Mercury retrograde · 2036
Mercury retrograde 2036: dates, degrees and what it means for each sign
Everything about Mercury retrograde in 2036 in one place: the exact station dates and degrees, the shadow periods, which other planets are retrograde at the same time, and a reading with practical advice for each of the twelve signs.
Mercury is retrograde four times in 2036: January 1 – January 21 (Capricorn), April 23 – May 17 (Taurus), August 25 – September 17 (Virgo) and December 15 – January 3, 2037 (Capricorn back into Sagittarius). With the shadow periods, each cycle lasts about eight weeks.
Mercury retrograde 2036: the dates
- January 1 – January 21, 2036 (20 days). Mercury stations retrograde on January 1, 2036 at 04:24 UTC, at 26°56′ Capricorn (the evening of December 31 in US time zones). Mercury stations direct on January 21, 2036 at 09:42 UTC, at 10°44′ Capricorn.
- April 23 – May 17, 2036 (23 days). Mercury stations retrograde on April 23, 2036 at 13:18 UTC, at 18°38′ Taurus. Mercury stations direct on May 17, 2036 at 08:29 UTC, at 9°03′ Taurus.
- August 25 – September 17, 2036 (22 days). Mercury stations retrograde on August 25, 2036 at 19:48 UTC, at 24°38′ Virgo. Mercury stations direct on September 17, 2036 at 17:20 UTC, at 10°38′ Virgo.
- December 15, 2036 – January 3, 2037 (19 days). Mercury stations retrograde on December 15, 2036 at 02:06 UTC, at 11°03′ Capricorn (the evening of December 14 in US time zones), backs into Sagittarius on December 26. Mercury stations direct on January 3, 2037 at 22:58 UTC, at 24°45′ Sagittarius.
Mercury is retrograde three or four times a year, for about three weeks each time. In 2036 every one of them begins in an earth sign.
Times are UTC. Nothing reverses in space: retrograde motion is the apparent backward drift a planet shows when Earth overtakes it (or, for Mercury and Venus, when the planet overtakes Earth).
Mercury retrograde 2036: all dates
| Retrograde (UTC dates) | From | To | Shadow period | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 – Jan 21, 2036 | 26° Capricorn | 10° Capricorn | Dec 15, 2035 – Feb 10, 2036 | 20 days |
| Apr 23 – May 17, 2036 | 18° Taurus | 9° Taurus | Apr 9 – Jun 2, 2036 | 23 days |
| Aug 25 – Sep 17, 2036 | 24° Virgo | 10° Virgo | Aug 5 – Oct 2, 2036 | 22 days |
| Dec 15, 2036 – Jan 3, 2037 | 11° Capricorn | 24° Sagittarius | Nov 27, 2036 – Jan 23, 2037 | 19 days |
Computed from NASA JPL Horizons (geocentric positions in the tropical zodiac). The shadow period runs from the day the planet first crosses the degree where it will turn direct to the day it passes the degree where it turned retrograde.
Mercury retrograde Jan 1 – Jan 21, 2036: key dates
| Date (UTC) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Dec 15, 2035 | Pre-retrograde shadow begins: Mercury first crosses 10°44′ Capricorn, the degree where it will later turn direct |
| Jan 1, 2036, 04:24 UTC | Mercury stations retrograde at 26°56′ Capricorn (the evening of December 31 in US time zones) |
| Jan 21, 2036, 09:42 UTC | Mercury stations direct at 10°44′ Capricorn |
| Feb 10, 2036 | Post-retrograde shadow ends: Mercury passes 26°56′ Capricorn again and covers new ground |
Computed from NASA JPL Horizons. A station in the first hours of a UTC day falls on the previous evening in the Americas.
Mercury retrograde Apr 23 – May 17, 2036: key dates
| Date (UTC) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Apr 9, 2036 | Pre-retrograde shadow begins: Mercury first crosses 9°03′ Taurus, the degree where it will later turn direct |
| Apr 23, 2036, 13:18 UTC | Mercury stations retrograde at 18°38′ Taurus |
| May 17, 2036, 08:29 UTC | Mercury stations direct at 9°03′ Taurus |
| Jun 2, 2036 | Post-retrograde shadow ends: Mercury passes 18°38′ Taurus again and covers new ground |
Computed from NASA JPL Horizons. A station in the first hours of a UTC day falls on the previous evening in the Americas.
