These are times when fate takes over or Murphy's Law begins, ie If something can go wrong it will go wrong. So at these times:
> If at all possible, avoid signing legal documents.
> If at all possible, finish projects which involve communication before the retrograde.
> If at all possible, avoid closing big deals during the retrograde
> If at all possible, avoid launching new projects during the retrograde
> If at all possible, avoid scheduling meetings to make a big decision
> Allow extra time when travelling
> Backup your hard drive before the retrograde
> If at all possible, avoid installing new computer software during the retrograde
> Do needed repairs on machinery before the retrograde
> Do not hold an election during the retrograde.
2016
| January 5 – January 25, 2016 in Aquarius, ends in earth-sign Capricorn |
| April 28 – May 22, 2016 in earth-sign Taurus |
| August 30 – September 22, 2016 in earth-sign Virgo |
| Dec 19 2016 – Jan 8, 2017 in earth-sign Capricorn, ends in fire-sign Sagittarius |
2017
| Dec 19, 2016 to Jan 8, 2017 earth-sign Capricorn, to fire-sign Sagittarius |
| April 9 – May 3, 2017 earth-sign Taurus, to fire-sign Aries |
| August 12 – Sept 5, 2017 in earth-sign Virgo, ends in fire-sign Leo |
| December 3 – December 22, 2017 in fire-sign Sagittarius |
2018
| March 22 – April 15, 2018 in fire-sign Aries |
| July 26 – August 18, 2018 in fire-sign Leo water-sign Scorpio |
| November 16 – December 6 in fire sign Sagittarius, ends water sign Scorpio |
2019
| March 5 – 28, 2019 in water-sign Pisces |
| July 7 – 31, 2019 starts in fire-sign Leo, ends in water-sign Cancer |
| October 31 – November 20, 2019 in water-sign Scorpio |
2020
| February 16 – March 9, 2020 in water-sign Pisces, ends in air-sign Aquarius |
| June 17 – July 12, 2020 in water-sign Cancer |
| October 13 – November 3, 2020 in water-sign Scorpio, ends in air-sign Libra |
2021
| January 30 – February 20 in air-sign Aquarius |
| May 29 – June 22 in air-sign Gemini |
| September 27 – October 18 in air-sign Libra |
2022
| January 14 – February 3 starts in air sign Aquarius, ends in earth-sign Capricorn |
| May 10 – June 3 starts in air sign Gemini, ends in earth-sign Taurus |
| September 9 – October 2 starts in air-sign Libra, ends in earth-sign Virgo |
| December 29 – January 18 in earth-sign Capricorn |
2023
| See above, Dec 29, 2022 – Jan 18, 2023- goes direct in earth sign Capricorn |
| April 21 – May 14 in earth sign Taurus |
| August 23 – September 15 in earth sign Virgo |
| December 13, 2023 – January 1, 2024 in fire-sign Sagittarius |
2024
| See above, January 1, 2024 goes direct in fire-sign Sagittarius |
| April 1- April 25 in fire-sign Aries |
| August 4 – August 28 in earth-sign and ends in fire-sign Leo |
| November 25 – December 15 in fire-sign Sagittarius |
2025
| March 14 – April 7 starts in fire-sign Aries, ends in water-sign Pisces |
| July 17 – August 11 in fire-sign Leo |
| November 9 – November 29 starts in fire-sign Sagittarius, ends in water-sign Scorpio |
2026
| February 25 – March 20 in water-sign Pisces |
| June 29 – July 23 in water-sign Cancer |
| October 24 – November 13 in water-sign Scorpio |
2027
| February 9 – March 3 starts in water-sign Pisces, ends in air-sign Aquarius |
| June 10 – July 4 starts in water-sign Cancer, ends in air-sign Gemini |
| October 7 – October 28 starts in water-sign Scorpio, ends in air-sign Libra |
2028
| January 24 – February 14 in air-sign Aquarius |
| May 21 – June 13 in air-sign Gemini |
| September 19 – October 11 in air-sign Libra |
2029
| January 7 – January 27 starts in air-sign Aquarius, ends in earth-sign Capricorn |
| May 1 – May 25 in earth-sign Taurus |
| September 2 – September 24 starts in air-sign Libra, ends in earth-sign Virgo |
| December 21 – January 10, 2030 in earth-sign Capricorn |
2030
| See above, December 21, 2029 – January 10, 2030 in earth-sign Capricorn |
| April 12 – May 6 starts in earth-sign Taurus, ends in fire-sign Aries |
| August 15 – September 8 in earth-sign Virgo |
| December 5 – December 25 starts in earth-sign Capricorn, ends in fire-sign Sagittarius |
I would suggest that you mark the Mercury Retrograde dates on your calendar.
It is not all bad, in general, Mercury Retrograde periods make good times to finish up projects already started, to refresh your memory about subject matter you have already learned, and to straighten up accumulated clutter – for example that filing cabinet or computer desktop you're always planning to get to. (If you question whether something is still of value to you, hold on to it and reevaluate after the retrograde). You will note that from 2013, all the retrograde motions start in the Water Signs this means that there will be a concentration on emotional, and relationship issues, if you are into introspection then these Watery Retrogrades will be a great time to go with in. With a little foresight and care, you can still take advantage of these time periods.