Today is Thursday, February 26, 2026, and if you woke up to a glitchy alarm, a confusing text from your ex, or a laptop that suddenly decided to run a three-hour “critical update,” don’t panic. You aren’t cursed, and your devices haven’t collectively decided to go on strike.
Mercury Retrograde has officially begun.
From today until March 20, 2026, the planet of communication, technology, and travel is appearing to move backward through the dreamy, emotional sign of Pisces. Because Pisces is a water sign known for its lack of boundaries and deep intuition, this particular retrograde isn’t just about “broken phones”—it’s about emotional fog.
Buckle up. Here is everything you need to know about why your world feels like it’s spinning in reverse and how to survive the next three weeks without losing your mind (or your data).
1. The Science vs. The Symbolism
Before we dive into the “ex-partners and emails” drama, let’s clear up what is actually happening in the sky.
The Optical Illusion
Scientifically, Mercury isn’t actually moving backward. It’s an optical illusion called apparent retrograde motion. Think of it like two cars on a highway: if you are in a faster car (Earth) passing a slower car (Mercury), for a few moments, the slower car looks like it’s drifting backward.
The Astrological “Backspin”
In astrology, Mercury rules the “how” of our lives: how we speak, how we think, how we travel, and how we use technology. When it “goes backward,” those areas of life tend to stall, glitch, or require a “re-do.”
The Pisces Twist: Because Mercury is currently in Pisces—a sign that prefers poetry over spreadsheets—logic is taking a backseat. Expect misunderstandings to be based more on feelings than facts.
2. Why Your Phone and Emails Are Acting Up
Mercury rules the “movement” of information. When it stations retrograde, the digital highways get congested.
The “Send” Button is Your Enemy
During this period, the “unsend” feature is your best friend. You might find yourself:
- Sending an email to the wrong person (always double-check the “To” field!).
- Hitting “Reply All” on a private complaint.
- Autocorrect changing a professional “Thanks!” to something hilariously inappropriate.
The Great Tech Glitch
This is the classic hallmark of the transit. Hard drives crash, screens crack, and Wi-Fi becomes suspiciously temperamental.
The Pro-Tip: Back up your photos and documents today. If you’ve been putting off that cloud backup, do it before the “Mercury Shadow” deepens.
3. The “Ghost of Relationships Past”: Why Exes Return
It’s the Mercury Retrograde cliché for a reason: the 2:00 AM “I saw this and thought of you” text from someone you haven’t spoken to since 2023.
Why now?
Retrogrades are periods of review. The universe is essentially digging through your emotional archives to see if there is any “unfinished business.” In the sign of Pisces, this often manifests as:
- Nostalgia: You might find yourself romanticizing a past relationship that was actually quite toxic.
- Closure: Someone might reappear simply so you can finally say the thing you never got to say.
- Dreaming: Don’t be surprised if your ex-partners show up in your dreams more frequently this week.
The Golden Rule: If an ex reaches out, wait 24 hours before responding. Often, the urge to reconnect disappears as soon as the cosmic “fog” lifts.
4. How Each Sign is Feeling the Hit
While everyone is affected, this retrograde hits differently depending on your zodiac sign.
| Sign | Focus Area | The Advice |
| Aries | Inner Thoughts & Secrets | Spend time alone; don’t overshare. |
| Taurus | Friendships & Networks | Group chats will be chaotic; verify rumors. |
| Gemini | Career & Reputation | Double-check presentations; avoid office gossip. |
| Cancer | Travel & Beliefs | Expect flight delays; keep a flexible itinerary. |
| Leo | Finances & Intimacy | Avoid major investments; talk through insecurities. |
| Virgo | Partnerships | Your “ruling” planet is RX; be patient with your S.O. |
| Libra | Health & Daily Routine | Your schedule will flip; don’t overbook yourself. |
| Scorpio | Creativity & Romance | Old flames resurface; use the energy for art. |
| Sagittarius | Home & Family | Appliances might break; keep the peace with parents. |
| Capricorn | Communication | Think twice before speaking; emails will go missing. |
| Aquarius | Money & Values | Check your bank statements for “phantom” charges. |
| Pisces | Identity & Self | You’re the “main character” of this mess. Take a nap. |
5. The Survival Guide: Dos and Don’ts
DO:
- RE-fix, RE-view, and RE-vise: This is a “RE” period. It’s the perfect time to finish that half-written novel or clean out your closet.
- Leave early: If you have a flight or a meeting, give yourself a 20-minute “Mercury Buffer.”
- Read the fine print: If you must sign a contract, read it three times. Then have someone else read it.
DON’T:
- Buy new tech: Unless your laptop literally explodes, wait until after March 20 to buy that new iPhone.
- Start a “Define the Relationship” talk: Conversations about the future of a relationship usually go in circles right now.
- Make impulsive hair changes: Retrograde bangs are rarely a good idea.
Final Thoughts
Mercury Retrograde isn’t meant to punish you; it’s meant to make you slow down. We live in a world that demands instant responses and constant “forward” motion. The universe is simply forcing a “system update.”
Take a deep breath, charge your phone, and remember: if your ex texts you today, it’s probably just the planets being mess
