Mercury is retrograde three times in 2027: 9 February to 3 March (Pisces into Aquarius), 10 June to 4 July (Cancer into Gemini), and 7 October to 28 October (Scorpio into Libra). These are UTC dates. This page lists every pre-shadow and post-shadow date, the exact times in six cities, and what astrologers traditionally associate with each sign.
Mercury only appears to move backwards, an effect of perspective as it overtakes Earth on its faster orbit. If you would like the astronomy first, see what Mercury retrograde is. The year before is on the Mercury retrograde 2026 page.
Summary of Mercury retrograde 2027
The dates here are UTC dates, which may differ from your local date by a day. Readers elsewhere can convert from UTC. City times are in the sections below.
| Period | Pre-shadow begins (UTC) | Station retrograde (UTC) | Station direct (UTC) | Post-shadow ends (UTC) | Signs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First | Monday 25 January 2027 | Tuesday 9 February 2027 | Wednesday 3 March 2027 | Tuesday 23 March 2027 | Pisces and Aquarius |
| Second | Wednesday 26 May 2027 | Thursday 10 June 2027 | Sunday 4 July 2027 | Monday 19 July 2027 | Cancer and Gemini |
| Third | Friday 17 September 2027 | Thursday 7 October 2027 | Thursday 28 October 2027 | Saturday 13 November 2027 | Scorpio and Libra |
Each retrograde in 2027 crosses a sign boundary: Mercury turns back early in one sign and finishes its retreat in the sign before it. (All three in 2026 stayed within a single sign.) The pre-shadow begins when Mercury first passes the degree where it will later turn direct, and the post-shadow ends when it returns to the degree where it turned retrograde.
First retrograde: Pisces into Aquarius, January to March 2027
Mercury turns retrograde at 5 degrees 58 minutes Pisces and moves back to 20 degrees 55 minutes Aquarius. It slips back into Aquarius on Thursday 18 February 2027 at 12:15 pm UTC, and goes forward into Pisces again on Thursday 18 March 2027 at 10:01 am UTC.
- Pre-shadow begins (at 20 degrees 55 minutes Aquarius): Monday 25 January 2027, 6:57 pm UTC (1:57 pm in New York).
- Post-shadow ends (back at 5 degrees 58 minutes Pisces): Tuesday 23 March 2027, 2:57 pm UTC (10:57 am in New York).
| Event | UTC | New York | Los Angeles | London | New Delhi | Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Station retrograde, 5 degrees 58 minutes Pisces | Tuesday 9 February 2027, 5:36 pm | Tuesday 9 February 2027, 12:36 pm | Tuesday 9 February 2027, 9:36 am | Tuesday 9 February 2027, 5:36 pm | Tuesday 9 February 2027, 11:06 pm | Wednesday 10 February 2027, 4:36 am |
| Station direct, 20 degrees 55 minutes Aquarius | Wednesday 3 March 2027, 12:32 pm | Wednesday 3 March 2027, 7:32 am | Wednesday 3 March 2027, 4:32 am | Wednesday 3 March 2027, 12:32 pm | Wednesday 3 March 2027, 6:02 pm | Wednesday 3 March 2027, 11:32 pm |
What the tradition says about Mercury retrograde in Pisces and Aquarius. Pisces is read as the sign of intuition and imagination, and Aquarius as the sign of ideas, friendships, groups and technology. Astrologers describe this retrograde as a time to revisit visions and plans, to reconnect with friends and communities, and to check the fine detail of anything technical. The tradition suggests that clear explanations help, since the Pisces end of the journey can feel vague and the Aquarius end abstract.
Second retrograde: Cancer into Gemini, May to July 2027
Mercury turns retrograde at 6 degrees 21 minutes Cancer and moves back to 27 degrees 28 minutes Gemini. It re-enters Gemini on Saturday 26 June 2027 at 7:19 am UTC, and goes forward into Cancer again on Monday 12 July 2027 at 1:47 pm UTC.
- Pre-shadow begins (at 27 degrees 28 minutes Gemini): Wednesday 26 May 2027, 6:03 am UTC (2:03 am in New York).
