♏︎ Scorpio and ♎︎ Libra
Happening nowVenus retrograde 2026
Venus retrograde 2026 runs October 3 – November 13, 2026. It starts at 8°29′ Scorpio, backs into Libra on October 25 and ends at 22°52′ Libra. Love, trust and money come up for review — a time to renegotiate, not to force a decision.
Timeline
Pre-shadow begins
22°52′ Libra
Stations retrograde
8°29′ Scorpio
Stations direct
22°52′ Libra
Shadow ends
8°29′ Scorpio
What it means
Venus retrograde happens when Venus overtakes the Earth on the inside track and, from where we stand, appears to move backwards. It comes around about every 19 months and lasts about six weeks; this one is 42 days from station to station. Venus describes what draws us — people, beauty, comfort, money — so its retrograde is a natural pause to ask whether we still want what we are chasing.
The 2026 retrograde begins in Scorpio. Scorpio is the sign of trust, intimacy, shared resources and the things we would rather not say out loud. Traditionally Venus is uneasy here: it prefers harmony, and Scorpio insists on depth. From October 3 expect the hidden side of relationships to surface — jealousy, unspoken expectations, joint money, the question of who holds power. Nothing has to explode. It is usually enough to name what is true.
On October 25 Venus slips back into Libra, the sign it rules, and stays there until the station direct. Libra is about fairness, agreements and the balance between "me" and "us". The mood shifts from emotional excavation to renegotiation: who does what, what was promised, which compromises are no longer working. Venus stations direct at 22°52′ Libra on November 13 — a good marker for when decisions can start to move again.
The midpoint is the conjunction with the Sun on October 23 at 0°45′ Scorpio, when Venus switches from evening star to morning star. Many astrologers treat it as the "reset" moment of the whole cycle: a clear look at what you value, often followed by a quiet decision.
Venus is not alone: Mercury is also retrograde from October 24 to November 13, in Scorpio. With both planets of connection reviewing at once, misunderstandings between partners are more likely and old conversations come back. Double-check plans, say the obvious thing, and give important talks a second round.
Venus retrograde 2026, phase by phase
Pre-shadow, August 31 – October 3. Venus crosses 22°52′ Libra, the degree where it will later station direct. Topics that show up now — a relationship question, a money decision, a renovation — are the ones the retrograde will return to.
Station retrograde, October 3. Venus stands still at 8°29′ Scorpio. Stations are felt most strongly by people with planets or angles close to that degree; the chart check on this page tells you if that includes you.
Meeting the Sun, October 23. Venus passes between the Earth and the Sun at 0°45′ Scorpio and is reborn as the morning star. Quiet clarity about what — and whom — you value is typical here; you do not have to act on it yet.
Back into Libra, October 25. The emphasis moves from what you feel to what you agree. Expect conversations about fairness, shared duties and commitments that need new terms.
Station direct, November 13. Venus turns forward at 22°52′ Libra. Decisions you have been holding feel clearer within a few days, though Venus is still slow.
Post-shadow, until December 15. Venus retraces its steps and passes 8°29′ Scorpio again. This is the integration phase: act on what you learned, sign what is ready, let go of what is not.
Venus retrograde 2026
Where does it land in your chart?
Enter your birth details. We calculate your chart on the spot and show the house this event moves through and any of your planets it touches.
What it means for your rising sign
Read your rising sign (Ascendant) first — it sets which area of life the event moves through. Whole-sign houses; the chart check above uses your exact houses.
Aries rising
8th house → 7th houseVenus turns back in your 8th house of shared money, intimacy and trust, then retreats into your 7th house of partners. First you may have to look at debts, joint spending or what you are not saying in bed; later the talk moves to what a partner can expect from you. Lead with honesty rather than speed — the conversation is worth more than the conclusion.
Taurus rising
7th house → 6th houseVenus rules your chart, so you feel this one personally. It starts in your 7th house of committed partners and backs into your 6th house of daily routines and work. A relationship may need a frank review of who carries what, then your schedule asks for the same treatment. Small, steady changes suit you better than an ultimatum.
Gemini rising
6th house → 5th houseThe retrograde begins in your 6th house of work habits and health routines and moves back into your 5th house of romance, fun and creativity. Office friendships and the rhythm of your days come first; later an old crush or a creative project you shelved may reappear. Enjoy the nostalgia, but notice whether it still fits who you are.
Cancer rising
5th house → 4th houseVenus moves backwards through your 5th house of dating and self-expression, then into your 4th house of home and family. A past romance, a hobby you dropped or the question of what really makes you happy comes up, followed by family matters and how your home feels. Prioritise comfort over impressing anyone.
Leo rising
4th house → 3rd houseIt starts in your 4th house of home and roots and backs into your 3rd house of everyday conversation. Family dynamics and the mood at home surface first, then talks with siblings, neighbours or close contacts take over. A message you have been avoiding is worth sending, but reread it before you hit send.
