturn). The two also conjuncted (aligned) on February 20th, and this is a huge part of the paradigm shift.
Saturn and Neptune in a new sign join Pluto in a new sign (Aquarius), and soon Uranus (to Gemini in April), and all of the slow-moving planets will be in brand new signs. This gives a whole new way of life, a whole new perspective, and we’re all embarking on a new life phase.
We’re closing the books on one part of life, and starting a whole new book. In order to start the new book, we need to shut the old one, and that means we have to work on understanding, releasing, and letting go of baggage that has held us back.
This Pisces Mercury retrograde is an opportunity to do that. We’ve likely already done it with the really big stuff, but anything that lingers and remains, we can give attention to with this retrograde.
There is some help for this from the other fast-moving planets, since the Sun, Venus, and Mars are also in Pisces (Venus until March 6th, and Mars enters February 2nd). These planets have a personal impact, so we can feel in a deeply personal way the importance of releasing.
The transit North Node is also still in Pisces, and the North Node is a spiritual, karmic point (it’s a part of the Lunar Nodes, which are the points in the Moon’s orbit where the Moon crosses the ecliptic). The North Node is what we need to move into, what we need to embrace to fully realize our potential, so we have to embrace this release.
Not only that, but a Pisces New Moon occurs at the end of this retrograde on March 18th, shining a positive light on the new phase that’s unfolding. We’re ready and able to let go of the past, and willing to take the steps forward.
In the middle of this retrograde, on March 3rd, there is a Virgo Lunar Eclipse, and Lunar Eclipses are times of very strong karmic, spiritual, and subconscious energy. They are big for finishing, releasing, and coming to the end of a cycle, so it’s a big push over the finish line.
In Virgo, we can focus on the little things, the small ways we can accomplish this, and what needs to come together. We can do the work needed, and connect with what’s coming.
Mercury Retrograde in Pisces for the Zodiac Signs
Aries
Your energy might be a bit wonky with the Mercury retrograde in Pisces, and this might have to do with the fact that Saturn and Neptune entered your sign, Aries. It’s a lot for you to deal with, and that might be draining your energy and asking too much of you.
Make sure that as you’re going through all of this, you’re getting enough time to rest and recharge. Your sign doesn’t like to slow down, and while this energy might require a faster pace, you’re still only human and need to take care of yourself.
Give yourself more attention through this huge change in your life, and be certain that you’re doing what you want for yourself, and not following the crowd. This retrograde can give you some quiet time alone to reflect on what you’re doing, where you’re going, and what you truly want.
Taurus
Your future can be on the brain with the Mercury retrograde in Pisces, and you might be questioning yourself, Taurus. This changing energy, the future on your doorstep, might be calling you to step up on your own and stay out of the spotlight, which might mean having to reframe what you’ve been dreaming of.
While this isn’t the time for impulsive decisions, it can be a good time for a reset with your plans. Take the time to assess, to do your homework, and to really think things through.
Reconnecting with a friend or group might provide you with greater clarity, or give you some help.
Gemini
The path your life is taking can be top of mine with the Mercury retrograde in Pisces, and you’re likely considering how this path will lead to realizing some of your dreams, Gemini.Â
The major shifting energy might be making it apparent to you that you’re on the brink of achieving a dream, and this might come in ways you didn’t expect.
This retrograde can highlight blocks you need to overcome in order to achieve this dream, and you may need to make changes to your long-term plans. Stay disciplined and you can get there.
Cancer
This Mercury retrograde in Pisces may demand more space for you to pursue your goals and ambitions, Cancer, and you can be extra independent and ferocious in your pursuit. Clarity about what you want to achieve is yours, and you know that something is about to pay off in a very big way.
Use this retrograde to grab hold of the big picture, to play around with big ideas, and to be optimistic about your abilities.Â
Your potential can be sky-high right now, so assess what’s possible and know that you can make things happen now that you may not ever have been able to before.
Leo
Something likely needs to be transformed with this Mercury retrograde in Pisces, and it can require a serious approach and a little bit of an obsessive focus, Leo. This can lead to a solution, to more power for yourself, and gives you the ability to take control.
This changing energy is likely showing you that so much is possible in your life, and you can ride high with new opportunities and experiences. But you first need to work on this transformation.
