Venus Retrograde 2026: Scorpio and Libra, Oct 3 – Nov 13

Venus turns retrograde on October 3, 2026, in Scorpio, and turns direct on November 13 in Libra. It’s the only Venus retrograde of 2026, and it happens roughly once every year and a half, so it’s worth paying attention to. For about six weeks, love, money and self-worth move into review. Old flames reappear, spending habits come under the spotlight, and questions about what you really want from a partner become harder to ignore. On October 24 Mercury turns retrograde too, and both planets turn direct on the same day. Words, feelings and money all get a second look at once, which makes this one of the most reflective stretches of the year.

Venus retrograde dates, 2026

• Early September: Venus enters its “shadow,” the stretch of sky it will cover twice. Relationship and money topics that came up then are likely to return.
• Oct 3, 3:16 AM: Venus turns retrograde at 8° Scorpio.
• Oct 23, 11:43 PM: The Sun meets Venus at the start of Scorpio. This is the midpoint, and the moment a new Venus cycle begins.
• Oct 25, 5:10 AM: Venus moves back into Libra.
• Nov 13, 7:27 PM: Venus turns direct at 22° Libra, on the same day as Mercury.
• Mid-December: Venus leaves the shadow, and love and money move forward at full speed.

All times in US Eastern Time.

What Venus retrograde actually is

Venus sits between Earth and the Sun and moves faster than we do. About every 19 months it passes between us and the Sun, and for around six weeks it appears from Earth to move backward against the stars. In astrology, Venus rules love, attraction, beauty, pleasure and money, so its retrograde is read as a time to review all of these. Relationships get tested, old feelings resurface, and the question of what you value, in people and in things, comes up again.

Venus traces one of the most beautiful patterns in astronomy. Each time it meets the Sun in the middle of a retrograde, it lands about 144 degrees further around the zodiac, and five of these meetings, joined on the wheel, draw a nearly perfect five-pointed star built on the golden section. That’s why this retrograde has a twin: the last Venus retrograde in Scorpio was in October 2018, when the Sun met Venus around October 26, at about 3° Scorpio. Every 8 years, Venus repeats almost exactly the same dance, on almost the same dates, in almost the same place in the zodiac. Erin Sullivan describes this Venus lotus-shaped mandala pattern in one of my favorite books, Retrograde Planets: Traversing the Inner Landscape. In it, she writes: “It would serve to look back eight years when analyzing the current retrograde trend, for there will be echoes of the past in the present situation.”

Two signs: Scorpio, then Libra

This retrograde touches two signs that Venus handles very differently.

From October 3 to 25, Venus reverses through Scorpio, the sign of depth, trust, intimacy and shared money. Here the review goes deep: jealousy, loyalty, debts, joint accounts and the things couples avoid talking about.

From October 25 to November 13, Venus slips back into Libra, one of its home signs, where it rules partnership, fairness and harmony. The focus softens toward balance: who gives more, who compromises, and whether a relationship still feels equal.

A double retrograde: Venus and Mercury together

On October 24 Mercury, the planet of communication, turns retrograde in Scorpio and joins Venus for the rest of her retrograde. Both planets turn direct on November 13, Mercury in the morning and Venus in the evening. With the two retrograde together, conversations about love and money are the ones most likely to come back: an ex’s message, a talk about shared bills, an apology that arrives late. Around October 6, Mercury met Venus in Scorpio, so whatever came up that week is a good clue to what returns later. For more on the Mercury side, read our guide to Mercury retrograde in Scorpio.

The standout moments

• October 10, Venus square Mars: desire and pride clash, with Mars in Leo. Arguments with a partner flare quickly and cool just as fast if nobody digs in.
• October 20, Venus square Pluto: the most intense day of the retrograde. Jealousy, control and deep attraction all come to the surface. An honest conversation clears the air better than a power struggle.
• October 23, the Sun meets Venus: the heart of the retrograde. Astrologers see this as the start of a new Venus cycle, a quiet moment to decide what you want love and money to look like from here.
• November 4, Venus sextile Jupiter: a warm, generous day. Reconciliations and kind gestures land well.
• November 10, Venus sextile Mars: the tension from October 10 finds a friendlier outlet. A good day to make up, or to agree on a plan together.

What to do, and what can wait

Good for these weeks:

• Revisit an important relationship and talk honestly about what’s working.
• Review your budget, spending habits and shared finances.
• Reconnect with people you care about, or give a past connection a fair second look.
• Sort your wardrobe and home, keeping what you love and letting go of the rest.
• Rethink what you value and what your time and work are worth.

Better after November 13, if you can:

• Engagements, weddings and moving in together.
• Big beauty changes, such as a dramatic haircut or cosmetic procedures.
• Expensive luxury purchases, especially jewelry, art and designer items.
• Starting a new business partnership or a joint investment.

If something can’t wait, go ahead with open eyes: take your time, check the details, and make sure the decision still feels right a week later.

Venus retrograde for each sign

Most accurate for your Rising sign. Don’t know it? Read for your Sun sign, or find your Rising with a free birth chart.

• Aries: Shared money and intimacy come first, then your closest partnership. Clear up joint finances before you make promises.
• Taurus: Venus is your ruling planet, and a partner or ex returns for a real conversation. Later, your daily routine needs gentler care.
• Gemini: A romance from work or your daily life may resurface. From late October, an old flame or a creative hobby calls you back.
• Cancer: Past loves and old creative projects return, then home and family take the spotlight. Hold off on redecorating big.
• Leo: Home and family matters come up for review, then conversations with siblings or neighbors. Choose kind words.
• Virgo: Old messages and unfinished talks come back first, then money. Review your income and prices before November.
• Libra: Venus is your ruling planet, and the review starts with money, then moves into your own sign. Rethink your image and what you’re worth.
• Scorpio: Venus reverses in your sign, so your style, your values and how you want to be loved all change. From late October, rest more.
• Sagittarius: Hidden feelings and old regrets surface first. Then friends and groups bring back someone from the past.
• Capricorn: An old friend may turn out to mean more. From late October, career relationships and your reputation need care.
• Aquarius: A past job, client or colleague returns. Later, travel and study plans get a second look.
• Pisces: Long-distance love and travel plans come up first, then shared money and intimacy. Review joint accounts carefully.

Venus retrograde FAQ

When is Venus retrograde in 2026?

From October 3 to November 13, 2026 (US Eastern Time), starting in Scorpio and ending in Libra. It’s the only Venus retrograde of 2026.

When does Venus retrograde end?

Venus turns direct on the evening of November 13, 2026, at 22° Libra, on the same day as Mercury. It leaves its shadow in mid-December.

Can I start a relationship or get married during Venus retrograde?

Many astrologers advise waiting until after November 13 for engagements and weddings. A new connection can still begin, but give it time before making big commitments.

What does Venus retrograde in Scorpio mean?

It’s a time to review the deep side of love and money: trust, jealousy, intimacy and shared finances. Old feelings and hidden truths tend to surface.

Your own chart

Every retrograde lands in a different part of each chart. To see which area of your life Venus is reviewing, read your October horoscope for your Sun and Rising sign, or find your Rising sign with a free birth chart.