Retrogrades sound far scarier than they are, I say, as a Virgo with high Mercury placements, and someone who used to have a mini meltdown every time the term ‘Mercury Retrograde’ was mentioned. But what I’ve learned is that retrogrades, much like new moons, ask us to stop and reflect before we act. An important note to remember as, right now, four planets are retrograde and a fifth is about to begin.
Before we talk planets and meanings, though, let’s take a moment to look at what the term retrograde actually means. Cast your mind back to that school science class and the diagram of the solar system: the sun sits in the middle with the eight planets circling around it, all travelling their own path in the same direction. Mercury is closest, followed by Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
When a planet is in retrograde, it appears, from Earth, to be moving backwards across the sky. It’s an optical illusion caused by the planets travelling at different speeds. For the outer planets, it happens when Earth overtakes them, rather like when you pass a car in the next lane and it seems to drift backwards. For Mercury and Venus, which are closer to the sun and faster than us, it happens when they overtake Earth. And in astrology, each planet’s retrograde brings its own meaning.
- Venus
Venus rules love, attraction, beauty, pleasure and the things you value. It shapes how you give and receive affection, what draws you to others and what makes you feel appreciated.
- Saturn
Saturn rules discipline, responsibility, boundaries and patience. It points to where life tests you, where you build resilience and where lasting success is made.
- Uranus
Uranus rules freedom, rebellion, sudden change and awakening. It urges you to break old rules, challenge expectations and discover what makes you different.
- Neptune
Neptune rules dreams, intuition, spirituality, imagination and illusion. It’s the planet of the invisible world: your fantasies, your deepest longings and the things you wish to believe in.
- Mercury
Mercury, the planet of communication, is the last planet to join the retrograde gang. It governs how you speak, listen, learn, process information and make decisions.
Below, I’ve broken down what each retrograde means, with a tip for navigating what’s often thought of as a challenging time, and the motivation it brings to finish the year strong. For those wanting to really delve in, though, each retrograde affects us differently, so a general reading will only get you so far. I always use Astroseek to see where each planet sits in my birth chart, which gives me a much deeper understanding of how a retrograde will land for me.
Your Guide to the Five Retrogrades, One by One
Venus Retrograde
3 October to 13 November 2026
This one calls for a reassessment, a good look at yourself on the outside and the inside. That haircut you’ve been wanting? Don’t book it now. Ask why you want it and what’s calling you to switch up your style. Ask where your values sit right now and whether they’re complementing your life. It’s also a great time to reflect on your spending (should we maybe put the card down on that next Net-A-Porter order?).
Unresolved issues, old friends and past relationships could all resurface, and with Venus in Scorpio, this retrograde brings healing through reflection. The good news: when Venus goes direct it lands back in Libra, the sign of balance and equality, so the answers you’ve been waiting for will come.
Saturn Retrograde
26 July to 10 December 2026
Saturn has been retrograde since July, and it’s asking you to get disciplined about the goals you set at the start (or middle) of the year. The pilates twice a week or the language you promised yourself you’d learn. Stop, reassess and reset the plan. It might get a little emotional, with a few “why am I not where I want to be yet?” moments, and that’s completely normal. Saturn rules responsibility, so it asks for resilience in the areas where you wanted success yesterday. Pivot, game plan and win.
Uranus Retrograde
10 September 2026 to 8 February 2027
Uranus retrograde asks you to ditch the imposter syndrome and put yourself out there. Where have you been getting in your own way? That painting you’ve worked on and shown to no one? Post it. Where are you holding yourself back to fit in, and what could you change?
Neptune Retrograde
7 July to 12 December 2026
Like Uranus, Neptune asks where you’re getting in your own way. Picture the best-case scenario in a specific area of your life, then check where Neptune is transiting in your birth chart. How are you keeping yourself from the goal? Are you talking yourself down from being the person you want to be? Think about the actions, but also the qualities you need to embody. With Neptune in Aries, this is about the actual steps that turn dreams into real life, so don’t be shy. Be as delulu as you like.
Mercury Retrograde
24 October to 13 November 2026
Mercury is the last retrograde of the year (we get three to four a year), and it’s moving through Scorpio. Mercury rules communication in every sense, so double-check your flight tickets and contracts, and please save that draft.
It also asks you to pause and stop comparing your life to the past. Don’t chase old friends or past relationships, because what you’re missing may just be the familiar. It’s asking you to speak to yourself honestly, face what you’ve been avoiding and be vulnerable. Which habits no longer fit the person you are? Which outdated beliefs can we bin?
Planet surfaces: Solar System Scope, from NASA mission data (CC BY 4.0).