Planet Retrograde Calendar 2026–2027 — Dates & Meanings

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Astronomically accurate retrograde calendar for Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn — 2026 and 2027 dates, zodiac signs, and reflective guidance for each period.

Every planet in the solar system appears to move backward — retrograde — from time to time, viewed from Earth. Astrology interprets each retrograde as a shift in how that planet's energy expresses: inward rather than outward, reviewing rather than advancing. The dates below are computed from a scientific ephemeris and include the zodiac sign each planet occupies at its retrograde station.

Real-world reference: Retrograde motion on Wikipedia.

2026–2027 retrograde overview

Mercury Retrograde

Communication, contracts, travel, technology, and thought

3–4 times per year, ~21 days each

  • 2026-02-27 → 2026-03-21 Pisces
  • 2026-06-30 → 2026-07-25 Cancer
  • 2026-10-25 → 2026-11-14 Scorpio
  • 2027-02-10 → 2027-03-04 Pisces → Aquarius

Venus Retrograde

Love, beauty, money, values, and relationships

Once every ~18 months, ~40 days each

  • 2026-10-04 → 2026-11-13 Scorpio → Libra

Mars Retrograde

Action, drive, conflict, ambition, and physical energy

Once every ~26 months, ~60–80 days each

  • 2027-01-13 → 2027-04-04 Virgo → Leo

Jupiter Retrograde

Growth, abundance, wisdom, opportunity, and expansion

Once per year, ~4 months each

  • 2026-01-02 → 2026-03-12 Cancer
  • 2026-12-14 → 2027-04-14 Leo

Saturn Retrograde

Structure, discipline, responsibility, limits, and long-term commitment

Once per year, ~4–5 months each

  • 2026-07-29 → 2026-12-13 Aries

Why retrogrades matter in a birth chart

Planetary retrogrades affect everyone, but how strongly depends on your individual natal chart. A retrograde planet transiting a sensitive point in your chart — a natal planet, an angle, or the ruler of an important house — will feel more pronounced than a retrograde moving through a quieter area. Use the birth chart calculator to see where each planet falls in your own chart, then cross-reference with the dates above to identify which retrogrades are most personally relevant this year.

Each planet retrograde explained

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FAQ

What does retrograde mean in astrology?

Retrograde describes the period when a planet appears to move backward through the zodiac from Earth's vantage point. Astronomically it is an optical effect caused by differing orbital speeds. In astrology, it is interpreted as a shift from the planet's outward expression to a more inward, reflective one — a prompt to review rather than advance.

Which planet retrograde is most important?

Mercury retrograde is the most widely discussed because it happens 3–4 times per year and affects everyday communication, contracts, and technology. But Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn retrogrades each carry their own distinct themes and are worth tracking depending on where those themes are active in your life.

How are these retrograde dates calculated?

The dates on this page are computed using a scientific ephemeris (the same astronomy engine used in our birth chart calculator), not copied from a third-party source. They reflect the actual station dates — when each planet appears to stop and reverse — accurate to the day.

Do retrogrades affect everyone the same way?

No. How strongly a retrograde affects you depends on where that planet falls in your natal chart and what house it transits during the retrograde. Someone with Mercury prominent in their chart will feel Mercury retrograde more acutely than someone with no Mercury-ruled placements in sensitive positions.