- Post-shadow ends (back at 6 degrees 21 minutes Cancer): Monday 19 July 2027, 8:42 am UTC (4:42 am in New York).
| Event | UTC | New York | Los Angeles | London | New Delhi | Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Station retrograde, 6 degrees 21 minutes Cancer | Thursday 10 June 2027, 6:14 pm | Thursday 10 June 2027, 2:14 pm | Thursday 10 June 2027, 11:14 am | Thursday 10 June 2027, 7:14 pm | Thursday 10 June 2027, 11:44 pm | Friday 11 June 2027, 4:14 am |
| Station direct, 27 degrees 28 minutes Gemini | Sunday 4 July 2027, 7:40 pm | Sunday 4 July 2027, 3:40 pm | Sunday 4 July 2027, 12:40 pm | Sunday 4 July 2027, 8:40 pm | Monday 5 July 2027, 1:10 am | Monday 5 July 2027, 5:40 am |
What the tradition says about Mercury retrograde in Cancer and Gemini. Gemini is one of the two signs Mercury rules, and it is the sign of conversation, learning, short journeys and messages. Cancer is the sign of home, family and memory. In the tradition, a retrograde that ends in Gemini is a good one for revisiting how we talk and write: rereading drafts, resuming study, catching up with siblings and neighbours. The Cancer part is read as gentler and more nostalgic, a time for family stories. See the Gemini and Cancer pages for more on those signs.
Third retrograde: Scorpio into Libra, September to November 2027
Mercury turns retrograde at 4 degrees 55 minutes Scorpio and moves back to 19 degrees 18 minutes Libra. It re-enters Libra on Saturday 16 October 2027 at 7:36 am UTC, and goes forward into Scorpio again on Wednesday 10 November 2027 at 12:26 am UTC.
- Pre-shadow begins (at 19 degrees 18 minutes Libra): Friday 17 September 2027, 7:29 am UTC (3:29 am in New York).
- Post-shadow ends (back at 4 degrees 55 minutes Scorpio): Saturday 13 November 2027, 9:54 am UTC (4:54 am in New York).
| Event | UTC | New York | Los Angeles | London | New Delhi | Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Station retrograde, 4 degrees 55 minutes Scorpio | Thursday 7 October 2027, 2:36 pm | Thursday 7 October 2027, 10:36 am | Thursday 7 October 2027, 7:36 am | Thursday 7 October 2027, 3:36 pm | Thursday 7 October 2027, 8:06 pm | Friday 8 October 2027, 1:36 am |
| Station direct, 19 degrees 18 minutes Libra | Thursday 28 October 2027, 2:10 pm | Thursday 28 October 2027, 10:10 am | Thursday 28 October 2027, 7:10 am | Thursday 28 October 2027, 3:10 pm | Thursday 28 October 2027, 7:40 pm | Friday 29 October 2027, 1:10 am |
What the tradition says about Mercury retrograde in Scorpio and Libra. Libra is the sign of balance, agreements and partnerships, and Scorpio the sign of depth and privacy. Astrologers read this retrograde as a time to revisit commitments and the terms of shared arrangements, and to look at what has been left unsaid. The tradition suggests fairness and honesty as the themes. For practical matters involving contracts, money or health, take proper professional advice, and do not rely on astrology for them.
A note on the evidence and some calm tips
There is no scientific evidence that Mercury retrograde affects events, and the dates above are astronomy, not prediction. Treat the interpretations as a tradition for reflection. Ordinary good sense is enough: back up your files, read agreements twice, and allow some extra time for travel. Many readers find a retrograde a pleasant excuse to tidy up. The Sun, Moon and Rising calculator can show you where Mercury sits in your own chart.
Frequently asked questions
↳ When is the next Mercury retrograde?
In 2027 the retrogrades run from Tuesday 9 February to Wednesday 3 March, from Thursday 10 June to Sunday 4 July, and from Thursday 7 October to Thursday 28 October (UTC dates). The one before them, in late 2026, runs from 24 October to 13 November.
↳ Is Mercury retrograde right now?
It depends on today's date. In 2027 Mercury is retrograde between 9 February and 3 March, between 10 June and 4 July, and between 7 October and 28 October (UTC dates). If today falls inside one of those windows, it is retrograde.
↳ Why does Mercury change sign during a retrograde?
Because it appears to move backwards, it can slide back across a sign boundary. In 2027 all three retrogrades do this, so each is spread across two signs.
↳ What are the shadow periods in 2027?
The pre-shadow begins on 25 January, 26 May and 17 September, and the post-shadow ends on 23 March, 19 July and 13 November (UTC dates). They are an astrological convention for the stretch of sky Mercury retraces.
↳ Does Mercury retrograde really cause problems?
There is no scientific evidence that it does. The tradition is useful as a reminder to slow down and double-check, which helps in any month of the year.
Astrology here is offered as a tradition for reflection, not as a prediction or a substitute for professional advice.