Venus retrograde is messier than Mercury retrograde - and we still have three weeks left
Venus retrograde brings a whole different kind of chaos. While you’ve likely heard about Mercury retrograde, which is often associated with communication, Venus retrograde is all about love, attraction and self-wroth. It can prompt us to question everything from our relationships to what we really want out of life.
The the current Venus retrograde runs from 3 October to 14 November 2026.
Though neither retrograde is objectively worse than the other, Venus retrograde can feel far more personal.
To understand why, it helps to look at what each planet represents in astrology. As Polina Arutiunian, astrologer and spiritual advisor at Nebula, explains, Venus retrograde is a time to reassess the things we value and whether they still align with who we are.
Advert
“In astrology, this period is given symbolic meaning, as Venus is associated with love, relationships, attraction, pleasure, beauty, money, and personal values. Particularly, astrologers treat Venus retrograde as a time to reflect on those parts of life.”
Mercury retrograde, meanwhile, is associated with communication, information, technology and everyday logistics. Venus retrograde, meanwhile, brings the focus closer to home.
“Here’s one way to think about the difference: Mercury retrograde can make you wonder whether you understood the message correctly. Venus retrograde can make you wonder whether you still want the person who sent it.”
And that's where things can get messy. While a misunderstanding can often be resolved with a conversation, questioning your feelings for someone or recognising an unhealthy relationship pattern can be much harder to navigate. Venus retrograde can also bring up uncomfortable questions about spending, self-esteem and whether we're seeking validation from the wrong places.
Polina acknowledges that this is why Venus retrograde can feel particularly unsettling, even if it isn't necessarily worse than its Mercury counterpart.
“Because these questions touch parts of life we care about, Venus retrograde may feel more emotionally unsettling than a mix-up with plans or messages.”
That doesn't mean a breakup is inevitable or that an ex returning is a sign you're destined to reunite. Instead, Polina encourages using this period to reflect rather than react, particularly when old feelings resurface.
“A retrograde can bring the past up for review. That doesn’t automatically mean it belongs in your future.”
Soph, a UK-based psychospiritual therapist, coach and astrologer, agrees that Venus retrograde can feel more intense than Mercury retrograde. ““Mercury asks us to reconsider how we’re communicating. Venus asks us to reconsider what we’re valuing, who we’re loving, what we’re accepting and whether the life we’re creating is actually one we want.”
For Soph, a psychospiritual therapist, coach and astrologer, that deeper emotional impact is precisely what makes Venus retrograde feel so messy. While Mercury retrograde might disrupt your plans, Venus retrograde can prompt you to question whether your relationships, priorities and ambitions are genuinely making you happy.
However, she cautions against treating the astrological event as something to fear. Instead, Soph sees it as an opportunity to recognise unconscious patterns and examine the beliefs influencing our decisions, particularly when it comes to love and self-worth.
This also extends to manifestation, which she believes can be approached differently during Venus retrograde. Rather than focusing solely on attracting a specific person or outcome, she encourages people to consider the motivations behind their desires.
“Rather than frantically trying to attract something new, I’d encourage people to examine the beliefs underneath their desires. Are you manifesting a relationship because you genuinely want connection, or because you’ve attached your worth to being chosen? Are you chasing more money, or trying to prove you’re successful enough to deserve rest?”
Topics: Space
Greg Harris