THE INNER PATH – VENUS RETROGRADE AND MERCURY IN SCOPRIO – WHAT IT MEANS FOR EACH SIGN

5.10.26

Sun in Libra

Mercury and Venus (Retrograde) in Scorpio. Mars in Leo. Jupiter in Leo. Saturn in Aries (retrograde) Uranus in Gemini (retrograde). Neptune in Aries (Retrograde) and Pluto in Aquarius (retrograde).

As the outer planets are still retrograde (Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) alongside Venus we may find we are slowing down as we move further into the Autumn Season of course. But also we are finding perhaps that we are wanting to shift things as they arise day to day. Old patterns of course but also issues that we have had enough of that seem to rise from nowhere to show us how we have risen above the old triggers (if we have) that may have pushed us to do something or say something we know is our own pattern of behaviour we no longer can work with.

Of course Venus retrograde in Scorpio will have us reviewing what we see as love. Venus will also work its way back into Libra for the second half of the retrograde. This is a similar parallel to the Venus retrograde of 2018 so it may be significant for you to look back at where you were then. Who you were with. Where you found yourself in regard to relationships etc. Mercury will also go retrograde on the 24th October. As Venus stationed retrograde at the beginning of October, Mercury was already in a conjunction with her and then in a tight square with Mars in Leo opposite Pluto in Aquarius – that created a T square. The pressure from Mars opposite Pluto will point to Mercury (and Venus) in Scorpio, urging us to review and reflect on which House Scorpio is in your own personal Chart. What we hold true as working for us when it comes to relationships – but we must always bear in mind that the first relationship is with ourself! We have to work through this inner world we are being asked to enter and see what do we hold a candle to that will illuminate our true identity and what will also reveal the shadows we thought we had dealt with. It is a clearing out process of sorts but also an illuminating one. We are walking our way back home, inwards, backwards and regenerating as we do it! Its a kind of Benjamin Button experience (if you have seen the film) that is reverse aging. But we are illuminating the world we have experienced within us in this cycle. The Venus retrograde happens approximately every 18 months so it is not a rare phenomenon. But it is being exaggerated by the Mars and Pluto connection here. It can create an irritable energy of sorts. We may want to have our say or to show our hand – but caution is needed as always. This is about who holds our power and how we wield our own. How we perceive ourselves as being authentically sovereign and in charge of our will! But not to over exaggerate the need to prove ourselves so as to force a reaction or create chaos. It is a tightrope experience of sorts. This is not for the faintheart but it is for the one who sees this journey as a personal experience of growing and becoming more divine in our human nature.

There is one conjunction that is sublime during the Venus retrograde and that is what as known as a Venus ‘star point’ in Scorpio – and the last one we see in our lifetime – so I will not overlook this as just another conjunction! Since 1926 Venus has met the Sun in Scorpio – and this is her last. How we communicate (Mercury) with the heart and the mind is being awakened here. How we love. How we contemplate the process of awakening also. The Heart holds the key to everything – not just in a romantic way as we would see it. But it is the centre of the Flower of Life configuration that opens and opens forever! In sacred geometry the absolute center of the Flower of Life is the Seed of Life. This core consists of seven overlapping circles that mirror circular division (the Egg of Life) and the creation of the Universe. Venus is the essence of the Seed and it is when we open our hearts fully to their truest potential that the gateway is opened to a new world. The journey of Venus back through Scorpio is the trigger and the Star Point at the end of October is the illuminating of a divine spark within us. We walk into the fire of our hearts now to go over old ground so as to bring out something that is our truest potential in this lifetime.

ARIES

Emotional triggers may be running high for you Aries during this Venus retrograde. How you look at money, shared finances and intimacy. You are being asked to look at reciprocity in regard to personal relationships. What you give and what you expect in return. It is time to unburden yourself of holding back Aries. To really let go of what you feel you should put a boundary on when it comes to being open and honest with others (without confrontation!). Old power struggles may be triggered from the past and resurface – even with new opponents. So be aware of how you perceive them and how you deal with them! You are also being ask to step further into how you see intimate relationships. To let go of the shadow of the past and to see how you can balance the give/take approach to commitment and allow yourself to believe that it is ok to trust. Breaking repetitive habits will help and if you come up against an old pattern of how you dealt with things – it is time to try a new way and find a new perspective as then you will see you have finally broke through!!!

