In the Grip of Venus’ Retrograde
Fur Traders Descending the Missouri by George Caleb Bingham, ca. 845
Venus stationed retrograde on Saturday, and we are in challenging times. Ha! None of us need astrology to tell us that. Watch any news outlet for five minutes, and you will see how the world is reflecting the patterns that are being formed amongst the planets.
Venus is the planet of our values; our values are what we desire. Over the coming weeks, you must renegotiate your values within your heart and mind. They will also be renegotiated in all of your relationships. We must each consider how the push to fulfil our desires can move us away from what we are beginning to understand is more important. The bedrock of our values is changing. What is it costing you to stay focused on what no longer works but you still desire? What have you desired so much that you have been willing to give up your freedom? This is a rocky cliff to be standing on, and yet, here we are.
If you have planets in the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius), hold your integrity and boundaries even as you allow yourself to see the change of course coming soon.
Both the October video and the Venus retrograde videos are below. Watch the entire videos or the sections about your Sun sign or rising sign.
Monday, October 5, 2026: Moon in Leo
The Moon is in the fixed fire sign of Leo today. When the Moon is here, we want to be appreciated for the full expression of our personality. We want warm, playful connections with others. However, today our desires face great difficulty as the Moon runs into a hard configuration that dominates this period of time. Mars in Leo opposes Pluto, and they each square Mercury and Venus (retrograde) in Scorpio. The Moon touches each part of this configuration, and we may all find ourselves feeling emotionally bruised and on a short fuse. Do your best to stay centered and grounded. Small offences land hard, and our feelings are easily hurt. Let it go, avoid a standoff; shake off the tension with humour and play!
- What do you need to be acknowledged for, and can you let that desire go?
- Where can you find space to play and find delight in something simple?
- Can you shake off tension with dancing or go out and fly a kite?
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Tuesday, October 6, 2026: Moon in Leo | Mercury Conjunct Venus Retrograde | Moon Enters Virgo
The Moon continues through Leo for the bulk of today. On an emotional level, it would be nice to be the center of attention or at least to be noticed. Give the attention you desire to others; pay someone a compliment or give a gift for no reason at all.
As Venus continues its retrograde travels, she connects with Mercury at 8:10 pm EDT. Mercury will be stationing retrograde later in the month, but for now he needs to translate a storyline that Venus is reviewing. You can expect conversations with those closest to you to go into deeper territory than expected. If something needs to be said, tonight may offer the opportunity, whether you were looking for it or not.
At 10:52 pm EDT, the Moon enters Virgo, bringing our emotions to a more stable place. Let go of any drama that has risen throughout this evening and get some sleep. Tomorrow may bring surprises.
- Who will you show generosity to today?
- What conversation will you allow to surface tonight?
Wednesday, October 7, 2026: Mars Sextile Uranus | Moon in Virgo
Early this morning, at 6:41 am EDT, Mars makes a lovely sextile aspect to Uranus. Mars has had a few difficult days tied up in a challenging struggle with Pluto, and this contact with Uranus offers relief or good news. If something positive is offered today, it is probably a good idea to say yes. Pay attention to ideas that seem to come out of nowhere. Those very ideas could be a way to move forward with much more optimism and joy.
The Moon spends the whole day in Virgo, offering steadiness even with the excitement of Uranus knocking on the door. Take practical forward steps today; small accomplishments can offer a deep sense of satisfaction. Clean out the junk drawer or replace the burned-out lightbulb in the hallway. Better yet, do something unexpected and kind for a neighbor or friend.
- What surprising new ideas came to you this morning?
- What practical detail can you take care of for yourself or someone else?
Thursday, October 8, 2026: Moon in Virgo | Void-of-Course Moon All Day
I don’t generally talk much about the Void-of-Course Moon, but it is the prominent feature today. This refers to the time between the Moon making its last major aspect in one sign and its entering the next sign. The Moon made its last aspect in Virgo yesterday at 2:56 pm EDT and will enter Libra tomorrow at 4:10 am EDT.
