VENUS RETROGRADE

Venus retrograde starts in Scorpio, where the questions are asked and answered quietly in the dark. This is a time to grab a rake and see what is hiding under the leaves of our emotional world.

What do I actually want? Who do I trust? Where do I need better boundaries? Am I making choices from a place of self-worth, or from fear of losing something?

When Venus squares Mars in Leo on October 10, we might hit something with the rake. Anger, desire, or a reaction that seems bigger than the moment itself can show us where to look.

Venus squares Pluto in Aquarius three times. As we look more honestly at our boundaries, our power, and the ways we handle trust, we may begin to see our friendships, groups, organizations, and shared goals differently. Who has influence? Who gets to decide what’s acceptable? What parts of ourselves do we feel we have to hide to belong?

I call Scorpio the “ride or die” sign, but loyalty can get complicated. Sometimes we stay because we’re afraid of what happens if we leave. Sometimes we test people instead of telling them what we need. Sometimes we call it trust when what we really want is control. None of that is especially pretty to find under the leaves, but it’s worth being honest about. Who are we riding with, and what are we riding for? Can we stay true to our values, even when belonging is on the line? Scorpio holds truths that can be hard to look at. Sharing that kind of intimacy with someone can leave us feeling deeply empowered, or give them the power to hurt us.

When Venus moves back into Libra, the tone softens a bit. After looking at what feels safe, what doesn’t, and where our boundaries need to be, we get to ask how we want to feel with other people. What helps me feel at peace in a relationship? Where is there room for both of us to be ourselves? Maybe balance looks different after everything we’ve uncovered, and we can begin to find our way toward it together.

That’s what interests me about this retrograde… the movement from a truth found quietly in the dark to a more honest sense of peace with others. What changes between us once I’m clearer about what’s true for me?

And on a more mundane level, Libra and Scorpio carry us through harvest, Halloween, Samhain, and Day of the Dead. I’ll be watching for how this Venus retrograde shows up in costumes, celebrations, and the things we choose to bring out into the open. Mercury is retrograde in Scorpio from October 24 to November 13, too, and I’m sure it will have plenty to say about whatever Venus has been digging up. The veil might feel extra thin this spooky season. Soak that part in! Meanwhile, Mars in Leo still wants to have a good time and might add a little drama to the whole thing.

Keep an eye out for a special Venus Retrograde video with me and my podcast buddy Christa of Practical Astros ⚕️, coming soon to YouTube! In the meantime, you can watch our October overview on the Practical Astros YouTube channel.