Mercury retrograde Aug 25 – Sep 17, 2036: key dates
| Date (UTC) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Aug 5, 2036 | Pre-retrograde shadow begins: Mercury first crosses 10°38′ Virgo, the degree where it will later turn direct |
| Aug 25, 2036, 19:48 UTC | Mercury stations retrograde at 24°38′ Virgo |
| Sep 17, 2036, 17:20 UTC | Mercury stations direct at 10°38′ Virgo |
| Oct 2, 2036 | Post-retrograde shadow ends: Mercury passes 24°38′ Virgo again and covers new ground |
Computed from NASA JPL Horizons. A station in the first hours of a UTC day falls on the previous evening in the Americas.
Mercury retrograde Dec 15, 2036 – Jan 3, 2037: key dates
| Date (UTC) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Nov 27, 2036 | Pre-retrograde shadow begins: Mercury first crosses 24°45′ Sagittarius, the degree where it will later turn direct |
| Dec 15, 2036, 02:06 UTC | Mercury stations retrograde at 11°03′ Capricorn (the evening of December 14 in US time zones) |
| Dec 26, 2036 | Mercury backs out of Capricorn into Sagittarius |
| Jan 3, 2037, 22:58 UTC | Mercury stations direct at 24°45′ Sagittarius |
| Jan 13, 2037 | Mercury re-enters Capricorn, moving forward |
| Jan 23, 2037 | Post-retrograde shadow ends: Mercury passes 11°03′ Capricorn again and covers new ground |
Computed from NASA JPL Horizons. A station in the first hours of a UTC day falls on the previous evening in the Americas.
What else is retrograde at the same time
Retrogrades overlap, and astrologers read them together. These planets are also retrograde during at least part of each period:
- Jan 1 – Jan 21, 2036: Jupiter (Sep 9, 2035 – Jan 5, 2036), Saturn (Nov 30, 2035 – Apr 12, 2036), Uranus (Oct 21, 2035 – Mar 18, 2036), Neptune (Jul 28, 2035 – Jan 2, 2036).
- Apr 23 – May 17, 2036: Venus (May 8 – Jun 20, 2036).
- Aug 25 – Sep 17, 2036: Neptune (Jul 30, 2036 – Jan 3, 2037), Pluto (May 21 – Nov 1, 2036).
- Dec 15, 2036 – Jan 3, 2037: Jupiter (Oct 14, 2036 – Feb 9, 2037), Saturn (Dec 13, 2036 – Apr 27, 2037), Uranus (Oct 25, 2036 – Mar 23, 2037), Neptune (Jul 30, 2036 – Jan 3, 2037).
The whole year is on the retrograde calendar 2036.
What Mercury retrograde means in 2036
In astrology Mercury stands for communication, plans, travel, contracts and technology. Mercury retrograde is read as a review of how you think, talk and organise: messages cross, plans get revised, and people and conversations from the past return. In Capricorn the subject is ambition, status, responsibility and long-term goals. In Taurus the subject is money, comfort, stability and what you are building to last. In Virgo the subject is work, routines, health habits and attention to detail. In Sagittarius the subject is beliefs, travel, study and the search for meaning.
Who notices it most. For Jan 1 – Jan 21, 2036 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets between 10° and 26° of Capricorn, and at the same degrees of Aries, Cancer and Libra. For Apr 23 – May 17, 2036 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets between 9° and 18° of Taurus, and at the same degrees of Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. For Aug 25 – Sep 17, 2036 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets between 10° and 24° of Virgo, and at the same degrees of Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces. For Dec 15, 2036 – Jan 3, 2037 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets from 24° Sagittarius to 11° Capricorn, and at the matching degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Pisces, Aries, Cancer and Libra. Everyone else can read it through the house it falls in, below.
