Planetary Retrogrades 2026 Calendar: Dates to Avoid

By Bavishyavani Team | Vedic Astrology Division

Updated: December 12, 2025 | Reading Time: 14 Minutes

In Astrology, forward motion is “Action.” Retrograde (Vakri) motion is “Review.”

When a planet goes Retrograde, it appears to move backward in the sky. Astrologically, the energy turns inward. Things slow down, technology glitches, ex-lovers return, and past karma resurfaces.

2026 is a unique year.

In this article we will discuss about Planetary Retrogrades 2026 Calendar and its results, We start the year with Mars Retrograde, bringing high frustration. We have three chaotic Mercury Retrogrades. And the “Great Teacher” Saturn goes retrograde for 4.5 months, forcing a review of our career and karma.

If you are planning a wedding, a business launch, or a major surgery, you must check these dates first. 

The Planetary Retrogrades 2026 Calendar Sheet (Bookmark This)

Here are the “Red Zone” dates where you should exercise extreme caution.

Planet	Retrograde Starts	Direct (Normal) Starts	Theme
Mars (Mangal)	Continued from 2025	Feb 24, 2026	Frustration, Energy, Conflict
Mercury (Budh)	Feb 26, 2026	Mar 20, 2026	Tech Glitches, Miscommunication
Saturn (Shani)	Jul 5, 2026	Nov 21, 2026	Karma Review, Career Delays
Mercury (Budh)	Jun 29, 2026	Jul 23, 2026	Travel Delays, Lost Data
Jupiter (Guru)	Nov 30, 2026	Into 2027	Spiritual Growth, Wealth Review
Mercury (Budh)	Oct 24, 2026	Nov 13, 2026	Relationship Misunderstandings

1. Mercury Retrograde 2026: The Chaos Cycles

Read Full Article – Mercury Retrograde 2026 

Mercury rules communication, technology, and travel. When it goes backwards, the world glitches.

Cycle 1: Feb 26 – Mar 20 (Pisces/Aquarius)

• The Vibe: Emotional confusion. Logic fails.

• The Risk: You might send a text to the wrong person or misinterpret a sentimental email. Water damage to electronics is possible.

• Who is Affected: Pisces & Aquarius.

• Strategy: Do not buy new phones or laptops. Double-check email recipients.

Cycle 2: Jun 29 – Jul 23 (Cancer)

• The Vibe: Domestic drama.

• The Risk: Misunderstandings with family members. Real estate paperwork might get delayed or have errors.

• Who is Affected: Cancer.

• Strategy: Delay signing property deeds. Be patient with your mother.

Cycle 3: Oct 24 – Nov 13 (Scorpio/Libra)

• The Vibe: Secrets and Relationships.

• The Risk: An ex-partner returns. Hidden financial details (taxes/debts) surface.

• Who is Affected: Scorpio & Libra.

• Strategy: Do not start a new relationship. Do not hide money from the IRS.

2. Mars Retrograde 2026: The Energy Trap

Dates: Starts in 2025 and ends on Feb 24, 2026.

Sign: Cancer/Gemini.

Mars is the engine of the zodiac. When the engine is in reverse, trying to “push” forward causes burnout.

• The Danger: This is a period of suppressed anger. You might feel lethargic, unmotivated, or suddenly explosive. Arguments turn into physical fights easily.

• Caution: Avoid surgery during this time (if elective). Do not buy a new car.

• Remedy: Physical exercise is non-negotiable to burn off the excess energy.

3. Saturn Retrograde 2026: The Karmic Review

Dates: July 5 – Nov 21, 2026.

Sign: Pisces.

Saturn is the Lord of Karma. When he goes retrograde, he is checking your homework.

• The Effect: Career progress stalls. You might feel like you are working hard but getting zero results. This is NOT a punishment; it is a pause. Saturn wants you to fix the foundations before you build higher.

• Who is Affected: Pisces, Sagittarius, Gemini, Virgo.

• Strategy: Do not quit your job in frustration. Fix the errors in your current project. Revisit old business plans.

4. Jupiter Retrograde 2026: The Inner Wisdom

Dates: Starts Nov 30, 2026.

Sign: Cancer (Exalted).

Even though Jupiter is Exalted (powerful) in Cancer, its retrograde motion turns the abundance inward.

• The Effect: Material growth slows down, but spiritual growth explodes. It is the best time to return to a course you dropped, revisit a spiritual teacher, or reconnect with your morals.

• The Money: Delayed payments might finally clear, but new money takes time.

• Strategy: Focus on learning rather than earning.

How Planetary Retrogrades 2026 Affect Your Zodiac Sign

Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius)

• Focus: Mars Retrograde hits you hardest. You will feel frustrated by the slow pace of Jan/Feb.

• Advice: Patience. If you push too hard, you will crash. Use Saturn Retrograde (July) to restructure your finances.

Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn)

• Focus: Mercury Retrograde affects your communication.

• Advice: You hate chaos, but 2026 brings unpredictable schedules. Back up your data. Use the slow periods to plan the next 5 years.

Air Signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius)

• Focus: The Retrogrades hit your Relationship sectors.

• Advice: Ex-partners will return. This is a test. Do not slide back into toxic patterns just because you are lonely.

Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces)

• Focus: You are the center of the storm. Saturn and Jupiter Retrogrades happen in Water signs.

• Advice: Your intuition will be off the charts. Ignore logic; follow your gut. Use this time for deep emotional healing.

The “Do Not Do” List for Planetary Retrogrades 2026

If you want to survive 2026 without a disaster, follow these rules during the Mercury and Mars Retrograde windows:

1. Do NOT Sign Contracts: The fine print will hide something bad.

2. Do NOT Buy Electronics: It will break, or a better model will come out a week later.

3. Do NOT Launch a Business: Launches during Mercury Retrograde often suffer from marketing glitches.

4. Do NOT Text Your Ex: They are back for closure, not for a restart.

5. Do NOT Argue with Bosses: During Mars Retrograde, a small argument leads to firing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Planetary Retrogrades 2026 

Q: Is Mercury Retrograde bad luck?

A: No. It is a time for re-doing things: Re-thinking, Re-visiting, Re-planning. It is only “bad luck” if you try to rush new things.

Q: Can I get married during Venus Retrograde in 2026?

A: Good news! Venus does NOT go retrograde in 2026. This makes 2026 an excellent year for weddings compared to years where Venus sleeps.

Q: What happens if I was born during a Retrograde?

A: You are naturally immune! People born with Retrograde Mercury often find that they think clearer when Mercury goes retrograde for everyone else.

Conclusion on Planetary Retrogrades 2026: Slow Down to Speed Up

The Retrograde Planets 2026 are not obstacles; they are speed bumps designed to keep you safe.

If you drive at 100mph all year, you will crash. These periods force you to slow down, check your engine, and check your map.

Mark these dates. Respect the pause. And when the planets go Direct, hit the gas.

• Need a personalized timeline? Get your 2026 Destiny Blueprint

• If you have any doubts on this Planetary Retrogrades 2026 article you can comment below I will answer your doubts.