All Planets in Retrograde In 2026

You’ve heard of Mercury retrograde, but did you know that all of the planets have retrograde motion? That’s right, each planet appears to move backward in the sky at specific intervals—some for weeks and others for months at a time! Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap for causing accidents and technological breakdowns, but many astrologers believe that retrogrades are great times for deep contemplation and reflection. Here are lists of ongoing and upcoming retrograde planets, as well as an easy guide for understanding them better. Learn how to utilize retrograde cycles for personal healing.

2 Factors That Make Up A Retrograde

In astrology, retrogrades are thought to affect different aspects of life based on two factors:

1. The planet that appears to be moving in “reverse.”
2. The zodiac sign that the planet is moving through (transiting).

Planets closest to the Sun (Mercury, Mars, and Venus) affect individuals on a personal level while ones farther away (Jupiter and Saturn) are thought to affect society at large. The ones even farther away and slower moving (Neptune, Uranus, and Pluto) affect whole generations of people.

RELATED: Venus Retrograde

*On some occasions, planets move through one sign and into another before resuming regular (direct) motion.

Upcoming Retrogrades in 2026

May 6–October 15, 2026: Pluto

Pluto will be retrograde in Aquarius from May 6–October 15, 2026.

• What power dynamics are shifting in your life or community?
• What needs to be transformed rather than controlled?
• Where are you being called to let go and evolve?
  

June 29–July 23, 2026: Mercury

Mercury will be retrograde in Cancer from June 29–July 23, 2026.

• What conversations around home, family, or belonging need revisiting?
• Are your emotional needs being clearly expressed?
• Where could reflection improve communication?
  

July 7–December 12, 2026: Neptune

Neptune will be retrograde in Aries from July 7–December 12, 2026.

• Where can you align vision with action?
• Are you facing life directly, or avoiding hard truths?
• How can faith and courage work together?
  

July 26–December 10, 2026: Saturn

Saturn will be retrograde in Aries from July 26–December 10, 2026.

• What lessons are emerging around self-discipline and initiative?
• Where do you need more patience with growth?
• How can responsibility support your independence?
  

September 10, 2026–February 8, 2027: Uranus

Uranus will be retrograde in Gemini from September 10, 2026–February 8, 2027.

• How are your ideas, networks, or habits changing?
• Are you staying flexible as your worldview evolves?
• What new ways of thinking are ready to emerge?
  

October 3–November 13, 2026: Venus

Venus will be retrograde in Scorpio and Libra from October 3–November 13, 2026.

• What are you learning about intimacy, trust, and reciprocity?
• Do your relationships reflect your true values?
• Where can beauty, love, or money be rebalanced?
  

October 24–November 13, 2026: Mercury

Mercury will be retrograde in Scorpio from October 24–November 13, 2026.

• What hidden truths are asking to be named?
• Where should you pause before reacting?
• What conversations require honesty and depth?
  

December 12, 2026–April 12, 2027: Jupiter

Jupiter will be retrograde in Leo from December 12, 2026–April 12, 2027.

• How are you growing into confidence and creativity?
• What does generous leadership look like now?
• Are you expressing your gifts with heart?

3 Steps For Working With Retrogrades

Rather than passing off retrogrades as simply being a slow period, use 2024 to finally manage outcomes by slowing down your own life and going inward. The year itself holds spectacular occasions for creating balance and grounding your dreams into reality. By actively participating in changing direction, adding in or seasoning your thoughts and actions, you can actualize the life you’ve envisioned. Don’t let the nuances of retrograde seasons pass you by. Engage in the change you are wanting. 

Always, the benefit of looking back at recent events can only benefit the way that you move forward in the months that follow.