What to do
Back up your devices, confirm times and bookings, and re-read before you sign or send. It is a good period for editing, repairing and finishing; brand-new contracts and big launches go more smoothly once Mercury is direct. The longer guide, with the astronomy and the reading of a natal Mercury retrograde, is on the Mercury retrograde page.
Mercury retrograde Jan 1 – Jan 21, 2036 for each sign
Read your rising sign first if you know it, since it sets the houses; then your Sun sign. Houses are counted from your sign in whole-sign style. The birthdays show whose Sun the retrograde touches directly: Mercury covers 10° Capricorn to 26° Capricorn, and the Sun moves about one degree a day, so the dates are approximate.
Aries: 10th house
Area of life: career, reputation and public role. Career conversations loop back: a delayed decision, a former boss, a public statement you want to rephrase. What to do: update your CV and portfolio, re-read before you publish, and follow up on an application you had given up on.
Strongest for Aries born around March 30 – April 17 (Sun at 10°–26°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Taurus: 9th house
Area of life: travel, study, beliefs and publishing. Travel plans, courses, visas and publishing dates shift, and you revise an opinion you were sure of. What to do: recheck bookings and documents, leave slack in an itinerary, and return to a course or a text you left unfinished.
Easier for Taurus born around April 30 – May 17 (Sun at 10°–26°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Gemini: 8th house
Area of life: shared money, debts, intimacy and trust. Shared money, taxes, debts and insurance paperwork come back with corrections, and so do conversations about trust. What to do: go through joint accounts and old forms carefully, and have the honest talk in two calm parts.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Gemini Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Cancer: 7th house
Area of life: partnerships, marriage and one-to-one relationships. Misunderstandings with a partner or a client; a past partner may get in touch, and agreements need rewording. What to do: ask what the other person actually meant, and re-read a contract with a partner or client before you sign.
Strongest for Cancer born around July 1–18 (Sun at 10°–26°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Leo: 6th house
Area of life: daily work, routines and health habits. Work details slip: calendars, handovers, tools, and small errors that multiply. What to do: double-check deadlines and files, clean up your task list, and rebuild one routine that stopped working.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Leo Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Virgo: 5th house
Area of life: romance, creativity, children and fun. An old flame, an old hobby or an unfinished creative draft comes back, and plans for fun get rescheduled. What to do: edit the draft instead of starting a new one, and treat a returning romance as a conversation to finish, with the decision later.
Easier for Virgo born around September 2–19 (Sun at 10°–26°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Libra: 4th house
Area of life: home, family, roots and where you live. Home and family logistics get tangled: leases, repairs, a talk with a parent that you have had before. What to do: recheck the paperwork about where you live, finish the repair you started, and let a family conversation take two rounds.
Strongest for Libra born around October 3–20 (Sun at 10°–26°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Scorpio: 3rd house
Area of life: communication, learning, siblings and short trips. Messages cross, short trips change, and siblings or neighbours resurface with unfinished conversations. What to do: confirm times and addresses, back up your phone, and reply after a second read rather than at once.
Easier for Scorpio born around November 2–19 (Sun at 10°–26°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Sagittarius: 2nd house
Area of life: money, income, possessions and self-worth. Bills, invoices, subscriptions and price quotes need a second look; a payment can arrive late or wrong. What to do: check statements line by line, chase what you are owed, and re-read the terms before any purchase you could postpone.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Sagittarius Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Capricorn: 1st house
Area of life: your body, identity and how you come across. You rethink how you present yourself and what you say you want, and old statements get quoted back at you. What to do: re-read anything you send about yourself, from a bio to an application to a big announcement, and change your mind openly if you need to.
Strongest for Capricorn born around January 1–18 (Sun at 10°–26°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Aquarius: 12th house
Area of life: rest, solitude, endings and what you keep private. The noise is inside: overthinking, vivid dreams and things you never said. What to do: write it down before you say it, sleep more, and finish something privately before you announce it.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Aquarius Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Pisces: 11th house
Area of life: friends, groups and long-term hopes. Group chats misfire, plans with friends fall through, and old friends reappear. What to do: confirm arrangements twice, reconnect with one person you lost touch with, and review the goals you set a year ago.
