Astrology

Mercury turns retrograde October 24 while Venus is already reversed, overlapping until November 13

The final Mercury retrograde of 2026 begins October 24 and runs until November 13, overlapping with a Venus retrograde already underway, according to the Hindustan Times citing the Old Farmer's Almanac and the Times of India's weekly Panchanga coverage.

Mercury will move backward through Scorpio during the period, a sign astrology links to emotional depth, trust and shared resources, the Economic Times reports, while Venus, already retrograde since October 3, continues to put relationships, finances and personal values under review, the Times of India reports.

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What the transit is said to touch#

Astrologers traditionally associate Mercury retrograde with delays, misunderstandings and the resurfacing of unfinished matters, and during this one, people may need to revisit communication, documents, travel plans and business negotiations, the Times of India reports.

The Economic Times reports that incomplete conversations might require additional consideration and old plans could require revisions, while recommending extra time for travel and double-checking bookings, addresses and tickets during the period.

GMA Network's weekly Pisces horoscope describes the overlap as two processes unfolding at once that will not necessarily agree, since Venus concerns what a person wants and feels while Mercury concerns what they know and decide.

An astrologer pushes back on the blame#

US-based astrologer Theresa Reed, writing in the Old Farmer's Almanac, questions Mercury retrograde's reputation, pointing out that human error explains many everyday mishaps and suggesting people may give the transit too much credit when something goes wrong, the Hindustan Times reports.

Reed's view is that distraction, rushing through tasks or overlooking details often causes mistakes, and that personal challenges should not be attributed to cosmic influences, according to the Hindustan Times.

In astronomy, retrograde motion is only an apparent change in a planet's direction as seen from Earth, caused by the relative positions and orbital speeds of Earth and Mercury, not an actual reversal of Mercury's orbit, the Economic Times reports.

The week's other dates#

The same week opens with Durga Ashtami and Maha Navami on October 19 and Dussehra on October 20, the final days of Sharadiya Navratri, followed by Sharad Purnima on October 25, the Times of India reports.

No auspicious marriage or Griha Pravesh (housewarming) muhuratas fall during the period, though several favorable times remain for buying property and vehicles, the Times of India reports.

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