A Messy Mercury Retrograde in Pisces + A Gift from Jupiter in Cancer

Mercury’s next retrograde will take place from February 26 – March 20, during which Mercury will reverse backwards from 22 – 8 Pisces.

Given that Mercury is technically both in detriment and in fall in Pisces, this looks to be a very messy Mercury retrograde indeed.

Cue distractions and trashy rabbit holes that capture your scattered focus for a while. You may have to work hard to stay on track as emotions, memories and longings from the past keep pulling your attention off task.

Mercury station aka the Holding Pattern

Expect logistics, plans and schedules to be constantly in flux, especially around the station dates, which are the start and end dates of the Mercury retrograde.

Anticipate matters to stall or decisions to be slow, especially during the three days before and after the stations: that includes Feb 23 – March 1 as well as March 17 – 23.

Transport and travel may be hampered by delays and missed connections, with bloopers a plenty and helpful information scarce. If you can, avoid travel during these station windows.

Instead, make like Mercury and put yourself into a holding pattern, or give yourself permission to tread water for a while.

If you do have to be on the move, double check details and pack a forgiving, flexible attitude.

Help from Venus and Jupiter, Irritation from Mars

While retrograde, Mercury will get some help from Venus in Pisces (February 28) and Jupiter in Cancer (March 9).

Making a connection, clarifying plans and ideas, or coming to an agreement might be easier around those dates when Venus and Jupiter provide much needed support, guidance, and perspective.

There’s also the Mercury cazimi on March 7 which may bring a revelation or point you to inspiring insights and wisdom.

Mercury retrograde might struggle the most when it meets Mars in Pisces on March 15. Avoid tense or fractious situations and plan to give your brain a break from decisions and juggling details.

Mercury in Pisces and Jupiter

In addition to making an aspect with Jupiter in Cancer, Mercury in Pisces does receive the blessing and support, by rulership, of Jupiter the whole time it’s in Pisces.

Even though Mercury isn’t at its technical best, it is buffered and supported by a well-regarded Jupiter in Cancer.

I suspect that something that seems quite messy or nearly impossible around the start of Mercury retrograde will come together better than you hope by the end of the longer Mercury in Pisces transit (think late March and into April).

Mercury vs Saturn

Taking a step back and viewing the big picture, it’s worth noting that Mercury’s retrograde in February and March will take it through Pisces, a sign that Saturn has just vacated.

While Mercury retrograde in Pisces is especially swept up in dreams and disconnected from details, it may be useful as a source of inspiration to invite you to consider wide range of questions around the topics of the Pisces house in your chart now that Saturn has left the building.

From March 2023 – February 2026, the Pisces house in your chart underwent a major overhaul, contraction, and restructure thanks to Saturn in Pisces. During this time, you had to clarify your commitments, restructure your schedule, update how and when you used your precious energy and remember who or what was important.

Now the heavy lifting and hard work associated with Saturn has been completed, you might be wondering what’s next.

During Mercury retrograde in Pisces, ask yourself who do you need to connect with? Where and how might you need to update technology or get fresh data? What curiosities are you ready to explore now that Saturn’s cautious vibe is no longer a priority?

Your mind might stretch and wonder, as in Pisces, Mercury knows no bounds. Even if everything you dream or hope for won’t be possible, it’ll be powerful to contemplate fantastical possibilities – and you might find you’re even able to put together a plan to make a little dream come true.

What house is Pisces in your chart? How are you experiencing Mercury retrograde?