Easier for Pisces born around February 28 – March 18 (Sun at 10°–26°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Mercury retrograde Apr 23 – May 17, 2036 for each sign
Read your rising sign first if you know it, since it sets the houses; then your Sun sign. Houses are counted from your sign in whole-sign style. The birthdays show whose Sun the retrograde touches directly: Mercury covers 9° Taurus to 18° Taurus, and the Sun moves about one degree a day, so the dates are approximate.
Aries: 2nd house
Area of life: money, income, possessions and self-worth. Bills, invoices, subscriptions and price quotes need a second look; a payment can arrive late or wrong. What to do: check statements line by line, chase what you are owed, and re-read the terms before any purchase you could postpone.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Aries Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Taurus: 1st house
Area of life: your body, identity and how you come across. You rethink how you present yourself and what you say you want, and old statements get quoted back at you. What to do: re-read anything you send about yourself, from a bio to an application to a big announcement, and change your mind openly if you need to.
Strongest for Taurus born around April 29 – May 9 (Sun at 9°–18°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Gemini: 12th house
Area of life: rest, solitude, endings and what you keep private. The noise is inside: overthinking, vivid dreams and things you never said. What to do: write it down before you say it, sleep more, and finish something privately before you announce it.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Gemini Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Cancer: 11th house
Area of life: friends, groups and long-term hopes. Group chats misfire, plans with friends fall through, and old friends reappear. What to do: confirm arrangements twice, reconnect with one person you lost touch with, and review the goals you set a year ago.
Easier for Cancer born around June 30 – July 10 (Sun at 9°–18°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Leo: 10th house
Area of life: career, reputation and public role. Career conversations loop back: a delayed decision, a former boss, a public statement you want to rephrase. What to do: update your CV and portfolio, re-read before you publish, and follow up on an application you had given up on.
Strongest for Leo born around July 31 – August 11 (Sun at 9°–18°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Virgo: 9th house
Area of life: travel, study, beliefs and publishing. Travel plans, courses, visas and publishing dates shift, and you revise an opinion you were sure of. What to do: recheck bookings and documents, leave slack in an itinerary, and return to a course or a text you left unfinished.
Easier for Virgo born around September 1–11 (Sun at 9°–18°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Libra: 8th house
Area of life: shared money, debts, intimacy and trust. Shared money, taxes, debts and insurance paperwork come back with corrections, and so do conversations about trust. What to do: go through joint accounts and old forms carefully, and have the honest talk in two calm parts.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Libra Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Scorpio: 7th house
Area of life: partnerships, marriage and one-to-one relationships. Misunderstandings with a partner or a client; a past partner may get in touch, and agreements need rewording. What to do: ask what the other person actually meant, and re-read a contract with a partner or client before you sign.
Strongest for Scorpio born around November 1–11 (Sun at 9°–18°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Sagittarius: 6th house
Area of life: daily work, routines and health habits. Work details slip: calendars, handovers, tools, and small errors that multiply. What to do: double-check deadlines and files, clean up your task list, and rebuild one routine that stopped working.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Sagittarius Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Capricorn: 5th house
Area of life: romance, creativity, children and fun. An old flame, an old hobby or an unfinished creative draft comes back, and plans for fun get rescheduled. What to do: edit the draft instead of starting a new one, and treat a returning romance as a conversation to finish, with the decision later.
Easier for Capricorn born around December 31 – January 10 (Sun at 9°–18°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Aquarius: 4th house
Area of life: home, family, roots and where you live. Home and family logistics get tangled: leases, repairs, a talk with a parent that you have had before. What to do: recheck the paperwork about where you live, finish the repair you started, and let a family conversation take two rounds.
Strongest for Aquarius born around January 29 – February 8 (Sun at 9°–18°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Pisces: 3rd house
Area of life: communication, learning, siblings and short trips. Messages cross, short trips change, and siblings or neighbours resurface with unfinished conversations. What to do: confirm times and addresses, back up your phone, and reply after a second read rather than at once.
