If you’re into astrology, you likely know there’s a double retrograde coming this month. Venus and Mercury will both be retrograde, intensifying the already chaotic energy.

But while Venus has been retrograde since October 3 (and will be until mid-November), Mercury hasn’t entered its own yet—that is, until October 24. In other words, we have about a week to prepare for this highly dreaded astrological event.

Let’s get into it.

What to Expect From the Upcoming Mercury Retrograde

Mercury retrograde is known for its disruptive nature, as the planet rules our communication and mind. However, each Mercury retrograde is unique and brings different truths to light.

“Not all Mercury retrogrades are created equal,” says Rachel Ruth Tate, professional astrologer and Host of the Astrology Table Podcast at Rogue Media. “Some seem to last FOREVER and mess literally everything up, like the recent Mercury RX in its detriment/fall in Pisces from Feb 26 to Mar 20, 2026, while others seem to focus our lives and clarify our resolve, like the dignified Mercury RX station in its sign of exaltation and rulership in Virgo on Aug 4, 2024.”

“This particular, peregrine Mercury station at 20° Scorpio on Oct 24 falls somewhere between those two ends of the retrograde spectrum—deeply enlightening us while also necessitating some uncomfortable, vulnerable conversations that may leave both sides feeling raw,” Tate continues. “This is on theme for 2026, as each of the three Mercury retrogrades this year has occurred in one of the three water signs—Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces—which has ensured some significant stirring of the mental and emotional pots we have simmering on the stoves of our lives.”

How to Navigate This Mercury Retrograde

According to Tate, you might notice some intense feelings or reactiveness during this period. However, know that you’re experiencing them for a reason—and can use them to your advantage.

“The medicine? Pure, naked honesty,” Tate says. “In every context, from the personal to the professional, perhaps see what happens when you eliminate the little white lies you tell to make everyone around you comfortable, if only for the length of this Mercury retrograde. Can you operate with grace within the confines of the truth, unglamorous as it may be? The practice may just change your life. It is liberating to stop performing and placating.”

Throughout this Mercury retrograde, choose intimacy over avoidance—both with yourself and others.

“Removing the veneer between us can bring people closer together. It can be transformative to get intimate with your own thoughts as well,” Tate says. “Pick a week during this retrograde and make a point to address every thought you have. Hold yourself accountable and make a point to respond and decide what to do with what you find. The patterns you uncover may surprise you.”

Signs Most Impacted by the Upcoming Mercury Retrograde

According to Tate, everyone will feel the impact of Mercury retrograde. However, the following three signs in particular will be digging a bit deeper.

1. Gemini

Gemini, now is the time to process your feelings and nurture yourself. Suppressing your emotions can only get you so far. By admitting your vulnerabilities, you can take the proper steps to healing.

“Mercury is your chart ruler, and it’s spending an extended time in one of the most sensitive, subconscious parts of your chart,” says Tate. “Slow down enough to let yourself feel, and then decide how to untangle any knots you find in your heartstrings. What hurts enough to change?”

2. Virgo

Virgo, wisdom and discipline have always been your strengths. But now, it might be time to focus on unlearning lessons that no longer serve or align with you.

“Mercury is your ruler twice over, and it is stationing retrograde in the part of your chart that holds impressions of early childhood, including language, siblings, and school,” Tate says. “In this tender area, your real question is: What stories can you stop telling? You are more than allowed to unlearn.”

3. Scorpio

Scorpio, this powerful, often feared astrological event is occurring in your sign, making you the star of the sh*tshow.

“Where can you take more emotional accountability? What behaviors have you justified because you’ve been hurt?” Tate asks. “Your freedom lives in those realizations.”

The post Mercury Retrograde Is Almost Here, and These 3 Zodiac Signs Will Feel It the Most appeared first on VICE.

Scorpio season runs from October 23 to November 22, bringing mystery and passion to autumn. Here’s what to expect as the season begins, according to an astrologer. 

What to Expect This Scorpio Season

Scorpio season is already known for its intensity and mysticism, but this upcoming one will be especially fierce thanks to several astrological transits and events. In particular, the double retrograde will throw most of us for a loop. 

“The centerpiece of the season is going to be two concurrent retrogrades providing us an opportunity to revisit, deeply reflect, research, and reset with Mercury and Venus impacting communication, projects, relationships, values, self-worth, creativity, and money,” says Amanda Voss, Professionally Certified Astrologer + Astrocartographer at mapyourmagic.world and Astrology Teaching Assistant for helenawoods.com.

This period will highlight our most intimate relationships, causing us to question our past and present connections—and the marks they’ve left on us.

“What past relationships hold a part of you that has not been healed?” Voss asks. “What relationships are you not willing to hold on to because they don’t align with your value system?”

Additionally, you might notice an extra emphasis on your finances this month, as both Venus and Scorpio relate to money and resources.

“Since Venus is also representing worth (and thus finances), this is the best time … to work on a money or values manifesto,” Voss continues. “Your personal value is inextricably linked to the type of resources you can generate for yourself, so [if it’s] not where you want it, likely there’s some personal values out of alignment not being tended to … If you have a personal brand or business, I also think this is a great time to revisit a rebrand of what’s important to consider in your image, what you want people to know about you, and how you want that to present in the wider world.”

Important Events During Scorpio Season

According to Voss, the most pressing astrological event of Scorpio season is the double retrograde outlined above. However, the following transits will also be noteworthy:

Venus and Mercury Cazimi

On October 23 and November 4, we will experience a Venus cazimi and a Mercury cazimi, respectively.

