EYE ON THE SKY: MERCURY RETROGRADE IN AQUARIUS

February 26th – March 20th, 2026

Mercury retrograde February 26th at 28 degrees Aquarius

Everyone is afraid of Mercury retrograde, and it gets far more bad press than it deserves. Let me be clear: this mode of transportation is not bad for everyone. However, this particular retrograde has a unique and complex picture of the sky that is worth understanding carefully. Because Mercury is not transiting Aquarius alone.

First of all, the basics. If you are born with Mercury retrograde in your birth chart, you are more intuitive than analytical and pattern-oriented rather than linear. Observe whether this period actually feels somewhat natural to you. Its introverted, reflective nature may be more familiar than alien. For others, Mercury’s normal flow of energy is disrupted. Communications, technology, contracts, and logistics will be areas that will require more patience and redundancy. Back up your computer now, process any important business transactions by February 26th, and don’t give yourself or others any room for misunderstanding by assuming messages were received or understood.

Zodiac sign: Aquarius and its karmic weight

Aquarius is an air sign. This is important, so I want to be precise here. In Vedic astrology, Aquarius is not the watery sign that some descriptions suggest. It is a fixed atmosphere, structured, internalized, and driven by strong mental focus. Its co-rulers are Saturn and Rahu, the combination of which gives Aquarius a quality of deep karmic pressure. This is a sign that you are moving past old debts, old patterns, and old obligations that demand resolution.

When Mercury retrogrades in Aquarius, Mercury actually gains what is called Cheshta Bala. This is the kind of strength that comes from retrograde itself, as Mercury is closer to Earth and moving more violently. Therefore, Mercury here will not become weak or obscure. It is more powerful, but unstable – like a powerful engine running backwards. The mind is highly internalized, stirring up unresolved questions, karmic debts in communication and relationships, and things left unsaid and undone. This is not a time for spiritual liberation in the sense of creative wanderings or dreams. It is a period of reckoning to resolve what remains incomplete, ruled by Mercury. Friends, relatives, communication, agreements, mental patterns that keep recycling. Aquarius, with the discipline of Saturn and the unrelenting pressure of Rahu, will keep you on a task until it is completed.

Purvabhadrapada: The beginning of mercury

Mercury station is retrograde at 28 degrees Aquarius and is located in Nakshatra Purvabhadrapada at the beginning of this transit. This is a nakshatra of deep intensity, associated with great scientists, inquisitive philosophical thinking, and transformative insights. There’s a fiery, piercing quality here. When Mercury begins its retrograde journey in this Nakshatra, the mind is asked to be deep rather than broad, to investigate rather than conclude. It’s not a comfortable place for surface-level thinking, but it’s very productive for research, inner work, and pointed questions you’ve been avoiding.

Conjunction: March 14th and March 16th

This is where this retrograde becomes especially important. Mercury does not transit through Aquarius alone. Both Mars and Rahu are also in Aquarius during this retrograde period.

Mars and Mercury are enemies in Vedic astrology. On March 14th, the two sides crossed paths, and the friction between them became more serious. Mars wants to act. Mercury wants to think. Mars moves forward. Mercury retrograde pulls you backwards. This combination can result in intense mental agitation, rapidly escalating arguments, and the classic Mercury-Mars accident pattern: getting so caught up in the discussion in your head that you can’t focus on what’s in front of you. Around March 14th, you should be extremely careful on the roads and in close communication.

And on March 16th, Mercury will cross over Rahu. Rahu amplifies, clings to and obscures. When Mercury meets Rahu, the mind can become overwhelmed with too many thoughts, too many directions, and confusion about what is real and what is projection. The combination of Rahu and Mercury can increase mental restlessness and create a fog in clear decision making. Now is not the time to sign contracts, make big promises, or believe that things are clear. If you want to understand the deeper nature of Rahu and how to work with it instead of getting swallowed up by it, I delve into this thoroughly in my Rahu and Ketu: Understanding and Healing the Karmic Axis course. With 21 classes, we cover exactly how to navigate Rahu’s energy in your chart and in your life.