Easier for Pisces born around February 27 – March 9 (Sun at 9°–18°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Mercury retrograde Aug 25 – Sep 17, 2036 for each sign
Read your rising sign first if you know it, since it sets the houses; then your Sun sign. Houses are counted from your sign in whole-sign style. The birthdays show whose Sun the retrograde touches directly: Mercury covers 10° Virgo to 24° Virgo, and the Sun moves about one degree a day, so the dates are approximate.
Aries: 6th house
Area of life: daily work, routines and health habits. Work details slip: calendars, handovers, tools, and small errors that multiply. What to do: double-check deadlines and files, clean up your task list, and rebuild one routine that stopped working.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Aries Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Taurus: 5th house
Area of life: romance, creativity, children and fun. An old flame, an old hobby or an unfinished creative draft comes back, and plans for fun get rescheduled. What to do: edit the draft instead of starting a new one, and treat a returning romance as a conversation to finish, with the decision later.
Easier for Taurus born around April 30 – May 15 (Sun at 10°–24°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Gemini: 4th house
Area of life: home, family, roots and where you live. Home and family logistics get tangled: leases, repairs, a talk with a parent that you have had before. What to do: recheck the paperwork about where you live, finish the repair you started, and let a family conversation take two rounds.
Strongest for Gemini born around May 31 – June 15 (Sun at 10°–24°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Cancer: 3rd house
Area of life: communication, learning, siblings and short trips. Messages cross, short trips change, and siblings or neighbours resurface with unfinished conversations. What to do: confirm times and addresses, back up your phone, and reply after a second read rather than at once.
Easier for Cancer born around July 1–16 (Sun at 10°–24°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Leo: 2nd house
Area of life: money, income, possessions and self-worth. Bills, invoices, subscriptions and price quotes need a second look; a payment can arrive late or wrong. What to do: check statements line by line, chase what you are owed, and re-read the terms before any purchase you could postpone.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Leo Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Virgo: 1st house
Area of life: your body, identity and how you come across. You rethink how you present yourself and what you say you want, and old statements get quoted back at you. What to do: re-read anything you send about yourself, from a bio to an application to a big announcement, and change your mind openly if you need to.
Strongest for Virgo born around September 2–17 (Sun at 10°–24°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Libra: 12th house
Area of life: rest, solitude, endings and what you keep private. The noise is inside: overthinking, vivid dreams and things you never said. What to do: write it down before you say it, sleep more, and finish something privately before you announce it.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Libra Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Scorpio: 11th house
Area of life: friends, groups and long-term hopes. Group chats misfire, plans with friends fall through, and old friends reappear. What to do: confirm arrangements twice, reconnect with one person you lost touch with, and review the goals you set a year ago.
Easier for Scorpio born around November 2–17 (Sun at 10°–24°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Sagittarius: 10th house
Area of life: career, reputation and public role. Career conversations loop back: a delayed decision, a former boss, a public statement you want to rephrase. What to do: update your CV and portfolio, re-read before you publish, and follow up on an application you had given up on.
Strongest for Sagittarius born around December 2–17 (Sun at 10°–24°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Capricorn: 9th house
Area of life: travel, study, beliefs and publishing. Travel plans, courses, visas and publishing dates shift, and you revise an opinion you were sure of. What to do: recheck bookings and documents, leave slack in an itinerary, and return to a course or a text you left unfinished.
Easier for Capricorn born around January 1–16 (Sun at 10°–24°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Aquarius: 8th house
Area of life: shared money, debts, intimacy and trust. Shared money, taxes, debts and insurance paperwork come back with corrections, and so do conversations about trust. What to do: go through joint accounts and old forms carefully, and have the honest talk in two calm parts.
Mercury makes no major angle to a Aquarius Sun this time, so the house carries the reading.
Pisces: 7th house
Area of life: partnerships, marriage and one-to-one relationships. Misunderstandings with a partner or a client; a past partner may get in touch, and agreements need rewording. What to do: ask what the other person actually meant, and re-read a contract with a partner or client before you sign.
