A new year means we have all new astrology to work with. One of the biggest transits to pay attention to is a planetary retrograde, and we have to contend with them every year – and 2026 is no exception!
Let’s get into what you can expect from the 2026 retrogrades?
What Does Retrograde Mean?
In astrology, a planet or body (like an asteroid) is called retrograde when it appears to be moving backward through the zodiac. It isn’t actually moving backward. It just seems that way.
Normal movement for the planets is forward, so when they appear to move backward, this throws off that planet’s energy. We’re chugging along just fine, and then everything gets thrown in reverse.
Some retrogrades seem worse than others and certainly have a reputation for it. Mercury retrograde is first among them, and these retrogrades are the times of year when we experience all sorts of tech and communication issues (ruled by Mercury).
Mercury retrograde comes most often, 3-4 times each year, for about three weeks at a time.
There will be 3 Mercury retrogrades for 2026 and they occur in the Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces), so this will dig up a lot of emotional energy during the retrograde periods.
The planet of love and money, Venus, retrogrades about every 1 1/2 years for about 1 1/2 months at a time. Venus retrogrades later in 2026, at the same time as the last Mercury retrograde, and they both impact Scorpio, with Venus starting in Scorpio before moving to Libra, and the last Mercury retrograde entirely in Scorpio. That should be a wonky time in 2026!
Mars, the planet of energy and drive, retrogrades about every 2 – 2 1/2 years for 2 – 2 1/2 months at a time. 2026 has no Mars retrograde, so we get a break there.
Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto, and Chiron retrograde every year for several months. Their retrogrades tend to be more subtle because of that, unless they are the natural ruling planet of your Sun, Moon, or Rising signs (then you can feel them stronger!).
The Impact of Retrogrades for Different Planets
- Jupiter: helps us find blocks that have kept us from expanding, exploring, and experiencing life, and pursuing opportunities.
- Saturn: more restrictive than usual but exposes karmic issues to work on.
- Uranus: slows down the big changes, which can help with stability and increase impatience and rebellion.
- Neptune: makes reality more difficult to grasp, and strong intuition becomes more important.
- Pluto: provides an opportunity to adjust to massive transformations.
- Chiron: makes us more introspective and reflective so we can remove blocks to healing.
The Sun and Moon are the only two planets that don’t retrograde.
Your Guide to the 2026 Retrogrades
So, when are the retrogrades of 2026 coming?
Before getting into the full list, I do want to mention 2 retrogrades that begin in 2025 but go into 2026, and that’s Uranus retrograde in Taurus until February 3rd, 2026 (began September 6th, 2025 in Gemini, moved to Taurus on November 7th, 2025) and Jupiter retrograde in Cancer until March 10th, 2026 (began November 11th, 2025).
The Jupiter retrograde slows down opportunities and limits some options, but also brings more karmic energy into the mix. This can have the greatest impact on Cancer, since this is the sign the retrograde is in, and on Sagittarius since Jupiter is the natural ruling planet for Sagittarius.
Uranus retrograde slows down change, and makes us a little frustrated by that. This can have the greatest impact on Taurus since the retrograde occurs in this sign, and Aquarius since Uranus rules Aquarius.
Now, here is the full list of the 2026 retrogrades, which includes when they start and end, the locations in the zodiac they start and end at, which signs are most impacted, and an idea of what to expect. They are listed in order of when they begin!
Mercury Retrograde: February 26th – March 20th, 2026
Starts at: 22 degrees Pisces
Ends at: 8 degrees Pisces
Signs most impacted: Gemini, Virgo, Pisces
The first Mercury retrograde of 2026 occurs in Pisces, and this can focus on any lingering spiritual or subconscious issues and baggage. We’re closing the books on important matters and ushering in the new paradigm in the first four months of this year, and this Mercury retrograde is part of that.
Mercury in Pisces can make it difficult to focus, to be practical and we get lost in fantasies and daydreams. We’re easily taken advantage of, and can be swindled without realizing it.
This is mostly an issue if you’ve been avoiding doing the releasing and understanding required of you over the last few years. Get into your subconscious and your soul, and work on that connection right away.
If you have a solid connection, this period can uncover insights that benefit you, and you can feel awakened internally, which leads to external change and growth.
