Mercury retrograde 2028
Mercury turns retrograde three times in 2028: Mon 24 Jan to Mon 14 Feb, Sun 21 May to Wed 14 Jun, Tue 19 Sept to Wed 11 Oct. Each with its shadow before and after, computed to the minute by the Swiss Ephemeris.
1. In Capricorn
21 days retrograde- Pre-shadow begins
- Sunday, 9 January 2028 · 12:51 am
- Turns retrograde
- Monday, 24 January 2028 · 4:32 pm
- Turns direct
- Monday, 14 February 2028 · 6:08 pm
- Post-shadow ends
- Sunday, 5 March 2028 · 10:15 pm
2. In Taurus
24 days retrograde- Pre-shadow begins
- Sunday, 7 May 2028 · 12:07 am
- Turns retrograde
- Sunday, 21 May 2028 · 2:12 pm
- Turns direct
- Wednesday, 14 June 2028 · 11:36 am
- Post-shadow ends
- Thursday, 29 June 2028 · 2:31 pm
3. In Virgo
22 days retrograde- Pre-shadow begins
- Wednesday, 30 August 2028 · 12:46 pm
- Turns retrograde
- Tuesday, 19 September 2028 · 10:03 pm
- Turns direct
- Wednesday, 11 October 2028 · 3:58 pm
- Post-shadow ends
- Thursday, 26 October 2028 · 7:21 pm
How to read a Mercury retrograde
Mercury (Budh) rules speech, writing, trade, contracts, short journeys and devices. Tradition reads its retrograde as a time to go back over things rather than start them: review, re-read, repair, reconnect. The pre-shadow is when the matters that come up begin; the post-shadow is when they settle.
How strongly it is felt depends on your chart: the house Mercury retrogrades through, and whether Mercury rules your lagna or Moon sign (Gemini and Virgo) or runs your dasha. A retrograde is a reading of apparent motion, not a reason for fear.
Mercury retrograde 2028: questions
When is Mercury retrograde in 2028?
Three times: 24 Jan to 14 Feb (in Capricorn); 21 May to 14 Jun (in Taurus); 19 Sept to 11 Oct (in Virgo).
What time does Mercury turn retrograde in India in 2028?
The first retrograde begins at 4:32 pm on Monday, 24 January 2028 and Mercury turns direct at 6:08 pm on Monday, 14 February 2028 (IST). The second retrograde begins at 2:12 pm on Sunday, 21 May 2028 and Mercury turns direct at 11:36 am on Wednesday, 14 June 2028 (IST). The third retrograde begins at 10:03 pm on Tuesday, 19 September 2028 and Mercury turns direct at 3:58 pm on Wednesday, 11 October 2028 (IST).
What is the Mercury retrograde shadow?
Before turning retrograde, Mercury moves forward over the stretch of the zodiac it will soon cover backwards: that is the pre-retrograde shadow, from when it first reaches the degree where it will later turn direct. After turning direct it covers the same stretch a third time, until it is back at the degree where it turned retrograde: the post-retrograde shadow. Each lasts about two weeks.
Does Mercury really move backwards?
No. Seen from the Earth, which is also moving, Mercury appears to slow, stop and move back against the stars for about three weeks, three or four times a year. Astrology reads that apparent motion; the dates here are the moments the motion turns, computed to the minute.
Is Mercury retrograde a bad time to sign a contract or buy electronics?
Tradition counsels reviewing rather than starting: re-read the agreement, double-check dates and details, back up your data, allow for delays in travel and messages. Many muhurta rules avoid a signing while Mercury is retrograde. Your own chart can say more than a general rule: a KP timing check reads it for the task you have in mind.
Why are these dates the same as Western sites but the sign is different?
A retrograde is about motion, so its dates and times are the same in every system. The sign it happens in is sidereal here (Lahiri ayanamsa, as in Vedic astrology), about 24° behind the tropical zodiac Western astrology uses, so Mercury retrograde "in Pisces" on a Western site is often in Aquarius here.
What it means for you
These dates are the same for everyone. Which house of your chart each one touches depends on your Moon sign and lagna, and KP timing finds the hours when the ruling planets favour your task, or a trading session, in your own chart.
Your year calendar in the app is free; a KP timing search is charged only when your times are found.