Strongest for Pisces born around February 28 – March 16 (Sun at 10°–24°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Mercury retrograde Dec 15, 2036 – Jan 3, 2037 for each sign
Read your rising sign first if you know it, since it sets the houses; then your Sun sign. Houses are counted from your sign in whole-sign style. The birthdays show whose Sun the retrograde touches directly: Mercury covers 24° Sagittarius to 11° Capricorn, and the Sun moves about one degree a day, so the dates are approximate.
Aries: 10th house, then 9th
Until Dec 26 (Capricorn), 10th house: career, reputation and public role. Career conversations loop back: a delayed decision, a former boss, a public statement you want to rephrase. What to do: update your CV and portfolio, re-read before you publish, and follow up on an application you had given up on.
From Dec 26 (Sagittarius), 9th house: travel, study, beliefs and publishing. Travel plans, courses, visas and publishing dates shift, and you revise an opinion you were sure of. What to do: recheck bookings and documents, leave slack in an itinerary, and return to a course or a text you left unfinished.
Strongest for Aries born around March 20 – April 1 (Sun at 0°–11°): Mercury squares your Sun. Easier for Aries born around April 13–20 (Sun at 24°–29°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Taurus: 9th house, then 8th
Until Dec 26 (Capricorn), 9th house: travel, study, beliefs and publishing. Travel plans, courses, visas and publishing dates shift, and you revise an opinion you were sure of. What to do: recheck bookings and documents, leave slack in an itinerary, and return to a course or a text you left unfinished.
From Dec 26 (Sagittarius), 8th house: shared money, debts, intimacy and trust. Shared money, taxes, debts and insurance paperwork come back with corrections, and so do conversations about trust. What to do: go through joint accounts and old forms carefully, and have the honest talk in two calm parts.
Easier for Taurus born around April 20 – May 2 (Sun at 0°–11°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Gemini: 8th house, then 7th
Until Dec 26 (Capricorn), 8th house: shared money, debts, intimacy and trust. Shared money, taxes, debts and insurance paperwork come back with corrections, and so do conversations about trust. What to do: go through joint accounts and old forms carefully, and have the honest talk in two calm parts.
From Dec 26 (Sagittarius), 7th house: partnerships, marriage and one-to-one relationships. Misunderstandings with a partner or a client; a past partner may get in touch, and agreements need rewording. What to do: ask what the other person actually meant, and re-read a contract with a partner or client before you sign.
Strongest for Gemini born around June 14–20 (Sun at 24°–29°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Cancer: 7th house, then 6th
Until Dec 26 (Capricorn), 7th house: partnerships, marriage and one-to-one relationships. Misunderstandings with a partner or a client; a past partner may get in touch, and agreements need rewording. What to do: ask what the other person actually meant, and re-read a contract with a partner or client before you sign.
From Dec 26 (Sagittarius), 6th house: daily work, routines and health habits. Work details slip: calendars, handovers, tools, and small errors that multiply. What to do: double-check deadlines and files, clean up your task list, and rebuild one routine that stopped working.
Strongest for Cancer born around June 21 – July 3 (Sun at 0°–11°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Leo: 6th house, then 5th
Until Dec 26 (Capricorn), 6th house: daily work, routines and health habits. Work details slip: calendars, handovers, tools, and small errors that multiply. What to do: double-check deadlines and files, clean up your task list, and rebuild one routine that stopped working.
From Dec 26 (Sagittarius), 5th house: romance, creativity, children and fun. An old flame, an old hobby or an unfinished creative draft comes back, and plans for fun get rescheduled. What to do: edit the draft instead of starting a new one, and treat a returning romance as a conversation to finish, with the decision later.
Easier for Leo born around August 16–22 (Sun at 24°–29°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Virgo: 5th house, then 4th
Until Dec 26 (Capricorn), 5th house: romance, creativity, children and fun. An old flame, an old hobby or an unfinished creative draft comes back, and plans for fun get rescheduled. What to do: edit the draft instead of starting a new one, and treat a returning romance as a conversation to finish, with the decision later.
