Sky calendarRetrograde planets — dates 2026–2028
When Mercury, Venus, Mars and the distant planets go backward — date and time of the station in Moscow, sign and degree. Calculated from the NASA ephemeris, cross-checked against the Swiss Ephemeris: the difference is under 4 minutes.
Now
Calculating for today’s date…
Retrograde planets in 2026
MercuryFebruary 26, 09:48 — March 20, 22:32
backward — Pisces 22°34′ · forward — Pisces 8°29′
June 29, 20:35 — July 24, 01:57
backward — Cancer 26°15′ · forward — Cancer 16°19′
October 24, 10:12 — November 13, 18:53
backward — Scorpio 20°59′ · forward — Scorpio 5°02′
VenusOctober 3, 10:15 — November 14, 03:27
backward — Scorpio 8°29′ · forward — Libra 22°52′
Marsno retrogrades in 2026
JupiterNovember 11, 2025, 19:41 — March 11, 06:29
backward — Cancer 25°09′ · forward — Cancer 15°05′
December 13, 03:56 — April 13, 2027, 05:11
backward — Leo 27°01′ · forward — Leo 16°00′
SaturnJuly 26, 22:56 — December 11, 02:31
backward — Aries 14°45′ · forward — Aries 7°56′
UranusSeptember 6, 2025, 07:51 — February 4, 05:33
backward — Gemini 1°28′ · forward — Taurus 27°28′
September 10, 21:27 — February 8, 2027, 15:29
backward — Gemini 5°42′ · forward — Gemini 1°41′
NeptuneJuly 7, 13:54 — December 13, 01:18
backward — Aries 4°25′ · forward — Aries 1°37′
PlutoMay 6, 18:34 — October 16, 05:39
backward — Aquarius 5°31′ · forward — Aquarius 3°04′
Retrograde planets in 2027
MercuryFebruary 9, 20:36 — March 3, 15:32
backward — Pisces 5°59′ · forward — Aquarius 20°55′
June 10, 21:15 — July 4, 22:39
backward — Cancer 6°22′ · forward — Gemini 27°28′
October 7, 17:37 — October 28, 17:10
backward — Scorpio 4°56′ · forward — Libra 19°19′
Venusno retrogrades in 2027
MarsJanuary 10, 15:59 — April 1, 17:08
backward — Virgo 10°26′ · forward — Leo 20°56′
JupiterDecember 13, 2026, 03:56 — April 13, 05:11
backward — Leo 27°01′ · forward — Leo 16°00′
SaturnAugust 9, 21:06 — December 24, 05:46
backward — Aries 27°53′ · forward — Aries 21°01′
UranusSeptember 10, 2026, 21:27 — February 8, 15:29
backward — Gemini 5°42′ · forward — Gemini 1°41′
September 15, 12:09 — February 13, 2028, 02:49
backward — Gemini 9°57′ · forward — Gemini 5°56′
NeptuneJuly 10, 01:41 — December 15, 12:06
backward — Aries 6°40′ · forward — Aries 3°51′
PlutoMay 8, 15:56 — October 18, 06:49
backward — Aquarius 7°11′ · forward — Aquarius 4°45′
Retrograde planets in 2028
MercuryJanuary 24, 14:02 — February 14, 15:37
backward — Aquarius 19°42′ · forward — Aquarius 3°59′
May 21, 11:42 — June 14, 09:05
backward — Gemini 16°19′ · forward — Gemini 7°45′
September 19, 19:33 — October 11, 13:27
backward — Libra 18°36′ · forward — Libra 3°29′
VenusMay 11, 02:02 — June 23, 01:12
backward — Gemini 19°41′ · forward — Gemini 3°11′
Marsno retrogrades in 2028
JupiterJanuary 12, 11:53 — May 13, 23:00
backward — Virgo 27°31′ · forward — Virgo 17°32′
SaturnAugust 23, 01:17 — January 5, 2029, 15:38
backward — Taurus 11°19′ · forward — Taurus 4°25′
UranusSeptember 15, 2027, 12:09 — February 13, 02:49
backward — Gemini 9°57′ · forward — Gemini 5°56′
September 19, 03:01 — February 16, 2029, 13:51
backward — Gemini 14°14′ · forward — Gemini 10°12′
NeptuneJuly 11, 16:03 — December 16, 23:43
backward — Aries 8°54′ · forward — Aries 6°06′
PlutoMay 9, 12:33 — October 19, 06:42
backward — Aquarius 8°50′ · forward — Aquarius 6°24′
“Backward” is the moment a planet stops and starts moving back; “forward” is when it turns around again. Moscow time (UTC+3).
What a retrograde planet is
No planet actually moves backward. From Earth it looks that way when the Earth overtakes an outer planet in its orbit — or when Mercury and Venus overtake the Earth, passing between it and the Sun. The moment of turning is a station: the planet’s apparent speed through the zodiac drops to zero and changes sign. That’s what our calculation looks for, to the minute.
By the same data: Mercury goes backward three or four times a year, on average for 22 days (from 20 to 24); Venus — once every year and a half, for about 43 days; Mars — once every two years or so, for about 81 days; Jupiter — every year, for about 121 days, and Pluto — every year for almost half a year, about 163 days. The Sun and the Moon never go backward.
How to check it on yourself
The belief below may turn out to be false about you — that’s how it’s written. Note down events before you look at the dates, or your memory will adjust to the answer.
If Mercury retrograde affects you
What should match. Tradition links it with breakdowns in communication, technology, travel and agreements. During the next retrograde, write down every such breakdown — and the same number of days before it. There are noticeably more breakdowns during the retrograde.
When it’s not about you. The same number of breakdowns or fewer — for you this belief doesn’t work.
The distant planets go backward for half a year every year — there’s nothing to compare with, so the check is only for Mercury, Venus and Mars. How we check the rest — the site’s method.
Retrograde planets in the natal chart
On the day of birth some planet was almost certainly moving backward: 89.5% of people have at least one retrograde planet. In the free calculation such a planet has the ℞ symbol, and what it changes in the interpretation is in the planet guide. More on Mercury — in the article.
Human Design, astrology, Jyotish, numerology and the Destiny Matrix are systems of symbolic interpretation. They are not recognized by science; the materials are for informational purposes and do not replace a doctor, psychologist, lawyer or financial advisor. Learn more.