Mercury retrograde · 2042
Mercury retrograde 2042: dates, degrees and what it means for each sign
Everything about Mercury retrograde in 2042 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 2042: January 10 – January 30 (Aquarius back into Capricorn), May 5 – May 29 (Taurus), September 5 – September 27 (Libra back into Virgo) and December 25 – January 14, 2043 (Capricorn). With the shadow periods, each cycle lasts about eight weeks.
Mercury retrograde 2042: the dates
- January 10 – January 30, 2042 (20 days). Mercury stations retrograde on January 10, 2042 at 02:48 UTC, at 6°13′ Aquarius (the evening of January 9 in US time zones), backs into Capricorn on January 18. Mercury stations direct on January 30, 2042 at 15:32 UTC, at 20°10′ Capricorn.
- May 5 – May 29, 2042 (23 days). Mercury stations retrograde on May 5, 2042 at 05:13 UTC, at 29°45′ Taurus. Mercury stations direct on May 29, 2042 at 01:31 UTC, at 20°47′ Taurus (the evening of May 28 in US time zones).
- September 5 – September 27, 2042 (22 days). Mercury stations retrograde on September 5, 2042 at 11:21 UTC, at 4°34′ Libra, backs into Virgo on September 14. Mercury stations direct on September 27, 2042 at 22:18 UTC, at 20°03′ Virgo.
- December 25, 2042 – January 14, 2043 (20 days). Mercury stations retrograde on December 25, 2042 at 00:44 UTC, at 20°16′ Capricorn (the evening of December 24 in US time zones). Mercury stations direct on January 14, 2043 at 01:50 UTC, at 4°01′ Capricorn (the evening of January 13 in US time zones).
Mercury is retrograde three or four times a year, for about three weeks each time.
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 2042: all dates
| Retrograde (UTC dates) | From | To | Shadow period | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 10 – Jan 30, 2042 | 6° Aquarius | 20° Capricorn | Dec 24, 2041 – Feb 19, 2042 | 20 days |
| May 5 – May 29, 2042 | 29° Taurus | 20° Taurus | Apr 21 – Jun 13, 2042 | 23 days |
| Sep 5 – Sep 27, 2042 | 4° Libra | 20° Virgo | Aug 16 – Oct 12, 2042 | 22 days |
| Dec 25, 2042 – Jan 14, 2043 | 20° Capricorn | 4° Capricorn | Dec 7, 2042 – Feb 2, 2043 | 20 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 10 – Jan 30, 2042: key dates
| Date (UTC) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Dec 24, 2041 | Pre-retrograde shadow begins: Mercury first crosses 20°10′ Capricorn, the degree where it will later turn direct |
| Jan 10, 2042, 02:48 UTC | Mercury stations retrograde at 6°13′ Aquarius (the evening of January 9 in US time zones) |
| Jan 18, 2042 | Mercury backs out of Aquarius into Capricorn |
| Jan 30, 2042, 15:32 UTC | Mercury stations direct at 20°10′ Capricorn |
| Feb 14, 2042 | Mercury re-enters Aquarius, moving forward |
| Feb 19, 2042 | Post-retrograde shadow ends: Mercury passes 6°13′ Aquarius 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 May 5 – May 29, 2042: key dates
| Date (UTC) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Apr 21, 2042 | Pre-retrograde shadow begins: Mercury first crosses 20°47′ Taurus, the degree where it will later turn direct |
| May 5, 2042, 05:13 UTC | Mercury stations retrograde at 29°45′ Taurus |
| May 29, 2042, 01:31 UTC | Mercury stations direct at 20°47′ Taurus (the evening of May 28 in US time zones) |
| Jun 13, 2042 | Post-retrograde shadow ends: Mercury passes 29°45′ 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 Sep 5 – Sep 27, 2042: key dates
| Date (UTC) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Aug 16, 2042 | Pre-retrograde shadow begins: Mercury first crosses 20°03′ Virgo, the degree where it will later turn direct |
| Sep 5, 2042, 11:21 UTC | Mercury stations retrograde at 4°34′ Libra |
| Sep 14, 2042 | Mercury backs out of Libra into Virgo |
| Sep 27, 2042, 22:18 UTC | Mercury stations direct at 20°03′ Virgo |
| Oct 9, 2042 | Mercury re-enters Libra, moving forward |
| Oct 12, 2042 | Post-retrograde shadow ends: Mercury passes 4°34′ Libra 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 25, 2042 – Jan 14, 2043: key dates
| Date (UTC) | What happens |
|---|---|
| Dec 7, 2042 | Pre-retrograde shadow begins: Mercury first crosses 4°01′ Capricorn, the degree where it will later turn direct |
| Dec 25, 2042, 00:44 UTC | Mercury stations retrograde at 20°16′ Capricorn (the evening of December 24 in US time zones) |
| Jan 14, 2043, 01:50 UTC | Mercury stations direct at 4°01′ Capricorn (the evening of January 13 in US time zones) |
| Feb 2, 2043 | Post-retrograde shadow ends: Mercury passes 20°16′ 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 10 – Jan 30, 2042: Mars (Dec 28, 2041 – Mar 18, 2042), Uranus (Nov 17, 2041 – Apr 15, 2042), Neptune (Aug 10, 2041 – Jan 15, 2042).