From Dec 26 (Sagittarius), 4th house: home, family, roots and where you live. Home and family logistics get tangled: leases, repairs, a talk with a parent that you have had before. What to do: recheck the paperwork about where you live, finish the repair you started, and let a family conversation take two rounds.
Easier for Virgo born around August 23 – September 4 (Sun at 0°–11°): Mercury trines your Sun. Strongest for Virgo born around September 16–22 (Sun at 24°–29°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Libra: 4th house, then 3rd
Until Dec 26 (Capricorn), 4th house: home, family, roots and where you live. Home and family logistics get tangled: leases, repairs, a talk with a parent that you have had before. What to do: recheck the paperwork about where you live, finish the repair you started, and let a family conversation take two rounds.
From Dec 26 (Sagittarius), 3rd house: communication, learning, siblings and short trips. Messages cross, short trips change, and siblings or neighbours resurface with unfinished conversations. What to do: confirm times and addresses, back up your phone, and reply after a second read rather than at once.
Strongest for Libra born around September 23 – October 5 (Sun at 0°–11°): Mercury squares your Sun. Easier for Libra born around October 17–23 (Sun at 24°–29°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Scorpio: 3rd house, then 2nd
Until Dec 26 (Capricorn), 3rd house: communication, learning, siblings and short trips. Messages cross, short trips change, and siblings or neighbours resurface with unfinished conversations. What to do: confirm times and addresses, back up your phone, and reply after a second read rather than at once.
From Dec 26 (Sagittarius), 2nd house: money, income, possessions and self-worth. Bills, invoices, subscriptions and price quotes need a second look; a payment can arrive late or wrong. What to do: check statements line by line, chase what you are owed, and re-read the terms before any purchase you could postpone.
Easier for Scorpio born around October 23 – November 4 (Sun at 0°–11°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Sagittarius: 2nd house, then 1st
Until Dec 26 (Capricorn), 2nd house: money, income, possessions and self-worth. Bills, invoices, subscriptions and price quotes need a second look; a payment can arrive late or wrong. What to do: check statements line by line, chase what you are owed, and re-read the terms before any purchase you could postpone.
From Dec 26 (Sagittarius), 1st house: your body, identity and how you come across. You rethink how you present yourself and what you say you want, and old statements get quoted back at you. What to do: re-read anything you send about yourself, from a bio to an application to a big announcement, and change your mind openly if you need to.
Strongest for Sagittarius born around December 16–22 (Sun at 24°–29°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Capricorn: 1st house, then 12th
Until Dec 26 (Capricorn), 1st house: your body, identity and how you come across. You rethink how you present yourself and what you say you want, and old statements get quoted back at you. What to do: re-read anything you send about yourself, from a bio to an application to a big announcement, and change your mind openly if you need to.
From Dec 26 (Sagittarius), 12th house: rest, solitude, endings and what you keep private. The noise is inside: overthinking, vivid dreams and things you never said. What to do: write it down before you say it, sleep more, and finish something privately before you announce it.
Strongest for Capricorn born around December 21 – January 3 (Sun at 0°–11°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Aquarius: 12th house, then 11th
Until Dec 26 (Capricorn), 12th house: rest, solitude, endings and what you keep private. The noise is inside: overthinking, vivid dreams and things you never said. What to do: write it down before you say it, sleep more, and finish something privately before you announce it.
From Dec 26 (Sagittarius), 11th house: friends, groups and long-term hopes. Group chats misfire, plans with friends fall through, and old friends reappear. What to do: confirm arrangements twice, reconnect with one person you lost touch with, and review the goals you set a year ago.
Easier for Aquarius born around February 13–19 (Sun at 24°–29°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Pisces: 11th house, then 10th
Until Dec 26 (Capricorn), 11th house: friends, groups and long-term hopes. Group chats misfire, plans with friends fall through, and old friends reappear. What to do: confirm arrangements twice, reconnect with one person you lost touch with, and review the goals you set a year ago.
