How are we doing out there? I ask genuinely in effort to prompt sincere reflection. Astrologically, we haven’t had stability or ease for at least two years. Arguably, six. Even 2026’s most auspicious days, when Jupiter met Venus in Cancer in June, were marked by a hot-headed Moon in Aries.
In the midst of August’s eclipse season and the South Node shifting into Leo, we lost two larger than life celebrities, pioneers who showed the world authenticity and how to shine through art — RIP Dolly and Tim. We seem surrounded by death and loss, and a prompt for reinvention, impetus for rebirth. The shift is happening on a global scale as well as a personal one.
As I write to you, we have two more weeks of Venus retrograde in Scorpio and Libra. The process of reviewing and realigning our values, our connections and getting to the heart of it all, began on Oct. 3. The Venus retrograde process can be understood through a Sumerian myth.
Inanna, goddess of war, love and sex, descends to the underworld to attend the funeral of her sister Ereshkigal’s husband. On her way, she passed through seven gates, each of which demands she leave something behind. At the final gate, she is stripped bare without any worldly or spiritual protections. Seeing the loss of her husband as Inanna’s fault, Ereshkigal hangs Inanna by meat hooks, intending to forever entrap her in the underworld. Luckily, Inanna alerted her assistant to her journey, giving him instructions for reconnaissance if she does not return in a timely manner. After pleading with the gods, Enki agrees to help rescue Inanna. Life is returned to her through worldly food and drink, and she returns to her domain.
In the myth, we see Venus retrograde themes of stripped materialism, death and grief, and the ability of loyalty and assistance to turn the tides. We also see the theme of Venus retrograde in the biblical telling of the temptation of Jesus in the desert. The time he spends in the desert is the same amount that Venus retrogrades — 40 days and 40 nights.
On Oct. 24, Mercury also stationed retrograde in Scorpio and will join Venus on Nov. 13 to turn direct, although the planet of love has moved back into Libra, one of her home signs. From now until then, pay close attention to the investigative work of your mind to find connections that tie your life together.
In Scorpio, Mercury plays Sherlock Holmes, able to connect the dots between material and spiritual life, between what’s apparent and what drives undercurrents. Using Mercury to understand your personal Venus retrograde story will give him good work to do.
A few days later, on Nov. 16, Mars meets Jupiter in kingly, exuberant Leo. Here they both join the South Node indicating excess and purge. Mars adds motivation to hog the spotlight or a swing towards anger.
Our best manifesting is to call in a large magnitude of transformation, of which Pluto and the North Node desire in Aquarius, the opposite sign of Leo. The North Node represents something we have yet to learn, where we have action and expression to engage with. Known as Rahu or the head of the dragon in Vedic astrology, the North Node indicates deep, primal hunger. In Aquarius, let’s be ravenous not for technology to save us but for collective human liberation.
As I’ve written about all year, the connection by aspect between the three outermost planets has been represented in a global shift of power, order and predictability. In December, Neptune and Uranus turn direct and their expression shifts back outward from their muted, internal retrograde periods. It is not just the larger world that is shifting. Our individual lives are also being challenged by these aspects. This work began in July of 2025 and persists through early 2027, tapering off by mid next year, but surely not without life altering implications. At just about the middle of this kite alignment, I wonder what new, nascent dreams have come into view and started materializing in your life? This is Neptune in Aries. How are they connected to revolutionary community building? This is Pluto in Aquarius. And what turns of fate, unexpected opportunities or multiplicity of connection have you experienced? This is Uranus in Gemini.
Truly, it may be difficult to parse out each of these, as they are closely tied together in supportive relationship and action, but a reflection during the end of year astroweather is prime for reaping. Keep on the path of new world building and see the fates unfold in your favor. Until next time, dream on.
As always, this astrological outlook is meant for insight, not fear. For more, follow Crystal City Astrology on Substack or book a personalized astrology reading at crystalcityastrology.com