Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio: Excavating Truth (10/24-11/13/2026)

Sep 4

11 min read

The third and final Mercury Retrograde of 2026 is upon us: and this one is in Scorpio. Starting October 24^th and ending November 13^th, this retrograde is going to be intense – let’s jump right in.

Shortcuts: Dates, What is a Mercury Retrograde?, The Overall Context, Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio, In-the-Sign Predictions, Further Readings.

Dates:

Pre-shadow: September 30^thonward.

Event: October 24^th – November 13^th, 2026.

Post-shadow: until December 6^th, 2026.

Explanation for astro-nerds: pre- and post-shadow are timeframes when we feel the energies build up before/gradually dissipate after the event is done. They’re not comparable in intensity with the actual event, but we may see the same themes pop up or resolve in the shadow periods that we engage in in the actual retrograde.

What is a Mercury Retrograde?

If you know this already, you can skip here.

What is Mercury?

Mercury is a planet in astrology that stands for communication, trade, commerce, logistical endeavors, travel, thinking, learning, and related activities. It is in retrograde 3-4 times per year, which happen to be interesting times, because…

What is a Retrograde?

… a retrograde is a time when a planet’s “normal modus operandi” is disturbed or rather, turned inward. Imagine an extrovert suddenly feeling drawn to mostly spend time by themselves so they can work through some inner things that popped up and find a resolution: that’s what retrogrades feel like. They’re making all of us more drawn to our internal worlds, and they can feel – as this example hopefully shows – a bit foreign, since we’re often drawn to do things in ways we usually wouldn’t. The world isn’t as it usually is, either. And that feels odd. Specifically, everything the retrograding planet signifies works slightly differently, which can be a blessing or a problem – depending on us, the situation, and the astrological context itself.

Mercury Retrogrades

So, putting it all together, Mercury Retrogrades are times when we (re)think decisions, when logistics and technology are more likely to turn haywire, and when events force us to rework plans on bigger or smaller scales. Mercury Retrogrades always last for 3 weeks and happen 3-4 times a year (3 times in 2026), and the way we process Mercury Retrogrades highly depends on multiple things:

1) The actual astrology of the retrograde (that’s different every time and every year.

2) The way you interact with the astrology (since we all have choices and can choose to go with the energy in healthy ways or to try and fight it tooth and nail… which will make it much worse for you in the long run).

3) Your birth chart and natal configuration: for example, people with Mercury Retrograde in their birth charts tend to find this energy less intense than people with Mercury not in retrograde. Which personal points are hit by the specific retrograde also greatly affects how this event plays out for you individually.

If you’re interested in all of that, keep reading this article and book a reading for more information on your personal astrology.

The Overall Context

This Mercury Retrograde doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It carries themes of big changes and an energy of “going dark” to prepare for the next big events coming to us in 2027.

Societal Change

Ruled by Pluto, Ruler of Uranus

This Mercury Retrograde is quite intense as it’s literally tying into two of the biggest transits of our time right now – and I don’t just mean this year, I mean life until 2033: Pluto in Aquarius (2023-2044), and Uranus in Gemini (2025-2033). Both of these, on their own, deal with societal changes, upheavals, technological inventions, a speeding up of life, big changes, and more.

Mercury bridges them together at this time – even more than they are already – which means that the potential for large-scale change and transformation in our own lives and in the collective is bigger than usual. There are two articles on Uranus I can recommend, and a compilation of articles on Pluto in Aquarius I am linking here for you – but these links are also repeated at the end of the article, if you’d like to go back and read them after finishing this one.

Complexity in Relationships

Venus Retrograde in Scorpio and Libra

On October 3^rd, Venus – planet of love, relationships, money, the arts, beauty, and women (as it impacts women more than men, just as Mars impacts men more than women), turned direction in the same sign that Mercury is turning directions in right now. This means that this Mercury Retrograde and Venus Retrograde are connected: and that means that themes around relationships, romance, desire, and sexuality are much more prominent at this time. Women may also feel this time especially intensely as Venus Retrograde ends a day after Mercury Retrograde does.

