Mercury retrograde 2021: 3 periods, 67 days inside the year — 18.3% of 2021. Mercury turned retrograde at 3:52 PM UTC on January 30 at 26°29′ Aquarius and turned direct at 12:52 AM UTC on February 21 at 11°01′ Aquarius. The other four stations are in the table below.
Turns retrograde
Jan 30 3:52 PM UTC
Loops in 2021
3 retrograde periods
Retrograde in 2021
67 days 18.3% of the year
Signs
Aquarius, Gemini, Libra last loop retreats 15.35°
Mercury’s path through 2021, day by day
Apparent position of Mercury against the zodiac, 2021
RetrogradeShadowR — stations retrograde · D — stations direct
Mercury starts 2021 at 17°43′ Capricorn and ends it at 28°10′ Capricorn — a full lap of the zodiac plus 10.5°: 409.8° forward, 39.4° given back. Its three loops retrace 15.47°, 8.59° and 15.35° (21, 24 and 21 days). Fastest day: Apr 20, 2.13° forward; fastest backward: Feb 8, 1.19°. Counting the shadows, 170 days of 2021 sit inside a retrograde window.
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Exact times
Mercury retrograde 2021: exact times in your city
Mercury turned retrograde at 3:52 PM UTC on January 30, 2021 at 26°29′ Aquarius — 12:52 PM in Santiago, 10:52 AM in New York, 3:52 PM in London and 12:52 AM on January 31 in Tokyo.
City
Turns retrograde · Jan 30
Turns direct · Feb 21
Turns retrograde · May 29
Turns direct · Jun 22
Turns retrograde · Sep 27
Turns direct · Oct 18
UTC
Sat, Jan 30 · 26°29′ Aquarius
Sun, Feb 21 · 11°01′ Aquarius
Sat, May 29 · 24°43′ Gemini
Tue, Jun 22 · 16°07′ Gemini
Mon, Sep 27 · 25°28′ Libra
Mon, Oct 18 · 10°07′ Libra
Honolulu United States
5:52 AM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−10
2:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−10
12:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−10
12:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−10
7:10 PM Sun, Sep 26 · UTC−10
5:17 AM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−10
Anchorage United States
6:52 AM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−9
3:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−9
2:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−8
2:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−8
9:10 PM Sun, Sep 26 · UTC−8
7:17 AM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−8
Los Angeles United States
7:52 AM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−8
4:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−8
3:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−7
3:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−7
10:10 PM Sun, Sep 26 · UTC−7
8:17 AM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−7
Phoenix United States
8:52 AM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−7
5:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−7
3:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−7
3:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−7
10:10 PM Sun, Sep 26 · UTC−7
8:17 AM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−7
Denver United States
8:52 AM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−7
5:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−7
4:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−6
4:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−6
11:10 PM Sun, Sep 26 · UTC−6
9:17 AM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−6
Chicago United States
9:52 AM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−6
6:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−6
5:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−5
5:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−5
12:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC−5
10:17 AM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−5
Mexico City Mexico
9:52 AM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−6
6:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−6
5:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−5
5:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−5
12:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC−5
10:17 AM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−5
New York United States
10:52 AM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−5
7:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−5
6:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−4
6:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−4
1:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC−4
11:17 AM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−4
Toronto Canada
10:52 AM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−5
7:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−5
6:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−4
6:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−4
1:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC−4
11:17 AM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−4
Bogotá Colombia
10:52 AM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−5
7:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−5
5:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−5
5:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−5
12:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC−5
10:17 AM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−5
Lima Peru
10:52 AM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−5
7:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−5
5:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−5
5:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−5
12:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC−5
10:17 AM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−5
Caracas Venezuela
11:52 AM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−4
8:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−4
6:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−4
6:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−4
1:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC−4
11:17 AM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−4
Santiago Chile
12:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−3
9:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−3
6:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−4
6:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−4
2:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC−3
12:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−3
Buenos Aires Argentina
12:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−3
9:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−3
7:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−3
7:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−3
2:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC−3
12:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−3
São Paulo Brazil
12:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC−3
9:52 PM Sat, Feb 20 · UTC−3
7:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC−3
7:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC−3
2:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC−3
12:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC−3
Reykjavík Iceland
3:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC
12:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC
10:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC
10:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC
5:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC
3:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC
London United Kingdom
3:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC
12:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC
11:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC+1
11:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC+1
6:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+1
4:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+1
Lagos Nigeria
4:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+1
1:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+1
11:34 PM Sat, May 29 · UTC+1
11:00 PM Tue, Jun 22 · UTC+1
6:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+1
4:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+1
Paris France
4:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+1
1:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+1
12:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+2
12:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+2
7:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+2
5:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+2
Berlin Germany
4:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+1
1:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+1
12:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+2
12:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+2
7:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+2
5:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+2
Johannesburg South Africa
5:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+2
2:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+2
12:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+2
12:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+2
7:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+2
5:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+2
Cairo Egypt
5:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+2
2:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+2
12:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+2
12:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+2
7:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+2
5:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+2
Athens Greece
5:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+2
2:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+2
1:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+3
1:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+3
8:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+3
6:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+3
Istanbul Turkey
6:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+3
3:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+3
1:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+3
1:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+3
8:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+3
6:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+3
Moscow Russia
6:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+3
3:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+3
1:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+3
1:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+3
8:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+3
6:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+3
Nairobi Kenya
6:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+3
3:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+3
1:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+3
1:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+3
8:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+3
6:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+3
Tehran Iran
7:22 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+3:30
4:22 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+3:30
3:04 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+4:30
2:30 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+4:30
8:40 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+3:30
6:47 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+3:30
Dubai United Arab Emirates
7:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+4
4:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+4
2:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+4
2:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+4
9:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+4
7:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+4
Karachi Pakistan
8:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+5
5:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+5
3:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+5
3:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+5
10:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+5
8:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+5
New Delhi India
9:22 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+5:30
6:22 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+5:30
4:04 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+5:30
3:30 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+5:30
10:40 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+5:30
8:47 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+5:30
Kathmandu Nepal
9:37 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+5:45
6:37 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+5:45
4:19 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+5:45
3:45 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+5:45
10:55 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+5:45
9:02 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+5:45
Dhaka Bangladesh
9:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+6
6:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+6
4:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+6
4:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+6
