Venus Retrograde 2026
Cosmic beauty, Venus
morning star,
evening star,
waxing and waning,
her bright light loops across the sky.
Slipping into the underworld,
she disappears.
Time to face our fears.
Life on the flipside:
welcome new awareness,
the courage to love,
the strength to carry on
and the vitality for regeneration and healing.
As Venus retraces her steps, we travel through layers of impressions arising from memories, at times triggered by people and things from our past. Venus is the goddess of love in some cultures and the goddess of war in others.
Provocative questions about relationships arise. Is it worth it? Am I showing up authentically or am I being manipulative? There is less tendency to gloss things over and even if we try, things might get more complicated. Better to be straightforward. It’s time to talk and it’s time to listen.
Values. The value of people in our lives. The value of things. Self-value. Uproot self-doubt, organize and finish creative projects. Renew devotion to creative work. Clarify and apply your heart’s desire.
Relationship to work: Am I getting paid enough? Am I putting in too much? There is a process of evaluation which may include considering self-esteem. Am I worthy? What do I want?
Venus Retrograde 2026
October 3 – November 13
The Venus Retrograde 2026 begins in Scorpio, notorious for complex entanglements. The water is deep. Be aware of strategy and mind games. Be real. Venus retrogrades back into Libra on October 31. Harmonious negotiation is key. Life is short. Go for the love.
There is a bright side as well as a shadow side to every sign.
Consider some positive and shadow sides of Scorpio:
Strong-willed, powerful, determined / willful, unyielding, ruthless
Intense, passionate /obsessive, lustful
Self-disciplined, controlled / repressed, controlling
Perceptive, penetrating, resourceful / prying, manipulative, exploitative
Healing / destructive
Consider some positive and shadow sides of Libra:
Peace-loving, harmonious, diplomatic / avoids conflict, pretending, phony
Sharing, cooperating / overly compromising
Artistic, refined, cultured / superficial values, vain, aesthetic snobbery
Charming, hospitable, nice / overly accommodating, docile, compliant
Concerned with fairness and equality / defines “fairness” for own benefit
*credit to Tracy Marks for the positive and negative expressions of the signs (adapted here) in her excellent book “Planetary Aspects, from Conflict to Cooperation”.
Venus Retrograde 2026 Timeline
August 31, 2026
Venus entered the pre-shadow phase (22° Libra 52′)
October 3 – Venus Retrograde (8° Scorpio 30′)
October 6 – Venus aligns with Mercury. A good day for a meaningful conversation with someone you trust. Bare your soul and gain insight into the connection between past and present.
October 10 – Venus squares Mars. Creative tension, desire or unresolved conflict? Something edgy, if not for you personally, it’s all around.
October 10 – Libra New Moon (17° Libra 22′).
October 19-20 – Venus squares Pluto. Intense, even compulsive or manipulative behavior in relationships and financial matters. Intimacy, vulnerability. Alchemy. There is a potential for deep and powerful change.
October 21 – Venus disappears from the evening sky and enters the Underworld.
October 23-24 –Venus conjuncts Sun (0° Scorpio 45′) and begins a new phase of awareness. A significant turning point. Deep realizations are empowered. Venus is the closest it will get to Earth in its entire 19-month cycle… the closest any planet is to the Earth.
October 24 – Mercury Retrograde (20° Scorpio 59′)
October 25 – Venus retrogrades into Libra.
October 26 – Taurus Full Moon (2° Taurus 45′)
October 28 – Venus opposite Chiron, triggering old wounds. What can we learn, is there a way to treat this differently this time?
October 30 – Venus emerges from the Underworld and appears as the morning star just before sunrise (27° Libra 02′). Resurrection after darkness, the beginning of a new cycle. Pay attention! In ancient Maya tradition, this event was tied to ritual timing and could herald political upheaval or accountability for leaders.
November 13 – Venus station direct (22°Libra 52’).
December 16 – Venus exits post-shadow (8° Scorpio 30′).
The Rhythms of Venus
Venus turns retrograde every eighteen months, The degrees at which it stations (where it goes retrograde and direct) form a five-pointed star. Learn about the eight-year cycle of Venus in our sky and the petals of Venus, a rhythmic motion of Venus when viewed from an Earth-centered perspective. https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/five-petals-of-venus/ Make sure to scroll down for the video. Beautiful!
*Note October 10: New Moon in Libra and October 26 Full Moon in Taurus, both Libra and Taurus are ruled by Venus, further emphasizing the themes we are reviewing, issues repeating and potential for thorough transformation.
Venusian Contemplations
Now – Look at the developments since August 31 for clues as to your personal themes and areas of transformation.
Then – Venus retrograde cycles in Scorpio in October – November 2018 + 2010 + 2002. What endings and beginnings occurred during that time – especially within relatedness, love, creativity, values and money? Are there correlations to what is going on now? What can you learn upon reflection with the past?
Look to your birth chart – Where is Venus is transiting: what houses are Scorpio and Libra (I use Whole Sign Houses) in your chart? Both new and full moons and the Mercury retrograde bring attention to the same areas of your birth chart this month.
What themes are you revisiting, excavating in those houses? Ask yourself if you are hanging on to hurts or regrets. Are you resistant or open to change?
The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love — whether we call it friendship or family or romance — is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light. Gentle work. Steadfast work. Life-saving work in those moments when life and shame and sorrow occlude our own light from our view, but there is still a clear-eyed loving person to beam it back. In our best moments, we are that person for another.”
Maria Popova
Navigation in the Mystery
Curious to look deeper into the Venusian dimnsions in your life? Are you drawn towards learning more so that you can be attuned to your unique cycles? I offer deep and compassionate insight that is tailored to your specific needs and interests. Learn about how an astrology reading can you inform and support you: Click here!
“When you bring consciousness to anything,
things begin to shift.”
Eve Ensler
The sun, the moon and the planets are your allies in seeking truth.
They offer parameters, milestones and timing.
They open doors – if you are willing to step through the threshold to
deeper understanding and self-acceptance.
I welcome your inquiry.
I offer navigation in the mystery through astrology and tarot.
With Love,
Jacqueline
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Copyright © 2026 Jacqueline Lasahn All rights reserved.
Artwork: Bliss by Janie Olsen of thestorybookstudio.com , From The Heart by Hans Walør hansvalor.bigcartel.com , Archetype-6-Venus by Veronika Paderni @galaxyepop , Follow Your Bliss by Cathy McClelland cathymcclelland.com
Anthony Barreiro says
So much to ponder here. Thank you for the detailed timeline, holistic interpretation, and insightful questions for reflection.
I hope that Venus’ emergence as the morning star will mark a turn toward real accountability and justice, and the empowerment of leaders who will truly be public servants.
Jacqueline says
You’re welcome, Anthony. There is much we can gain through following Venus’ path and paying attention to our lives.
May we rise along with Venus rising!!
Bodhi Starwater says
I appreciate you and the work you do.
Jacqueline says
Thank you so much, Bodhi! Lovely to hear from you.