Mercury Retrograde in Pisces: using this time intentionally in therapy
Whilst astrology can seem a bit “woo-woo,” I’ve come to see it less as mysticism and more as a reflective tool — something that helps me pause, check in with myself and make sense of certain patterns in my life over the past few years. On February 25th 2026 Mercury stations retrograde (which means it appears to move backwards ) and this time it’s doing so in Pisces. Mercury is traditionally associated with communication, thinking and how we process information. When it turns retrograde messages can get mixed up, plans shift unexpectedly, emotions rise to the surface and loose ends from the past often reappear. You might notice yourself thinking, “I don’t know why this is bothering me so much,” or “I thought I’d already dealt with this.” If that happens, I want to gently reassure you: this doesn’t mean you’re going backwards.
From a Brief Solution-Focused Therapy (BSFT) perspective, this isn’t a problem to fix — it’s useful information. Rather than asking, “Why is this happening?” we might instead become curious. When things feel even slightly less confusing, what’s different? What are you already doing that helps, even a little? Retrograde periods can reveal strengths you didn’t realise you were using.
Because Mercury relates to communication, you may find that conversations feel more emotional and less linear during this time. You might struggle to find the right words, speak more from feelings than facts, circle back to old stories or feel misunderstood. Pisces energy can feel foggy and less structured. In my work in the therapy room, instead of analysing the confusion, I help clients look for exceptions. Was there a moment this week when communication went a bit better? What was different about that moment? How did you contribute to it? Even during chaotic periods, there are always moments that work — and those moments are clues.
Mercury retrograde is also known for bringing unfinished business back to the surface. An old relationship may resurface, a childhood memory may suddenly feel relevant again, a previously resolved issue may feel active. This can feel discouraging, but it isn’t necessarily regression. Often, it’s integration. When something returns, we can gently explore what’s different this time. I am currently reading a wonderful Korean novel called “The Dallergut Dream Department Store” the store sells people dreams, in one chapter a group of unhappy dreamers complain about being sold nightmares of their worst fears. One dreamer describes breaking out in a sweat when dreaming about being reenlisted to the army. After 3 nights of having this nightmare he comes to realise that he has completed his national service successfully and does not need to fear being called up again. Dallergut, the owner of the dream store explains, it is only through confronting the difficult things that we find a way through, otherwise we will always end up fearing them and them bothering us. This so resonates with what happens in the therapy room!
Over the coming weeks, life itself may feel slightly disorganised; schedules change, trains run late, appointments get missed or double booked, technology glitches. These moments can be frustrating, but they also offer insight. In Solution-Focused work, we shift from chaos to capability. How have you managed uncertainty before? What strengths are helping you get through this week? Who might notice that you’re coping better than you give yourself credit for? Even small coping behaviours matter — sending one clarifying text, pausing before reacting, taking a mindful breath, choosing not to escalate. These are not minor things. They are solutions in action.
One of the quiet gifts of Mercury retrograde is that it slows us down. Because we all carry our phones around with us all the time, we are constantly bombarded by notifications, reminders, demands, expectations, targets, alarms, which cause us to live in a heightened state of readiness. Slowing down can feel like an inconvenience, however slowing down can help you notice what’s already working and what you want more of. Pisces energy invites imagination, which pairs beautifully with the Miracle Question we sometimes use in therapy: If this fog lifted overnight and tomorrow felt clearer, what would you notice first? Often, you already know the direction you want to move in. This period simply gives you space to listen.
You might choose to use this time intentionally — noticing small wins in communication, tracking moments of clarity, rating your stress and observing what shifts it even one point, identifying who supports you when things feel uncertain. The aim isn’t to untangle every emotional thread, it’s to strengthen what is already helping.
Mercury retrograde in Pisces doesn’t have to mean dysfunction and chaos. It can mean review, it can mean growth, it can mean strengthening communication, deepening self-trust and recognising your resilience.
💫Even in the fog, you are resourceful.
🌙Even in chaos, solutions are forming.
✨ Sometimes slowing down isn’t a setback — it’s a strategy.