Pluto Retrograde: May 6th – October 15th, 2026
Starts at: 5 degrees Aquarius
Ends at: 3 degree Aquarius
Signs most impacted: Scorpio, Aquarius
Pluto retrograde tends to be beneficial since Pluto is so intense and passionate, this slows down and gives us a chance to breathe. That might be necessary at this point in the year after the massive, major changes of the first four months.
With Pluto in Aquarius, you can get some control over your dreams for the future, and feel you’re truly adjusting to the changes that have occurred.
The end of Pluto retrograde is square, which is a challenging aspect, Venus retrograde in Scorpio. Coming out of this retrograde, there can be challenges with alliances, partnerships, and commitments, and relationships that are on the brink can break apart.
This is mostly only if the problems have been around for some time, and have been allowed to fester and grow. Address issues head-on as they come, and you can avoid this.
Energy can be more passionate as Pluto retrograde ends, and this needs to be channelled productively and positively. Venus retrograde is exactly square Pluto after Pluto retrograde ends, on October 19.
Mercury Retrograde: June 29th – July 23rd, 2026
Starts at: 26 degrees Cancer
Ends at: 16 degrees Cancer
Signs most impacted: Gemini, Cancer, Virgo
This Mercury retrograde occurs entirely in Water sign Cancer, so expressing emotions might be challenging, and we can have a hard time saying what we want to and being clear. Emotions can cloud our judgment and make it difficult to be logical and practical, or to see things clearly.
It’s important to take care of emotional needs with this retrograde. That can make it easier, and there can be opportunities to strengthen the foundation of something, or to improve home and family matters.
Jupiter is anaretic in Cancer for the first day of this retrograde, since it enters Leo on June 30. There are 30 degrees in every sign, and 29 degrees is the very last degree. This is called the anaretic degree, and it’s supercharged energy.
Jupiter and Mercury retrograde don’t cross over each other, but with Jupiter anaretic as this Mercury retrograde starts, and both are in Cancer for this, there can be a huge push for taking action with something that has sort of been stalled out. It can feel like we have to take action lightning-fast while we still have the chance, before we lose the opportunity.
We have to make sure we’re not being subjective, and that we’re confident in what we’re doing.
Neptune Retrograde: July 7th – December 12th, 2026
Starts at: 4 degrees Aries
Ends at: 1 degree Aries
Signs most impacted: Aries, Pisces
This is the first full retrograde with Neptune in Aries since Neptune officially entered Aries in January. Issues with taking the initiative with our spirituality, intuition, creativity, and releasing subconscious and spiritual blocks can become more prominent.
But, Neptune retrograde is notoriously foggy, and it might be difficult to see the things we need to work on clearly. We likely need to be more introspective and reflective.
The Neptune retrograde starts closely sextile, which is a beneficial aspect, Uranus in Gemini and Pluto in Aquarius, and the entire Neptune retrograde is closely sextile these two planets. This is big energy as the three slow-movers are working in harmony with each other, and giving us an opportunity to set ourselves up for the long-term.
Saturn Retrograde: July 26th – December 10th, 2026
Starts at: 14 degrees Aries
Ends at: 7 degrees Aries
Signs most impacted: Aries, Capricorn
Saturn retrogrades in 2026 entirely in Aries as Saturn just moves to Aries in February. Saturn retrograde likes to limit and restrict, and we can feel more easily overwhelmed by our lack of options.
Saturn in Aries means we have to work on issues, blocks, and baggage around our identity, independence, and ability to take the initiative. Any lessons that we need to learn with any of these can become more important to address.
Chiron Retrograde: August 3rd, 2026 – January 5th, 2027
Starts at: 0 degrees Taurus
Enters Aries on: September 18 2026
Ends at: 26 degrees Aries
Signs most impacted: Aries, Taurus
Chiron is the wounded healer in astrology, showing the wounds we have and how we can heal and grow from them. Chiron retrograde is a helpful time for focusing on blocks to healing and growth, and we can find those blocks and work on removing them.
Chiron retrograde is a quieter time of introspection and reflection, and we can turn inward, trying to understand. The year closes with Chiron retrograde, and this begins in Taurus and moves to Aries.
Chiron retrograde in Taurus can focus on wounds and healing that makes us feel more confident, stable, and secure. We have to feel good about ourselves in ways that aren’t dependent on anything physical.
