What the heck is Venus retrograde?
You’ve probably heard of Mercury retrogrades by now as these have become pretty common astrology fodder on social media and elsewhere. Venus retrograde has the same premise, except instead of frustrations, crossed wires (literally and figuratively) and false starts in communications (Mercury’s territory), the difficulties arise in Venus-ruled areas of our lives.
Venus is associated with love, relationships, beauty, aesthetics, the arts and money.
Every eighteen months, Venus appears to stop (what astrologers call “station”) and then start moving backwards (what we call “retrograde”). The planet retraces roughly 15 to 18 degrees of its path over a period of roughly forty days.
During this time, you will likely notice:
- More break-ups than usual (both private and public). Relationships that have been on the rocks for awhile often succumb to a final break.
- Feeling a bit “blah” or downtrodden especially if you have a strong Venus influence. (Libra or Taurus Ascendants take note!)
- Old friends, former loves and distant relatives making an appearance.
Here’s what NOT to do starting now:
- Don’t get married or make wedding plans. Venus rules love and relationships, and no marriage is off to the right start when Venus is travelling backwards, stuck in the past. (I’m talking to you Jennifer Aniston when you married Justin Theroux… I was like – NOOOO! Don’t do it. Change the date! If ONLY you had an astrology buddy. I’m available… just sayin!)
- Don’t start a new relationship. Starting a new relationship during a Venus retrograde usually also goes nowhere, so if you’re thinking of joining eHarmony, save your money until Venus is moving properly. Be weary of any beau/belle who arrives during this time because he/she will not likely be as originally presented.
- Don’t beautify outside of your normal routine. Always wanted to dye your hair red? Get a tattoo? Have cosmetic surgery? Don’t do it now. Stick to your routine──regular hairstyles and current wardrobe. Any big shopping trips or makeovers will result in disappointment. If you do get adventurous during Venus retrograde, when the planet goes direct again, you’ll wake up, wipe your eyes and find your hair is maroon (not red); you now have a Chinese tattoo that says goat milk instead of world peace on your neck; and your “killer” new wardrobe consists of grey and beige clothes that are two sizes too big. You know the commercial about drunk driving where the bottles keep piling up on top of the car making the street ahead increasingly blurry? That’s the effect of a Venus retrograde. Its direct motion is sobering. And just because you’re aware of this now does not make you immune to Venus retrograde’s wiles. I have the maroon hair photo and baggy beige-clothes fest to prove it. The same goes for your house. Do not, I repeat, do not attempt to redecorate at this time!
- Don’t initiate new investments. Venus also rules your financial activities. When retrograde, your perceptions are off, and they can cause you to make very poor financial decisions from an emotional place. Investments are usually over-valued or inflate during this time and lose their value when Venus goes direct. A Venus retrograde period is also famous for producing global economic uncertainty which can make matters worse. (Isn’t it interesting that cannabis became legal in Canada during a Venus retrograde? And what happened to its market value almost immediately?)
- Avoid buying things especially big purchases such as a car, boat, art, furniture, house or business. You will overspend and your purchase will backfire on you. It will become a money pit, a giant headache or you will severely regret your purchase. Your ability to judge the value or price of something diminishes significantly.
Trust me when I say that if you break these rules, you’ll end up slapping your head repeatedly saying “What was I thinking?”
Here’s how to USE the retrograde period:
- Review your relationships. How are things going? How could they improve? Poor relationships can suffer even more under the influence of Venus retrograde, and solid ones can get a bit cranky. Try not to make any hasty decisions until Venus goes direct.
- Review your investments, assets and financials. Re-think plans for the future, but do not act. I repeat, do not act.
- Have a garage sale! Unload the items you’ve never used (probably because you bought them during a Venus retrograde) and be amazed when someone gobbles up them up.
- Want a change in your appearance or that of your home? Do the research. Peruse new hairstyle options. Create a “dream board” of decorating ideas. But wait until the Venus retrograde passes before revisiting acting on ideas. See what actually sticks after Venus goes direct; it will be a good exercise to see how much/if your values have changed.
Thankyou!!!!
I very much enjoyed your article on Venus Retrogard, straight to the point and spot on.
Look forward to receiving further reports from you.
Thank you
Mariela
Hi Mariela,
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you.
I really want to go back to my ex, i want to make things right. But after i read this I thought about it. I’ll let venus retrogade pass first before i decide. Thank you!
Good idea! 🙂
My hairdresser always does my hair. Should be save enough right haha
Yeah, I’ve gone to the hairdresser lots of times during a Venus retrograde. I always just go with “the usual” cut/treatment during these times. You should be okay!
Would a change in my appearance still be considered bad if I scheduled the appointment long ahead of time?
Honestly, I’m not sure… It depends upon your natal chart and what else is going on there! Experimenting with your image can be fun during a Venus retrograde, but I usually advise semi-permanent changes (so something you can wash out if you don’t like it).
I’ve been wanting a septum piercing for a year now. I was planning on doing it around this time. Would that be a bad idea to get it around this time?
It depends on your natal chart, but I wouldn’t overthink it too much. If you’ve wanted it for awhile and have already booked the appointment, then I would probably just go for it.
