Astrologer says ‘do nothing’ next Friday on ‘most chaotic day for 45 years’

Joanne Jones says it will be a ‘perfect storm’ and you should rearrange any plans you can

Astrology experts are urging people to avoid major decisions, travel, and important conversations on Friday, March 13 2026 – calling it a rare “perfect storm” of cosmic chaos that hasn’t happened in 45 years. Friday 13 marks an exceptionally rare cosmic collision, falling during Mercury retrograde in Pisces.

The last time this exact convergence occurred was February 13, 1981, making 2026 the first repeat of this alignment in more than four decades. Mercury retrograde in Pisces is also uncommon, with the last one being in March 2019, and the next won’t occur until February 2033.

However, neither of those periods also contained a Friday the 13, making March 13th 2026, genuinely unique and cosmically ‘terrifying’. “This is the most chaotic astrological alignment of 2026,” said Joanne Jones, astrologer and founder of Trusted Psychics . “We haven’t seen Friday the 13th collide with Mercury retrograde in Pisces since 1981 – that’s 45 years ago. If you can reschedule anything important for this date, do it.”

While the UK will experience three Friday 13ths in 2026 – the maximum possible in any year – March 13 stands alone as the only one coinciding with Mercury retrograde. And not just any Mercury retrograde: this one is in Pisces, one of the rarest and’ most emotionally volatile’ placements.

Mercury retrograde occurs three to four times annually and astrologers say it is notorious for disrupting communication, travel, and technology, but Mercury retrograde in Pisces is far less common. The last one was in March 2019 – seven years ago – and there won’t be another until 2033.

This particular retrograde runs from February 26 to March 20 2026, with March 13 landing right in its peak, and when Mercury moves through Pisces, the zodiac’s ‘most emotionally sensitive’ sign, the usual retrograde chaos intensifies dramatically – astrologers say.

“Mercury retrograde in Pisces won’t just be about tech glitches or delayed trains,” Jones said. “Pisces amplifies emotional sensitivity tenfold. This means old feelings may resurface, unresolved conversations may come back to haunt you, and your intuition may go into overdrive. Now add in Friday the 13th – a day already loaded with superstitious dread – right in the middle of this turbulent period, and it’s the perfect storm.”

Things to avoid on March 13:

• Booking travel or taking flights
• Signing contracts or legal documents
• Having serious relationship conversations
• Buying expensive tech or appliances
• Starting new jobs or major projects
• Posting anything controversial on social media
• Making impulsive financial decisions

What to expect on March 13:

• Communication chaos: Messages will be easily misinterpreted, and emotional reactions can escalate fast. Expect misunderstandings to multiply throughout the day.
• Tech and travel failures: Delayed trains, cancelled flights, tech glitches, lost files – if it can fail, it might fail spectacularly on March 13.
• Emotional overwhelm: Past wounds resurface. You might find yourself thinking about an ex, replaying old arguments, or feeling inexplicably anxious.
• Heightened intuition: Your gut feelings will be sharper than usual. Pay attention to hunches and recurring thoughts – your subconscious is trying to tell you something.

How to ‘survive’ March 13:

• Back up everything – Save files, photos, and important documents before the 13th
• Triple-check messages – Pause before reacting to texts or emails
• Leave early – Add extra time for all journeys and appointments
• Postpone big decisions – Wait until after March 20th when Mercury goes direct
• Ground yourself – Journal, meditate, or spend time in nature
• Plan something positive – Book something enjoyable to shift the energy

Your Sign’s Survival Guide:

• Fire Signs (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius): Avoid confrontations at work, as your usual confidence could come across as aggression. Instead, keep your head down.
• Earth Signs (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn): Don’t make financial decisions or large purchases, as that “bargain” will likely have hidden problems or more costs down the line.
• Air Signs (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius): Communication breakdowns are highly likely, so save important conversations for after the 13th, or ideally, after the 20th.
• Water Signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces): You’ll feel this retrograde most intensely and old emotions will resurface, so take extra care of your mental health and don’t isolate yourself, especially on the 13th.

“Acknowledge the anxiety rather than dismissing it,” Jones said. “Recognise it’s real and give yourself permission to manage it. Small acts of control – like backing up your phone or leaving early for appointments – can significantly reduce stress.

“Yes, it might be chaotic, and yes, you might feel more anxious than usual,” she adds. “But it’s also a day that asks you to pay attention to what you’re feeling, what you’re avoiding, and what your intuition is trying to tell you. Use it as an opportunity for reflection rather than pushing through.”