A few times a year, Mercury appears to slow down, stop and move backward through the sky. It's an optical illusion from where we stand on Earth, but astrologically it opens a three-week window where communication, travel, tech and timing get a little tangled. Here's how I work with it.
This retrograde: Mercury in Scorpio, October 24 to November 13, 2026
Scorpio rules what lives under the surface: secrets, hidden motives, old feelings and conversations we never finished. Expect some of that to float back up. Venus is retrograde too until November 13, so relationships and what you value are part of the review.
What Mercury rules
Mercury is the messenger. He rules how we think, talk, write, travel and trade. When he turns backward, wires get crossed. Slow down and read things twice.
What to skip
- Signing big contracts. Fine print bites. Read twice and ask questions.
- The 2am text. Scorpio feelings run deep. Sleep on it first.
- New tech and gadgets. Glitches happen. Back up everything.
- Vague messages. Say what you mean. Then say it again.
What this retrograde is good for
Retrogrades love the "re" words: review, revisit, reconnect.
- Revisit old projects and finish what you started.
- Reconnect with the friends who've been on your mind.
- Back up, clean up and clear out your inbox.
Herbal allies for a clear head
- Rosemary is the herb of remembrance. Sip it as tea or keep a sprig on your desk.
- Peppermint makes a bright, focusing cup for foggy afternoons and crossed wires.
- Lavender calms a busy mind. Try a gentle cup in the evening, before you overthink it.
Pregnant, nursing or on medication? Check with your provider before working with new herbs.
A simple retrograde ritual
Brew a cup of rosemary tea, light a yellow candle for clarity and open your journal to one of these:
- What conversation have I been avoiding?
- What old idea deserves a second look?
- Where do I need to say what I actually mean?
Before I sit down, I clear the space with a few mists of Protection Spray. It's part of my everyday routine, retrograde or not.
Want more like this? Follow The Nourished Witch (@thenourishedwitch_), the witch behind the altar, for all things Herbalism, Astrology, Tarot & Reiki. And find new batches, rituals and behind-the-cauldron moments at The Modern Altar (@the_modern_altar_).