Astro Iris Just like every year, the planets follow their natural course across the sky. Every now and then, they appear to move backward — a phenomenon we call retrograde motion.
2026 brings a series of these periods that invite us to pause, adjust, review, and shift our energy in subtle but meaningful ways. It’s a year when things begin to settle into a deeper, more authentic, and more awakened form than before.
We’ll go through the retrogrades one by one: starting with the personal planets (Mercury, Venus, Mars), then the social planets (Jupiter and Saturn), and finally the outer, transpersonal planets (Uranus, Neptune, Pluto).
Good news right from the start: Mars will be direct (moving forward) throughout the entire year of 2026. This gives us steady support for action, initiative, and personal drive.
What Does Retrograde Actually Mean?
From Earth’s perspective, a retrograde planet looks like it’s moving backward due to the difference in speed and orbit between us and that planet. In reality, it’s an optical illusion — it happens either when Earth overtakes a slower-moving outer planet or when a faster-moving inner planet overtakes us.
Retrograde periods invite correction, revision, rethinking, and refinement. They’re excellent times to revisit projects, relationships, decisions, or issues we previously handled too superficially or didn’t give enough attention to.
Mercury Retrograde – Reviewing the Mind and Emotions
Mercury, the planet of communication, thinking, learning, technology, and connections, retrogrades most frequently.
In 2026, all three of its retrogrades occur in water signs (emotional and intuitive), which creates a noticeable shift in perspective — especially for those with strong Mercury placements in their natal charts:
• February 26 – March 20, 2026 (Pisces) – 22 days
• June 29 – July 24, 2026 (Cancer) – 24 days
• October 24 – November 13, 2026 (Scorpio) – 20 days
What does Mercury retrograde bring in 2026?
It puts things on “hold” and asks us to review how we think, communicate, and express our emotions, as well as how we navigate technology, information, and daily movement. We’re encouraged to face our feelings and examine how we handle them.
The first two retrogrades overlap with the Virgo–Pisces axis (rational mind vs. empathy and compassion). We’ll be invited to find balance between mental clarity and emotional intelligence — avoiding both excessive criticism and rigid thinking on one side, and victimhood or over-sacrifice on the other.
• In Pisces (first one, already passed): Likely a time of reviewing ideals, dreams, and how we connect with others through empathy and compassion. A good moment to ask: Which relationships truly feed my soul? Which passions and dreams are real and worth pursuing?
• In Cancer: Focus on family and emotional security. We may reassess family roles, how we give and receive care and protection. Jupiter is still in Cancer (at an anaretic degree), which can heighten emotions and the need to resolve old patterns. Approach with gentle assertiveness, not control.
• In Scorpio: Deep fears around money, intimacy, sex, power, and manipulation can surface. Expect profound revelations — in the public sphere, in our surroundings, or within ourselves. Watch out for tendencies toward manipulation, emotional control, or sexual power plays. Scorpio rules hidden matters, the inner fears we prefer not to face, and the urge to get what we want by any means necessary.
Note: There’s an overlap between Mercury and Venus retrograde in Scorpio, which can intensify blocked expression, unhelpful passions, and unexpected surprises.
Venus Retrograde – Re-evaluating Values and Relationships
Venus retrogrades rarely (roughly every two years). In 2026, it will retrograde from October 3 to November 14 (42 days), moving through Scorpio and Libra.
This period may bring:
• Re-examination of relationships (attachments, commitments, moments of clarity or crisis). Relationships are gently corrected and realigned into their highest allowable divine form for each person.
• Financial review (shared resources, investments, material values). Finances and material matters are corrected and realigned in their highest allowable form.
• Reassessment of what we truly find beautiful and valuable. Our concepts of love, beauty, and worth are refined according to our current level of evolution.
When Venus is retrograde in Scorpio, emotional intensity, hidden passions, and tensions around money or intimacy can arise.
When it moves into Libra, the need for harmony, fairness, and peaceful conflict resolution is activated. A wonderful time for artistic creation and reconnecting with beauty.
Important note: Between October 24 and November 2, Venus and Mercury are both retrograde in Scorpio. This can spark heated discussions about money, values, and relationships. Best advice: avoid rigidity and remember that everyone has a valid perspective.
We may encounter strong differences of opinion, dogmas, or beliefs — and feel tempted to defend our own in a stubborn, closed-off way. Yet every person’s opinion is right for them at their current level. Just because something doesn’t work for us doesn’t mean it’s wrong. Use the retrograde energy constructively: practice acceptance and understand that other viewpoints can be just as valid — and sometimes even correct.
Jupiter Retrograde – Re-evaluating Beliefs and Abundance
Jupiter, the Great Benefic, governs expansion, beliefs, wisdom, and growth.
• First retrograde (already happened): November 11, 2025 – March 11, 2026 (in Cancer)
It encouraged us to turn inward and focus on family and inner life. A powerful time for healing our relationship with material abundance at the family level, conscious saving, and redefining what “home” and emotional security truly mean.
• Second retrograde: Begins December 13, 2026 (in Leo) and continues into 2027.
This one will bring reviews around pride, generosity, ambition, and our place in the collective. Since it falls at the end of the year, we can simply acknowledge it for now.
Saturn Retrograde – Lessons in Maturity and Responsibility
Saturn will retrograde from July 26 to December 10, 2026 (about 137 days) in Aries.
This period pushes us to reassess our identity, initiatives, and how we take responsibility. We may experience temporary blocks that force us to act more consciously and with greater discipline. The main lesson: responsible action — first toward ourselves, then toward others.
Saturn rules structure, discipline, limits, responsibility, organization, and time. During this transit, we learn and integrate patience, understanding that everything happens at the right divine timing.
Uranus Retrograde – Liberation and Surprises
• Until February 4, 2026: Retrograde in Taurus (releasing rigid attachments around money, values, and material security).
• From September 10, 2026: Retrograde in Gemini (until February 2027), bringing reevaluations in communication, education, transportation, connections, and ways of thinking.
Uranus always delivers surprises and unexpected liberations. Get ready for innovative changes.
Pluto Retrograde – Aligning with Divine Will
Pluto is in Aquarius (since 2024) and will retrograde from May 6 to October 16, 2026.
On a collective level, Pluto’s long journey through Aquarius (until 2043) highlights major power imbalances, manipulation, and the tension between personal will and divine will.
Pluto invites us to choose consciously: either align with a greater purpose and reclaim our authentic inner power, or stay stuck in ego-driven power games (which usually lead to suffering). Whatever happens collectively also plays out personally.
Final Advice:
Use the energy of retrogrades with gentleness and wisdom. They don’t come to mess with us — they help us refine, heal, and align more deeply with who we truly are.
As usual, yours Iris ❤️🔥
