Your guide to retrograde season and the lessons shaping the rest of the year

Not sure whether it is time to call a psychologist, book your first session, call your best friend instead, even though her relationship advice and life choices are hardly exemplary, or simply try having a conversation with yourself? You are not alone on that rollercoaster of thoughts, as many people are currently reorganising their lives. Retrograde season is ahead of us, a period during which six planets and the centaur Chiron will be moving retrograde, with most resuming direct motion by the end of the year. It turns out that the celestial bodies have decided to turn Q4, the final quarter of the year that we usually reserve for a new version of ourselves, a glow up and big plans for the year ahead, into something of an introspective workshop.

While Mercury retrograde will occasionally confront us with misunderstandings, errors of judgement and information that could send us in entirely the wrong direction, the other retrograde transits will encourage us to look deeper within, question established patterns and make changes that will help us become the person we want to be. Talking to a professional is always a valuable source of support, while this cosmic guide offers answers to the question of what the stars are telling us. The upcoming retrogrades are no reason to panic, but an opportunity to make room for everything that lies ahead before the year is out.

Neptune retrograde

Neptune is the planet of illusions, romanticisation, intuition and our inner world of dreams, and its energy is often associated with how we perceive reality, idealise people and situations, and imagine the life we would like to lead. As the ruler of Pisces, the final sign of the zodiac, Neptune symbolises empathy, imagination, spirituality and the ability to intuitively sense what we cannot always explain rationally, but also a tendency towards escapism, denial and avoidance of the truth. What I find particularly interesting is how much attention Mercury retrograde receives, while the slower transits of planets such as Neptune are often overlooked, even though, in astrology, they symbolise deeper, longer-lasting processes that influence our worldview, values and understanding of who we are and what we want from life.

Neptune began its retrograde on 7 July 2026 in Aries and will resume direct motion on 12 December. Although Neptune goes retrograde every year, its entry into Aries marks an important shift in a long-term astrological cycle, as it last occupied this sign during the 19th century. This transit brings together two seemingly opposing energies: Neptune represents what is elusive, intuitive and often obscured, while Aries symbolises action, initiative, courage and the need to get things moving without delay. When these energies meet, there is room to question the ideals that set us on a particular path and ask whether they are truly leading us towards what we want, or whether we have become attached along the way to an image that no longer reflects our reality. When Neptune is in Aries, illusions begin to collide with the need for concrete action, and the rose-tinted glasses that helped us see certain people, relationships or life circumstances in a more flattering light may gradually lose their power. Everything we have long idealised, justified or avoided seeing without embellishment may now require a different approach. Yet the essence of this transit is not to lose faith in people and our own dreams, but to learn to distinguish what truly inspires us from what we cling to because we are afraid to accept a different truth.

Intuition will be particularly important during this period, but it will be equally important to learn to distinguish a gut feeling from fear, insecurity and the projections that arise when we do not have all the information we need. Mutable signs (Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo and Pisces) should pay particular attention to this distinction, as questioning and analysing different possibilities can easily turn into excessive suspicion or a need to find hidden meaning in every situation. At the same time, this is a good moment to revisit ideas and goals we previously neglected, but also to honestly assess whether they still motivate us or whether we have outgrown them. Changing direction does not have to mean we were wrong; sometimes it simply means we are finally ready to acknowledge what we need. The inner work we have been putting off could come to the forefront again, almost as if someone were asking us directly: Where were we?

Together with Venus retrograde, which began on 3 October, Neptune places further emphasis on the difference between the love we imagine and the relationships we actually build. This period therefore brings important insights into romantic relationships, encourages us to question the boundaries we have set or failed to set, and helps us recognise when it is time to stop investing energy in something that drains us. For some, this will mean an honest conversation and a different approach to their relationship, while others will realise they no longer want to maintain a relationship simply because they have become attached to an idealised version of it.

Aries will face questions about who they are becoming and how closely their actions align with their beliefs. Cancer will reconsider the balance between private life and professional ambitions, Libra will see their relationships and the compromises they accept more clearly, while Capricorn will reflect on goals, success and a life direction they have previously considered unquestionable. The most important lesson of this transit is not only about recognising other people’s true colours, but also about being willing to see ourselves without filters, accept what we discover and make decisions that align with the person we truly want to become.

