november retrograde guidance

IN A NUT SHELL...

Embrace the Pause

Rather than viewing this window as a time of chaos, try to see it as a cosmic reset. A gentle invitation to slow down, take a breath and allow things to unfold in their own time. You don't need to have all the answers right now. Sometimes, the magic happens when we stop pushing and start listening.


Avoid Major Leaps

If you can, give yourself a little breathing room before making big, life-altering decisions. Rather than rushing into new projects, signing major contracts or making impulsive changes, use this time to reflect, revisit your plans and make sure your next steps feel aligned. There's no need to force what isn't ready to flow.


Look Inward

This is a beautiful opportunity to turn your attention inward. Spend a little time journaling, exploring your shadows with compassion, tending to old wounds and gently tying up loose ends from the past. Notice what keeps resurfacing, what you're ready to release and what might be asking for a little more love and attention. Healing isn't always about moving forward; sometimes, it's about returning to ourselves.


So, what's the dealio with retrogrades?!


Retrogrades are when planets move (or appear to move) backwards. Although all planets move into retrograde at different times, Mercury is one of the most commonly known planets we hear about. As Mercury it is closer to the sun in relation to earth, it feels as if it is moving faster and so every quarter, the earth starts to catch up with it and there is this shift of feeling a little uneasy, out of sorts and experiencing technological and communicative problems. You can usually feel the build up before it actually hits retrograde - a good 2 weeks before hand and this is called the retroshade.


This November, we have FIVE planets in retrograde all at the same time (eeeek!). Although we may be clenching our bums hearing this, it's not a moment to (necessarily) fear. This is a time to SLOW 👏 THE 👏 F 👏 DOWN! Take stock of whats going well, where are we wasting energy and how can we transmit that same energy into something productive...Like yoga or massage 😉.


Here's a little info that I've pulled from Cafe Astrology to give you a little extra on the planets, what they're doing and how it may effect us. I could waffle on and totally confuse you (maybe I have done already!) so I hope this little bit of info helps.


1. Mercury retrograde in Scorpio



24 October – 13 November 2026

The planet of communication, thinking and information

Mercury is retrograde in Scorpio, the sign associated in astrology with secrets, intimacy, trust, shared money and emotional depth.


What is Mercury doing?

Symbolically, Mercury is asking us to look beneath the surface. Instead of accepting what we hear or see immediately, this is a time to question assumptions, revisit conversations and recognise things we may have avoided discussing.

How might this affect us, according to astrology?

  • Communication: Old misunderstandings may resurface, and conversations may feel more intense.
  • Relationships: You may want clearer answers about someone's intentions or honesty.
  • Intuition and reflection: You might find yourself thinking deeply about past experiences.
  • Money and agreements: Double-check shared expenses, contracts, paperwork and important messages.


What to do: Ask questions instead of making assumptions. Read the small print, pause before sending an emotional message and give yourself time to process what you discover.

Mercury turns direct on 13 November, but astrologers often treat the following weeks as a period for gradually working through the remaining issues.

2. Venus retrograde in Scorpio and Libra



3 October – 14 November 2026

The planet of love, relationships, money and self-worth

Venus began its retrograde in Scorpio and moved back into Libra on 25 October. It turns direct on 14 November in UK time.


This is one of the biggest themes of November because Venus represents how we give and receive love, what we value and what makes us feel appreciated.

Scorpio asks: Can I trust you? Can I be vulnerable with you? Is this connection truly deep?

Libra asks: Is this relationship fair? Are we meeting each other's needs? Is there balance, respect and mutual effort?

Together, these signs symbolically bring relationships and personal values under review.

How could this show up in everyday life?

  • Ex-partners or people from the past: You may find yourself remembering someone, reconnecting or reconsidering what a past relationship meant. This doesn't guarantee that an ex will return.
  • Current relationships: Unequal effort, jealousy, unspoken resentment or unmet needs may become harder to ignore.
  • Self-worth: You may question why you accept certain treatment or whether you are compromising too much to keep someone happy.
  • Money and spending: You might rethink your priorities, financial habits or what you spend to impress others.
  • Beauty and appearance: You may reassess your style or what makes you feel attractive and confident.


The deeper message: Don't confuse familiarity with compatibility, or intensity with genuine love.

Venus retrograde isn't automatically a breakup period. It can be a useful time to repair a relationship, renegotiate boundaries or recognise that you deserve something different.


My advice is to avoid rushing into major relationship decisions simply because emotions are heightened. You can still make important decisions during a retrograde; use the same care you would at any other time.

3. Saturn retrograde in Aries



26 July – 10 December 2026

The planet of responsibility, discipline and boundaries

Saturn remains retrograde in Aries throughout November.


Saturn represents structure, maturity, limits and the lessons we learn through responsibility. Aries represents independence, courage, action and new beginnings.

When astrologers combine these themes, the question becomes:

Can I lead my own life without acting impulsively or abandoning my responsibilities?

What this may mean for us symbolically:

  • Feeling tested over patience, discipline or long-term goals.
  • Realising that a plan needs more work before it can succeed.
  • Learning to say no without feeling guilty.
  • Rethinking how you use your energy and where you need stronger boundaries.
  • Questioning whether you are building a life you genuinely want, rather than one others expect of you.

What to do: Focus on foundations. Create a realistic plan, keep promises to yourself and stop confusing constant struggle with progress.

Saturn turns direct on 10 December. In astrological terms, that marks a shift towards putting the lessons of this review into practice.

4. Neptune retrograde in Aries



7 July – 12 December 2026

The planet of dreams, spirituality, imagination and illusion

Neptune also remains retrograde in Aries for all of November.


Neptune is associated with dreams, intuition, idealism and the things we struggle to see clearly. Aries brings questions about identity, courage and personal direction.

This combination is often interpreted as a period of examining the dreams we chase and the identities we create.

How might this affect us?

  • You may question whether a goal genuinely inspires you or whether you're chasing an illusion.
  • You might feel drawn to spirituality, creativity or a deeper sense of purpose.
  • You may recognise where you have idealised someone or ignored warning signs.
  • Your motivation may fluctuate while you work out what you truly want.


What to do: Give yourself room to dream, but keep your feet on the ground. Look at people's actions, check facts and let inspiration guide you without letting it replace sound judgement.

Neptune turns direct on 12 December. Astrologically, the emphasis then shifts towards expressing your vision more clearly.

5. Uranus retrograde in Gemini



10 September 2026 – 8 February 2027

The planet of change, freedom, innovation and disruption

Uranus is retrograde in Gemini throughout November.


Uranus represents unexpected change, while Gemini relates to communication, learning, ideas and information.

Astrologically, this combination encourages us to question the information we consume, the beliefs we hold and the ways we communicate with one another.

Possible themes for November:

  • Changing your mind about something you once believed strongly.
  • Becoming more selective about social media, news and outside influences.
  • Revisiting an idea or project you previously abandoned.
  • Questioning outdated ways of thinking.
  • Wanting more freedom in how you express yourself.


What to do: Stay curious. You don't have to defend an old opinion just because you've held it for years. Equally, don't accept every new idea as truth simply because it feels exciting.

Uranus stays retrograde into February 2027, so this is a longer-term astrological theme rather than something confined to November.