TAURUS

You may find you are cutting ties with anything that drains you Taurus. That can be people, places or things. You want a new routine and a new way as you are hungry for something that serves you and shows you to your fullest potential. It is a positive thing as you may have felt that unease with old patterns and people also. Not that you have to fall out with anyone you just find you want to set out a new pattern that you can discover a whole new world through. You may have been keeping your distance from those things and people you used to rush to help or run to join and there is a reason. You have grown into a new aspect of your character and just want to discover where that brings you! Its not that the old way is good or bad it is just different to what you are going to be doing in the future. You love your solid routine Taurus and to know what you are doing so it is a big push for you during this Venus retrograde and Mercury. You are being asked to take tentative steps into a new way of being and trusting its ok to grow!

GEMINI

This season may have you asking questions of yourself Gemini. Your physical body though may be asking you to slow down through fatigue or physical strain of some sort. You have been pushing yourself either mentally or emotionally especially. You want to show who you are and do your best in new situations but you also need to take time out just to relax somewhere where you no one calls your name! Just to be. It may be that a holiday is needed or at least a few days of no calls, and no texts etc. Prioritize your time away from routines and also step up with your vitamins and self care. You are entering the Venus/Merucury retrograde with a lot of the past having been sifted through this year. You have done the work emotionally and mentally and now your own planet (Mercury) is asking for time out. Take it Gemini when you can and boy are you coming back stronger and bigger than ever when you do!

CANCER

You may feel a sense of nostalgia Cancer as we enter the Venus/Mercury retrograde season. You are resisting moving out of your familiar social circle and what is known to you. You love the familiar and being close to home but something is calling you to step out of the old and try – even for a while – what is feels to be among new and different situations. You will feel more grounded than you have in a long time. Sometimes being in similar situations every day means we fly off energetically to escape the routine and we live like that for a long time! It becomes our ‘go to’ and yet there is so much more you can bring your lovely heart to – while keeping the fires burning at home too. Trust it. Something is calling and its waiting just for you.

LEO

Venus retrograde has you in its palm Leo. You are being asked to be that one. To be the person who breaks old generational cycles and patterns by being YOU. By stepping out into the spotlight and showing up. You have faced your vulnerability and continue to do so Leo but something in you wont give up. You have to walk a path that was not the ancestors. And you know it! You are letting go and it does require vulnerability and patience. Take time to focus on steady personal healing – rather than any quick fixes that people recommend. You know yourself Leo. Time to enjoy moments that bring you fun and laughter and times that allow you enjoy being with loved ones – these are the things that make your beautiful heart Shine Leo and you are here to shine. Honesty is required with all thoughts and patterns that may appear during this retrograde – but not with judgment or shame. You have what it takes to move through into a new way of doing things and it is not mediocre – it is Leo Fantastic!

VIRGO

This is a time of growth for you Virgo. You have done so much in the way of personal improvement and growing but there is more to go! Do not be tempted to gloss over the practical details of anything now to make a run for the end of something. It will all work out beautifully if you keep grounded and keep dreaming! Do not over idealize situations or people as you are want to do! If you address things head on without being confrontational you will surprise all of those who ever doubted you Virgo. There is something going on in you that is beautiful – it is a mix of the magical and the mysterious. You love all of the fairytales and you want one. And you are in the best place to have that happy ending if you now address anything coming up during this month that requires you to be honest and say what you need. Its a big ask for a Virgo but you are a Virgo who has been on a long journey and the only way forward is as the authentic YOU!

LIBRA

Your ruling planet Venus is making her way back through Scorpio to meet you again Libra. But in the meantime there are a lot of memories coming to mind – both beautiful and those that we see as experiences. You are shedding your old wardrobe – both metaphysically and emotionally and you want to leave behind how you were perceived. Something in you has shifted and its deep. The experiences of the past years has taught you that not everyone who says they love you do. That’s the hard thing to bear but its something that has lit up your inner world to care for the person you have become. You know who you are now and you are not taking sloppy seconds or poor excuses. Its not what you give. When someone is with you they are getting Star treatment! And this my friend is what you deserve too. But for now start with a whole new world of loving you. Be kind to yourself Libra this month because by the end of October a star is born and its YOU.

