Venus is in retrograde from October 3 to November 13, 2026, moving through Scorpio and Libra, according to astrologer Jill Dearman. Dearman, author of the new book Super-Powered Astrology, describes the transit as an astrological slowdown meant to reorder priorities, relationships, and finances. In astrology, Venus rules harmony, affection, aesthetic tastes, and material resources, qualities Dearman associates with Libra.
Dearman frames the zodiac signs as superheroes in her book. She casts Scorpio, ruled by Pluto, as the Shaman, able to transform darkness into light by facing it directly and showing courage when others panic. Libra, ruled by Venus, is the Artist, able to harmonize and restore peace when other signs spin out of control. With the two signs linked during the retrograde, Dearman says the period asks for the courage to be diplomatic rather than explosive, and for bravery in communication rather than fawning.
The retrograde can also stir anxiety, particularly the Libra tendency to worry about losing love or money, Dearman writes. She offers a practical tip: breathe in for four counts and out for eight, which she describes as a nervous system reset that tells the body it is safe. She characterizes retrogrades as a time for internal searching rather than crisis, and notes that Venus retrograde can sometimes induce what she calls Fear of Fear.
In romance, Dearman writes that Venus retrograde is known for functioning as a revolving door for past relationships and unresolved emotional baggage. An ex might resurface in text messages, or memories and dreams of a former love might return. She says this is not necessarily a signal to rekindle a past relationship, but rather an invitation to examine the unresolved patterns that relationship represented.
For those currently partnered, Dearman says the period can expose cracks in a relationship's foundation, with minor annoyances amplifying into major talking points. She advises against impulsive decisions such as breaking up or getting married during this time. Instead, she calls it a window for honest reflection, couples therapy, and dismantling resentment that blocks intimacy, and for asking whether a partnership is maintained out of habit or cultivated through mutual respect and authentic connection.
Financially, Dearman writes that the retrograde demands a reality check on how people earn, spend, and value resources, since Venus rules material comfort and security. The transit is notorious for financial delays, unexpected expenses, or a sudden urge to overspend on luxury items to fill an emotional void. Slowing spending, she says, creates space to determine what truly provides a sense of security.
Dearman says the deepest effect of the 2026 Venus retrograde is its capacity to permanently alter the landscape of desires, asking people to redefine personal aesthetic, passions, and self-worth from within. As the outer world slows, internal clarity grows, she writes, and true luxury and love cannot be bought or faked.
