Planet retrogrades in 2025 – key dates to know as Mercury retrograde edges closer

Planetary retrogrades are typically at the top of the list of astrological occurrences that generate a lot of excitement, discussion – and even anxiety. A retrograde, as used in astrology, refers to when a planet seems to be travelling backwards in the sky, retracing its most recent movements around the zodiac. Although the planets aren't actually travelling backward in their orbit – this is an optical illusion – this can still have significant astrological ramifications.

See also: What the March retrogrades mean for you. There's no need to worry about retrogrades because they're a typical aspect of most planets' yearly cycles, especially if you know what to anticipate and how to deal with them. Here, we break down this year’s retrogrades and what to expect from them.

The Venus retrograde means it's time to examine your relationships carefully and get back in touch with what you really value. The retrograde will start in Aries, prompting a passionate, bold, and adventurous approach to love and life. When Venus backspins into Pisces on March 27, it will take you on a dreamy journey through your feelings and romance. For some people, it might be a difficult period in their relationships, but overcoming any challenges will enable you to go forward with greater self-assurance and clarity about your goals.

Mercury is regarded as the planet of communication in astrology thus, when it enters retrograde, a wide range of accidents, misunderstandings, and miscommunications are expected in the areas of technology, news, travel, and communication. On March 29, the first retrograde of 2025 moves from the fiery sign of Aries into the water sign of Pisces. If you're an Aries, this is the best time to think things over thoroughly before making any big decisions to prevent problems later.

Be as cautious as you can since, similarly, if you're a Pisces: a little patience will go a long way. Additionally, note that the pre-retrograde shadow begins on February 28 and the post-retrograde shadow ends on April 26. For the first time in our lifetime, Pluto will spend its whole retrograde period in Aquarius.

Don't expect any ground-breaking drama because Pluto is the planet that is furthest from Earth, therefore, its yearly backspin is usually more modest and slow-burning than some others. To get ready for the impending tectonic shifts, give yourself permission to connect with and release any subconscious baggage.

The start of the Neptune retrograde can lead to a period of inner work and healing and, once it enters Aries, you may notice the start of a new cycle of intense change. Neptune is the planet of dreams, spirituality, creativity, and intuition, so it will be a time of confronting unresolved emotional patterns.

Saturn, the planet of regulations, limitations, and harsh love, forces you to confront any obligations you've been avoiding and re-evaluate how you can best approach your long-term objectives during retrograde periods. The first few months of this retrograde will provide a crucial check-in with the themes of this new period of personal growth, when Saturn enters aggressive Aries this year for the first time since 1996.

It's a good idea to reflect on the spiritual teachings you've learned over the past few years after Saturn backspins into Pisces on September 1. Some suggest that crystals and stones – such as black tourmaline, obsidian, onyx, and garnet – can help you overcome any obstacles during this period.

Mid-July is when the second Mercury retrograde of the year occurs, which is ideal for adding a little disruption to your summer holiday plans. All of this backspin is occurring under Leo so, even though you might feel particularly brave and confident about your views, be careful not to become so self-centred that you neglect the impact of what you say on other people.

Make sure to double-check your times and dates if you'll be travelling during the summer or organising your trip to make sure nothing is overlooked or misinterpreted. After seven years in Taurus, Uranus moves into Gemini in September but, on November 7, Uranus will return to Taurus for a final journey in the earth sign.

It will be beneficial to pause during the latter third of 2025 and the first month of 2026, to reflect on any unexpected turns, crazy curveballs, or epiphanies that life has thrown at you in the preceding months. There will undoubtedly be some communication breakdowns and travel hiccups during Mercury's final 2025 backspin, which takes place across most of November. The retrograde begins in spontaneous Sagittarius, so you should be extremely careful to double-check the specifics of your plans, particularly if you find yourself overbooked during this festive and sociable season.

Mercury will backspin into Scorpio's deep and dark waters on November 18, which could reveal long-buried secrets or prompt you to reopen an investigation into something you thought you had put off. Jupiter will remain retrograde in the information-loving sign of Gemini before it shifts to compassionate Cancer. This will help us sort through all of our new ideas and determine which ones seem most in line with our higher self.