11:10 AM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+6
9:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+6
Bangkok Thailand
10:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+7
7:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+7
5:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+7
5:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+7
12:10 PM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+7
10:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+7
Jakarta Indonesia
10:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+7
7:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+7
5:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+7
5:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+7
12:10 PM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+7
10:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+7
Singapore
11:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+8
8:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+8
6:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+8
6:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+8
1:10 PM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+8
11:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+8
Beijing China
11:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+8
8:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+8
6:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+8
6:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+8
1:10 PM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+8
11:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+8
Manila Philippines
11:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+8
8:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+8
6:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+8
6:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+8
1:10 PM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+8
11:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+8
Perth Australia
11:52 PM Sat, Jan 30 · UTC+8
8:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+8
6:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+8
6:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+8
1:10 PM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+8
11:17 PM Mon, Oct 18 · UTC+8
Seoul South Korea
12:52 AM Sun, Jan 31 · UTC+9
9:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+9
7:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+9
7:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+9
2:10 PM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+9
12:17 AM Tue, Oct 19 · UTC+9
Tokyo Japan
12:52 AM Sun, Jan 31 · UTC+9
9:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+9
7:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+9
7:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+9
2:10 PM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+9
12:17 AM Tue, Oct 19 · UTC+9
Adelaide Australia
2:22 AM Sun, Jan 31 · UTC+10:30
11:22 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+10:30
8:04 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+9:30
7:30 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+9:30
2:40 PM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+9:30
1:47 AM Tue, Oct 19 · UTC+10:30
Brisbane Australia
1:52 AM Sun, Jan 31 · UTC+10
10:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+10
8:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+10
8:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+10
3:10 PM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+10
1:17 AM Tue, Oct 19 · UTC+10
Sydney Australia
2:52 AM Sun, Jan 31 · UTC+11
11:52 AM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+11
8:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+10
8:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+10
3:10 PM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+10
2:17 AM Tue, Oct 19 · UTC+11
Auckland New Zealand
4:52 AM Sun, Jan 31 · UTC+13
1:52 PM Sun, Feb 21 · UTC+13
10:34 AM Sun, May 30 · UTC+12
10:00 AM Wed, Jun 23 · UTC+12
6:10 PM Mon, Sep 27 · UTC+13
4:17 AM Tue, Oct 19 · UTC+13
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 15.47°
January 30 → February 21, 2021 in Aquarius
Stations retrograde
Jan 30, 2021, 3:52 PM UTC at
26°29′ Aquarius
Stations direct
Feb 21, 2021, 12:52 AM UTC at
11°01′ Aquarius
Shadow opens
Jan 15, 2021, 7:56 AM UTC
(15 days before)
Shadow closes
Mar 13, 2021, 5:09 AM UTC
(20 days after)
Full window including shadows57 days
The January loop up close, shadow to shadow
Mercury crosses the 15.47° between 11°01′ Aquarius and 26°29′ 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.
No other planet is retrograde during this period, which is unusual.
Stations retrograde
May 29, 2021, 10:34 PM UTC at
24°43′ Gemini
Stations direct
Jun 22, 2021, 10:00 PM UTC at
16°07′ Gemini
Shadow opens
May 15, 2021, 12:29 AM UTC
(15 days before)
Shadow closes
Jul 7, 2021, 5:46 PM UTC
(15 days after)
Full window including shadows54 days
The May loop up close, shadow to shadow
Mercury crosses the 8.59° between 16°07′ Gemini and 24°43′ 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
Saturn
in Aquarius —
May 29 to Jun 22, 2021 (24 days of overlap)
Pluto
in Capricorn —
May 29 to Jun 22, 2021 (24 days of overlap)
Jupiter
in Pisces —
Jun 20 to Jun 22, 2021 (2 days of overlap)
Stations retrograde
Sep 27, 2021, 5:10 AM UTC at
25°28′ Libra
Stations direct
Oct 18, 2021, 3:17 PM UTC at
10°07′ Libra
Shadow opens
Sep 6, 2021, 8:06 PM UTC
(20 days before)
Shadow closes
Nov 3, 2021, 1:08 AM UTC
(15 days after)
Full window including shadows57 days
The September loop up close, shadow to shadow
Mercury crosses the 15.35° between 10°07′ Libra and 25°28′ 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
Jupiter
in Pisces —
Sep 27 to Oct 18, 2021 (21 days of overlap)
Saturn
in Aquarius —
Sep 27 to Oct 11, 2021 (14 days of overlap)
Uranus
in Taurus —
Sep 27 to Oct 18, 2021 (21 days of overlap)
Neptune
in Pisces —
Sep 27 to Oct 18, 2021 (21 days of overlap)
Pluto
in Capricorn —
Sep 27 to Oct 6, 2021 (10 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 2021
Mercury through the zodiac in 2021
Every sign Mercury occupies during 2021, 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 2021 Dates: Jan 30, May 29, Sep 27.” Accessed October 28, 2026. https://astrohot.com/retrograde/mercury/2021/
For Wikipedia{{cite web |title=Mercury Retrograde 2021 Dates: Jan 30, May 29, Sep 27 |url=https://astrohot.com/retrograde/mercury/2021/ |website=AstroHot |access-date=2026-10-28}}
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