Mercury Meets Venus November 23-25: Your Ex is Coming Back (But Should You Let Them?)

The Mercury-Venus Conjunction Portal: Fated Reconnections, Karmic Returns, and the Question That Haunts Every Heart

Mark your calendar: November 23-25, 2025, Mercury and Venus align in a rare conjunction that amplifies communication about love, desire, and unfinished business. This isn't ordinary astrology. Mercury-Venus conjunctions are notorious for surfacing people from your past—exes, former flames, forgotten connections—and making you reconsider whether they're truly gone or cosmically unfinished. Your phone buzzes with a message you never expected. Your email reveals a connection request from someone you'd deleted from your life. A "random" encounter leads to conversation. Or you find yourself thinking obsessively about an ex you'd finally moved beyond. This is the Mercury-Venus conjunction at work: making what was forgotten suddenly urgent, and what was buried suddenly alive again.

But here's the cosmic paradox every person facing this alignment must wrestle with: Just because an ex is contacting you doesn't mean you should let them back in. This three-day window isn't about nostalgia or convenience. It's about recognizing the three distinct types of returns and discerning which one is actually happening.

Understanding Mercury-Venus Conjunction: Why Exes Surface NOW

Mercury rules communication, contracts, and the exchange of information. Venus rules love, desire, and what we're magnetized toward. When these two planets meet at the same degree of the zodiac, their energies merge: messages become love letters; conversations become declarations; reconnections feel fated rather than random.

But why specifically NOW? Several astrological factors align:

Mercury Is Still Retrograde (Until November 26)
Retrograde Mercury turns our attention backward, making us revisit past situations, reconsider past choices, and re-establish contact with people we've released. People drift back into our consciousness. We wonder "what if?" We become vulnerable to nostalgia.

Venus's Direct Motion Carries Forward-Momentum
While Mercury looks back, Venus moves forward with desire and magnetism. This creates tension: We're thinking about the past (Mercury) while simultaneously being pulled toward connection (Venus). The result? We reach out or someone reaches out to us.

Saturn Stations Direct November 27
As Saturn turns direct, reality crystallizes. The veil between truth and illusion thins. The next 72 hours are the last window of Mercury retrograde's blurred reality. After Saturn goes direct, clarity arrives about whether this reconnection is real or an illusion.

The Combination Creates a Perfect Storm
Mercury retrograde makes you vulnerable to revisiting the past. Venus makes reconnection feel magnetic and fated. Saturn's imminent directional shift creates urgency: "Maybe I need to decide about this person NOW before clarity arrives."

This is why exes often reappear during Mercury retrograde—and why Mercury-Venus conjunctions specifically activate desperate reaching-out from both directions.

The 3 Types of Ex Returns: Karmic, Twin Flame, or Closure

Not all ex reconnections are the same. The universe sends people back into our lives for distinct reasons. Recognizing which type is happening prevents you from repeating painful cycles.

Type 1: The Karmic Return

Karmic returns are the universe saying: "This relationship isn't finished teaching you yet." These exes usually reappear when you're about to repeat the same pattern with someone new, or when the core wound between you hasn't healed.

Characteristics of karmic returns:

• They feel magnetic and undeniable
• You're drawn back despite KNOWING the relationship hurt you
• The communication feels urgent or emotionally intense
• You find yourself justifying why "this time could be different"
• The reconnection happens when you're vulnerable (post-breakup, lonely, doubting yourself)
• Your friends immediately say "No, absolutely not" because they remember how this person treated you

The lesson: A karmic return doesn't mean you should get back together. It means you have unfinished emotional business—usually healing a wound this person triggered. The cosmos may reconnect you to give you a chance to respond differently, set a boundary you didn't before, or finally see clearly what you couldn't see when enmeshed.

Type 2: The Twin Flame or Fated Reunion

Twin flame returns feel different from karmic ones. These are the rare cases where the relationship ended not because it was unhealthy, but because timing wasn't aligned. The cosmos conspires to bring you back together when both people have evolved.