Therefore, the Moon is VOC all day. You can think of this as a time when the Moon is stranded between rooms, done with its work in one sign but not yet entering the next. You could also think of it as similar to a lame duck presidency. These times are best utilized without high expectations. A good time to rest and prepare for what is next. With the Moon in Virgo, it is a great time to putter and get all the little details taken care of that you never seem to get to.
Watch for a tendency to be critical of yourself or others. Please don’t fall into that trap. Go easy on yourself and others. We are also in the dark phase of the Moon as the New Moon comes on Saturday. Finish the simple tasks that are in front of you to do, then rest.
- What can you finish today?
- Notice how to silence your inner critic.
- What decisions can wait?
Friday, October 9, 2026: Moon Enters Libra
In the wee hours of this morning, while you were sleeping, the Moon entered Libra, ending the very long VOC that held us in a strange state of inactivity throughout yesterday. With the Moon now in Libra, we are seeking a state of connection with others that feels fair and balanced. If there is discord between you and those who are close to you, now is the time you are going to want to patch up the issue and come to some state of consensus. Go ahead and make the first move; make it something simple. Invite your friend to dinner, let someone know you are thinking of them.
The Moon is moving closer as it reaches for the Sun. Tomorrow we come to the Libra New Moon. With the ruler of Libra, Venus, currently retrograde, there are many questions as to what you want in your partnerships. Let the questions remain unanswered. We are in the darkest part of the lunar cycle now. Rest as you allow the questions to circle.
- Who do you want to reach out to today?
- Can you give yourself the rest you need?
Saturday, October 10, 2026: Libra New Moon | Venus Retrograde Square Mars
At 11:50 am EDT, we reach the Libra New Moon, beginning a new lunar cycle. The Sun has been in Libra since the Autumn Equinox, and now the Moon joins it. This is the time to plant a metaphorical seed to increase equality in matters of relationships. Because Venus rules Libra, she is the ruler of this New Moon, and remember that she is currently retrograde. When the ruler of a New Moon is retrograde, what you plant will develop more slowly. Your best bet is to focus on your own inner growth. Rather than thinking about starting a new relationship or a new direction for your relationship, think about what needs to grow within you to support a healthier connection with others. When we consider relationships, we tend to look outward, but with Venus’ retrograde, what needs to grow is a personal understanding of what you bring to a relationship. Whatever you begin now will require tending throughout Venus’ retrograde and beyond. Find the house that holds Libra in your natal chart and plant the seed in that area of your life.
Throughout the afternoon, Venus is backing into a tense square aspect to Mars, which is exact at 5:37 pm EDT. Both are in fixed signs where neither one will give an inch in any conflict. You will probably encounter a powerful frustration of some sort. You may find yourself in a battle despite wanting to be close and connected with others. Perhaps the issue is part of the Venus retrograde story, and you are not really sure what you want. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. We are only human and, as such, are constantly buffeted by the winds of change.
- What do you want to begin in your relationship story?
- Where are you pushing for something you are not sure you even want?
Sunday, October 11, 2026: Moon Enters Scorpio
The day begins with the Moon still in Libra. If any conflicts arose in the past 24 hours, you will want to extend an olive branch this morning. The rest of the day will proceed more happily for all if you do that before the day gets well underway. Put flowers on the table, create beauty in your environment.
At 11:21 am EDT, the Moon relinquishes its time in Libra to move into the decidedly more intense and powerful sign of Scorpio. You may notice the change when you suddenly feel the need to go inward or spend time alone. When the Moon is in Scorpio, our feelings are very intense, and we want to hold those feelings in a private place of our own. The Moon is not alone in Scorpio, as both Mercury and Venus are here. Look to the house that holds Scorpio in your natal chart to understand what area of your life holds your most powerful emotions and hidden depths. This is also the area of your life where your deepest values are being reevaluated and explored.
- What can you do to support beauty and connection this morning?
- What deep feelings have surfaced this afternoon?
- What have you learned about yourself and your desires since Venus stationed retrograde on October 3rd?
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