Virgo rising
3rd house → 2nd houseYour 3rd house of conversation is first, then Venus retreats into your 2nd house of income and self-worth. Old discussions return and you may reconnect with someone you used to speak with every day. In the second half, review spending, subscriptions and what you charge. You may be undervaluing your time.
Libra rising
2nd house → 1st houseVenus rules your rising sign, so this is your retrograde. It begins in your 2nd house of money and values, then backs into your 1st house of identity and appearance. First comes a money review — what you buy to feel good, what you are worth — then the focus turns to your image and needs. Avoid radical makeovers until Venus is direct.
Scorpio rising
1st house → 12th houseVenus stations retrograde in your 1st house, close to your rising sign, then slips into your 12th house of rest and privacy. People notice you, and you notice how you show up in relationships. In the second half, quiet reflection helps: feelings you keep to yourself, an old attachment, or a habit of hiding your needs. Give it space rather than an explanation.
Sagittarius rising
12th house → 11th houseThe retrograde starts in your 12th house of solitude and endings and backs into your 11th house of friends and groups. First you may process something privately — a regret, a longing you have not shared. Then friendships come up for review: who is still in your corner, which group still fits. Reconnecting with an old friend can feel easier than usual.
Capricorn rising
11th house → 10th houseVenus moves through your 11th house of friends, networks and hopes, then into your 10th house of career and public life. Social plans and a friendship that has shifted come first; later, relationships at work and how you are seen professionally take the stage. A past contact can reopen a door — be warm but realistic about terms.
Aquarius rising
10th house → 9th houseIt starts in your 10th house of career and reputation and backs into your 9th house of beliefs, study and travel. Office relationships and your public image need care early on; later you may revisit a course, a trip or a long-distance connection. It is a good time to ask whether your goals still reflect your values.
Pisces rising
9th house → 8th houseVenus turns back in your 9th house of travel, learning and big ideas, then retreats into your 8th house of intimacy and shared resources. A trip, a teacher or a belief about love comes up first; later, joint finances and trust in a close relationship ask for honest attention. Say what you need instead of hoping it will be guessed.
What to do, what to avoid
Good use of this time
- Have the honest conversation you have been postponing — about money, trust or commitment.
- Review joint finances, debts and subscriptions before the station direct.
- Reconnect deliberately: an old friend, a creative project, a style you liked.
- Write down what you value now; compare it with what your calendar and bank statement say.
- Use the post-shadow to act on what you decided.
Go easy on
- Rushing into or out of a commitment while both Venus and Mercury are retrograde.
- Big luxury purchases or cosmetic changes on impulse.
- Testing a partner instead of telling them what you need.
- Reading every return of an ex as fate — it is a chance to close the loop, not an order.
Questions people ask
When is Venus retrograde in 2026?
From October 3, 2026 to November 13, 2026 (US Eastern time). Venus stations retrograde at 8°29′ Scorpio, moves back into Libra on October 25 and stations direct at 22°52′ Libra.
When does the Venus retrograde 2026 shadow end?
The pre-shadow began on August 31, 2026. The post-shadow ends on December 15, 2026, when Venus passes 8°29′ Scorpio — the degree where it turned retrograde — for the third time.
Are Venus and Mercury retrograde at the same time in 2026?
Yes. Mercury is retrograde from October 24 to November 13, 2026, so both planets of connection are reviewing together for about three weeks. Conversations about relationships and money are more likely to need a second round.
Is it bad to start a relationship during Venus retrograde?
No rule forbids it. The retrograde favours relationships that grow slowly, second chances and honest re-evaluation. If something new starts now, give it time and see how it feels after the post-shadow.
Will my ex come back during Venus retrograde?
Exes often get in touch during Venus retrogrades, but that is a chance to understand the past, not a forecast. Ask whether you want the person or the memory, and decide after the station direct.
When is the next Venus retrograde?
The next Venus retrograde begins on May 10, 2028 at 19°41′ Gemini and ends on June 22, 2028.
More dates to know
- Jupiter retrograde 2026December 12, 2026
- Mars retrograde 2027January 10, 2027
- Solar eclipse in Aquarius, February 2027February 6, 2027
- Mercury retrograde 2027February 9, 2027
- Lunar eclipse in Virgo, February 2027February 20, 2027
- Lunar eclipse in Capricorn, July 2027July 18, 2027
- Astrology events calendar →Coming up
Terms on this page
How this page was made: every date, time, degree and sign is calculated by Astraly's ephemeris engine (VSOP87 planetary theory, Meeus algorithms for lunations and eclipses) and refined to the minute. The interpretation was written by the Astraly editorial team with AI assistance and reviewed by a person. Astrology is a reflective tool, not a prediction of events, and nothing here is medical, legal or financial advice. Updated October 15, 2026.