Chiron retrograde in Aries is part of Chiron wrapping up its time in Aries. We have to work on any last-minute issues with our identities, independence, and with taking the initiative.
The end of Chiron retrograde is trine, which is a beneficial aspect, Jupiter in Leo, so we can come out of Chiron retrograde with opportunities for healing in positive ways, and can feel more optimistic.
Uranus Retrograde: September 10th, 2026 – February 8th, 2027
Starts at: 5 degrees Gemini
Ends at: 1 degree Gemini
Signs most impacted: Gemini, Aquarius
Uranus retrogrades entirely in Gemini now that Uranus is fully in Gemini as of April. Uranus retrograde slows down change, but this can be frustrating, and in Gemini, this might slow down our minds and hold off on action with our ideas.
We may want to jump at the chance with an idea, but being impulsive doesn’t help. Yet we may resist change that’s already happened, and need to work on it.
The day after Uranus retrograde ends, Mercury retrograde begins, and it’s widely square. This can trigger sudden developments, and we might be impatient. Try to channel the energy in a positive way.
And recall that 2026 begins with Uranus retrograde in Taurus until February 3 2026, so this can be in effect to start 2026 as well.
Venus Retrograde: October 3rd – November 13th, 2026
Starts at: 8 degrees Scorpio
Enters Libra on: October 25 2026
Ends at: 22 degrees Libra
Signs most impacted: Taurus, Libra, Scorpio
Venus retrogrades this year, and this can throw off relationships, connections, and commitments. The retrograde starts in Scorpio, so fights can be intense, and issues have likely been festering for a while before exploding out.
This can be very strong with the Venus retrograde square Pluto, who rules Scorpio. It’s important to work on problems before the retrograde, and to not let things grow.
Venus moves into Libra, one of the signs it rules, and this can amplify the issues with others and commitments. We need to do a better job at being understanding and listening, and prioritizing peace.
In Libra, Venus retrograde will sextile Jupiter in Leo, and it ends sextile Mars in Leo. The sextile to Jupiter gives opportunities and allows you to get some space, with the sextile to Mars gives energy and drive creatively, and more love for what you’re passionate about.
Mercury Retrograde: October 24th – November 13th, 2026
Starts at: 20 degrees Scorpio
Ends at: 5 degrees Scorpio
Signs most impacted: Gemini, Virgo, Scorpio
The final Mercury retrograde is entirely in Scorpio, and joins with Venus retrograde. Old issues blow up, fighting comes easy, and you might want to lash out.
This can be strong coming out of Mercury retrograde with its square Pluto. Mercury retrograde is square Mars on October 30th, and this can make us more frustrated, easily irritated, and we want to fight.
It’s important to have healthy outlets for frustration and stress. Don’t let the stress get to you, and work on something that requires intense focus.
This energy can show a very strong will as well, so you might make something happen in a different way from usual. This can be a positive manifestation.
Jupiter Retrograde: December 12th, 2026 – April 12th, 2027
Starts at: 27 degrees Leo
Ends at: 17 degrees Leo
Signs most impacted: Leo, Sagittarius
This entire Jupiter retrograde occurs in Leo, and Jupiter in Leo increases creativity, helps us pick up new hobbies, expands on love in our lives, and makes us connect to our hearts. We can pursue opportunities that give us attention, and enjoy the attention.
Jupiter retrograde in Leo might make us too prideful or stubborn at times, and we need to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves emotionally. If we can do that, we can avoid getting stuck, and can become clear on karmic issues and baggage getting in the way.
Jupiter is retrograde to start 2026 as well but in Cancer, so we start and end 2026 with less options for home and family matters, and a better handle on emotional karma.
Jupiter retrograde ends trine Saturn in Aries, which goes exact April 3rd, 2027. This allows for productive and practical use of ideas, plans, and hobbies, and we can expand on opportunities to get more done and get further along.
The practical and fantasy can work well together, and you can use this to your advantage.
Your Full List of 2026 Retrogrades!
Now you have the full list of the 2026 retrogrades! Make a note of them in your calendars and keep track as they come along (and manage Jupiter and Uranus right this very moment!).
Make sure to see what they’re doing to your birth chart to get a full idea of the scope of impact for you personally. If you don’t know yours, you can use the free birth chart generator.
Good luck with the retrogrades this year!
Related article: The Ultimate Guide to Retrogrades