March 2, 2026 by Julia Clemmensen (‘29)
Mercury is in retrograde right now, and is in retrograde around 4 times every year, but what does that even mean? What is retrograde, why is Mercury being in it so important in astrology, how has it and will it affect us this time of the year in 2026, and what can we do during Mercury retrograde to ground ourselves?
First of all, let’s explain what it means for a planet to be in retrograde. Retrograde is when a planet appears to be moving “backwards” in the sky, moving East to West rather than the normal movement of West to East. However, planets only appear to be moving this way across the sky, as it is actually an illusion that is a result of the contrasting speeds that Earth has with other planets.
Now that we have established what retrograde is, why is it so important, let alone when it is in Mercury? Well for starters, though there are a few other planets that can be in retrograde, Mercury, by far, is in retrograde the most often. Retrogrades in astrology are perceived as time periods in which everything can feel a little unsteady and disrupted, while bringing confusing themes to the forefront of your life and mind. Mercury is the planet of communication, reason, and thought-processing, which are all extremely important attributes that are not very well received with the shaking-up a retrograde can bring.
Mercury is in retrograde right now between February 26 and March 20, which happens to surround March 3’s lunar eclipse in the sign of Virgo. And here’s the twist; Virgo is ruled by the planet Mercury. This means double-trouble, and why many astrologers are presenting this astrological event as even more powerful.
Mercury retrogrades usually bring up lots of miss-communications, malfunctioning in areas like travel or technology, along with personal issues revolving around perfectionist behavior. The key is to notice how you have been communicating with others and with yourself, as you don’t want to get lost in the heap of frustration or lack of acknowledgement this Mercury retrograde can stir up. Additionally, don’t rush anything. Lay off the pressure of taking big steps in your life right now, and if you do, take time to review it and make sure it is what is best for you. However, don’t interpret it as living in fear. Don’t feel like Mercury right now is forcing you to not move a muscle, what it should do is be a reminder for you to take it easy.
To further your understanding, you might want to check out:
2026 astrological key dates: Mercury retrogrades | CHANI
What the First Mercury Retrograde of 2026 Means for You
Retrograde motion of the planets: Everything you need to know – BBC Science Focus Magazine
Mercury Retrograde 2025–2026: What to Do (and Avoid) — Janet Rae Orth