Mercury Retrograde 2025: Budh Vakri Dates and Times
Mercury is retrograde 3 times in 2025: 15 March 2025 to 7 April 2025 in Pisces (Meena), 18 July 2025 to 11 August 2025 in Cancer (Karka), and 10 November 2025 to 29 November 2025 in Scorpio (Vrishchika) → Libra (Tula). Budh, Mercury, is the karaka of intellect, speech, writing, trade and communication. It is never more than about 28° from the Sun, so it is often combust (Asta), and it turns retrograde about three times a year.
Mercury retrograde dates 2025
Times for Ujjain| Starts | Ends | Duration | Sign |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 March 202512:16 PMPisces (Meena) · 23 days | 7 April 20254:38 PM | 23 days | Pisces (Meena) |
| 18 July 202510:14 AMCancer (Karka) · 24 days | 11 August 202512:59 PM | 24 days | Cancer (Karka) |
| 10 November 202512:30 AMScorpio (Vrishchika) → Libra (Tula) · 20 days | 29 November 202511:08 PM | 20 days | Scorpio (Vrishchika) → Libra (Tula) |
What Mercury (Budh) Vakri means
A planet is Vakri (retrograde) when, seen from the Earth, it appears to move backwards against the stars. It is an effect of the Earth overtaking the planet, or the planet overtaking the Earth, and in Vedic astrology a retrograde planet is said to be strong (chesta bala), giving the results of the house it moves back over again.
Mercury is retrograde about three times a year, for about three weeks each time. The days around a station, when the planet turns retrograde or direct and seems to stand still, are considered the most intense.
Mercury retrograde 2025: questions
When is Mercury retrograde in 2025?
Mercury is retrograde 3 times in 2025: 15 March 2025 to 7 April 2025 in Pisces (Meena), 18 July 2025 to 11 August 2025 in Cancer (Karka), and 10 November 2025 to 29 November 2025 in Scorpio (Vrishchika) → Libra (Tula).
How long is Mercury retrograde?
Mercury is retrograde about three times a year, for about three weeks each time.
Are the retrograde dates the same in Vedic and Western astrology?
Yes, the start and end of a retrograde are the same moment in both systems. Only the sign can differ: Vedic astrology uses the sidereal zodiac, about 24° behind the Western one, so a retrograde that a Western horoscope places in one sign is often in the previous sign here.