Mercury Retrograde in Pisces (February 26 - March 20)

February 6 at 2:48 PM Pacific time, Mercury—our celestial governor of data and linearity—wades into the deep waters of Pisces, preparing for an unusually lengthy stay (through April 15!) marked by a retrograde.

The timing here is nothing short of cinematic, given we are currently standing in the wake of a massive energetic departure: Neptune just ended a 15-year residency in the sign of Pisces, and Saturn is out on February 13. Meaning when Mercury assumes its apparent retrograde motion, it will be in a realm recently vacated by titans. The fog machine has been unplugged, court has been adjourned, and the place is finally feeling chill again.

But if you, like everyone with a major Pisces placement, are feeling defeated, drained, or disenchanted as a major era of challenge draws to a close, try thinking of this upcoming retrograde as a necessary retrospective. This is as good a time as it gets to metabolize the lessons you've learned going all the way back to 2011. Metaphorically speaking, what did you build? What did you burn? How did you change? Does anything of particular note characterize the last three years for you?

Plus Eclipse Season? In This Economy?!

The plot twists on March 3 during the Virgo Full Moon Lunar Eclipse (a major culmination). As the ruler of Virgo, Mercury is technically in charge, but because he will be retrograde and swimming through the emotional deep end, his usual demand for spreadsheets and order will be unavailable. Expect a "beautiful glitch"—a moment where logic surrenders entirely to feeling.

Thankfully, this eclipse forms a lush sextile to Jupiter in Cancer, suggesting that if we stop trying to force linear progress, we will be caught by something softer and more expansive. Dare I say magical.

DO: The Great Review. This is a time for "re" words: Revise, Repair, Reconnect, Redecorate. If it’s already on your desk, you have cosmic permission to finish it with flourish. Finally polish that manuscript, edit the film, or complete the archived project that has been haunting your Google Drive since 2024.

DON'T: The Grand Opening. Resist the urge to launch the flagship product, sign the binding 30-year lease, or hard-launch a new relationship. Mercury in Pisces is a poet, not a lawyer. If you must sign something, read the fine print twice, preferably while sober.

DO: Aggressive Leisure. Since linear productivity is off the table, lean into the curve. Wandering is highly encouraged. Go to the gallery, take the long way home, and let your mind float. The best ideas often arrive when you stop trying to hunt them down.

DON'T: Text the Ex. Just because the veil is thin and nostalgia is high does not mean you need to reopen a book you already finished reading. Remember: we are metabolizing the past, not repeating it.

DO: Trust the Glitch. When the schedule breaks or the email doesn’t send, take a breath. The universe is likely saving you from a mistake you didn't know you were about to make. Assume the delay is in your best interest.