The Sun through Scorpio cycle will get off to an eventful start as Mercury’s next retrograde begins and a fixed-sign full Moon takes shape. Scorpio is well known for intensity, and the 2026 Sun cycle is set to maintain the fixed water sign’s reputation. It all gets started on October 23rd when the Sun will enter Scorpio and conjoin retrograding Venus. On the 24th Mercury will begin its Scorpio retrograde, and on the 25th, some of the predominant features of this cycle will be activated. Venus will ingress back into Libra, the Sun will quincunx Neptune, and the Moon will move into Taurus, triggering friction amongst planets in fixed signs. The Moon will be full at 10:12 PM MST, followed by a square to Pluto 30 minutes later and squares to Mars and Jupiter on the 26th.
The first characteristic of the coming cycle to unpack is the quincunx. They occur when the involved planets reach a 150° separation point and share neither element (fire, earth, air or water) nor modality (cardinal, fixed or mutable). There is no common ground, making these periods prone to confusion and its ensuing exasperation. In addition to the Neptune quincunx on the full Moon, the Sun will quincunx Uranus on October 27th and Saturn on November 1st, and Mercury will quincunx Saturn on November 6th and 19th. The potential for miscommunication is further heightened due to the double retrogrades of Mercury and Venus, through the 13th, and because the planets involved are rigid Saturn and consequential outer planets spacey Neptune and erratic Uranus. Postponing challenging undertakings is highly recommended during this time.
On the brighter side, Mercury and Venus will station direct on the 13th, as Mars, Jupiter and the South Node conjoin, igniting a wave of inspiration in an otherwise challenging cycle. Venus has been retrograde since October 3rd. During that time, she will have transited stormy Scorpio and harmonizing Libra. The conclusion of her retrograde suggests that the time for rebalancing and reconciliation has arrived. Mercury’s retrograde is a strictly Scorpio affair, and the planet of communication will have a lot to say regarding needed reforms. With the simultaneous Venus retrograde, feedback is as apt to come from others as it is to stem from internal dialog or immersive and intentional shadow work. But beware, Mercury in Scorpio can be brutally honest. Handling all communication with care is strongly advised. Finally, the Leo stellium of courageous Mars, exuberant Jupiter and the South Node around 25° of Leo, as Mercury and Venus station direct, is noteworthy. In short, the South Node tends to point out where people are prone to resting on their laurels. This is particularly true with a Leo South Node. The antidote lies in considering the position of the North Node. In this case, it is in Aquarius. When Leo can get far too self-centered, Aquarius broadens horizons and places the emphasis on the collective. That mission pairs nicely with Venus’s presence back home in cooperative, collaborative Libra, another sign intent on considering its impact on others and on generating win/win scenarios. Mars is offering the fuel and Jupiter expansion. Alongside the South Node and at the end of a double retrograde, the Leo combo is lighting a creative spark. If one yearns to be part of something much larger than himself and sincerely wishes to make a positive difference in the world, opportunity is on the way.