Characteristics of twin flame returns:

• The communication feels easy and natural—not desperate or urgent
• Both people have done significant healing work since the separation
• The reconnection doesn't trigger old wounds; instead, it feels like recognizing yourself in another person
• You feel liberated rather than trapped by the possibility of reunion
• Your friends say "Actually, yeah—I always thought you two were soulmates"
• The timing feels genuinely different because you BOTH have changed

The lesson: Twin flame returns are rarer than we want to believe, but they do happen. These reconnections often evolve into committed partnerships or soul-level friendships that honor the depth of the original connection while allowing both people freedom to be fully themselves.

Type 3: The Closure Return

Sometimes the cosmos reconnects you to an ex specifically so you can achieve closure you didn't get before. This isn't about rekindling the flame. It's about completing the cycle so you can fully move forward.

Characteristics of closure returns:

• The communication feels neutral or peaceful, not charged
• You're not flooded with old feelings; instead, you see the person clearly and with compassion
• The conversation answers questions you've carried ("Why did they do that?" "Did they ever care?" "Can we end this with kindness?")
• After the reconnection, you feel genuinely released—not devastated but relieved
• You don't feel pulled toward reconciliation; you feel pulled toward your own next chapter
• The person often provides an explanation or apology you needed to hear

The lesson: Closure returns are gifts. They let you write the final chapter of a story that's haunted you. Take these reconnections for what they are—completion opportunities—and then move forward genuinely liberated.

Red Flags vs. Green Flags: Recognizing Whether This Person Should Come Back

RED FLAGS—Signs This Is a Karmic Return You Should Decline:

• The apology feels hollow: "I'm sorry I hurt you, but..." followed by justification isn't genuine remorse. Real apologies don't include "but."
• Nothing has actually changed: They're reaching out with the same patterns that destroyed the relationship the first time.
• You feel obligated to respond: "I should probably give them a chance" or "I owe them a conversation" = guilt, not love. Real reconnection flows with desire, not obligation.
• They're contacting you when they're lonely or in transition: They're not reaching out because you matter; they're reaching out because they need something. You're a backup plan.
• They want immediate intimacy or commitment: Genuine reconnection takes time. Anyone pushing for immediate re-enmeshment is trying to skip the healing work.
• Your body feels tense or anxious around them: Your nervous system remembers pain. Trust that wisdom.

GREEN FLAGS—Signs This Could Be a Genuine Return:

• The apology is genuine and specific: "I realize now that I hurt you when I [specific action]. I've done work to understand why I acted that way, and I'm genuinely sorry."
• Real transformation is visible: They've done therapy, changed patterns, or evolved in measurable ways since you last saw them.
• They respect your autonomy: "I understand if you don't want to reconnect, and I respect that. I just wanted to reach out and see how you're doing."
• The communication feels easy and natural: Conversation flows. Laughter happens. You don't feel like you're walking on eggshells.
• They're reaching out from a place of fullness, not desperation: They seem genuinely well—not broken and grasping. People reaching out from wholeness are usually reaching out for genuine reasons.
• Your body feels calm and expansive around them: Your nervous system recognizes safety. This is intuition worth trusting.

The Zodiac-Specific Reunion Guide: How Each Sign Handles Ex Returns During Mercury-Venus

Aries: You'll want to rush into immediate decisions. Don't. Mercury retrograde clouds clarity. Give yourself until Saturn goes direct November 27 before deciding anything. Your impulse is to fight or pursue; instead, observe.

Taurus: An ex's reconnection will feel comforting and familiar. But comfort isn't the same as healthy. Before rekindling, ask: "Have they actually changed, or do they just feel safe because I know them?" Don't confuse security with suitability.

Gemini: You'll rationalize the reconnection intellectually while your heart is ambivalent. Mercury retrograde especially affects your sign's communication. Don't overthink this into a "yes." Check in with your gut feeling beneath the mental chatter.

Cancer: An ex's vulnerability will trigger your caretaking instinct. But rekindling shouldn't be about rescuing someone. Genuine reconnection involves mutual healing, not you becoming a therapist. Protect your emotional energy.

Leo: You'll want grand gestures and romantic declarations. Mercury-Venus can make an ex contact feel like destiny. But check: Are they actually interested in YOU, or are they interested in the version of you they remember? The present version matters most.

Virgo: You'll analyze this situation exhaustively. Mercury retrograde magnifies your analytical nature. Analysis won't give you the answer your heart needs. Trust your intuition alongside your logic this time.

