Photo by John Lemieux / Flickr
©Therese Murphy 2026
As always, the insights and views expressed in this post are my own interpretations and opinions – you’re welcome to consider or disregard them, along with any suggestions offered, as you see fit. Thank you for visiting!
Please note: I offer Astrology chart readings in private, individual sessions only*
Context: The archetypal symbols of astrology have been around for millenia and, basically, astrology is a language that helps us map and understand our connections with the energy of a living universe. Astrology allows us to track archetypal human experiences and knowable life cycles.
In other words, the planets are not in charge, and do not cause or compel us to do anything. The same divine intelligence that created us also created the planets in our solar system. Perhaps the best way to consider how astrology works is, when we look up into the sky at the planets, asteroids and key points in our solar system, it’s like looking into a giant cosmic mirror, reflecting our human experiences, energetic cycles, and evolution back to us.
The 2026 Venus Retrograde Cycle in Scorpio/Libra runs
October 3 – November 13. #venusretrograde2026
The complete cycle feels longer when we include its pre and post retrograde shadows. The full Venus retrograde cycle including shadows: Sept 1, 2026 – Dec 16, 2026.
The Fall Mercury retrograde cycle in Scorpio overlaps with this year’s Venus retrograde! October 24 – November 13
The overlapping retrogrades add even more emphasis to the Scorpio, and Libra, parts of our charts and our lives and could bring extra challenge and potential frustrations to us and our loved ones.
Why is Venus retrograde a big deal? Venus only goes retrograde once every 19 months and spends less time in retrograde motion than the other planets. Sacred Geometry: in the span of 8 Earth years, or 13 Venusian years, there are 5 Venus synod cycles in which the planet of love traces a huge pentagram shape around the Earth! Referred to as the petals of Venus, the pentagram shape around the Earth also resembles a rose!
What does it mean when a planet goes retrograde?
The planet is closest to Earth in its orbit and appears to be moving backwards from the Earth’s vantage point, retracing its path through the zodiac. During its retrograde cycle, a planet remains in a sector of the zodiac over a longer period of time, and in the case of Venus retrograde this Venus moves from 8 degrees of Scorpio back to 22 degrees of Libra, so where are those degrees in YOUR chart?
Astrologers notice that during cycles where a planet appears to be moving retrograde, we experience its energies and themes differently – in ways that are often heightened, yet less confident; less straightforward, sometimes internalized, frustrated, problematic, or slowed down. Since Venus is the planet most closely associated with love, relationships, values, money, self- worth, art, and harmony, these are the areas of life that are up for review as Venus moves retrograde in mysterious, intense Scorpio.
Continue Here from Mailer:
During a Venus retrograde, we might feel unsure of our value, our talents, our relationships, and our finances, which can prompt reviews of these parts of our lives. We might feel underappreciated and find it more difficult to coordinate with others or to finance our desires. Sometimes we encounter people or relationship themes/dynamics from our past. This year’s Venus retrograde cycle could also resonate with the Fall of 2018 – echoing any love, relationship, or financial issues we experienced then, which is when Venus was last retrograde in Scorpio.
We might find ourselves repeating something and hoping to re-work it or re-craft it. Perhaps we can get a glimpse of how far we’ve come since then! If we pay attention during the Venus retrograde cycle, we could uncover talents, desires, needs, people, or creative interests that we’d like to spend more time with, or that we might be ready to move on from.
On the depths of Venus Retrograde in Scorpio:
“The course of true love never did run smooth” a quote from Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” could serve as a useful touchstone for many folks to describe the experience of a typical Venus retrograde cycle and any thorny relationship or financial issues.
However for some folks, Venus retrograde in Scorpio will be more intense and Shakespeare’s quote could seem like an understatement. Scorpio energy runs deep and the goal of Venus retrograde in Scorpio might be more aptly described as a reckoning with the power of love and loss. These intense energies call us to learn to love our lives and to give ourselves fully, with as much honesty and soulfulness as possible, while also bearing true witness to the times when love and loss left us feeling hurt, or even shattered or bereft, only to heal over time and re-emerge stronger or more fully aware of life’s mystery and depth.
One truly magnificent and beautiful expression of this type of passionate Scorpionic review and reflection on the power and fullness of love is by the poet, Kahlil Gibran: Kahlil Gibran on Love
It’s really important to remember, especially when dealing with powerful Scorpio energies, NOT to force ourselves or our desires onto others, nor to try to force or manipulate anyone to comply with our desires or standards. It’s also important to be aware of any impulses or tendencies toward harshness, cruelty, retaliation, or other extremes that could be damaging in ways that are hard to repair or recover from. It’s also possible that we might need to take breaks from, or walk away from, other people’s extreme energies.
This Fall’s retrogrades could bring encounters with memories of our past obsessions, losses, or transgressions for us to process, grieve, and release. While some memories might be bittersweet or even painful, try not to be too hard on yourself or others for falling short in the past. It probably won’t be necessary or beneficial to wallow unnecessarily in negative thoughts or feelings. However, if it seems appropriate to seek help, support, or counseling to deal with any issues, this transit might also help us to accept that and to take steps accordingly.
Similarly, with both Mercury and Venus retrograde in Scorpio, we might find ourselves needing to stand our ground and be honest, which could be genuinely challenging. It could be frustrating to re-encounter some of the same old power struggles or issues from the past, but this Fall might be a time where the only way out is through.
Reminder: on a personal level, being honest and truthful doesn’t usually extend into giving unsolicited opinions or making hurtful comments about other people’s lives. Ideally, any genuine and healthy giving of one’s self, our experiences, or our opinions, will not come unnecessarily at someone else’s expense.
On another level, some folks will find this Fall a useful time to get investments, finances, bank accounts, wills, and other important legal documents or arrangements in order, or at least to start the process.
Questions to help navigate this year’s Venus retrograde cycle in Scorpio:
How am I participating here? (am I? Do I want to?)
Who or what do I love, or feel strongly about? Am I obsessing?
What do I want? Am I willing to put skin in the game?
Am I minding my own business? Am I trying to control someone else?
Am I being honest with myself? With others?
Can I see myself and my situation accurately and accept things as they are, or do I need to make some changes?
Where has asserting myself devolved into a battle of wills?
Who, or what, am I holding onto that I need to let go of?
What values do I share in common with this person, or group?
What’s valuable to me about this? Anything?
How can I find balance?
How can I live more from the heart?
How will you engage with these important energies?
To learn more about these unfolding energies and what they mean for you individually, please email to schedule your appointment for a private reading. Private readings with Therese recommended every 6-12 months.
*In person, or by Zoom or phone:
- 90 Minute Natal Astrology + 12 month Forecast. All Astrology prices include 2-3 hours of prep time and require accurate date, time and place of birth.
- 60 Minute Tarot Card Reading: available in person, or remotely
Hours: Tues – Fri: 2:00pm-7:00pm
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Therese's calling has always been to share insightful perspectives and heart centered wisdom to support your journey. She offers her blog posts freely, yet they do require her time, energy and generous expression of her talent and expertise. If you've found value in her mailers, posts, or videos and would like to help her continue to offer them, she'd be deeply grateful for your support through her Give As You Wish program. Every contribution helps Therese sustain and grow this work, no matter the amount.
