Mercury, planet of communication and commerce, is in conjunction with shadow planet Rahu in Aquarius from February 3rd to April 11th 2026.

This extended transit includes Mercury’s whole retrograde phase from February 26th, all within Aquarius, where you go through a change of thinking, perhaps after overcoming an obstacle or delay. This planetary pairing gives you a fascination for alternative or unusual subject-matter, where you go fully into left-field. Rahu’s influence breaks you out of a mental rut and gives Mercury a fresh perspective, if you dare to contradict your programming and consider a contrary view. This conjunction comes together most closely in Shatabishta, the mystical nakshatra associated with healing, which gives your thinking an esoteric quality.

There is a risk of going too far and of losing your audience with abstract and exotic ideas, yet finding a kindred spirit gives you the promise of an intriguing conversation. A friend may also be available to talk you out of a tense or anxious mood, when you are seeing a situation in a wrong light. Mercury and Rahu are connected with business and politics, so this is also an excellent transit for doing deals and working with modern media. You can bring people together and understand the concessions and offers you need for progress in the real world, though try not to compromise your principles.

The key part of this transit arrives between March 18th to 25th, as Mercury turns direct in motion in its closest conjunction with Rahu. You come full-circle and arrive back at your original position, but understand a subject better and experience gives you a subtly changed perspective.