This is a time to be particularly sensitive to themes around love, money, relationships, and to the relationships you have with other women – essentially, read the article on Venus Retrograde and come back after. You’ll see what I mean. It’s okay – I’ll wait for you. See you soon.

Previewing the Future

Preparing for Mars Retrograde in Virgo and Leo

In January 0f 2027, Mars is turning backwards in the sky, its own major event that requires some care as it impacts the way we act, hold ourselves in conflicts, and handle stress… as well as our assertiveness, wants, desires, and the masculine energies and men in our lives (as Mars literally impacts men the most – as the Moon and Venus do for women). This lasts until April 2027. This Mercury Retrograde is both a preparation and a preview for this event. We should be especially sensitive to our relationships with the men in our lives, regardless of our own gender: what happens here might return next year if it wasn’t resolved properly now.

So, what does all of this mean?

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Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio

This Mercury Retrograde is, in one word, complicated. It’s not just an event that starts on October 24^th and ends November 13^th, it actually spans half a year in total, as it’s only the most intense time of a complex of interlocked events and themes that all have the same tie binding them together: change. Or, to be more precise, deep change. And with what’s going on right now, that change is both highly personal and relational, oriented towards our relationships with others first and foremost. There’s a sense of part of our world going inward into the dark, so the changes that need to happen can come from the inside-out, can happen on a more private stage before entering the big stage again.

Scorpio is a sign of transformation. It makes us highly aware of what’s not working and why. It goes to the root of the issue and doesn’t allow us to rest until the Truth – the whole truth, the deep and dark truth – is revealed and understood. This is the sign of excavation, of detective work, psychologists, and historians. Everyone who wants to understand something to the root and won’t stop digging is Scorpionic in nature… at least a little bit. Under Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio, we’re all asked to be Scorpionic. And there’s one avenue in particular where we’re all called to be that.

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The Responsibility of Change

In our world today, we have a very immature view of creating change and revolution on a worldwide and cultural level (don’t worry, we’re getting to the personal life in just a second – bear with me). You have people who step in front of an audience and loudly proclaim with pretty words that are often empty that they are fighters/change-makers/all around important and they won’t rest until/will fight for/become the change in this area that they are showing us is wrong/are echoing is wrong but pretending they’re avant-garde for seeing this/has been worked on for decades which they conveniently ignore for the sake of feeding their own self-importance. Call me a cynic – but you know many people are just like this.

And then, they go home.

Their extent of “fighting for” and “demanding change” is often to climb on a soap box and whip their audience into a frenzy of emotions, with no responsibility or even wish to understand what that might lead to.

And worse yet… they often don’t think through what the price of change even is. And what the change entails for them.

And this is where we re-enter the personal realm. I’m writing this in 2025, a year of great change being made worldwide – a theme continuing in 2026 – and what is going on right now is people who don’t think through what changes they’re demanding others (on a collective) would make.

A revolution leads to the loss of what was, including positive things that were working.

If you wish to change the world, you need to change your own life first – and yourself.

The most dangerous people are those who tell others that Large Scale Change X is possible and will lead to Heaven on Earth… but think not of the practical realities and shadow sides coming through that change. They never bothered to live it, so they don’t know what they’re actually asking. And if a wider audience trusts them and follows their lead, they pay the price, not the leader.

So, where this Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio is coming in is two-fold.

On a personal level, it shows us where we need to become the change, and what the price of the change we’re demanding is going to be: in our personal lives, for ourselves, intimately.

On a collective level, many people who demand change they only live out shallowly (if at all!) are going to be revealed and held accountable. Much evil will find itself in the spotlight, as light is shed on what’s truly going on.

This information we can then build on – especially once Mars turns retrograde in Virgo and Leo January 20^th to April 1^st, 2027.

Truth Comes Out

Mercury Retrogrades in Scorpio are always times of truths emerging and secrets being revealed: often to ourselves, sometimes to third parties as well. This is a time when we need to prioritize total and absolute honesty with ourselves. It’s also a time when honesty with others is highlighted (though there are admittedly situations where total honesty with others is out of the question: for instance, a three-year-old doesn’t need to know certain details of life that would damage their fragile psyche, though you can tell the truth while omitting specific details).