Would just a trim be okay? No dramatic change my split ends are just horrendous right now
I’ve never had to give so much hair advice during a Venus retrograde before! 🙂 Yes, I regularly get my hair done during this time… It’s totally fine. My only advice is try to stick to your “normal” beauty routine because there’s a greater chance of things going astray. But honestly, don’t worry!
But traveling is okay right?
Venus rules pleasure so this can have an impact on travelling, but it is not directly related.
Hi,
I just met someone. Is it Okay to meet or should i wait?
Thanks!
Give it a try and see what happens!
Hi! I keep seeing do not redecorate your home but what about repairing things that you have planned prior to the retrograde?
Your insight is very much appreciated.
Thank you.
I wouldn’t worry about it.
Hi, I enjoyed your article a lot, really informative 🙂
I’m about to start therapy during this Venus Rx. Is it a good or bad time? what do you think?
There’s never a bad time to start therapy.
My natal venus is rx in aquarius…this is a tough time. Depression anxiety you name it ..
My loved one has his venus rx too in aries ..he s giving me a silent treatment since last week and i am afraid its the final breakup..i cant handle this pain no more🥺
Hi,
I would like to promote a new education project now to find clients.Should I wait until venus stations direct?
I would, if you can. That said, Mercury will be stationing retrograde soon as well. If you can wait until February, I would. If not, no worries. We can’t get obsessed by this stuff. These are only general guidelines.
How about buying a new phone??? Would that affect me at all?
I want to shave the sides and back of my hair. I’ve done this before, but would this be considered as drastic?
Hii I love your post! But u want to ask something So I got a helix piercing just the other day and wanting to do another one in my other ear should I just wait until venus retrograde is over? Orrrrr idk ehat to doooo haha!
I just cut my hair and do curtain bangs on december 19 what should i do to prevent negative happenings
Is it a poor decision to make a big move during this? I first thought about moving back home (from CA to MA) in September and told myself to wait until New Years and if I still wanted to I could. I am in the process of packing and looking for apartments. The move would not happen until Feb, but I would be saying goodbyes and making it official now, perhaps signing a lease before RX ends, otherwise living with family until I find a place. This RX transit is in my 2nd house but goes direct in my 1st. The Dec solar eclipse was conjunct my ASC so I have intensely been feeling a rebirth and I have already had a major falling out with my friend group here during this transit (we were suffering substantially pre RX). Additionally I have transit Saturn about to conjunct my moon in 2nd and then my Saturn return in the 3rd house in April. I would be so appreciative of any additional insight you have. Please let me know if you’re response is a resounding “wait!!!” because I am moving full speed ahead with this and have no doubts (other than oh crap what if I regret this when Venus stations direct). Thank you so much for your time. Also, in case it’s relevant my natal Venus is RX in Aries 4th house.
I know I’m not supposed to make life changing decisions during Venus retrograde, but I’ve been married for 14 years to my Husband he’s an Aries and I’m a Taurus.
We have never connected.
We slept in separate rooms for a long time.
I stay at home because I have MS and I’m on disability.
It’s so hard on me doing everything in our home.
He says he works so I should do it all.
Even down to o pop sting all the bills and doing our taxes.
I’m exhausted.
I want out so bad.
Do I have to wait until the retrograde is over.?
I don’t want to
Thank you so much! But what if I had my first kiss with him during retrograde? Although we didn’t start a relationship, we got closer to each other. :’)
How about confessing one’s feelings to someone before the retrograde? It lasted for six months now, it is obvious to both sides, though there are few complications… if I wait few more months, I think I’ll just prolong suffering. Isn’t it when the planet is retrograde you finally do something you had been thinking about connected to that planet for a very long time? It happens to me with Mercury retro all the time.
Okay, so I had already planned my wedding for July 22. I chose this back in March as it was a waxing moon and the first day of Leo season. If our ceremony is a 5 pm, will it still be okay? I was also thinking of not turning in the marriage license until after venus goes direct. Thoughts?
Hi Melanie, enjoyed your outlook on Venus retro, (lots of gray{during winter} beige{for summer} in my wardrobe, naturally, without much retrograded influence)
What a wonderful planet when things are firing off on all cylinders.
Is there a shadow period we should be wary of with expenditures, ie;
*Making a purchase or two of 90’s themed items.
These products would be kind of re-visiting from the past .. or is this the retro aspect shadowing in Leo pressing my buttons.
It’s coming up again:
22-July-2023
would it be okay to get my teeth braces or get a loan during the retrograde? idk i’m just worried…
I actually had bad luck since April with cosmetic injections dissolved it got it redone in July just now and not happy
My friends go to one dr she’s abroad they told me to come visit them in august and she will fix and RE do everything. What do you think? It is cosmetic injections but we are RE doing it and fixing it.
Is it safe?
2 q’s…..is it okay to start installing a new landscape project where I have been working on the design for a long time?
Is it okay to move in with my romantic partner and sign a new lease together?
Thanks!
Hi Melanie, thank you for this informative information on Venus Retrograde. My question is how do you handle things that were already in motion before the retrograde started that have deadlines that require you to sign a contract/Agreement or take a test to renew your real estate license etc.?
Help!