SCORPIO

Well this is a big month for you Scorpio. Your nails are running down the blackboard of life…and you do not care how it sounds. You are trying to clear out old grievances Scorpio and to come to terms with experiences of the past – that have actually shaped you into a pretty reliable and good person now. It might weigh heavy on you at times and it may even cause you to have regret darling. But please do not regret the past – you walked through the storm and came out smelling of roses. Just be at peace with those you had to meet head on to get to this point and if it takes saying sorry – say it. If you are owed an apology let the Universe make it happen in the best way possible. But for once Scorpio allow yourself leave down the burden of carrying old burdens!!! It was never noble. It just made you smaller than you are. Let the sun shine on you in a golden Autumn glow and as you walk in nature see the past as settled with those leaves you walk on. Holding old hurts keeps you in a limbo of this cycle. But you are seeing how you almost have to fake it to make it – when you suddenly realize the weight of what you carried as being real actually wasn’t.

SAGITTARIUS

If you feel overwhelmed Sagittarius trust old confidants to talk to and even lean upon at times now. You have been a shoulder for others so many times and are known as the one person that can be relied upon. But under this retrograde it is time for you to share those vulnerabilities as you perceived you had to conquer. Make sure you talk to someone you know you can trust and be discreet Sagittarius – they will make themselves known to you. It may not be those around you every day but someone who knows your heart and is there when you need. Perspective is needed now and sometimes when we in a cycle of things we can literally be going around in circles until someone points it out to us – as you know! Trust your beautiful heart to find the moment and it will come. Trust the way forward as it is happening and yet let go of the need to hold back when it is your own worry or concern – there is freedom in sharing it with someone who will not judge. Freedom.

CAPRICORN

You are coming into this Venus retrograde and Mercury retrograde with a clearer mind Capricorn. You have found a nugget of truth and hope now and you are holding on to it. But be mindful of boundaries – as may have come up before now. Take time to look deeper into situations arising that have an element of repetition especially with people. You do not have to go around the merry go round again but you can start a new journey with someone when you both on the same page. Also financial commitments may have to be looked at now when you realise you do not need to be responsible for everything! And you may want to have a little splurge on yourself which is entirely the right thing! You are setting boundaries Capricorn but that is because you have found a new way of being yourself and you are letting others know what goes and what doesn’t! You are seen as the dependable one and someone who can get things done but now you want to have that freedom to make decisions on the spur of the moment when you want to so it is important to trust your inner gut and also keep a boundary on what financial arrangement suit you. You are saying No more often Capricorn and that is good as it gives you time to consider what is working for you as we go into 2027.

AQUARIUS

This is a heady time for you Aquarius. Literally. You may find you are going through old scenarios and thinking through past. Venus and Mercury retrograde will find you looking at how you show up in the world and with whom. Where your heart calls you now is important. You may want to look at how what you love to do and how you can improve on it and share it with others as we progress through the month of October. You may see yourself as entirely different from the past and still be getting to know what or who you actually like now! But the most immersive part of all this for you as we move through the month is knowing what you don’t want anymore. To see the past and the patterns and challenges that made you who you are now as being done. To see how its perfectly in order to do something in a new and vibrant way just for you! But also you will be trying out and learning new skills you never thought you would and it may just bring you to the people that need to meet you!!!

PISCES

You may still be navigating old patterns Pisces (like us all). But you may be holding back off committing to someone or something and that is entirely in order just for now. You may have high expectations of someone or something and that is the blocking of energy that needs shifting this month for you. Where have you put your faith and trust? Does it hinge on you trusting someone else you are going into business with or partnership? Instead of being disappointed after a promising start it is vital you hold ground and wait for clarity – or someone – to show themselves this month before you take the next step. Neptune your ruling planet is still retrograde in Aries and your dreams have a passion and a flavour that you want to create Pisces, but they also deserve you waiting for the right moment when it all flows! Trusting your own intuition and nature is important now more than ever and you will as we end the month but for now take one step at a time and take heart that you are creating something beautiful and that takes time.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK

North Star Astrology 2026

Caroline xxx