Pluto retrograde

It is particularly important to emphasise that planetary retrogrades are not always negative. Pluto retrograde in Aquarius is an example of a retrograde that is intense yet transformative. In astrology, Pluto is associated with Scorpio and symbolises death and rebirth, power, control, and the kind of profound transformation we are often unprepared for. When it enters Aquarius, the sign of innovation, unconventionality and the need for freedom, it becomes clear that changes cannot remain on the surface. This transit, which is nearing its end and lasts until 15 October, has encouraged us to question the systems of control we have been subjected to, as well as those we have created ourselves, often unaware of how much they restrict us. During this period, we have been learning to let go of the need to control every outcome and to recognise manipulation where it is most deeply rooted. Deception, lies and power games have been difficult to overlook, especially when they have recurred in relationships or systems we have long been part of. Together with Neptune retrograde, this transit has helped us clarify feelings that have long remained undefined, try to name them and see them from a different perspective.

A return to authenticity is one of the most important themes of this transit. If you have felt a sudden burst of creativity, decided to dye your hair from black to white or get your first tattoo, perhaps you have simply reached a point where you no longer want to fit the image others have created of you. Pluto reminds us that we owe ourselves honesty on every level, even when that means disappointing other people’s expectations. An important part of this process also involves planning, work and creative projects. Pluto has pushed us to ask whether our plans are truly well thought out, taken us back to steps we may have skipped and reminded us that some things need to be done again if we want to do them well. If your larger projects have been on hold, this period may have taught you that progress does not always have to be fast to be meaningful. Perhaps your own version of Sasha Fierce has also reached a point of reassessment during this period. Pluto retrograde calls on us to discard everything that no longer reflects who we are at our core, including the alter ego we have hidden behind because we once needed it. This transit does more than remind us of the importance of small steps; it pushes us to look at the bigger picture and acknowledge that major changes are necessary if we are to live in alignment with ourselves.

One of its key lessons is turning crisis into personal strength: confronting fears we have long suppressed, old conflicts in relationships, jealousy, the need for control and the inner resistance that prevents us from moving forward. Rather than trying to change the circumstances around us at any cost, this transit invites us to first understand what needs to change within us. Fixed signs (Taurus, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius) will feel this transit most strongly through changes in how they experience security, relationships, personal identity and their own power. You will be grateful for Pluto retrograde!

Chiron retrograde

Chiron’s retrograde lasts from 3 August 2026 to 6 January 2027, and its significance is further heightened by the fact that it moves between Taurus and Aries during this period. Chiron is a celestial body belonging to the centaur group, known as the wounded healer, a symbol of deep emotional wounds, sensitive spots we try to hide and experiences through which we learn to understand ourselves and others better. Its symbolism relates not only to the pain we carry, but also to our ability to draw important lessons from it, develop empathy and stop allowing the past to determine our future choices.

Chiron entered Aries in 2018 and has since encouraged us to confront questions of identity, confidence, independence and the right to take up the space that belongs to us. During its long stay in Aries, themes have emerged such as fear of rejection, difficulty setting boundaries, the feeling that we must do everything alone, or doubt in our own ability to begin something new. Its retrograde brings us back to these themes and offers an opportunity to recognise which insecurities we have overcome and which still influence our decisions, relationships and the way we stand up for our needs. What makes this transit distinctive is that Chiron first moved into Taurus on 19 June 2026, before beginning its retrograde on 3 August and returning to Aries on 17 September. In Taurus, the focus shifts from identity and independence to self-worth, material security, money and our relationship with our own talents. While Chiron in Aries encouraged us to ask whether we have enough courage to be ourselves, Chiron in Taurus raises the question of whether we believe we deserve stability, love and everything we work towards. This period can help us distinguish healthy independence from the need to keep everything under control, as well as confidence that comes from within from confidence that depends on other people’s approval. Once its retrograde ends, Chiron will resume direct motion through Aries, then re-enter Taurus on 14 April, where it will remain until 2034.

Mercury retrograde

I believe even those who are not astrology enthusiasts can recognise the key effects of Mercury retrograde, the best-known astrological transit, which this time will take place in Scorpio from 24 October to 13 November (so fun!).

Mercury is the planet of communication, thought, information and the way we make decisions, so we often associate its retrograde with misunderstandings, delayed arrangements, revisiting old conversations and the need to reconsider what we previously thought was settled. This transit shifts our attention from the surface to what lies beneath. Rather than focusing on words alone and obvious answers, we now look for hidden motives and what has been left unsaid, so all those postponed conversations, suppressed questions and confidential information finally come up for consideration. Scorpio dislikes superficiality, and Mercury in this sign encourages us to read between the lines, question our own conclusions and pay attention to details we previously overlooked. Mercury retrograde in Scorpio can also bring us back to people, subjects and decisions we believed we had left behind. Old conversations may take on a different meaning, and relationships in which trust has been damaged may require further clarification. This is an opportunity to recognise patterns in our own communication, understand why we find certain things difficult to say and consider whether we stay silent because we need peace or because we fear the answers we might receive.