Mercury Station Directly Conjuncts Rahu: March 20th

This is the most notable feature of this retrograde. When Mercury goes direct on March 20th, it will be less than 1 degree from Rahu. Pausing before a planet resides and changes direction is already the most powerful and most focused state. Mercury’s placement directly above Rahu strengthens everything that both planets signify. Communication, information, and thinking ability on the Mercury side. Attachment, illusion and amplification of karma on Rahu side. In fact, the fog may feel the thickest at the moment the retrograde ends. Allow a few more days before considering the water completely clear.

Gracenote: Aspect of Jupiter

I don’t want to leave you with only challenges because there is real support in this sky. Jupiter in Gemini casts a 5th house aspect to Aquarius throughout this retrograde period. Jupiter’s influence here is like a wise elder watching over a turbulent river. It can’t stop the flow, but it provides a quality of grace, perspective, and protection that makes it feel less overwhelming. For those of us with sincere spiritual practices during this time, Jupiter’s aspect can help us find the teaching in the chaos, rather than just being at its mercy.

remedies

Meditation is your most powerful tool during Mercury Retrograde, especially this time. The combination of Mars, Rahu and retrograde Mercury in Aquarius creates conditions for significant mental agitation. Meditation is specifically designed to address that. Consistent daily practice creates the mental distance to observe without being swallowed up by mental clutter.

Beyond Meditation: A slow, grounding yoga to counter the Rahu/Aquarius dispersion. Movement to constructively channel the compressed energy of Mars. Practice conscious communication — listen more than you talk, write down important things, and acknowledge receipt of important messages. If old disputes with friends or community members resurface (Mercury rules friends and relatives), resist the temptation to escalate. These conversations are almost certainly colored by retrograde fog.

The planet is not punishing you. they are teaching you. At its core, Mercury Retrograde asks you to think before you react, to trust your deep knowledge over superficial logic, and to leave some things unresolved. March 20th is coming. The water will calm down. And you may find that what felt like confusion was actually necessary preparation.

even deeper

Rahu and Ketu: Understanding and Healing the Karmic Axis 2.0

Rahu’s energy is one of the most difficult to navigate. And this retrograde brings it to the forefront. My 21 class Rahu and Ketu course delves into how to understand and heal the karmic axis. A practical tool for working with past life patterns, how Rahu works in a particular chart, and not getting carried away by its amplifying obsessive energy.

Explore the course — $197

Secrets of the moon, heart, and emotions

Mercury rules the thinking mind, and when Mercury is retrograde and under the influence of Rahu, understanding the relationship between the mind, emotions, and chart is more important than ever. My “Secrets of the Moon” course delves into how the Moon’s nakshatras shape the entire emotional structure of your chart, and how to work with your mental and emotional patterns rather than letting them control you.

Explore courses — $225

About the author

Barry Rosen has been practicing Vedic Astrology since 1987. He has visited and studied in India four times and has lectured many times at the Sedona Vedic Astrology Conference since 1999 and at the British Association of Vedic Astrologers in London since 2006. He has been involved in Vedic culture since 1973, has been teaching meditation and yoga for many years, and is a published poet.

More recently, he has conducted pioneering research in other areas of Vedic astrology, including the regional nature of Vedic astrology, the influence of current physical location on the chart, linking astrology to hatha yoga for therapeutic purposes, and developing transformative healing work for navigating through karma and the spiritual dimensions of Vedic astrology. He is a Neo-Vedic astrologer and uses outer planets. He is particularly interested in Jaimini astrology and the soul’s journey through the material world, its karma and purpose, and has attended live seminars with Sanjay Rath in London.

If you have any questions, please email Barry. [email protected] Or call Fortucast at 800-788-2796.