Mercury retrograde 1988: 3 periods, 67 days inside the year — 18.2% of 1988. Mercury turned retrograde at 6:18 AM UTC on February 2 at 28°04′ Aquarius and turned direct at 5:30 PM UTC on February 23 at 12°40′ Aquarius. The other four stations are in the table below.
Turns retrograde
Feb 2 6:18 AM UTC
Loops in 1988
3 retrograde periods
Retrograde in 1988
67 days 18.2% of the year
Signs
Aquarius, Gemini, Libra last loop retreats 15.41°
Mercury’s path through 1988, day by day
Apparent position of Mercury against the zodiac, 1988
RetrogradeShadowR — stations retrograde · D — stations direct
Mercury starts 1988 at 14°40′ Capricorn and ends it at 27°11′ Capricorn — a full lap of the zodiac plus 12.5°: 411.9° forward, 39.4° given back. Its three loops retrace 15.39°, 8.63° and 15.41° (21, 24 and 21 days). Fastest day: Apr 23, 2.14° forward; fastest backward: Oct 10, 1.19°. Counting the shadows, 169 days of 1988 sit inside a retrograde window.
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Exact times
Mercury retrograde 1988: exact times in your city
Mercury turned retrograde at 6:18 AM UTC on February 2, 1988 at 28°04′ Aquarius — 3:18 AM in Santiago, 1:18 AM in New York, 6:18 AM in London and 3:18 PM in Tokyo.
City
Turns retrograde · Feb 2
Turns direct · Feb 23
Turns retrograde · May 31
Turns direct · Jun 24
Turns retrograde · Sep 28
Turns direct · Oct 20
UTC
Tue, Feb 2 · 28°04′ Aquarius
Tue, Feb 23 · 12°40′ Aquarius
Tue, May 31 · 26°46′ Gemini
Fri, Jun 24 · 18°08′ Gemini
Wed, Sep 28 · 27°03′ Libra
Thu, Oct 20 · 11°38′ Libra
Honolulu United States
8:18 PM Mon, Feb 1 · UTC−10
7:30 AM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−10
12:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−10
12:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−10
11:37 AM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−10
7:22 PM Wed, Oct 19 · UTC−10
Anchorage United States
9:18 PM Mon, Feb 1 · UTC−9
8:30 AM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−9
2:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−8
2:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−8
1:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−8
9:22 PM Wed, Oct 19 · UTC−8
Los Angeles United States
10:18 PM Mon, Feb 1 · UTC−8
9:30 AM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−8
3:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−7
3:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−7
2:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−7
10:22 PM Wed, Oct 19 · UTC−7
Phoenix United States
11:18 PM Mon, Feb 1 · UTC−7
10:30 AM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−7
3:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−7
3:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−7
2:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−7
10:22 PM Wed, Oct 19 · UTC−7
Denver United States
11:18 PM Mon, Feb 1 · UTC−7
10:30 AM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−7
4:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−6
4:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−6
3:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−6
11:22 PM Wed, Oct 19 · UTC−6
Chicago United States
12:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC−6
11:30 AM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−6
5:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−5
5:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−5
4:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−5
12:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC−5
Mexico City Mexico
12:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC−6
11:30 AM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−6
4:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−6
4:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−6
3:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−6
11:22 PM Wed, Oct 19 · UTC−6
New York United States
1:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC−5
12:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−5
6:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−4
6:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−4
5:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−4
1:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC−4
Toronto Canada
1:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC−5
12:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−5
6:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−4
6:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−4
5:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−4
1:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC−4
Bogotá Colombia
1:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC−5
12:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−5
5:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−5
5:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−5
4:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−5
12:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC−5
Lima Peru
1:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC−5
12:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−5
5:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−5
5:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−5
4:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−5
12:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC−5
Caracas Venezuela
2:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC−4
1:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−4
6:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−4
6:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−4
5:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−4
1:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC−4
Santiago Chile
3:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC−3
2:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−3
6:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−4
6:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−4
5:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−4
2:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC−3
Buenos Aires Argentina
3:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC−3
2:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−3
7:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−3
7:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−3
6:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−3
2:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC−3
São Paulo Brazil
4:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC−2
2:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC−3
7:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC−3
7:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC−3
6:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC−3
3:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC−2
Reykjavík Iceland
6:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC
5:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC
10:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC
10:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC
9:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC
5:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC
London United Kingdom
6:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC
5:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC
11:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC+1
11:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC+1
10:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC+1
6:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+1
Lagos Nigeria
7:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+1
6:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+1
11:43 PM Tue, May 31 · UTC+1
11:40 PM Fri, Jun 24 · UTC+1
10:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC+1
6:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+1
Paris France
7:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+1
6:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+1
12:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+2
12:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+2
10:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC+1
6:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+1
Berlin Germany
7:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+1
6:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+1
12:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+2
12:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+2
10:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC+1
6:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+1
Johannesburg South Africa
8:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+2
7:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+2
12:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+2
12:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+2
11:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC+2
7:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+2
Cairo Egypt
8:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+2
7:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+2
1:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+3
1:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+3
12:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+3
7:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+2
Athens Greece
8:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+2
7:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+2
1:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+3
1:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+3
11:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC+2
7:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+2
Istanbul Turkey
8:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+2
7:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+2
1:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+3
1:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+3
11:37 PM Wed, Sep 28 · UTC+2
7:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+2
Moscow Russia
9:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+3
8:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+3
2:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+4
2:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+4
12:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+3
8:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+3
Nairobi Kenya
9:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+3
8:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+3
1:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+3
1:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+3
12:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+3
8:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+3
Tehran Iran
9:48 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+3:30
9:00 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+3:30
2:13 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+3:30
2:10 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+3:30
1:07 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+3:30
8:52 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+3:30
Dubai United Arab Emirates
10:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+4
9:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+4
2:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+4
2:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+4
1:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+4
9:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+4
Karachi Pakistan
11:18 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+5
10:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+5
3:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+5
3:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+5
2:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+5
10:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+5
New Delhi India
11:48 AM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+5:30
11:00 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+5:30
4:13 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+5:30
4:10 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+5:30
3:07 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+5:30
10:52 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+5:30
Kathmandu Nepal
12:03 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+5:45
11:15 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+5:45
4:28 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+5:45
4:25 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+5:45
3:22 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+5:45
11:07 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+5:45
Dhaka Bangladesh
12:18 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+6
11:30 PM Tue, Feb 23 · UTC+6
4:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+6
4:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+6
3:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+6
11:22 AM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+6
Bangkok Thailand
1:18 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+7
12:30 AM Wed, Feb 24 · UTC+7
5:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+7
5:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+7
4:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+7
12:22 PM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+7
Jakarta Indonesia
1:18 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+7
12:30 AM Wed, Feb 24 · UTC+7
5:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+7
5:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+7
4:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+7
12:22 PM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+7
Singapore
2:18 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+8
1:30 AM Wed, Feb 24 · UTC+8
6:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+8
6:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+8
5:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+8
1:22 PM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+8
Beijing China
2:18 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+8
1:30 AM Wed, Feb 24 · UTC+8
7:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+9
7:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+9
5:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+8
1:22 PM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+8
Manila Philippines
2:18 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+8
1:30 AM Wed, Feb 24 · UTC+8
6:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+8
6:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+8
5:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+8
1:22 PM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+8
Perth Australia
2:18 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+8
1:30 AM Wed, Feb 24 · UTC+8
6:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+8
6:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+8
5:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+8
1:22 PM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+8
Seoul South Korea
3:18 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+9
2:30 AM Wed, Feb 24 · UTC+9
8:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+10
8:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+10
7:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+10
2:22 PM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+9
Tokyo Japan
3:18 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+9
2:30 AM Wed, Feb 24 · UTC+9
7:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+9
7:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+9
6:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+9
2:22 PM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+9
Adelaide Australia
4:48 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+10:30
4:00 AM Wed, Feb 24 · UTC+10:30
8:13 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+9:30
8:10 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+9:30
7:07 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+9:30
2:52 PM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+9:30
Brisbane Australia
4:18 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+10
3:30 AM Wed, Feb 24 · UTC+10
8:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+10
8:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+10
7:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+10
3:22 PM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+10
Sydney Australia
5:18 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+11
4:30 AM Wed, Feb 24 · UTC+11
8:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+10
8:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+10
7:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+10
3:22 PM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+10
Auckland New Zealand
7:18 PM Tue, Feb 2 · UTC+13
6:30 AM Wed, Feb 24 · UTC+13
10:43 AM Wed, Jun 1 · UTC+12
10:40 AM Sat, Jun 25 · UTC+12
9:37 AM Thu, Sep 29 · UTC+12
5:22 PM Thu, Oct 20 · UTC+12
Stations from the NASA JPL DE440 ephemeris. Swiss Ephemeris agrees on every Mercury station 1900–2050: all within a minute. Local times: IANA time zones, to the minute.