- May 5 – May 29, 2042: Jupiter (Mar 18 – Jul 19, 2042), Saturn (Feb 13 – Jul 2, 2042).
- Sep 5 – Sep 27, 2042: Neptune (Aug 13, 2042 – Jan 17, 2043), Pluto (May 30 – Nov 10, 2042).
- Dec 25, 2042 – Jan 14, 2043: Uranus (Nov 22, 2042 – Apr 20, 2043), Neptune (Aug 13, 2042 – Jan 17, 2043).
The whole year is on the retrograde calendar 2042.
What Mercury retrograde means in 2042
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 Aquarius the subject is groups, networks, technology and the balance between freedom and control. 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 Libra the subject is partnership, fairness, agreements and balance. In Virgo the subject is work, routines, health habits and attention to detail.
Who notices it most. For Jan 10 – Jan 30, 2042 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets from 20° Capricorn to 6° Aquarius, and at the matching degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, Taurus, Leo and Scorpio. For May 5 – May 29, 2042 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets between 20° and 29° of Taurus, and at the same degrees of Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. For Sep 5 – Sep 27, 2042 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets from 20° Virgo to 4° Libra, and at the matching degrees of Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces, Aries, Cancer and Capricorn. For Dec 25, 2042 – Jan 14, 2043 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets between 4° and 20° of Capricorn, and at the same degrees of 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 10 – Jan 30, 2042 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 20° Capricorn to 6° Aquarius, and the Sun moves about one degree a day, so the dates are approximate.
Aries: 11th house, then 10th
Until Jan 18 (Aquarius), 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 Jan 18 (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.
Easier for Aries born around March 20–27 (Sun at 0°–6°): Mercury sextiles your Sun. Strongest for Aries born around April 9–20 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Taurus: 10th house, then 9th
Until Jan 18 (Aquarius), 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 Jan 18 (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.
Strongest for Taurus born around April 20–27 (Sun at 0°–6°): Mercury squares your Sun. Easier for Taurus born around May 10–20 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Gemini: 9th house, then 8th
Until Jan 18 (Aquarius), 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 Jan 18 (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.
Easier for Gemini born around May 21–28 (Sun at 0°–6°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Cancer: 8th house, then 7th
Until Jan 18 (Aquarius), 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 Jan 18 (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.
Strongest for Cancer born around July 11–21 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Leo: 7th house, then 6th
Until Jan 18 (Aquarius), 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 Jan 18 (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.
Strongest for Leo born around July 22–29 (Sun at 0°–6°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Virgo: 6th house, then 5th
Until Jan 18 (Aquarius), 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 Jan 18 (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.
Easier for Virgo born around September 12–22 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Libra: 5th house, then 4th
Until Jan 18 (Aquarius), 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 Jan 18 (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.
Easier for Libra born around September 23–30 (Sun at 0°–6°): Mercury trines your Sun. Strongest for Libra born around October 13–23 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Scorpio: 4th house, then 3rd
Until Jan 18 (Aquarius), 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 Jan 18 (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.
