Midterms are approaching, and Mercury and Venus will station retrograde. Given everything unfolding in the world, this is a period worth paying attention to. I never want to sound alarmist, but I think we can all agree that s**t is coming down the pike. In fact, if you received a reading from me for 2026, you may recall that one of the things I specifically flagged about the Fall months was my concern regarding the midterm elections and the astrological events happening simultaneously. It is striking that so much of what’s dominating the news—anticipated climate catastrophes associated with an intensified El Niño, growing concerns about the war in Iran, questions surrounding the legitimacy of midterm elections as this administration stirs up hysteria—is coinciding with Venus and Mercury retrograde. I don’t have an answer for exactly what this will look like. I don’t know precisely how these events will unfold. What I am forecasting, however, is a few months of difficulty, challenges, and chaos. And this isn’t just because Venus and Mercury will both be retrograde from October into November. Mars will also station retrograde at the beginning of the new year, in January, and remain retrograde through April. So, whether we’re dealing with a climate event that affects us collectively or developments coming from this administration, s**t is, indeed, coming down the pike. Venus Retrograde: Reassessing What We Value In astrology, Venus connects us to what we value. That can be interpersonal; Venus speaks to our relationships, our connections with other people, and the things that bring us pleasure. But Venus also has a lot to do with our resources and whatever gives us a sense of safety and security. On a collective level, that includes what we value about the systems and structures meant to provide some semblance of safety and security for us as a country, a nation, and a people. And when Venus turns retrograde, these things will come up for reassessment. Soon, we will be asked to review what we value, what we depend on, and whether the structures we have relied upon are actually providing the security we believe them to provide. I’m sure you can already sense this shift as Venus slows in preparation for retrograde beginning on October 3. This particular retrograde begins in the sign of Scorpio before Venus backs into the sign of Libra. Interestingly, in the U.S. astrological chart, this transit takes place in the 10th House area associated with legacy, government, public standing, and the way a country engages with and relates to others. The timing is particularly notable given the political circumstances unfolding. Mercury Retrograde in Scorpio: Communication, Technology, and Information Mercury stations retrograde on October 24, a retrograde that takes place squarely in Scorpio. This is an added layer of importance. Scorpio is deeply instinctual. It is perceptive. It understands its audience and knows how to read the room. Because of its sharp perception, Scorpio possesses an ability not only to transform but also to manipulate. Mercury, meanwhile, is the planet associated with communication, information, and the ways we exchange ideas. When this planet stations retrograde in Scorpio, I would anticipate the possibility of deception, omission, manipulation, and information that is difficult to interpret clearly—particularly when it comes to social media, or the gadgets and technology we use to communicate and express ourselves like our cell phones, voting machines, and mail-in ballots. These are the technologies and systems through which information moves, and through which we participate in our democratic processes. With Mercury and Venus retrograde, questions around secure elections, information, communication, and technology—what may or may not be visible beneath the surface and if we are safe to trust—become particularly important. Neither Venus nor Mercury will station direct (i.e., come out of retrograde) until November 14. That means the retrogrades play out directly through the midterm cycle. Then, as we begin recovering from whatever transpries during this period toward the end of the year, Mars enters the picture forcing us to pump the brakes. This planet will station retrograde in January, which coincides with the period newly elected officials are expected to enter Congress in Wasington, D.C. after election results are certified (if that happens at all). So there is a progression here: Venus asks us to reassess our values and resources. Mercury asks us to review information and communication systems. Mars slows down our ability to simply charge forward. All of this is happening against the backdrop of an already volatile political and social environment. What You Can Do: Fact-Check, Slow Down, and Stay Grounded Believe the hype; astrology is real. We are facing some difficult times ahead and I’m giving you the heads-up so that you can move through it all with as much awareness as possible. What you choose to do with this information is ultimately up to you. Personally, I would encourage you to fact-check. Be clear about who you are receiving your resources from. And remember that resources don’t only mean money or currency. Information is also a resource. Pay attention to where your information is coming from, particularly if you are following the news and the national spectacle surrounding the midterms. This is not the time to blindly accept everything you hear. It is also not the time to give up. Don’t make major decisions impulsively. Don’t jump to final conclusions. And don’t assume that what you are seeing in the moment represents the final outcome. The planets are already entering their shadow phases as they prepare to station retrograde, which means that we’re entering this process before the retrogrades technically begin. We’re not going to see our way completely out of this until toward the end of the year. So, hydrate. Keep your wits about you. And be patient. This is a time for discernment rather than panic. B sure to process information before deciding what it means or what you should do about it (if anything). Astrology may not be predciting. What it can do, however, is help us through periods of heightened uncertainty. Life may get a little more intense on these fascist streets, and, we will find ourselves on the otherside of the storm once the dust settles. Want to understand how Venus, Mercury, and Mars retrograde will interact with your unique astrological birth chart? Book a personal reading with me at traceylrogers.com. Tracey L. 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