Mercury Retrograde in Pisces
Your Cosmic Reset Guide
Welcome to the first Mercury Retrograde of 2026. While many dread this transit for the tech glitches and travel delays it can bring, at Autumn Moon Advisory, we view it as a necessary strategic pause.
This particular retrograde takes place entirely within the fluid, intuitive sign of Pisces. Unlike previous transits where Mercury might have hopped between signs, we are diving deep into the Piscean waters for the duration. This week’s blog is your guide to navigating the inner work this transit demands and managing your professional and personal capacity while the cosmic energy shifts gears.
The Astrology of the Retrograde
Mercury is the planet of communication, covering how you talk, how you listen, how you read and write, and how you learn. It also governs travel and commerce and is the quickest-moving and closest planet to the Sun.
When we talk about a planet being Retrograde, it is important to understand that the planet doesn’t actually change its physical direction. Instead, it is an optical illusion created by the difference in orbital speeds between Earth and Mercury—similar to the way a slower train appears to move backwards when you pass it on a faster one. In astrology, this apparent backward motion signals a time for us to look back over things. The themes associated with the planet slow down, allowing us to investigate them deeper.
The 2026 Pisces Transit Path:
The Pre-Shadow (11th February – 25th February): Mercury travels from 8° to 22° Pisces. This is a crucial phase; pay close attention to any specific issues or conversations that crop up now. Because Mercury will cover this exact ground again shortly, these themes are likely to resurface for further review during the retrograde itself.
The Retrograde (26th February – 20th March): Mercury stations at 22° Pisces and begins its journey back to 8°. This is the heart of the reset.
The Post-Shadow (20th March – 9th April): Once Mercury reaches 8° and moves forward again, it makes its final pass over these degrees. This is when the lessons of the transit finally click into place.
What to Expect: Communication and Technology
Because Mercury rules how we exchange information, watch out for misunderstandings with others. Don’t assume people know exactly what you are talking about, and try not to assume they are deliberately trying to pick a fight with you.
The Golden Rule: The most important thing to do during this window is to double-check your outgoing communications and back up your digital files.
How to Work with the Energy
When working with retrograde energy, it is important not to assume that everything is going to go wrong. If you expect problems, you will get problems. Just be aware that old, unresolved issues may come to the surface; take this as your chance to finally resolve them.
Finish, Don't Start: I advise against starting anything new during the retrograde period, but it is a great time for finishing projects, working on anything previously started, or researching new ideas.
A Second Chance: Remember that Mercury Retrograde is a second chance. We have been here before and now we get to try again.
Review and Repair: It is a good time to reflect on where you are now and where you want to go next. You might want to revisit places and people or repair and reorganise things around the house.
The Pisces Influence: Dreaming and Intuition
Just like the moon is flavoured by the zodiac sign it passes through, so is Mercury. Now that Mercury is in a water sign, it’s time to follow your instincts and revisit your emotions. Step back and take some time to go through your feelings: What are you feeling, why do you feel like that, and what are you making it mean?
The Gifts of Pisces:
Creativity: A chance to spend time with dreams you may have abandoned or creative pursuits you’ve left unfinished.
Mysticism: Revisit anything mystical that you feel drawn to. It is a good time to get back into meditation, listen to old music, or rewatch favourite films.
Boundaries: Get lost in your daydreams, rediscover your compassionate side, and rethink your boundaries.
The Shadow Side: Watch out for the Pisces Blur - getting so lost in dreams you can’t tell what's real, or falling into unhealthy behaviours to cope with daily stresses.
The Mercury in Pisces Survival Kit
Navigating a retrograde in the sign of the fish requires a shift from doing to being. When the planet of logic is submerged in these waters, the usual rules of productivity don't always apply.
1. The "Re-" Word Glossary In the world of Autumn Moon Advisory, we use the retrograde as a cosmic edit. To do this effectively, lean into these specific actions:
Review: Look back at your journals or goals from the start of the year. What did you miss?
Research: If you’ve had a gut feeling about a new direction, gather data now rather than launching.
Repair: Whether it’s a physical leak at home or a fractured relationship, the retrograde provides the patience needed to fix things properly.
Realign: If you have drifted from your "Why," bring your daily actions back in line with your soul’s purpose.
2. A Practical Grounding Ritual If you find your mind wandering or feeling overwhelmed by others' energy, try a saltwater reset. As a water sign, Pisces responds well to this: take a bath with sea salt or soak your feet. Visualise the mental fog or confusing conversations being pulled out of your body and into the water. Following this with five minutes standing barefoot on the earth helps pull that high-flying Piscean energy back into your physical body so you can stay productive.
Your Sign-by-Sign Guide
Use your Rising Sign below to get an overview of what this retrograde will mean for you. If you don’t know your Rising Sign, you can use your Sun Sign.
Aries Rising (12th House): Focus on the good things. Reconnect with your spirituality and meditate more. Try not to dwell on the past.
Taurus Rising (11th House): All about your friends and social circles. Reconnect with old friends, sort out misunderstandings, and spend time alone.
Gemini Rising (10th House): Focus on your career and legacy. How do you want to be remembered? Consider reapplying for a job you previously wanted.
Cancer Rising (9th House): A great time to go back to unfinished courses, resit exams, or revisit significant places.
Leo Rising (8th House): Be on the lookout for money owed to you and review your own debts. Reflect on how you feel about intimacy.
Virgo Rising (7th House): This is about your important relationships. It could also be a time to get closure with an ex.
Libra Rising (6th House): Focus on day-to-day life and self-care. Consider your diet, exercise plan, and morning routines.
Scorpio Rising (5th House): The fun part of your chart. Pick up an old hobby, play more games, and spend time with children.
Sagittarius Rising (4th House): Focus on home and family. Repair old family rifts, reconnect with members, and handle home redecorating.
Capricorn Rising (3rd House): Watch out for forgetfulness and don’t be afraid to change your mind. Reconnect with old friends or siblings.
Aquarius Rising (2nd House): Look for new ways to make money. Evaluate what you can donate, throw out, or need to replace in your home.
Pisces Rising (1st House): Think about the image you present to the world. Is it time for a revamp? Reflect on what you want to accomplish.
Final Thoughts
Mercury Retrograde isn’t something to be feared. It’s a great opportunity to look at what is actually important to you and to realign yourself with your dreams and goals. Remember to slow down, take a deep breath, and have a bit more patience.
Reclaim Your Peace: Mercury Retrograde Specials
Don’t get lost in the Pisces Blur. When Mercury stations retrograde in the sign of the fish, your brain might feel like it’s underwater, but your soul is ready to talk. To help you move from Confused to Confident, I am offering 50% off all Tarot Readings until the post-shadow ends on the 9th of April.
Choose Your Path to Clarity:
The "Quick Clarity" Pull
Investment: £11 (Was ~~£22~~)
The Focus: A personalised PDF reading designed for when you need a fast answer to a specific Pisces fog moment. This 3-card spread provides an immediate focal point, identifying your current energy, your primary obstacle, and the best "Re-" action to take right now.
The "Retrograde Roadmap" PDF Guide
Investment: £33 (Was ~~£66~~)
The Focus: Your personalised strategy delivered as a comprehensive PDF. Using a 6-card spread, we dive into how the Pisces mist is settling over your life, what this transit is trying to show you, and which patterns from your past need your attention.
The "Deep Dive" Live Session
Investment: £55.50 (Was ~~£111~~)
The Focus: A 45-minute live 1-on-1 session via Google Meet. We go beneath the surface of the emotional fog to explore why certain habits are resurfacing and how to shield your intuition while this energy is at its peak. Strictly limited to one slot per evening.
