Retrograde Planets 2025-2026: What Should You Avoid?
📢 NOTE (Nov 19, 2025): This guide covers retrograde planets from late 2025 through early 2026. For a complete 2026 retrograde guide, see our Retrograde Planets 2026 Guide.
Understanding Retrogrades
Retrogrades pause forward motion so we can repair, upgrade, and realign. Instead of dreading them, treat each retrograde as a designated pit stop for review and refinement. This guide covers Mercury through Pluto with exact dates, themes, and tactical checklists, plus a master calendar you can paste into your planner.
Current Retrograde Watch (Nov 19, 2025 onwards):
- Mars Retrograde: Dec 6, 2025 – Feb 23, 2026 (most significant approaching event)
- Jupiter Retrograde: Oct 9 - Feb 4, 2026 (still in progress)
- Neptune Retrograde: Ends Nov 29, 2025 (completing soon)
2025 Retrograde Calendar (UTC)
| Planet | Retrograde Dates | Signs Involved | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercury | Apr 1 – Apr 24 (Aries) | Communication reset | |
| Mercury | Aug 5 – Aug 28 (Virgo/Leo) | Workflow refinements | |
| Mercury | Dec 10 – Dec 31 (Capricorn) | Year-end audits | |
| Venus | Jul 2 – Sep 6 (Leo) | Heart-led creativity | |
| Mars | Dec 6 – Feb 23 2026 (Cancer) | Emotional courage | |
| Jupiter | Oct 9 – Feb 4 2026 (Gemini) | Learning strategy | |
| Saturn | Jun 30 – Nov 15 (Pisces) | Career structure | |
| Uranus | Aug 16 – Jan 27 2026 (Taurus) | Financial innovation | |
| Neptune | Jul 4 – Nov 29 (Pisces) | Spiritual clarity | |
| Pluto | May 3 – Oct 12 (Aquarius/Capricorn) | Systems transformation |
Adjust for your timezone. Mark the shadow periods (two weeks before and after) for smoother transitions.
Mercury Retrograde — Communication Cleanse
Themes: Delays, mis-sent emails, travel hiccups, revision opportunities.
- April cycle (Aries): Re-negotiate leadership roles, reframe pitches, revisit personal branding.
- August cycle (Virgo ↔ Leo): Optimise workflows, clean CRM data, update design assets.
- December cycle (Capricorn): Close the year with audits—financial, legal, and strategic.
Do: Back up devices, double-check meeting invites, slow down speech, rehearse presentations.
Avoid: Signing long-term contracts without legal review, launching brand-new tech stacks, reacting impulsively to miscommunications.
Pair with our playful Mercury Retrograde and Gaming guide for tech-friendly coping strategies.
Venus Retrograde — Heart & Value Review
Jul 2 – Sep 6 in Leo
- Revisit creative portfolios, revamp personal style, assess relationship expectations.
- Old flames or collaborators may resurface—use discernment before reopening doors.
- Budget for indulgent purchases after the retrograde ends; focus now on mood boards and research.
Rituals: Friday gratitude circles, love language check-ins, art museum dates, playlist swaps.
Mars Retrograde — Power with Patience
Dec 6 – Feb 23 2026 in Cancer (shadow begins Oct 4)
- Energy levels ebb; pace workouts and project timelines conservatively.
- Emotional triggers surface—practice somatic release (boxing, breathwork, cold showers).
- Channel assertiveness into protecting home, family, and psychological safety.
Do: Cross-train, plan strategic retreats, rehearse conflict scripts.
Avoid: Rash career moves, passive-aggressive communication, major renovations without support.
Jupiter Retrograde — Learning with Intent
Oct 9 – Feb 4 2026 in Gemini
- Audit courses, refine long-term study plans, revisit content marketing strategies.
- Reconnect with mentors and accountability buddies.
- Pause before overcommitting to new certifications; finish what’s in progress.
Pro tip: Build a “knowledge stack” tracker mapping books, podcasts, and workshops to actual outcomes.
Saturn Retrograde — Structure Check
Jun 30 – Nov 15 in Pisces
- Re-negotiate workloads, documentation, and leadership boundaries.
- Set clear expectations with clients; retool contracts.
- Strengthen spiritual discipline—Saturn in Pisces thrives on grounded intuition (journaling, mindful rituals).
Do: Schedule routine reviews, clean up legacy tasks, practice compassionate accountability.
Avoid: Escaping into fantasy or ignoring burnout signals.
Outer Planet Retrogrades — Collective Themes
Uranus (Taurus)
Innovation in finance, sustainability, and agriculture. Expect iterative upgrades; test resource-saving tech cautiously.
Neptune (Pisces)
Heightened intuition and media discernment. Revisit creative inspiration, therapy modalities, and spiritual teachers.
Pluto (Aquarius → Capricorn)
Systems overhaul. Observe shifts in governance, AI ethics, and community structures. Reevaluate your relationship to power—personally and collectively.
Universal Retrograde Playbook
- Pause + Plan: Schedule review weeks around start and end dates. Set “buffer days” with lighter meetings.
- Document Everything: Keep decision logs, version histories, and annotated notes.
- Communicate Early: Inform teams about delays. Use shared dashboards to reduce confusion.
- Care for the Nervous System: Retrogrades can feel messy. Prioritize sleep, hydration, and grounding practices.
- Celebrate Completion: Retrogrades reward those who tidy loose ends. Host a mini retrograde wrap-up session.
How to Personalize Retrograde Forecasts
- Track which houses retrograde planets activate in your chart. Example: Mercury retrograde in your 4th highlights home projects.
- Note the dasha or profection year you are in (if you follow Vedic or Hellenistic techniques).
- Journal key events during shadow periods; patterns reveal themselves over time.
Tools & Resources
- Download our printable retrograde calendar PDF (coming soon).
- Pair with Daily Horoscope Guide for micro-adjustments.
- Consult Vedic Remedies for Career Success to design supportive routines during Saturn/Jupiter retrogrades.
Final Word
Retrogrades are invitations, not roadblocks. Enter them with curiosity, plan your reviews, and keep your sense of humor. When the planets station direct, you’ll have stronger systems, clearer relationships, and renewed momentum—without the panic.
🎯 Ready to Master Retrogrades?
Navigate retrograde seasons with cosmic wisdom:
✅ Retrograde Calendar - All planet retrogrades 2025 ✅ Action Playbook - What to do during each retrograde ✅ Protective Strategies - System backups & communication ✅ Remedial Practices - Mantras & rituals for stability
Get Your Retrograde Mastery Guide Now →
📚 Related Articles
Retrograde Guides
- Mercury Retrograde 2026 - Upcoming retrograde dates
- Mercury Survival Guide - Mercury retrograde strategies
- Mercury & Gaming - Gaming during retrograde
Planetary Guidance
- Planetary Transits Guide - All planetary movements
- Dasha Periods - Life cycle timing
- Daily Horoscope - Daily micro-adjustments
Support Practices
- Planetary Mantras - Stabilizing practices
- Vedic Remedies - Balancing practices
- Career Support - Professional stability
Retrogrades teach us that going backward is sometimes the fastest path forward.
