💫 Venus retrograde explained 💫
- Isa Bella Goossens
- Mar 4
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 10
🔄 Venus Retrograde Motion Explained
Venus retrograde is an apparent backward motion of Venus as observed from Earth. It happens due to the differences in orbital speeds between Earth and Venus. Since Venus orbits closer to the Sun, it moves faster than Earth. However, when Earth overtakes Venus in its orbit, Venus appears to move backward in the sky for a period of time. This is similar to how a slower car appears to move backward when passed on the highway.
📆 How Often Does Venus Retrograde Happen?
Venus retrogrades approximately every 18 months (1.5 years).
It lasts for about 40-43 days (~6 weeks).
This makes it less frequent than Mercury retrograde, but its effects are often deeper, especially in love, self-worth, and finances.
🌑 Shadow Periods: Pre & Post-Retrograde
The shadow periods are the phases before and after the retrograde, where Venus moves through the degrees of the zodiac that it will later revisit during retrograde. These periods are important because they set the stage for what themes will arise and help integrate lessons afterward.
🟢 Pre-Retrograde Shadow (Entering the Zone)
Begins about 33 days before Venus officially goes retrograde.
Venus starts slowing down, and the themes of the retrograde begin to emerge.
You may start noticing issues in relationships, finances, or self-worth bubbling up.
🔄 Retrograde Phase (The Main Event)
Lasts 40-43 days (~6 weeks).
This is the period when Venus appears to move backward, intensifying reflection and realignments in love, money, and values.
🟣 Post-Retrograde Shadow (Integration Period)
Lasts about 33 days after Venus goes direct.
Venus moves forward through the same degrees it retrograded over.
This is when you start applying the lessons learned during retrograde.
🌌 Summary: Venus Retrograde Timeline
Pre-Shadow: Venus enters retrograde zone (~33 days before).
Retrograde Begins: Apparent backward motion starts (lasts ~6 weeks).
Direct Motion: Venus moves forward again.
Post-Shadow: Venus retraces its steps, helping integrate lessons (~33 days after).
💫 Venus Retrograde influence
Venus retrograde is a major astrological event that deeply influences relationships, self-worth, finances, and personal values. If you're working on becoming more self-aware, here’s what you should know about Venus retrograde:
💔🔄 1. Re-Evaluate Your Relationships
Venus governs love and connections, so during its retrograde, past relationship patterns and unresolved issues tend to resurface.You may reconnect with old lovers or friends, not necessarily to reunite but to learn from past dynamics.It’s a time for deep reflection on how you give and receive love.
💖🪞 2. Self-Worth & Self-Love Reflection
Your sense of self-worth might come under review.You might become more aware of areas where you’ve settled for less than you deserve in love, work, or friendships.This is a great period for shadow work around self-esteem and internalized beliefs about love and value.
💰💸 3. Financial & Material Shifts
Venus also rules money, luxury, and beauty, so this retrograde often reveals unhealthy spending habits or financial insecurities.You may find yourself questioning what truly holds value in your life, beyond material possessions.It’s not the best time to make big purchases or investments, as clarity is often lacking.
💅🎭 4. Aesthetic & Identity Reflection
Since Venus is tied to beauty and self-image, you may feel a strong urge to change your appearance—but it’s often advised to wait until Venus goes direct before making drastic changes.Instead of impulsively changing your look, use this time to reflect on why you want a transformation.
💭🌊 5. Unfinished Emotional Business
Emotions that were ignored or suppressed may come up, forcing you to face them.If you tend to avoid emotional introspection, Venus retrograde will push you to acknowledge hidden wounds.
🧘♀️⏳ 6. Inner Growth Over External Action
This is a time to pause, reflect, and reassess rather than rush into new relationships, financial deals, or aesthetic changes.It’s ideal for journaling, therapy, meditation, or self-reflection exercises.
🔮✨ 7. Unique Impact Based on Your Natal Chart
Venus retrograde will affect you more if you have strong Venus placements (Taurus, Libra, or prominent Venus aspects).The zodiac sign and house Venus is retrograding in will give insight into the specific themes it triggers for you.
🌱🚀 8. A Chance for Major Soul Growth
If you use this time wisely, it can be a powerful period of self-awareness and transformation.The lessons learned during Venus retrograde often set the tone for healthier relationships, improved self-worth, and greater alignment with your true values.
✅ Best Things to Do During Venus Retrograde
💖 Reflect on Love & Relationships
Reassess your romantic relationships and patterns.
Heal past wounds and unresolved emotional issues.
Reconnect with yourself—self-love and self-worth are key.