If you’re coming out of a period where you’ve felt deflated and defeated, now is the time to rise like the phoenix and show off how formidable you’ve become.
Virgo
Connecting with others can give you the help you need with this Mercury retrograde in Pisces, and this might be exactly what helps push you forward, Virgo. The big shifting energy might be trying to empower you, to transform your life, and to give you control, so if this has been a little challenging, getting help from trusted sources can do the trick.
Reach out to reliable partners, but also consider people from the past that proved useful. They might remind you of something that ends up benefiting you somehow.
If you feel out of balance with this retrograde, try to work on making sure you’re not getting too wrapped up in the transformation you’re undergoing. Be passionate about it, yes, but also maintain perspective.
Libra
Your work ethic can be off the charts with this Mercury retrograde in Pisces, and you can get done all of the little things that you need to, Libra. This helps you clear out some of the work, chores, and small projects that you need to get done so you can transition to focusing on your connections, partnerships, and commitments.
Your eye for the details can be pretty good during this retrograde, and you can put this to good use to make sure you’re not missing anything.
Also use this retrograde as an opportunity to take care of yourself in all ways. Improve your routine, prioritize wellness, get breaks, and recharge.
Scorpio
Your creativity can be much stronger during this Mercury retrograde in Pisces, and you can get inspired in new ways, Scorpio. You’ve likely been shifting your focus in your work or daily life, and this has required a more mundane approach, but this retrograde can remind you to inject some creativity to really get it going.
This also helps you to be connected to this new change so you’re not just wrapped up in the boring, practical stuff. If it connects to your heart, you can see it through.
Steal moments where you can for a little fun during this retrograde. Don’t be all work and no play!       Â
Sagittarius
This Mercury retrograde provides an opportunity for you to make sure the foundation of what you’re building is solid and secure, Sagittarius. You can inspect and find any wobbles, fill any holes, and feel more secure in what you’re building going forward.
You’ve been inspired in new ways and willing to put yourself out there, but you may not have thought through the basics that need to be covered. This retrograde gives you a chance to do that.
Also make some time to tend to home and family matters, to strengthen your support system, and to make yourself comfortable.
Capricorn
Ideas can come to you easily with this Mercury retrograde, Capricorn, and you may want to keep track of them so you don’t miss out on any good ones later. You likely won’t have the time to take action with all of them right away, so make note somewhere for another day.
You’re building something strong and from the ground up now with this changing energy, so new ideas on how to approach this can be helpful.
You can keep yourself busy during this retrograde, and have a lot to do and a packed schedule.
Aquarius
The Mercury retrograde in Pisces can give you an opportunity to get grounded and reconnect with the moment, Aquarius. This might be extra important for you now as this changing energy has likely been pretty busy, and hasn’t given you a lot of time to adjust.
Pluto has been in your sign for a couple years now, so you’ve been at the forefront of the change and dealing with it longer than the rest of us. It’s also deeper, more profound changes that you’re making, and that can take time.
Giving yourself time to be calm and centered during this retrograde can be smart. Restore security and enjoy every moment.
Pisces
With this Mercury retrograde in your sign, you likely have a lot on your plate, Pisces. There can be extra for you to get done, and you might get overwhelmed easily.
Saturn and Neptune have left your sign, but there can still be some work to do to fully say goodbye to them. What lessons remain, what karmic baggage needs to be let go of, what do you need to understand better?
Abundant energy is waiting for you if you can clear out properly and ready yourself, so take this chance to assess and release.
Let Go with Mercury Retrograde in Pisces!
There is very important energy swirling in these first 4 months or so of 2026, and we’re in the thick of it now with this Mercury retrograde. It’s a lot, but it’s necessary, and it can lead to some amazing new opportunities in life.
Continuing to hold on and resist this change doesn’t help you. It only serves to keep you stuck in the past, and never realizing your potential, your dreams, or your purpose.
These periods can be a whirlwind, sometimes chaotic, sometimes stressful, and something overwhelming, but what comes to you in the end is most often worth it.
You should start to see that end, the prize, the shining bright light of your new future, now. Let that inspire you, motivate you to keep going, and get excited about the potential.
It’s much bigger than you realize!
Related article: Your Ultimate Guide to Controversial Mercury Retrograde