Libra: Venus rules your sign, so you'll feel this Mercury-Venus conjunction intensely. An ex's reconnection will seem cosmically aligned. But Mercury retrograde adds illusion. Before deciding, ground yourself in practical reality: How will this person's presence actually affect your daily life?

Scorpio: You're magnetic during this conjunction—exes will feel drawn back to you. But remember: Just because someone is drawn doesn't mean they're right for you. Use this time to gain clarity about what you actually want versus what they're offering.

Sagittarius: You'll want to explore the reconnection as an adventure. Mercury retrograde can make past connections feel like open doors. But not all open doors lead where you want to go. Be willing to close some doors permanently.

Capricorn: An ex's reconnection will remind you of what didn't work. Before dismissing it entirely, check if they've genuinely evolved. But also trust your initial instinct about why it ended. If that core reason hasn't shifted, it still won't work.

Aquarius: You'll intellectualize the reconnection and consider it as a possibility. Mercury retrograde affects your friendship sector—you might decide friendship is possible when romance isn't. Honor that distinction if it feels true.

Pisces: Mercury-Venus will activate your idealism. You'll envision a fairy-tale reunion. But fantasy isn't reality. Before deciding, see the person clearly—not as they could be, but as they actually are. Reality is more important than romance right now.

Should You Respond? The 48-Hour Rule During Mercury Retrograde

This is the most important guidance during Mercury-Venus conjunction under Mercury retrograde: Don't respond immediately.

Mercury retrograde distorts clarity. Your emotional response in the moment of contact is not your true response. Your initial urge to text back, call them, or agree to meet isn't necessarily aligned with your highest good.

The 48-Hour Rule:

When an ex contacts you, wait 48 hours before responding. During those 48 hours:

• Feel your feelings without acting: Let yourself feel the longing, the nostalgia, the curiosity. Feel it fully. But don't act on it while Mercury retrograde is active.

• Journal your reaction: Write about why they contacted you, why you're tempted to respond, what you hope might happen, and what you fear might happen. Let your subconscious speak through writing.

• Talk to a trusted friend: Someone who knows your history with this person and cares about your wellbeing. Their perspective will help you see what you can't see when enmeshed in the reunion fantasy.

• Check your body's wisdom: Sit quietly and notice: When you imagine reconnecting, does your body relax or tense? Does your heart expand or contract? Your nervous system knows what your mind is trying to rationalize away.

• Wait for Saturn to go direct: On November 27, clarity lands. Decisions made after Saturn stations direct are aligned with reality, not retrograde illusion.

After 48 hours and after Saturn goes direct, THEN craft your response. Your response might be:

• A brief acknowledgment without committing to anything ("Thanks for reaching out. I'm in a good place right now.")
• An invitation to talk specifically and safely ("I'm open to a conversation, but I need us to be honest about what we're both looking for.")
• A clear boundary ("I appreciate the connection, but I've moved forward and I need to keep moving in that direction.")
• A request for closure ("If you wanted closure, I'm open to that conversation.")

What your response should NOT be: An impulsive agreement to reunite, a passionate declaration, or a guilty "yes" to meeting without clarity about what you both actually want.

Real Love Signs vs. Nostalgia: How to Tell the Difference

If This is NOSTALGIA:

• You're romanticizing the past and forgetting the pain
• They're reaching out inconsistently—sometimes hot, sometimes cold
• They're not asking about your actual life; they're asking about your availability
• You feel guilty or obligated to respond
• The communication is surface-level or sexually charged but emotionally empty
• You're doing most of the emotional labor to maintain connection
• After talking to them, you feel drained or confused rather than nourished

If This is REAL LOVE:

• You're seeing the person clearly—flaws included—and choosing them anyway
• They're reaching out consistently and showing up reliably
• They're asking genuine questions about your life, growth, and wellbeing
• You feel genuinely excited about the possibility of reconnection
• The communication feels whole—emotionally intimate AND intellectually stimulating
• You're both contributing equally to the reconnection
• After talking to them, you feel nourished, seen, and more alive

Closure vs. Second Chance: The Critical Question to Ask Yourself

Before you decide whether to let an ex back in, ask yourself this question: "Do I want closure, or do I want another chance?"

These are fundamentally different. Closure means completing the cycle, saying what wasn't said, achieving peace so you can fully move forward. It usually doesn't involve rekindling romance.