💰 Review Financial Decisions
Re-evaluate your spending habits and money mindset.
Organize your finances rather than making big investments.
Consider clearing old debts or renegotiating financial agreements.
🧘♀️ Focus on Inner Growth
Journal, meditate, and reflect on your personal values.
Do shadow work—address limiting beliefs around love and worth.
Reconnect with hobbies or passions that bring you joy.
🎭 Reassess Aesthetics & Beauty
Declutter your wardrobe and realign with your authentic style.
Research beauty or design changes you want—but don’t act just yet!
Explore self-expression in a way that feels meaningful.
🔄 Reconnect with the Past (Mindfully)
You may hear from an ex or an old friend—reflect before acting.
Closure conversations can be healing, but don’t rush into reconciliations.
Learn from past patterns instead of repeating them.
🚫 What to Avoid During Venus Retrograde
💔 Rushing Into New Relationships
New romances may be intense but temporary—wait until Venus goes direct before making commitments.
Avoid getting back with an ex without serious reflection—ask if it's growth or just nostalgia.
💸 Making Big Financial Moves
Avoid major purchases like a house, car, or expensive luxury items.
Be extra careful with financial agreements—hidden costs may emerge later.
💇♀️ Dramatic Beauty or Style Changes
Venus rules aesthetics, and during retrograde, our perception is off.
Bad haircuts, cosmetic procedures, or drastic makeovers might lead to regrets.
🛍️ Impulse Buying
Retail therapy might seem tempting, but Venus retrograde often makes us rethink purchases later.
If you must buy something significant, double-check quality and return policies.
⚡ Making Relationship Ultimatums
Avoid major breakups or engagements—clarity returns after Venus goes direct.
If tensions arise, take time to process emotions rather than making hasty decisions.
💡 Ignoring Red Flags or Gut Feelings
If something feels "off," trust your intuition.
This retrograde reveals hidden truths—pay attention instead of brushing things aside.
✨ Final Tip: Reflect, don’t react. Use this time to gain clarity, heal, and realign with what truly matters. When Venus goes direct, you’ll have a much stronger foundation to move forward! 💫🔮
💫 4 Powerful Questions to Navigate Life During Venus Retrograde ❓🔮
Here are four powerful questions that apply to all areas of life during Venus retrograde:
🧐 Am I acting from self-awareness or old habits?→ This helps you recognize if you're making choices based on past patterns rather than personal growth.
⚖️ Does this align with my true values and self-worth?→ Whether in love, money, or personal goals, this question ensures you’re making decisions that honor your authentic self.
⏳ Am I rushing into this, or have I given myself time to reflect?→ Venus retrograde slows things down for a reason—impulsivity can lead to regrets.
🔄 Am I repeating a cycle, or creating a new, healthier path?→ If a situation feels familiar, ask yourself if it’s truly different this time or just disguised as growth.
These questions will help you navigate Venus retrograde without falling into old traps! 💫✨
⚠️ What Happens If You ignore the effects During Venus Retrograde? 💸💔
Venus retrograde isn’t a time for big financial, branding, or relationship moves—it’s a time for reflection and reassessment. If you act impulsively, you’ll likely have to redo, regret, or repair your choices later.
If you ignore the effects of Venus retrograde and make impulsive decisions, you might face financial setbacks, strained relationships, and costly mistakes. Here’s what can go wrong:
💰 1. Financial Regrets & Poor Investments
❌ Overspending on luxury, beauty, or unnecessary upgrades.
❌ Making big purchases that lose value or require fixing later.
❌ Signing financial deals that turn out to be less profitable than expected.
💼 2. Business & Partnership Conflicts
⚠️ Rushing into new business partnerships that later reveal misalignment.
⚠️ Misunderstandings with clients, employees, or investors.
⚠️ Signing contracts that come with hidden issues or unforeseen complications.
🎨 3. Branding & Marketing Mistakes
🚀 Launching a rebrand that doesn’t resonate with your audience.
🛑 Changing your website, logo, or brand identity only to regret it later.
📉 Investing in ads or campaigns that don’t perform as expected.
💔 4. Relationship Struggles & Unfinished Emotional Business
🔄 Rekindling an old business or personal relationship that ends up being a bad idea.
💬 Miscommunications leading to strained client or team relationships.
🤯 Making emotionally-driven decisions that hurt long-term success.
✨ The Bottom Line
Don’t rush into reconciliations or breakups—wait until Venus goes direct to see things clearly.
Avoid impulsive beauty treatments or financial decisions.
Take time to reflect on what love, self-worth, and value truly mean to you.
Use this period to review, refine, and prepare for long-term success! 🚀✨

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