Strongest for Scorpio born around October 23–30 (Sun at 0°–6°): Mercury squares your Sun. Easier for Scorpio born around November 12–22 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Sagittarius: 3rd house, then 2nd
Until Jan 18 (Aquarius), 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 Jan 18 (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.
Easier for Sagittarius born around November 22–29 (Sun at 0°–6°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Capricorn: 2nd house, then 1st
Until Jan 18 (Aquarius), 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 Jan 18 (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.
Strongest for Capricorn born around January 11–21 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Aquarius: 1st house, then 12th
Until Jan 18 (Aquarius), 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 Jan 18 (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.
Strongest for Aquarius born around January 20–27 (Sun at 0°–6°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Pisces: 12th house, then 11th
Until Jan 18 (Aquarius), 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 Jan 18 (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.
Easier for Pisces born around March 10–21 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Mercury retrograde May 5 – May 29, 2042 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 20° Taurus to 29° 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 May 10–20 (Sun at 20°–29°): 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 July 11–21 (Sun at 20°–29°): 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 August 12–22 (Sun at 20°–29°): 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 12–22 (Sun at 20°–29°): 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 12–22 (Sun at 20°–29°): 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 January 11–21 (Sun at 20°–29°): 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 February 9–19 (Sun at 20°–29°): 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 March 10–21 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Mercury retrograde Sep 5 – Sep 27, 2042 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 20° Virgo to 4° Libra, and the Sun moves about one degree a day, so the dates are approximate.
Aries: 7th house, then 6th
Until Sep 14 (Libra), 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 Sep 14 (Virgo), 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 Aries born around March 20–25 (Sun at 0°–4°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Taurus: 6th house, then 5th
Until Sep 14 (Libra), 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 Sep 14 (Virgo), 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 Taurus born around May 10–20 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Gemini: 5th house, then 4th
Until Sep 14 (Libra), 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 Sep 14 (Virgo), 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 Gemini born around May 21–26 (Sun at 0°–4°): Mercury trines your Sun. Strongest for Gemini born around June 10–20 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Cancer: 4th house, then 3rd
Until Sep 14 (Libra), 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 Sep 14 (Virgo), 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 Cancer born around June 21–26 (Sun at 0°–4°): Mercury squares your Sun. Easier for Cancer born around July 11–21 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Leo: 3rd house, then 2nd
Until Sep 14 (Libra), 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 Sep 14 (Virgo), 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 Leo born around July 22–27 (Sun at 0°–4°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Virgo: 2nd house, then 1st
Until Sep 14 (Libra), 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 Sep 14 (Virgo), 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 Virgo born around September 12–22 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Libra: 1st house, then 12th
Until Sep 14 (Libra), 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 Sep 14 (Virgo), 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 Libra born around September 23–28 (Sun at 0°–4°): Mercury retrogrades over your Sun.
Scorpio: 12th house, then 11th
Until Sep 14 (Libra), 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 Sep 14 (Virgo), 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 Scorpio born around November 12–22 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Sagittarius: 11th house, then 10th
Until Sep 14 (Libra), 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 Sep 14 (Virgo), 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 Sagittarius born around November 22–27 (Sun at 0°–4°): Mercury sextiles your Sun. Strongest for Sagittarius born around December 12–22 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury squares your Sun.
Capricorn: 10th house, then 9th
Until Sep 14 (Libra), 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 Sep 14 (Virgo), 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 Capricorn born around December 21–26 (Sun at 0°–4°): Mercury squares your Sun. Easier for Capricorn born around January 11–21 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Aquarius: 9th house, then 8th
Until Sep 14 (Libra), 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 Sep 14 (Virgo), 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 Aquarius born around January 20–25 (Sun at 0°–4°): Mercury trines your Sun.
Pisces: 8th house, then 7th
Until Sep 14 (Libra), 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 Sep 14 (Virgo), 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 Pisces born around March 10–21 (Sun at 20°–29°): Mercury is opposite your Sun.
