Venus and Mercury Retrograde: Look Back Before You Move On

Mercury stationed retrograde in Scorpio on October 24, marking a major turning point in an already eventful season for this sign. Mercury, the planet of communication, movement, and information, entered Scorpio on September 30, joining Venus, which had entered the sign earlier in September. Since then, the Scorpio sector of your chart has been highly activated, bringing deeper themes to the surface around intimacy, trust, emotional bonds, and the things we often keep hidden.

This intensity continues through October and into the first half of November as Mercury joins Venus in her retrograde journey. Venus stationed retrograde in Scorpio on October 3, the sun entered Scorpio on October 23, and just one day later, Mercury stationed retrograde in the sign. Then, on October 25, Venus returned to Libra, shifting the focus of her retrograde journey back to the previous sign, while Mercury continues its backward journey through Scorpio. This creates a powerful period of reflection, review, and deeper processing. With both Venus and Mercury retrograde, you may find yourself revisiting old conversations and relationship dynamics. Unresolved feelings and questions around what and who you truly value can figure strongly as well. Before you can move forward, you are being asked to look back, reconsider, and understand what has been operating beneath the surface. What fears, anxieties, or unfinished business have been holding you back? What are you finally ready to confront, understand, or release?

Mercury’s retrograde journey through Scorpio is particularly potent, bringing a more intense and searing quality to thoughts and conversations. The communication planet will make a feisty aspect to Mars in Leo and a clarifying cazimi with the sun, adding even more momentum to the story. Then, both Mercury and Venus will station direct on the same day, November 13, marking a significant tone shift and the feeling of the turning of a page.

Mercury goes retrograde about three times a year, marking a roughly 20-day period of heightened inner awareness, review, and reflection. As the planet of communication moves backward, its energy becomes intensified and internalized. This is especially true of Mercury retrograde in Scorpio, an already reflective and probing sign. When Mercury is in Scorpio in general, our thoughts and communications tend to be more probing and intense. Mercury in Scorpio seeks the truth in all that is hidden and undercover.

While Mercury is retrograde in Scorpio, it’s a powerful time to get in touch with your instincts, motivations, and shadow side. Now is the time to explore our more intimate and emotional natures and how these influence our decision-making processes. Increased sensitivity and emotional awareness are likely. Coupled with the sun’s presence in Scorpio and Venus’ recent retrograde journey through the sign, it cannot be overstated how active this part of your chart and life is right now. This is an excellent time to dive into personal development work like journaling or therapy. What has been overlooked within you begs to be acknowledged and addressed. You don’t necessarily need to take action on what you uncover just yet. For now, give yourself the space to understand it first.

Key Dates

Mercury Square Mars: October 28 to November 2

Mercury in Scorpio will square Mars in Leo, heightening tensions and passions and creating friction. This is the most charged and intense period of the Mercury retrograde. Mercury rules our communications, and Mars is in charge of action and assertion, as well as anger. This can look like fiery communication, impulsive decision-making, defensiveness, or arguments. Sometimes, things need to be said “right now,” but often, they do not. If you feel the need to confront someone or tell them how you really feel during these days, resist the urge and take a beat. Give yourself time to process before reacting. On the flip side, this aspect can give you the courage to finally say something or take action on something you’ve been sitting with for a while. Just make sure your words and actions are coming from clarity rather than a moment of heat.

Mercury Conjunct the Sun (Cazimi): November 4

Mercury’s inferior conjunction to the sun, or “cazimi,” marks the halfway point of the retrograde. When a planet exactly conjoins the sun, it is said to be elevated and supported by the power and light of the sun. Mercury cazimis can mark a major point of clarity and realization. This is a bright spot within the larger Mercury retrograde review process. It’s a great day to take some time to journal, meditate, or simply check in with yourself intentionally. Pay attention to what comes up. A realization or piece of information you receive around this time could help you understand what this retrograde has been asking you to see more clearly.

By November 13, when Mercury and Venus both station direct, the picture will begin to clear. Until then, let this retrograde do its slow, deep work, and trust that what you uncover now will help you move forward with more honesty and clarity.