Here’s a fun exercise for understanding and contemplation in three steps:

1) Identify The Planet

Identify the planet going through a retrograde and imagine it has a personality. If each planet was a character in a play, here’s what they might be:

• Mercury is like an ever-present reporter, just wanting to communicate findings.
• Venus is like Marilyn Monroe. She concerns herself with the beautification of life.
• Mars is a top-notch Roman military general ready to pounce on his enemy. He’s brash and ready to take action.
• Jupiter is the cosmic cheerleader for society. She shouts “H-O-P-E!” across the global stadium.
• Saturn is the cosmic thumb. Like a stern grandfather, he prefers limitations and a slow pace.
• Uranus is futuristic and unique. She brings change, aches for freedom … and she wants it now! (Remember, these outer planet personalities affect generations of humans.)
• Neptune is the dreamer, lounging near the ocean’s edge, thinking and feeling deeply all the while.
• Pluto is like a Tasmanian devil. He has power to regenerate and evolve life. He will wipe out the old to make space for the new.

With these planetary personalities firmly in place you can take your next step toward retrograde work:

2) Imagine The Planet Is Wearing A Costume

Once you have identified the retrograde planet’s personality, visualize it wearing a costume (according to the zodiac sign it is transiting). Here are some ideas—plays on their classical, astrological attributes:

• Aries: Roman helmets, shields, and spears.
• Taurus: Comfortable overalls with silver coins and vegetable seeds in the pocket.

• Gemini: Plaid shirt with a pocket protector, glasses, and notebook.
• Cancer: Fluffy pink bathrobe with bunny slippers.
• Leo: An itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini and a microphone.
• Virgo: White lab coat and a magnifying glass.
• Libra: The famous white Marilyn Monroe dress with peace symbols on it.
• Scorpio: A black hoodie with hood pulled up, black pants, black sneakers.
• Sagittarius: Jeans, t-shirt reading “BLUNT,” Carl Jung books and a backpack.
• Capricorn: Three-piece business suit and a clipboard.
• Aquarius: Silver jumpsuit with blue-tooth capacity.
• Pisces: Kimono style beach cover up and a box of tissues.

3) Meditate On Questions (Examples Listed Above)

Finally, walk that planet to the nearest meditation cushion to contemplate what’s going on! Take a deep-dive into the recent past and start asking reflective questions (See suggestions for these in the lists of time frames above).

A Final Thought

It’s easy to ignore the more delicate astrological energies at play, such as those that an outer retrograde planet creates, but for the sake of new potentials and options, don’t ignore them. These occasions for providing input toward universal shifts can have a great impact.

Previous Retrogrades in 2025

Here are previous retrograde planets, time frames, and suggested reflections for each:

July 18-August 11, 2025: Mercury

Mercury was retrograde in Leo from July 18-August 11, 2025.

• What space or location can you put yourself in to receive more inspiration?
• What are the benefits of being more expressive?
• Where has my passion fizzled, and why?

March 1-April 12, 2025: Venus

Venus was retrograde in Aries from March 1-27 and* Pisces from March 27-April 12, 2025.

• What lessons have you learned about relationships?
• Are your values reflected in your relationships?
• Is spirituality a part of your current relationship?

March 15-April 7, 2025: Mercury

Mercury was retrograde in Aries from March 15-April 7, 2025.

• How may being bolder serve you and humanity?
• Is there anything you are afraid to do … or be?
• What are some ways that you can express yourself as an individual?

No planets were retrograde between February 24-28.

December 6, 2024-February 23, 2025: Mars

Mars was retrograde in Leo from December 6, 2024-January 6, 2025 and* in Cancer from January 6-February 23, 2025. (Note: Mars will not be retrograde again until January 10, 2027.)

• Where has my passion been suppressed? (Leo)
• Have I fully participated in romance? (Leo)
• What actions have I taken toward personal healing? (Cancer)
• How can I improve my care for others? (Cancer)

October 9, 2024-February 3, 2025: Jupiter

Jupiter was retrograde in Gemini between October 9, 2024-February 3, 2025.

• What am I curious about learning now? 
• Where might I travel for new educational experiences?

Join The Discussion!

Have you ever felt the effects of retrograde motion—Mercury’s or otherwise?

What questions do you have about planetary motion and astrology?

Ask us in the comments below!