Every 18 months, the cosmos asks us to press pause on all matters of the heart, as Venus, the planet governing love, beauty, and finance, begins its 40-day retrograde journey. This celestial slowdown is a critical period for everyone, prompting a profound review of who we love, what we value, and how we find pleasure in our lives. While it can bring romantic turbulence and resurrect ghosts of relationships past, understanding this transit allows us to use it as a powerful opportunity for healing, clarity, and building more authentic connections, ensuring we emerge with a heart that is wiser and more aligned with our true desires.
What is Venus Retrograde?
From our vantage point on Earth, a retrograde occurs when a planet appears to move backward in its orbit. Astronomically, this is an illusion caused by the relative speeds and positions of Earth and the other planet. Astrologically, however, this apparent backward motion holds immense significance.
When a planet is direct, its energy is expressed outwardly into the world. For Venus, this means we actively seek harmony, form new partnerships, appreciate beauty, and spend money. When Venus goes retrograde, this energy turns inward, shifting from action to reflection.
This period is a cosmic mandate to review, reassess, and reconsider all things Venusian. It’s a time to look at our relationships, financial habits, and personal values under a microscope. The universe essentially asks: “Is this really working for you? Is this person truly what you want? Does this purchase genuinely bring you joy?”
The Cardinal Rules: What to Avoid During Venus Retrograde
Navigating a Venus retrograde is less about fear and more about awareness. There are certain actions that are famously ill-advised during this transit because our judgment in these areas can be clouded. Think of it as a cosmic “check engine” light for your heart and wallet.
Do Not Start a New Relationship
This is perhaps the most famous warning of all. Initiating a new romance during Venus retrograde is often a recipe for future confusion. The initial attraction may be based on unresolved past patterns or an idealized fantasy rather than genuine compatibility.
When Venus stations direct again, the rose-colored glasses come off, and you may find that the person you were so smitten with is not who you thought they were. These relationships often fizzle out or reveal fundamental flaws once the retrograde period is over.
Do Not Get Engaged or Married
Making a major, long-term commitment like an engagement or marriage is discouraged during this time. The foundations laid during a Venus retrograde can be shaky, built on re-evaluation rather than forward momentum. Issues that are ignored or glossed over now are likely to surface with greater intensity down the line.
If you have no choice in the timing, proceed with extreme consciousness. Ensure you have open and honest conversations about any underlying doubts or fears before solidifying your union.
Do Not Make Drastic Changes to Your Appearance
Venus rules aesthetics, beauty, and our sense of style. During its retrograde, our judgment in these areas is skewed. That dramatic haircut, new tattoo, or cosmetic procedure that seems like a brilliant idea now might become a source of major regret in a few weeks.
This is not the time for an extreme makeover. Stick to routine maintenance and hold off on any irreversible changes until Venus is moving direct and your aesthetic compass has recalibrated.
Do Not Make Major or Impulsive Financial Decisions
As the planet of money and luxury, Venus’s retrograde phase impacts our finances. It’s a notoriously bad time to make significant investments, take out large loans, or splurge on expensive items like art, jewelry, or designer goods.
Your perception of value is off-kilter. You might overpay for an item or invest in something that quickly depreciates. It’s a time for budgeting and reviewing your finances, not for expanding them.
How to Thrive: The “Do’s” of Venus Retrograde
While the “don’ts” get all the attention, Venus retrograde is an incredibly potent and productive time if you know how to work with its energy. The prefix to embrace is “re-“: review, reflect, reconsider, reconnect, resolve.
Do Reconnect with People from Your Past
One of the hallmark experiences of a Venus retrograde is the sudden reappearance of an ex-lover, whether through a text message, a social media notification, or a chance encounter. While this can be jarring, it serves a distinct purpose: closure.
This is your chance to heal old wounds, understand why things ended, and forgive yourself or the other person. The goal isn’t necessarily to rekindle the romance, but to resolve the lingering emotional energy so you can move forward unburdened.
Do Re-evaluate Your Current Relationship
For those in a partnership, Venus retrograde can act as a cosmic couples therapy session. It often brings simmering issues to the surface, forcing you and your partner to address unspoken tensions or misalignments.
Use this time to have honest conversations about your needs, values, and future together. It’s an opportunity to strengthen your bond by clearing out old resentments and ensuring you are both on the same page. This review can make your relationship more resilient and authentic.
Do Redefine Your Relationship with Yourself
Ultimately, all our external relationships are a reflection of our internal one. Venus retrograde is a prime opportunity to work on self-love and self-worth. Ask yourself what truly makes you feel valued, independent of anyone else’s approval.
This is a powerful time for journaling, therapy, or any practice that helps you connect with your inner truth. By strengthening your sense of self-worth, you change what and who you attract into your life once the retrograde ends.
Do Revisit Old Creative Hobbies
Venus is the muse of the zodiac, governing art and creativity. If you have an old, unfinished project—a half-written novel, a dusty canvas, or a forgotten song—this is the perfect time to revisit it. You may find you have a new perspective or a burst of inspiration to finally complete it.
The Flavor of the Retrograde: Impact by Zodiac Sign
The specific lessons of a Venus retrograde are colored by the zodiac sign it is transiting through. This adds a unique theme to the collective experience.
Examples of Venus Retrograde by Sign
If Venus retrogrades in Leo, the themes will revolve around pride, recognition, drama, and heartfelt creativity in our relationships. We might question if we feel truly seen and celebrated by our partners or if our romantic expression is authentic.
When it moves backward through Virgo, the focus shifts to acts of service, criticism, and perfectionism. We may become overly critical of our partners or ourselves, examining the practical, day-to-day realities of our relationships.
A retrograde in Scorpio is one of the most intense, digging into themes of power, control, intimacy, and shared resources. Deep-seated issues of trust, jealousy, and psychological baggage are likely to surface for healing.
In Capricorn, the review centers on commitment, structure, long-term goals, and public status. We question the very foundation of our partnerships, asking if they are built to last and aligned with our ambitions.
Your Personal Retrograde Story
To understand the most personal impact, look to your own birth chart. The astrological house where Venus is retrograding reveals the specific area of your life that is up for this profound review. For instance, a retrograde in your 2nd House of Finances and Self-Worth will hit your wallet and self-esteem directly, while one in your 7th House of Partnership will place your one-on-one relationships squarely in the spotlight.
Furthermore, astrologers observe a “shadow period” both before and after the retrograde. The pre-shadow is when the themes of the retrograde begin to emerge, and the post-shadow is when we integrate the lessons learned. Paying attention to events during these phases provides the full narrative of your Venus retrograde journey.
Venus retrograde is not a cosmic event to be feared, but rather a sacred time-out offered to us for course correction. It’s a 40-day pilgrimage back to the heart of what truly matters. By embracing reflection over reaction and review over impulse, we can emerge from this period with a clearer mind, a more authentic love life, and a deeper understanding of our own worth.
