In 1971, Mercury has four retrograde periods: in Capricorn, Sagittarius, Taurus, Aries, Virgo and Leo. The year opens with a retrograde carried over from the year before; it ends on January 7. The last ends on December 22.
Retrograde periods in 1971
December 19, 1970 – January 7, 1971
Over
- Shadow begins
- Retrograde begins
- Turns direct
- Shadow ends
- Sign
- from Capricorn into Sagittarius
- Length
- 19 days
April 9 – May 3
Over
- Shadow begins
- Retrograde begins
- Turns direct
- Shadow ends
- Sign
- from Taurus into Aries
- Length
- 24 days
August 12 – September 5
Over
- Shadow begins
- Retrograde begins
- Turns direct
- Shadow ends
- Sign
- from Virgo into Leo
- Length
- 24 days
December 2 – December 22
Over
- Shadow begins
- Retrograde begins
- Turns direct
- Shadow ends
- Sign
- Sagittarius
- Length
- 20 days