Sun enters Scorpio 10h38 UT, 23rd October 2026; Venus cazimi @ 0deg 45’ Scorpio, 04.44 UT 24th October 2026; Mercury turns retrograde @ 20deg 59’Scorpio, 08h13 UT 24th October 2026

On 23rd October the Sun enters Scorpio, which is yin (receptive), Fixed, Water, processing the world through the emotional, feeling nature. It’s the most autumnal of all the signs. Scorpio speaks to decay, death and, ultimately, regeneration. Like the Death card in Tarot, this season is about transition. Endings are always new beginnings. Even as the leaves fall, scattering their reds and golds across the forest floor, new seeds are waiting under the earth and new buds are forming at the tips of the branches waiting to unfurl with the first warmth of Spring.

This year, the Sun’s entry into Scorpio coincides with a Venus retrograde cazimi at 0 deg 45’ Scorpio; the inferior conjunction of Venus with the Sun. This is the final time the cazimi will happen in Scorpio in our lifetimes. Technically Venus is in her detriment, in Mars’ sign. In fact, she is undergoing a process of profound transformation, diving deep into the underworld where she is initiated into womanhood.

A cazimi is a watershed moment, often an illumination and, significantly, hours later, Venus moves back into Libra where she is at home, joyful, peaceful, beautiful, ready to rise as the morning star, which suggests she is empowered by the process.

The following day, Mercury turns retrograde. Expect technical hitches and travel disruption as usual, but this may also mean people are suddenly coming back to you. Emails you’ve been waiting for could now arrive. Or, with Scorpio, perhaps this is an emotional moment, when you discover something deep and profound.

When Venus and Mercury are retrograde together, there is a connection between them and this time, briefly, they are both retrograde in Scorpio. Our desires and our thoughts are thus turned inwards towards an internal process of regeneration and renewal. A process which may be reflected in the outer world around us – we may be forced to pause, wait and thus to take stock, rethink our approach. It may well be a period of inner creativity, of something new which will begin to come to light around 14th November when both Mercury and Venus turn direct.

The trick is not to get stuck (Scorpio can get stuck, and both Mars and Jupiter are currently in Fixed Leo), entrenched or overly channelled in one direction. When Venus returns to Libra on 25th October it will be easier to stay open, balanced and optimistic.

So, these coming three weeks (the retrograde period) might be frustrating, more to do with planning, preparing and revising than actually getting any real answers to questions or moving forward. It’s a time for slowly imagining something new and it makes sense to lean into it.

This may be especially challenging for Mercury-ruled Geminis and Virgos. Take steps to stay grounded, spend time in nature – even in the rain!

Mercury’s cazimi falls on 4th November at 12 degrees Scorpio, just after the US mid-terms. This too, looks like a watershed, a moment when something shifts, becomes clearer or is dredged up from the depths, changing the landscape.

Nothing is ever simple in this world, of course, and the dance of the planets reflects this. Saturn turns direct on 10th December which may mark a point of consolidation or achievement. However Jupiter and Mars have their own retrograde periods during the first half of 2027 suggesting moments for pause and revision in other domains of life. More on this another time.

For now, enjoy the deep dive and use this richly creative time to explore who you truly are and how you want to express this in the world.

Death card from Rider Waite Smith Tarot deck, public domain