Mercury Retrograde 29th June 2026 to 23rd July 2026
Retroshadows:
- 11th – 28th June 2026 (2 weeks pre-retrograde)
- Pre-Retrograde Shadows = an increase of Mercury Retrograde energy
- 24th July – 6th August 2026 (2 weeks post-retrograde)
- Post-Retrograde Shadows = a decrease of Mercury Retrograde energy
From the 29th of June to the 23rd of July 2026, Mercury enters its retrograde phase for approximately three weeks. This is the second of three Mercury Retrogrades in 2026, inviting a sacred pause for emotional awareness, reflection, and gentle inner work. As it unfolds in Cancer, the sign that heralds the beginning of Summer, attention turns towards the inner home: feelings, memories, intuition, and emotional roots.
Cancer, a Cardinal Water Sign ruled by the Moon, brings passive energy that asks us to listen inwardly before acting outwardly. As Mercury later stations direct in Leo, the Fixed Fire Sign ruled by the Sun, the energy shifts towards confidence, courage, and inspired action. Quiet emotional awareness can become clearer self-expression, renewed self-belief, and a stronger sense of direction.
This retrograde may reshape the path ahead by asking us to revisit what needs healing, understanding, or release. Rather than rushing forwards, Cancer’s lunar energy reminds us to pause, feel, and look back with honesty.
Mercury Retrograde Themes:
- Communication & Technology: Messages may be delayed, misunderstood, or expressed with more emotion than intended. Pause, clarify, and speak from the heart.
- Travel & Planning: Plans may shift or need extra care. Double-check details, allow more space, and trust divine timing.
- Creative Projects: A supportive time to review, rewrite, revise, and refine what already needs your care.
This is a supportive time for journaling, quiet reflection, heartfelt conversations, and soulful recalibration. Use this period to clear emotional clutter, strengthen your foundations, and make peace with what no longer needs to travel with you.
Old emotions, memories, or unfinished soul lessons may surface for acknowledgement, healing, release, or closure. Former friends or past loves may reappear, but not always to begin again. Keep your humour, perspective, and inner knowing close, and avoid looking back through rose-tinted glasses when clarity is needed.
CANCER 21st June – 22nd July (Cardinal Water Sign)
- Element: Water.
- Symbol: The Moon.
- Ruling Planet: The Moon.
- Tarot: The Moon (18) = intuition, subconscious, illusion.
- Themes & Values: Caring, loyal, family orientated, sensitive, intuitive.
LEO 23rd July to 22nd August (Fixed Fire Sign)
- Element: Fire
- Symbol: The Sun and The Lion
- Ruling Planet: The Sun (a Star not Planet)
- Tarot: Strength (8) and The Sun (19), both Major Arcana cards ruled by The Sun = Courage, Emotional Mastery, Joy, Success, Vitality.
- Themes & Values: Achievement, Bravery, Control, Power, Success.
What’s going on with Mercury?
When Mercury appears to move backwards, its effects are often felt through communication, technology, travel, planning, and decision-making. Agreements and commitments are best delayed where possible; if not, review every detail carefully. Mercury’s usual gifts of analysis, precision, and clear judgement may feel less steady now, so patience and awareness are essential. Nostalgia, memories, and past situations may also resurface.
Mercury (the Planet and Deity)
Mercury is a Personal Planet influencing daily life through communication, intellect, learning, expression, ideas, information processing, and thought. It is linked to the conscious and subconscious mind, as well as gut instinct – the gut being associated with Virgo, one of the zodiac signs ruled by Mercury. Mercury also rules Gemini and carries an airy quality sometimes connected with Aquarian-style thinking.
As a Roman deity, Mercury – known as Hermes, the Winged Messenger of the Gods in Greek mythology – governs boundaries, commerce, messages, divination, eloquence, luck, financial gain, travel, and trickery. He is also associated with alchemy, the Magician Tarot card, and guiding souls to the Underworld.
What is a Mercury Retrograde, and what are the effects?
A Mercury Retrograde cycle lasts around three weeks and usually occurs three times a year. Mercury is the fastest-moving planet, taking 88 days to orbit the Sun, while Earth takes 365 days. From our earthly perspective, Mercury appears to slow and move backwards across the sky, creating an optical illusion (an S-shaped path from west to east) known as retrograde. The Retroshadow phase lasts for about two weeks before and after the retrograde itself; its energy is usually gentler, though still worth noticing. Altogether, the Retroshadow and Retrograde cycle lasts approximately seven weeks.
Who is Jules?
Jules has been a practicing Psychic, Medium, Channeller, Soul Plan Practitioner and Reiki Master for over 30 years. Her preferred areas to read on are Manifestation and Laws of Attraction, Destiny and Life Path, Love and Relationships, and Moon Phase Practices. She can also provide psychic development readings for her clients and share her experiences garnered over three decades of bringing compassionate and straight-forward insight and guidance to many. Connect with Jules here.
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