If you thought this summer’s Mercury retrograde was messy, stay tuned for this round—it takes place in profound, enigmatic, and transformative Scorpio. From October 24 to November 13, the trickster planet will reveal clandestine matters and long-held secrets that shake our foundations. The grand finale of the themes we’ve been navigating all year comes to a head, offering a moment to make decisions and choose how we want to move forward. Easier said than done. With the veil thinning around Halloween and Samhain, this Mercurial storm will be one for the books. Luckily, we can keep our footing by staying centered and refusing to play games before those venomous scorpion stingers come out.
Spiritual consultant and author of Tarot for You and Me: A Queer Deck and Guidebook, Gary D’Andre says: “Consider how you speak to yourself when you need motivation, while also thinking about how you allow other people to pour into your cup at this time. Is this working from your point of view today? Are they fulfilling the need that is necessary in the way that works for you currently? And if not, what are you doing in order to change this?” The warning is: “Tone matters. Context matters. You may find yourself unintentionally triggering or upsetting others by way of your truth. Be forewarned! This may just be what they are internalizing from their point of view,” clarifying that, “you cannot be responsible for how somebody else takes something, but you can be responsible for the repair that may be necessary in order for the two of you to get back on the same page. If this is causing you tension currently, this is the perfect time to investigate where those patterns come from and why you may be feeling that way.”
At the same time, Venus retrograde in Scorpio and Libra contributes to confusion around how we want to proceed with others, making it vital to surround ourselves with people who make us feel secure, grounded, and seen. Venus’s transition from evening star to morning star can stir impulsiveness, leading to erratic decisions that feel unpredictable even to ourselves. Watch out for irrationality and jealousy. Before jumping into a conflict or commitment, give yourself a moment to consider whether it’s truly the right move. The best day for clarity is November 4, when the Sun illuminates Mercury during its cazimi (derived from the Arabic for “in the heart of the Sun”).
Astrologer Lauren Ash offers her insight: “I try not to sensationalize Mercury retrograde, but this one is tough. Scorpio is a fixed water sign, so feelings don’t pass through quickly. They settle in and stay. With Venus backing through Libra at the same time, you might feel like you can’t deal with it.” Ash explains, “Scorpio doesn’t reveal its feelings easily. You might still be angry but not want to tip your hand, because showing it feels like losing. Holding it in, though, can keep you tied to the very person you’re angry with… If you’re not getting back what you give, this retrograde is a chance to address it. Scorpio can slip into obsession, and Libra can be blinded by love, so the real work is choosing what’s healthy for you. You’re allowed to want love that makes you happy.”