21 days · retreats 15.39°
February 2 → February 23, 1988 in Aquarius
Stations retrograde
Feb 2, 1988, 6:18 AM UTC at
28°04′ Aquarius
Stations direct
Feb 23, 1988, 5:30 PM UTC at
12°40′ Aquarius
Shadow opens
Jan 18, 1988, 12:34 AM UTC
(15 days before)
Shadow closes
Mar 14, 1988, 9:39 PM UTC
(20 days after)
Full window including shadows57 days
The February loop up close, shadow to shadow
Mercury crosses the 15.39° between 12°40′ Aquarius and 28°04′ Aquarius three times: forward in the pre-shadow (15 days), back while retrograde (21 days), forward again in the post-shadow (20 days).
Mercury retrograde in Aquarius
In Aquarius the retrograde falls on technology, groups and future plans. Software glitches, group chats full of misunderstandings and stalled community projects are typical. It suits updating systems, reconnecting with old friends and rethinking long-range ideas.
It begins in Aquarius season and ends in
Pisces season.
Also retrograde at the same time
Pluto
in Scorpio —
Feb 14 to Feb 23, 1988 (9 days of overlap)
Stations retrograde
May 31, 1988, 10:43 PM UTC at
26°46′ Gemini
Stations direct
Jun 24, 1988, 10:40 PM UTC at
18°08′ Gemini
Shadow opens
May 16, 1988, 9:51 PM UTC
(15 days before)
Shadow closes
Jul 9, 1988, 4:44 PM UTC
(15 days after)
Full window including shadows54 days
The May loop up close, shadow to shadow
Mercury crosses the 8.63° between 18°08′ Gemini and 26°46′ Gemini three times: forward in the pre-shadow (15 days), back while retrograde (24 days), forward again in the post-shadow (15 days).
Mercury retrograde in Gemini
In Gemini, one of Mercury's own signs, the retrograde is at its most talkative and scattered: crossed wires, double-booked diaries, lost chargers and conversations that go round in circles. It rewards editing, rereading and catching up with people you lost touch with.
It begins in Gemini season and ends in
Cancer season.
Also retrograde at the same time
Venus
in Cancer —
May 31 to Jun 24, 1988 (24 days of overlap)
Saturn
in Capricorn —
May 31 to Jun 24, 1988 (24 days of overlap)
Uranus
in Capricorn —
May 31 to Jun 24, 1988 (24 days of overlap)
Neptune
in Capricorn —
May 31 to Jun 24, 1988 (24 days of overlap)
Pluto
in Scorpio —
May 31 to Jun 24, 1988 (24 days of overlap)
Stations retrograde
Sep 28, 1988, 9:37 PM UTC at
27°03′ Libra
Stations direct
Oct 20, 1988, 5:22 AM UTC at
11°38′ Libra
Shadow opens
Sep 8, 1988, 12:52 PM UTC
(20 days before)
Shadow closes
Nov 4, 1988, 5:19 PM UTC
(15 days after)
Full window including shadows57 days
The September loop up close, shadow to shadow
Mercury crosses the 15.41° between 11°38′ Libra and 27°03′ Libra three times: forward in the pre-shadow (20 days), back while retrograde (21 days), forward again in the post-shadow (15 days).
Mercury retrograde in Libra
In Libra the retrograde centers on relationships, agreements and contracts. Negotiations stall or reopen, misunderstandings arise in partnerships, and people from the past reappear. It favors renegotiating terms and clarifying what was assumed rather than signing new deals.
It begins and ends within Libra season.
Also retrograde at the same time
Mars
in Aries —
Sep 28 to Oct 20, 1988 (21 days of overlap)
Jupiter
in Gemini —
Sep 28 to Oct 20, 1988 (21 days of overlap)
Both dates are computed from the planet’s apparent motion, not taken from a
table. A retrograde begins the moment its daily movement against the stars turns
negative, and that moment is findable to the hour.
Computed for 1988
Mercury through the zodiac in 1988
Every sign Mercury occupies during 1988, with the dates it enters and leaves. A sign that
appears twice means the planet backed into the previous sign during a retrograde and crossed again.
AstroHot. “Mercury Retrograde 1988 Dates: Feb 2, May 31, Sep 28.” Accessed October 31, 2026. https://astrohot.com/retrograde/mercury/1988/
For Wikipedia{{cite web |title=Mercury Retrograde 1988 Dates: Feb 2, May 31, Sep 28 |url=https://astrohot.com/retrograde/mercury/1988/ |website=AstroHot |access-date=2026-10-31}}
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