Above all, we should not view this transit as a period in which everything is bound to go wrong, but as an opportunity to pause before reacting, return to what has not been fully clarified and examine the information we have more carefully. Mercury in Scorpio calls for honesty, but also the emotional maturity to face the truth without needing to control every outcome.

Venus retrograde

The return of exes, along with everyone you have ghosted, will mark one of the more interesting astrological transits: Venus retrograde. From 3 October to 13 November 2026, Venus moves retrograde through Scorpio and Libra, so over the next few weeks, many people’s love lives could become something of a detective case. Old crushes, unfinished stories and messages we never sent could occupy our thoughts again. Still, remember that someone returning from the past does not necessarily mean you should open the door to them again (underline this sentence in red).

Venus is the planet of love, attraction, pleasure and personal values, so its retrograde invites us to reassess everything we want from relationships, as well as how we see ourselves. How emotionally available are we really, and to what extent do we find it easier to desire someone who is unavailable to us? Do we miss the person or the attention they gave us? And how often do we idealise a relationship’s potential while overlooking what is actually happening before our eyes? As Venus moves through Scorpio, intensity, jealousy, trust and everything we try to hide even from ourselves come to the forefront. When it returns to Libra on 25 October, the focus shifts to balance, compromise and reciprocity. Are both people making an equal effort? Are we constantly adapting to keep the peace? And do we genuinely like someone, or do we simply like the idea of being chosen? Taurus, Libra, Scorpio, Leo and Aquarius will feel it most strongly, particularly through reassessing romantic relationships, attraction and emotional patterns.

Venus retrograde is not necessarily an invitation to rekindle an old romance or make a dramatic decision. It is much more like an emotional reality check that reminds us that attraction is not the same as compatibility, and that not every story that resurfaces deserves a fresh start. Before sending the message you have written, deleted and rewritten ten times, ask yourself what you actually want to achieve.

Related: Retrograde Venus is coming: here’s what to expect in love, money and relationships

Saturn retrograde

If you feel as though life is once again setting you homework you tried to avoid long ago, Saturn, otherwise known as astrology’s daddy, may have something to do with it. From 26 July to 10 December 2026, this planet moves retrograde through fiery Aries, taking us back to unfinished responsibilities, postponed decisions and lessons we have yet to learn. Saturn does not believe in shortcuts, instant success or the familiar we will figure it out as we go, so this is a period in which we will have to examine how sustainable our plans really are. During this period, it is particularly important to take responsibility for your decisions, set clear boundaries and stop putting off what you know you need to resolve.

Saturn symbolises discipline, responsibility, boundaries and long-term goals, while Aries wants to act immediately and dislikes waiting. This combination can encourage us to question our ambitions, the way we take initiative and our need to handle everything ourselves. Are we building the life we truly want, or trying to meet other people’s expectations? And how many times have we given up as soon as the initial enthusiasm faded? Rather than impulsive moves, Saturn retrograde asks us to slow down, take responsibility and learn to persevere even when results are not immediate.

This is an opportunity to return to unfinished projects, set clearer boundaries and stop spending energy on responsibilities we accepted out of guilt. Saturn reminds us that significant changes do not happen overnight, but through small decisions we are willing to keep making even when we do not feel like it. Aries, Libra, Cancer and Capricorn will feel it most strongly.

Related: Retrograde season continues as Saturn in Aries brings every zodiac sign an important life lesson

Uranus retrograde

Finally, Uranus retrograde is here to change the plans, naturally, without any warning. From 10 September 2026 to 8 February 2027, Uranus moves retrograde through Gemini, the sign of communication, information and ideas. If you suddenly feel drawn to ideas that never occurred to you before, or begin questioning the rules you have lived by until now, do not rush back to your old ways. Perhaps you have simply outgrown your own limits.

Uranus spends around seven years in each sign and last moved through Gemini from 1941 to 1948, a period that encompassed the Second World War and the beginning of the Cold War. From the first electronic computers to advances in radio communications and cryptography, that period was marked by developments that changed the world. Now, exactly 84 years after the start of that previous cycle, Uranus is back in Gemini, where it will remain until 2033, opening a new chapter in how we think, connect and access information. Its retrograde encourages us to question old ideas, beliefs we have outgrown and ways of thinking that limit us. Mutable signs, which include Gemini, Sagittarius, Virgo and Pisces, will be particularly in the firing line of this transit.

Related: Uranus retrograde will redirect the lives of these 4 zodiac signs

Uranus in Gemini brings a clear message: before you try to change your entire life, change the perspective from which you view it. When you change the information you trust and the way you think, your reality changes of its own accord.