They say things happen in threes and, for evidence, we need look no further than our favourite astrological nightmare: the Mercury retrograde. This tiny, enthusiastic, super-smart planet retrogrades thrice a year, and this one is the second of the trio in 2026. Mercury goes retrograde from June 29 to July 24, which means it is in backward motion for just a few days short of a whole month.
And this time it’s personal. Why? Because this particular retrograde is happening in the sign of Cancer, where Jupiter is currently exalted. Cancer is ruled by the Moon. The Moon governs your mind, your emotions, and your memories, stretching all the way back to past lives, if you’re into that sort of cosmic accounting. The fourth house in the birth chart, ruled by the Moon, also represents home, property, and the mother. Where does the sign of Cancer fall in your chart? That is where you will feel this mercurial transit most acutely. To understand what’s heading your way, read on.