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Also, this Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio has an effect on each person on an individual level. The In-the-Signs below are a great starting point, with a reading with me bringing more individualized and personal advice.

In-the-Sign Predictions

This section considers your Sun and Rising Signs (ASC). If you want more personalized advice, please consider getting a reading.

Shortcuts: Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Further Reading.

Aries:

This Mercury retrograde reveals the truth and allows you to deeply transform your life through the knowledge and understanding you gain. This is a time to keep your awareness on your monetary and inner resources and to learn about something that feels just a little taboo (as long as that’s safe – and interests you). If this article helped you, please consider supporting my work directly. Thank you so much in advance!

Taurus:

This event reveals truths in your relationships in general, especially the committed ones, and it also impacts your communication with the people you’re deeply devoted to. This is a time to make sure you’re really listening (and that the other person is, too). Listen to what’s not said as well. If this article helped you, please consider supporting my work directly. Thank you so much in advance!

Gemini:

This event highlights your wellbeing (especially mentally) and impacts your work, daily routines/minutiae/chores, as well as the people you work with and those you’re in service to. This is a time to mind your p’s and q’s in work-related communication. If this article helped you, please consider supporting my work directly. Thank you so much in advance!

Cancer:

This event highlights your children and fertility (in both cases, if applicable), your romantic life, heart’s desire, and your creative endeavors, as well as the things you do for fun. Joy is highlighted, and so is following your heart. Make sure to express yourself from the depths of your being when you can. If this article helped you, please consider supporting my work directly. Thank you so much in advance!

Leo:

This event impacts your home, roots, family, and private life, revealing truths and aiding in having necessary conversations and in some cases, course corrections. This is a good time for discoveries in home renovations or home-/ancestry-related projects. If this article helped you, please consider supporting my work directly. Thank you so much in advance!

Virgo:

You’re the most impacted sign right now: as this astrological event doesn’t just impact Virgos the most, but also sits in your house of communication, travel, shipments, the mind, local life, siblings (if applicable), and self-expression in general. Make sure you communicate clearly and double-check that you know what other people need. If this article helped you, please consider supporting my work directly. Thank you so much in advance!

Libra:

This event impacts your finances and monetary endeavors first, so keep an eye on spending, etc. This also impacts your self-esteem and may reveal patterns around self-worth, as well as the truth about your values and where you’re living them. If this article helped you, please consider supporting my work directly. Thank you so much in advance!

Scorpio:

This event may impact the way you see yourself and even a path toward a new beginning. It also impacts the way others see you and how you express yourself in life in general. You may learn something new about yourself, or in some people’s cases, something that changes your life. If this article helped you, please consider supporting my work directly. Thank you so much in advance!

Sagittarius:

This event may amplify your need for rest and guide you to surrender patterns of thought that aren’t serving you. This is a time of listening and learning, and for privacy – not for publicity for publicity’s sake. Spirituality and surrender may be highlighted themes. If this article helped you, please consider supporting my work directly. Thank you so much in advance!

Capricorn:

This astrological event reveals the truth about your communities and friend groups. Your hopes, plans, and dreams for the future may be highlighted, and your long-term vision/for the future may change. If this article helped you, please consider supporting my work directly. Thank you so much in advance!

Aquarius:

This astrological event impacts your career, mission, role in society, public life, reputation, and relationship to your own/other people’s authority. This is a time to double-check work emails and to put your voice out there. This might also be a time when work-related decisions need to be revisited or further steps taken. If this article helped you, please consider supporting my work directly. Thank you so much in advance!

Pisces:

This event reveals your belief systems and tests whether you live them. You are seeing the impact of your beliefs on your lives and where the principles you’re (supposed to be) holding aren’t based on truth. This is also a time for searching for in-depth meaning and for teaching, travel, and widening your horizons. If this article helped you, please consider supporting my work directly. Thank you so much in advance!