Personal Planet Retrograde Cycles: Autumn 2026 and Beyond
Overview
The retrograde cycles of Mercury, Venus and Mars unfold across different periods during autumn 2026 and into 2027, with several overlapping pre-shadow, retrograde and post-shadow phases.
This article presents a series of astrological data visualizations, illustrating the timing of these cycles, their overlaps and the movement of Mercury and Venus through zodiac degrees.
Together, the charts provide a visual perspective on the planetary movements and key events associated with these retrograde periods.
Retrograde Dates
The tables below summarize the key dates and zodiac degrees of the Mercury, Venus and Mars retrograde cycles, including the beginning of each pre-shadow period, the retrograde and direct stations, and the end of each post-shadow period.
All dates are based on GMT.
Mercury Retrograde Cycle Dates
| Phase | Date (GMT) | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-shadow begins | Oct 4, 2026 | 5°02′ Scorpio |
| Station Retrograde (SR) | Oct 24, 2026 | 20°58′ Scorpio |
| Station Direct (SD) | Nov 13, 2026 | 5°02′ Scorpio |
| Post-shadow ends | Nov 30, 2026 | 20°58′ Scorpio |
Venus Retrograde Cycle Dates
| Phase | Date (GMT) | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-shadow begins | Aug 31, 2026 | 22°51′ Libra |
| Station Retrograde (SR) | Oct 3, 2026 | 8°29′ Scorpio |
| Station Direct (SD) | Nov 14, 2026 | 22°51′ Libra |
| Post-shadow ends | Dec 15, 2026 | 8°29′ Scorpio |
Mars Retrograde Cycle Dates
| Phase | Date (GMT) | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-shadow begins | Nov 5, 2026 | 20°55′ Leo |
| Station Retrograde (SR) | Jan 10, 2027 | 10°25′ Virgo |
| Station Direct (SD) | Apr 1, 2027 | 20°55′ Leo |
| Post-shadow ends | Jun 7, 2027 | 10°25′ Virgo |
Retrograde Cycles Timeline
The timeline illustrates the pre-shadow, retrograde and post-shadow phases of Mercury, Venus and Mars from August 2026 through July 2027.
It highlights the periods when these cycles overlap, including the simultaneous retrograde motion of Mercury and Venus in October and November 2026.
The chart also provides a broader view of how the three planets move through their respective cycles over the course of the year.
Mercury Retrograde Cycle in Scorpio
The chart illustrates Mercury‘s movement through Scorpio during its pre-shadow, retrograde and post-shadow phases from October to November 2026.
It highlights three key events: Mercury’s station retrograde on October 24, its conjunction with the Sun on November 4, and its station direct on November 13.
The changes in the direction of the line illustrate Mercury’s apparent backward and forward motion through the zodiac degrees.
Venus Retrograde Cycle in Libra and Scorpio
The chart illustrates Venus‘s movement through Libra and Scorpio during its pre-shadow, retrograde and post-shadow phases from August to December 2026.
It highlights three key events: Venus’s station retrograde in Scorpio on October 3, its conjunction with the Sun on October 24, and its station direct in Libra on November 14.
The changes in the direction of the line illustrate Venus’s apparent backward and forward motion through the zodiac degrees, including its movement between the two signs.
Mercury and Venus Retrograde Paths
This chart shows the paths of Mercury and Venus through Libra and Scorpio during their retrograde cycles in autumn 2026.
Both planets are plotted on the same timeline and zodiac degree scale, showing their changes in direction, the overlap between their retrograde periods, and the points where their paths intersect.
Mars Retrograde Cycle in Leo and Virgo
The chart illustrates Mars‘s movement through Leo and Virgo during its pre-shadow, retrograde and post-shadow phases from November 2026 to June 2027.
It highlights Mars’s station retrograde in Virgo on January 10, 2027, and its station direct in Leo on April 1, 2027.
The line shows how Mars changes direction during its retrograde cycle, moving back into Leo before returning to Virgo.