From Dec 26 (Sagittarius), 10th house: career, reputation and public role. Career conversations loop back: a delayed decision, a former boss, a public statement you want to rephrase. What to do: update your CV and portfolio, re-read before you publish, and follow up on an application you had given up on.
Easier for Pisces born around February 18 – March 2 (Sun at 0°–11°): Mercury sextiles your Sun. Strongest for Pisces born around March 15–21 (Sun at 24°–29°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Mercury retrograde 2036: questions
When is Mercury retrograde in 2036?
In 2036: January 1 – January 21 (Capricorn); April 23 – May 17 (Taurus); August 25 – September 17 (Virgo); December 15 – January 3, 2037 (Capricorn back into Sagittarius). Dates are UTC.
When does Mercury go direct in 2036?
Mercury stations direct on January 21, 2036 at 09:42 UTC, at 10°44′ Capricorn. Mercury stations direct on May 17, 2036 at 08:29 UTC, at 9°03′ Taurus. Mercury stations direct on September 17, 2036 at 17:20 UTC, at 10°38′ Virgo.
Which sign is Mercury retrograde in during 2036?
Jan 1 – Jan 21, 2036: from 26°56′ Capricorn back to 10°44′ Capricorn. Apr 23 – May 17, 2036: from 18°38′ Taurus back to 9°03′ Taurus. Aug 25 – Sep 17, 2036: from 24°38′ Virgo back to 10°38′ Virgo. Dec 15, 2036 – Jan 3, 2037: from 11°03′ Capricorn back to 24°45′ Sagittarius.
When is the Mercury retrograde shadow period in 2036?
For the Jan 1 – Jan 21, 2036 retrograde the pre-shadow begins on December 15, 2035 and the post-shadow ends on February 10, 2036. For the Apr 23 – May 17, 2036 retrograde the pre-shadow begins on April 9, 2036 and the post-shadow ends on June 2, 2036. For the Aug 25 – Sep 17, 2036 retrograde the pre-shadow begins on August 5, 2036 and the post-shadow ends on October 2, 2036. For the Dec 15, 2036 – Jan 3, 2037 retrograde the pre-shadow begins on November 27, 2036 and the post-shadow ends on January 23, 2037.
Who is most affected by Mercury retrograde in 2036?
For Jan 1 – Jan 21, 2036 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets between 10° and 26° of Capricorn, and at the same degrees of Aries, Cancer and Libra. For Apr 23 – May 17, 2036 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets between 9° and 18° of Taurus, and at the same degrees of Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. For Aug 25 – Sep 17, 2036 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets between 10° and 24° of Virgo, and at the same degrees of Gemini, Sagittarius and Pisces. For Dec 15, 2036 – Jan 3, 2037 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets from 24° Sagittarius to 11° Capricorn, and at the matching degrees of Gemini, Virgo, Pisces, Aries, Cancer and Libra. Others feel it through the house it falls in for their rising sign.
Is Mercury retrograde in 2037?
Yes: until January 3, 2037; April 5 – April 28, 2037; August 8 – August 31, 2037; November 28 – December 18, 2037.
Sources
The checkable facts on this page come from these external sources. The astrological interpretation is our own.
- Horizons System (planetary ephemeris service) · NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratoryMercury in 2036, computed from JPL Horizons positions: retrograde 2036-01-01 04:24 UTC at 26°56′ Capricorn, direct 2036-01-21 09:42 UTC at 10°44′ Capricorn; retrograde 2036-04-23 13:18 UTC at 18°38′ Taurus, direct 2036-05-17 08:29 UTC at 9°03′ Taurus; retrograde 2036-08-25 19:48 UTC at 24°38′ Virgo, direct 2036-09-17 17:20 UTC at 10°38′ Virgo; retrograde 2036-12-15 02:06 UTC at 11°03′ Capricorn, direct 2037-01-03 22:58 UTC at 24°45′ Sagittarius
- Mercury Facts · NASAMercury orbits the Sun every 88 Earth days, faster than any other planet
- What does it mean for Mercury to be in retrograde? · NASARetrograde motion is an apparent change in a planet's movement through the sky; the planet does not physically move backwards in its orbit
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