Mercury Retrograde Dates

2015
January 21 - February 11, 2015
May 18 - June 11, 2015
September 17 - October 9, 2015

2016
January 5 - January 25, 2016
April 28 - May 22, 2016
August 30 - September 22, 2016
December 19 2016 - January 8, 2017

2017
December 19, 2016 to January 8, 2017
April 9 - May 3, 2017
August 12 - September 5, 2017
December 3 - December 22, 2017

2018
March 22 - April 15, 2018
July 26 - August 18, 201
November 16 - December 6, 2018

2019
March 5 - 28, 2019
July 7 - 31, 2019
October 31 - November 20, 2019

2020
February 18 - March 9, 2020
June 17 - July 12, 2020
October 13 - November 3, 2020

The dates given are for those within the US EST area. The exact starting dates and times of Mercury's retrograde will vary depending where you are within the world.

Several times during the year Mercury will go into retrograde. Most of us will be subject to its maddening effects and consequences, particularly if you happen to be a Gemini or Virgo as these signs are ruled by Mercury.

Mercury was the Roman god of "communications and everyday routines" and usually doesn't get much attention in astrology except those times when he briefly turns retrograde. Then the planet Mercury will get blamed for just about anything (and everything) that might go wrong.

A retrograde planet is a planet that (when viewed from the earth) appears to have stopped and then temporarily reverses its regular movement through the sky. The planet then goes retrograde (or backwards). After a certain length of time (depending upon the planet involved), the planet then appears to once again stop and reverse its movement through the sky. The planet then goes direct and back on its normal path through the sky.

What happens when Mercury is in retrograde? Just about anything! You may miss appointments, your computer crashes, checks or important documents get lost in the mail, there will be delays, cancellations and postponements. But these will be of benefit to you in the long run so don't fight them.

These will be very frustrating and restless times. It is best to keep a low profile when Mercury in retrograde is upon us. Take nothing for granted. Don't sign important documents or make major decisions. The effects of Mercury can be felt prior to and after retrograde itself. And even though they are not retrograde, they are very influential as Mercury is at its most erratic.