Venus retrograde and your ex: what is the connection?
In astrology, Venus retrograde (3 October to 14 November in 2026) is a classic time for exes to get in touch and old feelings to resurface. Mercury, associated with messages, is also retrograde from 24 October to 13 November. Astrologers therefore link this part of 2026 especially strongly with returning exes. There is no established evidence for the effect. The period can still prompt a useful question: do you want the relationship back, or the feeling you once had?
Why now?
Retrograde planets are associated with revisiting, reflecting and revising. For Venus, the planet of love and attraction, that traditionally means people from the past reappearing. In 2026, Mercury, associated with communication, joins the retrograde from 24 October. The popular shorthand is: “Your ex will text.”
There is also an everyday explanation: autumn, shorter days and the approach of the holidays often encourage people to reconnect. Reading about Venus retrograde can also make you notice every message from the past more keenly, a form of confirmation bias.
Key dates in 2026
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 3 Oct 2026 | Venus stations retrograde (8°29′ Scorpio) |
| 24 Oct 2026 | Mercury stations retrograde (20°59′ Scorpio); Venus cazimi on the same day (0°45′ Scorpio) |
| 13 Nov 2026 | Mercury stations direct; Venus follows overnight on 14 November |
| 30 November / approx. 15 December 2026 | Mercury’s and Venus’s post-shadows end respectively |
Astronomical calculations (geocentric, tropical zodiac). Times are Central European Time: CEST until 25 October 2026, then CET.
Three questions before you reply
- Has the reason for the breakup changed? If it has not, the same pattern usually repeats.
- Do you miss the person or that time in your life? Looking back can soften the difficult parts.
- What would you decide in three months? The astrological rule of thumb is to talk things through during the retrograde and decide after 14 November.
If you want to reach out
The period is traditionally suited to closure: apologising, answering unresolved questions and returning belongings. A complete fresh start is usually advised against while both planets are retrograde. If you write, be clear about what you want and leave the other person free to respond.
How does it touch your chart?
Your birth chart, with a birth time, shows whether the period concerns your relationship house (7th house), work, family or another area. Exact contacts from Venus or Mercury to natal planets or angles are a particular point of interest.
If your question is “Are we compatible?”, Which zodiac signs are compatible explains what a Sun sign comparison can tell you, with a free check using two birth dates.
Venus + Mercury Retrograde report (€12): the days between 24 October and 14 November when these planets contact your chart, themes of return and reconnection, and an optional partner section.
Learn more →More on Cosmolytic: what Venus says about attraction and values in a chart, what the seventh house of committed bonds stands for, and why Mercury has a say in every message.
Frequently asked questions
Will my ex return during Venus retrograde?
This is an astrological interpretation with no established evidence for the effect. Traditionally, the period (3 October to 14 November in 2026) is associated with old contacts getting back in touch.
What makes 2026 distinctive?
Venus and Mercury are both retrograde from 24 October to 13 November 2026: love and communication together, a classic astrological combination for reunions.
Should I reply to my ex during Venus retrograde?
Astrology favours conversations and clarity during this period, with final decisions after 14 November 2026. The actual reasons for the breakup matter most.
When does the period end?
Mercury stations direct on 13 November; Venus follows on 14 November 2026 at 01:27 CET (US sites give 13 November because it is still evening there). The post-shadows end on 30 November for Mercury and around 15 December 2026 for Venus.
Sources
Responsible: Maximilian Stroh, Anonyfox e. K., Hamburg