Mercury retrograde 2002

3 periods, 67 days inside the year — 18.3% of 2002. Station times below are UTC and computed to the minute.

21 days · retreats 15.85°

18 January → 8 February 2002 in Aquarius

Stations retrograde 18 Jan 2002, 20:39 UTC at 14.46° Aquarius
Stations direct 8 Feb 2002, 17:32 UTC at 28.61° Capricorn
Shadow opens 2 Jan 2002 (16 days before)
Shadow closes 28 Feb 2002 (20 days after)
Full window including shadows 57 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.

…and back into Capricorn

In Capricorn the retrograde hits career plans, authority and long-term structures. Deadlines slip, approvals are delayed and managers change their minds. It is traditionally used for reviewing goals and reorganising rather than for starting new ventures.

It begins in Capricorn season and ends in Aquarius season.

Also retrograde at the same time

  • Jupiter in Cancer — 18 Jan to 8 Feb 2002 (21 days of overlap)
  • Jupiter in Cancer — 18 Jan to 8 Feb 2002 (21 days of overlap)
  • Saturn in Gemini — 18 Jan to 7 Feb 2002 (20 days of overlap)
  • Saturn in Gemini — 18 Jan to 7 Feb 2002 (20 days of overlap)

Read against Aquarius, and see that sign’s horoscope for the period.

24 days · retreats 8.63°

15 May → 8 June 2002 in Gemini

Stations retrograde 15 May 2002, 18:38 UTC at 9.96° Gemini
Stations direct 8 Jun 2002, 15:23 UTC at 1.33° Gemini
Shadow opens 1 May 2002 (14 days before)
Shadow closes 23 Jun 2002 (15 days after)
Full window including shadows 54 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 Taurus season and ends in Gemini season.

Also retrograde at the same time

  • Neptune in Aquarius — 15 May to 8 Jun 2002 (24 days of overlap)
  • Pluto in Sagittarius — 15 May to 8 Jun 2002 (24 days of overlap)
  • Uranus in Aquarius — 2 Jun to 8 Jun 2002 (6 days of overlap)

Read against Gemini, and see that sign’s horoscope for the period.

22 days · retreats 14.92°

14 September → 6 October 2002 in Libra

Stations retrograde 14 Sep 2002, 19:27 UTC at 13.21° Libra
Stations direct 6 Oct 2002, 19:24 UTC at 28.28° Virgo
Shadow opens 25 Aug 2002 (20 days before)
Shadow closes 21 Oct 2002 (15 days after)
Full window including shadows 57 days

Mercury retrograde in Libra

In Libra the retrograde centres on relationships, agreements and contracts. Negotiations stall or reopen, misunderstandings arise in partnerships, and people from the past reappear. It favours renegotiating terms and clarifying what was assumed rather than signing new deals.

…and back into Virgo

In Virgo, Mercury's other home sign, the retrograde focuses on work routines, health and detail. Schedules unravel, small errors multiply, and systems that seemed fine reveal flaws. It is ideal for audits, decluttering and fixing processes before starting anything new.

It begins in Virgo season and ends in Libra season.

Also retrograde at the same time

  • Uranus in Aquarius — 14 Sep to 6 Oct 2002 (22 days of overlap)
  • Neptune in Aquarius — 14 Sep to 6 Oct 2002 (22 days of overlap)

Read against Libra, and see that sign’s horoscope for the period.

Computed from the actual motion

The nearest Mercury retrogrades either side of 2002

Previous

2001 Ended 23 October 2001 after 21 days, moving back 15.49° through the zodiac.

Next

2003 Begins 2 January 2003 and runs 20 days.

Gap across 2002

1.2 years between the two — long enough for a whole calendar year to fall inside it with nothing to report.

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.

2002 at a glance

Every other retrograde in 2002

Jupiter in Cancer 22 Nov 2001 – 1 Mar 2002 · 100 days
Saturn in Gemini 22 Nov 2001 – 7 Feb 2002 · 78 days
Pluto in Sagittarius 20 Mar 2002 – 26 Aug 2002 · 159 days
Neptune in Aquarius 13 May 2002 – 20 Oct 2002 · 160 days
Uranus in Aquarius 2 Jun 2002 – 4 Nov 2002 · 154 days
Venus in Scorpio 10 Oct 2002 – 21 Nov 2002 · 42 days
Saturn in Gemini 11 Oct 2002 – 9 Feb 2003 · 122 days
Jupiter in Leo 4 Dec 2002 – 9 Feb 2003 · 68 days
← 2001 Mercury retrograde in 2001. All Mercury retrogrades Averages, shadow periods and the sign distribution over fifty years. 2003 → Mercury retrograde in 2003.