Mercury retrograde dates 2027
| Period | Retrograde | Degrees | Shadow period |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 9, 17:35 UTC March 3, 12:34 UTC | 5° Pisces → 20° Aquarius | January 25 — March 23 |
| 2 | June 10, 18:18 UTC July 4, 19:40 UTC | 6° Cancer → 27° Gemini | May 26 — July 19 |
| 3 | October 7, 14:40 UTC October 28, 14:10 UTC | 4° Scorpio → 19° Libra | September 17 — November 13 |
Times are in UTC. Calculated with astronomy-engine and cross-checked against the Swiss Ephemeris.
What is Mercury retrograde
About three times a year, for roughly three weeks, Mercury appears to move backwards against the stars as seen from Earth. Nothing happens to the planet itself: it is an optical effect caused by Mercury overtaking Earth on its inner orbit, just as a slower train seems to roll backwards when you overtake it.
In astrology Mercury rules communication, messages, documents, travel and technology. Its retrograde periods are traditionally treated as a time to review, repair and return rather than to start something new. The shadow period is the time before and after the retrograde when Mercury passes the same degrees; its themes start to show up already then.
The three periods of 2027 in detail
First period: February 9 — March 3, Pisces → Aquarius
Mercury stations retrograde on February 9, 17:35 UTC at 5° Pisces, moves back into Aquarius on February 18 and turns direct on March 3, 12:34 UTC at 20° Aquarius. The shadow period lasts from January 25 to March 23.
Pisces is about intuition, dreams and what is left unsaid; Aquarius is about friends, communities and plans for the future. Astrologers traditionally link this period with misunderstandings in group chats, vague agreements and ideas that need a second look. A good time to return to old projects and to reconnect with friends you have lost touch with.
Felt most by: Pisces, Aquarius, Virgo, Gemini.
Second period: June 10 — July 4, Cancer → Gemini
The retrograde begins on June 10, 18:18 UTC at 6° Cancer. Mercury returns to Gemini on June 26 and stations direct on July 4, 19:40 UTC at 27° Gemini. Shadow: May 26 — July 19.
Cancer brings up home, family and old emotional stories; Gemini — conversations, messages, documents and short trips. This is the most “everyday” retrograde of the year: lost tickets, delayed parcels and family conversations that suddenly return to the past. Check travel dates twice and save backups before the summer holidays.
Felt most by: Cancer, Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius.
Third period: October 7 — October 28, Scorpio → Libra
Mercury stations retrograde on October 7, 14:40 UTC at 4° Scorpio, re-enters Libra on October 16 and turns direct on October 28, 14:10 UTC at 19° Libra. Shadow: September 17 — November 13.
This is the retrograde of relationships. Scorpio is about trust, jealousy and shared money; Libra is about partnership, contracts and balance in a couple. Old questions between partners resurface, and exes often get in touch. Astrologers advise against hasty decisions about a relationship, but it is a good time for an honest talk about what has been building up.
Felt most by: Libra, Scorpio, Gemini, Virgo, Taurus, Aries.
Mercury retrograde and relationships
For a couple, Mercury is how you talk, listen and agree. During the retrograde, arguments more often happen because of words that were understood differently than intended. If you have long-standing communication problems, they are easier to notice now than during the rest of the year.
The effect is not the same for everyone: it depends on how Mercury sits in each partner’s chart and whether the two Mercuries form an aspect. This is shown in the compatibility report under “Communication”.
What astrologers traditionally advise
Good for
- revisit and finish old projects
- reread contracts and messages before sending
- make backups and update passwords
- meet old friends and talk things through with your partner
- leave extra time for travel
Better to wait with
- sign important contracts without checking the details
- buy expensive electronics or a car on impulse
- make abrupt decisions about a relationship
- start large projects on the day of the station
This is a description of astrological traditions, not a prediction of events.
Other retrograde planets in 2027
Venus will not go retrograde in 2027: its previous retrograde ended on November 14, 2026, and the next one starts only in 2028. Mars is retrograde from January 10 to April 1, moving back from Virgo into Leo.
| Planet | Retrograde | Direct | Degrees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mars | January 10, 2027 | April 1, 2027 | 10° Virgo → 20° Leo |
| Jupiter | December 13, 2026 | April 13, 2027 | 27° Leo → 16° Leo |
| Pluto | May 8, 2027 | October 18, 2027 | 7° Aquarius → 4° Aquarius |
| Neptune | July 9, 2027 | December 15, 2027 | 6° Aries → 3° Aries |
| Saturn | August 9, 2027 | December 24, 2027 | 27° Aries → 21° Aries |
| Uranus | September 15, 2027 | February 12, 2028 | 9° Gemini → 5° Gemini |
The next Mercury retrograde after 2027 starts on January 24, 2028 at 19° Aquarius and ends on February 14, 2028.
