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The previous Venus Retrograde occurred in Aries in March 2025, where it notably highlighted the influence of the Neptune transit unfolding in that sector…
In 2026, the Venusian retrograde plays out primarily between the 1st decan of Scorpio and the 3rd decan of Libra, “ambivalent” signs, where the planet is respectively in detriment and in domicile, which will be reflected quite directly in its effects.
Main Signs Impacted During This Transit:
All 3rd decans of Cardinal signs, but especially the 1st decans of Fixed signs, which will be touched more by tension.
Relational Power Struggles
Venus begins entering its retrograde loop from August 31, 2026, at 22°52 Libra, so whatever unfolds from that point onward on relational and affective levels warrants closer analysis, as it may mark the remainder of the year.
This is especially relevant if you meet someone new or experience certain tensions in these areas.
This is quite particular: we see that Venus has already encountered significant friction from the square to Mars over the summer, especially from the third decade of July onward, as I’ve discussed in my lunation articles.
So it’s possible that if tensions arose on familial or affective levels, they may yet resurface or reverberate toward year’s end.
That said, during late August and early September, Venus appears rather harmonious, offering a window of time until the second decade of September that can be highly useful for negotiation, mediation, reconciliation, and calming tensions, with charm, gentleness, and a skillful way of framing things kindly (even if this may be somewhat the calm before the storm).
From the second decade of September, Venus enters Scorpio and quickly encounters the square to the Pluto transit in Aquarius, so take care during this type of phase, where Plutonian shadows risk being maximized and exacerbated…
You may encounter someone who carries very strong Plutonian energies, intense, magnetic, passionate, but who may also prove more corrosive, even toxic, for you.
Pay particular attention to the various “traditional Plutonian shadows” that manifest in power dynamics and domination: jealousy, possessiveness, manipulation, betrayal.
These are points likely to be activated and heightened more strongly during this period, and may even leave a mark on the medium term.
Here we see Venus settling into its stationary phase, strongly emphasizing the square to Pluto, before finally turning retrograde on October 3, 2026, at 08°29 Scorpio for several weeks.
Retrogradation itself tends to “invert” relational and affective forces, so it’s possible, for instance, that communication with the other may feel more difficult, understanding may require greater effort, and the situation may call for even more intense reflection.
Moreover, Mercury will also form its retrograde loop in Scorpio, roughly in the same area as Venus across October/November, confirming the emphasis on this sign, this sector, and these energies, and notably on the relational and affective crisis that Venus may indicate.
And this is still likely to leave a mark for at least a month and a half, from early October to mid-November, so it carries a certain depth.
Therefore, try to resolve as much as possible upstream, during September if you can, because in October, delays and setbacks may become more frequent and easier to encounter (and we won’t have 100% personal control over outcomes).
Try, as much as possible, to remain open to dialogue during October, but everything seems to indicate that this will truly not be straightforward !
For we see that Venus and Mercury form a T-square with Pluto in Aquarius and Mars in Leo at the start of the month: a figure clearly indicative of power struggles, relational tensions, provocations, irritability, and where, consequently, the aforementioned Plutonian shadows can be maximized…
We may need to wait until around October 25, 2026, for retrograde Venus to re-enter its domicile in Libra to experience a certain calm, more conciliatory energies (Venus being generally more harmonious in its various aspects from that point onward).
Venus will resume direct motion on November 14, 2026, at 22°52 Libra, and this will occur roughly simultaneously with Mercury also resuming direct motion. Clearly, do not overlook this period, which can carry a truly substantial unblocking energy !
If you’ve been entangled in the preceding weeks in endless discussions, power struggles, confrontations, or contestations, these may begin to unwind more effectively from that point: communication can become fluid again, and decision-making more evident (and decisive).
If, therefore, you need to make a decision or sign a contract, try to wait until mid-November, as the second half of the month will be far more favorable overall.
Note that we are not all equally sensitive to retrograde phases, and if, notably, you have a natal retrograde Venus or a progressed retrograde Venus, you may be more attuned to this phase, and you may a priori be able to harness and maximize it more readily.
See also what I discuss in my article on “How to Best Navigate Venus Retrograde in Daily Life,” which offers some generally useful tips for moving through this type of phase…
Note that Venus will re-enter Scorpio around December 4, 2026, and once again encounter the square from the Pluto transit, so it’s possible that certain confrontations may resurface, but this time to be addressed / finalized more definitively !
This will likely be the case around December 15, 2026, when Venus definitively exits its retrograde loop by once again crossing 08°29 Scorpio, leaving behind the relational difficulties of the preceding months.
In my oracle of astrological degrees, this Scorpio degree states: “Hopes are the various seeds of tomorrow, but it is action that always makes them germinate and grow.”
This remains, therefore, a highly dynamic degree, carrying change, Martian and Uranian energies, a need for action and emancipation, which may manifest here especially if one can no longer tolerate a person and thus wishes to free oneself from them…
Personalized Astrological Study
This is a general study that obviously does not take into account your own Birth Chart… If you would like specific insights or Forecasts for the year, for any question or request for Consultations, please feel free to Contact Me !