“The cazimi means ‘in the heart of the sun’ and occurs with any planet while it’s 1 deg or less,” she explains. “The Mercury cazimi will support a reset of clear, empowering thought and bring unseen truths into the light. The Venus cazimi will provide clarity around our most important relationships, creativity, worth, and finances.”

Jupiter on South Node

On November 11, Jupiter will conjunct the South Node exactly. Astrologically speaking, this brings themes of expansion, courage, and optimism.

“Any hang-ups on being seen are definitely not part of who you are,” Voss says. “Say goodbye to that person; you’re not here to hide anymore”

Sun Square Mars

According to Voss, the Sun will square Mars mid-November. During this time, “keep the ego in check [and] take a pause from your DMs.” In fact, you might want to lay low and stay off social media altogether.

How to Navigate the 2026 Scorpio Season

This Scorpio season might ask for your patience, reflection, and authenticity.

“When we start off with the Mercury and Venus retrograde, this is a great time to deeply re-evaluate your most offbeat thoughts and psychology,” says Voss. “You’re likely to reflect on the dramatic relationships you’ve had in your life, which may have felt as if they were never satisfied.”

According to Voss, it’s important to communicate with clarity and intention during this time. While you might want to speak freely and rashly, know that your words carry weight—especially during a retrograde.

“As we move through the rest of retrograde season (both Mercury and Venus go direct after Nov 13), we’ll find ourselves more engaged with an active mind. Thoughts, ideas, and language can have a penetrating focus, but watch out for getting overly obsessed,” Voss adds. “Make sure you check in with your people/support system from time to time. You may feel at times as if you are not worthy of pleasure, or it could be hard to hold yourself back and not overindulge. Take a pause anyway.” 

By the end of this season, you’ll bound to rise as a more resilient, insightful, and grounded version of yourself.

“In the last couple [of] weeks of Scorpio season, you may find your intelligence sharpened and your passion stimulated,” says Voss. “You will have unparalleled concentration, so it’s a great time to get any deep research done and your curiosity for other people’s motivations and their thought process.”

The post Why Scorpio Season Is Going to Be Chaotic as Heck This Year, According to an Astrologer appeared first on VICE.

Pluto has been retrograde since early May this year, but it finally stations direct on October 15. Here’s what you can expect as this transit ends.

What Is Pluto Retrograde?

According to Antonella, a professional astrologer and numerologist at Psychic World, “Pluto retrograde is an annual astrological period where Pluto appears to move backward in the sky, shifting its energy from external power struggles to deep internal reflection and transformation.”

In astrology, Pluto is known as the planet of power, transformation, and the underworld. When it’s retrograding, it highlights power imbalances, areas that require growth, and suppressed emotions.

“Pluto retrograde forces you to look inward at your hidden fears, things you’ve been suppressing, and any guilt you carry,” says Antonella. “This period is about purging toxic patterns or habits that no longer serve you. It makes way for you to experience a personal evolution.”

What to Expect When Pluto Retrograde Ends This Week

As Semisonic says in its iconic song “Closing Time”: “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” Pluto retrograde’s conclusion brings swift changes and new opportunities, especially to those who have used this time to reflect and process their grief.

“As Pluto ends its retrograde, we can expect the previous months of internal moving forward to be put into motion,” Antonella explains. “Rather than feeling stuck in old cycles, you’ll feel a sense of renewal and clarity to cut ties that no longer serve you. It might be easier to set boundaries now, because situations or hidden feelings are coming to the surface.”

Retrogrades are notorious for stirring up old patterns we may have otherwise turned a blind eye to, so that we can heal them for good.

“This retrograde might have forced you to confront suppressed fears, old conflicts, or issues with control, and as it ends, it asks you to apply those realizations rather than staying stuck in self-doubt,” Antonella states. “Pluto is moving through Aquarius now, so themes around community, technology, social systems, and personal freedom will continue to evolve rapidly. The ending of Pluto retrograde urges you to abandon outdated habits, roles, or group dynamics that no longer align with your core identity.”

Navigating the Conclusion of Pluto Retrograde

As Pluto retrograde ends, you can work with its energy to attract new opportunities aligned with your growth and personal progress.

“Focus on moving from introspection to manifestation,” says Antonella. “Whatever internal [work you’ve done] since May can be translated into real-world choices and forward momentum.”

If you faced difficult realizations or hard lessons during Pluto retrograde, don’t repress that knowledge or the grief it might have triggered.

“Acknowledge the issues or habits that have surfaced during retrograde; resist the temptation to ignore them,” says Antonella. “Instead, use what you’ve learned as the foundation for your goals moving forward.”

What This Means Collectively For Society

According to Astrologer Constance Stellas, as Pluto retrograde ends, it exposes hidden power grabs and internal power conflicts.

“There’s no more curtains. There’s no more hiding. The naked power explodes, exposed to everyone’s viewpoints,” she says. “We have to understand that the raw naked power of Pluto has been misused for many, many years all over the world. And the pinpoints of light that we are trying to move towards will be more in evidence when Pluto goes direct on the 15th.”

“You might be interested to know the last time Pluto was in Aquarius, which it is in now, was the French Revolution. So I think that says it all,” Stellas adds. “We’re looking for a better way to organize society, and many people are capitalizing on the way it was and not going forward into the light. But I believe it will come to pass. Sooner or later, we will have light and not dark as we dredge the bottom layer of society.”

The post Pluto Retrograde Ends This Week. Here’s What You Should Know. appeared first on VICE.