A second chance means genuinely reopening the relationship with the possibility of it going somewhere different this time.

Some reconnections offer closure disguised as opportunity. You might think you want a second chance when what you really want is to finally understand why they left. Getting closure first might be what you actually need before considering rekindling.

Other reconnections offer a genuine second chance that honors the original connection while allowing both people to be more evolved versions of themselves.

Be honest about which one you actually want. That clarity determines your next move.

What To Do If They Don't Contact You During Mercury-Venus

Not everyone gets an ex showing up during this conjunction. Maybe your ex isn't thinking about you. Maybe they're with someone new. Maybe they've genuinely moved on.

If you don't hear from an ex during Mercury-Venus, that's also information. Sometimes the cosmos doesn't reopen certain chapters because they're meant to stay closed.

If you're tempted to reach out to them during this window, ask yourself: "Am I reaching out because I genuinely believe we should reconnect, or am I reaching out because Mercury retrograde has made me nostalgic and vulnerable?"

Reaching out during Mercury retrograde often leads to responses that hurt when clarity arrives. Sometimes it's better to let Mercury retrograde pass, let Saturn go direct, and see if the impulse to reconnect still exists. Often it doesn't.

If the urge still exists after November 27, THEN reach out from a place of clarity rather than retrograde nostalgia.

How Each Zodiac Sign Handles Reunion Scenarios

Aries: You'll want to have the conversation immediately and intensely. Take the 48-hour waiting period seriously. Impulsive decisions made now will need to be revisited once Saturn goes direct.

Taurus: You'll feel the weight of history with this person. Let yourself feel it, but don't let it override your current happiness. Familiarity and love aren't the same thing.

Gemini: You might try to rationalize the reconnection into existence. Your mental chatter won't give you the answer; your heart will. Check in with your deepest feelings.

Cancer: Your instinct will be to protect your heart while remaining open. That instinct is wise. Open AND protective isn't contradictory; it's strategic.

Leo: You'll want to be wanted. Before reconsidering an ex, check: Do they want YOU specifically, or do they want the version of you they remember? The distinction matters immensely.

Virgo: You'll create a pros-and-cons list. Lists won't make this decision. At some point, you have to trust your gut beneath the analysis.

Libra: You'll see both sides equally—the reasons to reconnect and the reasons not to. Give yourself permission to choose one side without second-guessing endlessly.

Scorpio: You'll probe for truth and hidden motives. Your intuition is accurate. If something feels off, it probably is. Trust that radar.

Sagittarius: You'll want to treat this like a grand adventure. But not all adventures lead to happy endings. Some lead you in circles. Choose your adventures wisely.

Capricorn: You'll be cautious and measured. That's your strength. Don't let caution become indecision. At some point, you need to make a choice and honor it.

Aquarius: You'll try to find the logical reason for why they're contacting you now. But love isn't always logical. Let yourself feel even when it doesn't make rational sense.

Pisces: You'll spiral into fantasy about what could be. Ground yourself in what actually is. Reality is more important than fantasy during this transit.

The Final Truth: Your Ex Isn't the Real Question

The real question during Mercury-Venus conjunction November 23-25 isn't "Should I get back together with my ex?" It's "Have I done enough healing that I can choose someone from wholeness rather than wounding?"

If an ex is appealing right now, it's worth asking: What wound in me is drawn to them? Am I seeking closure, comfort, or a genuine second chance? Or am I seeking to undo the pain of the original ending by rewriting the story?

The cosmos sends exes back to teach us something. Sometimes the lesson is "Yes, this person is actually meant for you when you're both evolved." More often, the lesson is "You're ready to release them completely now" or "You need closure before you can fully move forward."

Mercury-Venus conjunction gives you three days of intensified communication and magnetism around love. Use it wisely. Use it to gain clarity, achieve closure, or recognize a genuine second chance. But don't use it to make impulsive decisions that retrograde Mercury will make you regret once Saturn goes direct.

Wait. Feel. Journal. Ask trusted friends. Check your body's wisdom. Then decide from clarity, not retrograde nostalgia.

For more on navigating love during retrograde transits, explore our Mercury Retrograde Survival Guide. For twin flame and karmic relationship insights, see our Ultimate Zodiac Love Compatibility Guide.