Mercury retrograde Dec 25, 2042 – Jan 14, 2043 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 4° Capricorn to 20° 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 24 – April 10 (Sun at 4°–20°): 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 24 – May 11 (Sun at 4°–20°): 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 June 25 – July 12 (Sun at 4°–20°): 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 August 27 – September 13 (Sun at 4°–20°): 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 September 27 – October 14 (Sun at 4°–20°): 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 October 27 – November 13 (Sun at 4°–20°): 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 December 25 – January 12 (Sun at 4°–20°): 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 22 – March 11 (Sun at 4°–20°): Mercury sextiles your Sun.
Mercury retrograde 2042: questions
When is Mercury retrograde in 2042?
In 2042: January 10 – January 30 (Aquarius back into Capricorn); May 5 – May 29 (Taurus); September 5 – September 27 (Libra back into Virgo); December 25 – January 14, 2043 (Capricorn). Dates are UTC.
When does Mercury go direct in 2042?
Mercury stations direct on January 30, 2042 at 15:32 UTC, at 20°10′ Capricorn. Mercury stations direct on May 29, 2042 at 01:31 UTC, at 20°47′ Taurus (the evening of May 28 in US time zones). Mercury stations direct on September 27, 2042 at 22:18 UTC, at 20°03′ Virgo.
Which sign is Mercury retrograde in during 2042?
Jan 10 – Jan 30, 2042: from 6°13′ Aquarius back to 20°10′ Capricorn. May 5 – May 29, 2042: from 29°45′ Taurus back to 20°47′ Taurus. Sep 5 – Sep 27, 2042: from 4°34′ Libra back to 20°03′ Virgo. Dec 25, 2042 – Jan 14, 2043: from 20°16′ Capricorn back to 4°01′ Capricorn.
When is the Mercury retrograde shadow period in 2042?
For the Jan 10 – Jan 30, 2042 retrograde the pre-shadow begins on December 24, 2041 and the post-shadow ends on February 19, 2042. For the May 5 – May 29, 2042 retrograde the pre-shadow begins on April 21, 2042 and the post-shadow ends on June 13, 2042. For the Sep 5 – Sep 27, 2042 retrograde the pre-shadow begins on August 16, 2042 and the post-shadow ends on October 12, 2042. For the Dec 25, 2042 – Jan 14, 2043 retrograde the pre-shadow begins on December 7, 2042 and the post-shadow ends on February 2, 2043.
Who is most affected by Mercury retrograde in 2042?
For Jan 10 – Jan 30, 2042 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets from 20° Capricorn to 6° Aquarius, and at the matching degrees of Aries, Cancer, Libra, Taurus, Leo and Scorpio. For May 5 – May 29, 2042 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets between 20° and 29° of Taurus, and at the same degrees of Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius. For Sep 5 – Sep 27, 2042 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets from 20° Virgo to 4° Libra, and at the matching degrees of Gemini, Sagittarius, Pisces, Aries, Cancer and Capricorn. For Dec 25, 2042 – Jan 14, 2043 astrologers look first at people with the Sun, Moon, rising sign or personal planets between 4° and 20° of Capricorn, and at the same degrees of Aries, Cancer and Libra. Others feel it through the house it falls in for their rising sign.
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 2042, computed from JPL Horizons positions: retrograde 2042-01-10 02:48 UTC at 6°13′ Aquarius, direct 2042-01-30 15:32 UTC at 20°10′ Capricorn; retrograde 2042-05-05 05:13 UTC at 29°45′ Taurus, direct 2042-05-29 01:31 UTC at 20°47′ Taurus; retrograde 2042-09-05 11:21 UTC at 4°34′ Libra, direct 2042-09-27 22:18 UTC at 20°03′ Virgo; retrograde 2042-12-25 00:44 UTC at 20°16′ Capricorn, direct 2043-01-14 01:50 UTC at 4°01′ Capricorn
- 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
Early access · US launch
Know what the sky is doing to you
AstraLink reads every transit against your own chart and tells you when to act, wait or rest. Join early access — full chart free at launch.
- First test wave: you’re in before the public launch on October 16
- 3 months of Premium free, then 80% off for a year*
- Free full birth chart + cosmic archetype at launch
- A say in what we build next
AstraLink content is written by our editorial team, reviewed for astrological accuracy, and refreshed as the sky moves. Interpretations are for reflection and entertainment; they are not medical, legal or financial advice.