A planet in retrograde isn’t truly moving backward, but it pretends so convincingly that it stirs up all sorts of symbolic mayhem. Astrologically speaking, it’s a time of reflective pause. Astrologers interpret these retrogrades as times to rethink, reimagine, and recalibrate. A Venus in retrograde takes us to the heart of our relationships, values, and desires. The focus shifts inward. It’s no longer about how we love but why we love.  You might revisit old flames—both metaphorical and actual. (Yes, that text from your ex during Venus retrograde? Not a coincidence.) This planet also rules what you hold dear. This period might see you questioning material attachments or reevaluating your aesthetic sensibilities. Do those designer boots spark joy, or have they been quietly mocking you from the back of the closet? Astrologers will gently caution against launching new relationships or making major beauty changes (step away from the bangs) during this time.

This is a period where the past tends to knock on the door—sometimes in the form of memories, sometimes in the form of actual people. Old lovers, long-forgotten dreams, and even feelings of regret might reappear, asking not to be revisited, but to be understood.

When Venus appears to rewind, it invites us into an introspective journey, a time to sift through past relationships. You might find yourself revisiting the ghosts of lovers past—not always in a literal sense but often in the form of unresolved feelings or unanswered questions. Why did it end the way it did? What did I learn? Am I still carrying the weight of that story, or have I grown beyond it? This retrograde is also a mirror, reflecting not just our partnerships but the way we value ourselves within them. It asks: Are your desires truly yours, or have they been shaped by external expectations? Do you settle for harmony at the expense of authenticity?

So, as Venus retraces her steps across the heavens, take a moment to retrace your own. Reflect, release, and revel in the beauty of the journey, even the messy bits.

The idea of “re-evaluation” during Venus retrograde is the heart of the matter. The love we’ve given, the love we’ve received, and the love we’ve denied ourselves. Lingering sentiments often rise to the surface during this introspection. Feelings we thought we’d buried deep suddenly appear, asking to be acknowledged, perhaps even forgiven.  It’s not always easy work—self-reflection rarely is—but it’s profoundly necessary.

Venus retrograde is the great advocate of unfinished business, offering us the chance to mend what’s frayed or, when necessary, to lovingly let go. When Venus resumes her forward motion, you you may find yourself seeing your relationships—and yourself—with new eyes, a deeper understanding, and a renewed commitment.

Beauty Treatments

Carol Rushman cautions against impulsive makeovers during Venus retrograde—a piece of advice as timeless as Venus herself. During this planetary pause, the need for transformation can be deceptively strong, but it’s a time when bold changes often come with a side of “What was I thinking?” The message is clear: resist the urge to impulsively chop your hair. By waiting until Venus resumes her forward motion, you give yourself time to act with intention.

Treat yourself to a soothing facial, revisit your skincare routine, or indulge in the kind of beauty rituals that feel more like self-love than self-reinvention. Reflect on what beauty means to you—not in the superficial sense, but as an expression of your inner light.

I advise my clients against any type of beautification process when Venus is retrograde, particularly cosmetic surgery. Even permanent waves, hair colouring, hair styling, and hair cutting can be unsuccessful. My daughter and I went to have our hair cut on the day that Venus was retrograde and we both cried all the way home because we got such bad haircuts. We had each wanted a trim, but we both went home with very short hair. The Art of Predictive Astrology: Forecasting Your Life Events

So, what should one do during Venus’s retrograde? Reflect, reassess, and rediscover what makes your heart sing. Dive deep into the art, music, and experiences that resonate with your soul. Reconnect with yourself so you can better connect with others.  And if you do end up texting your ex? Well, consider it field research for your personal growth. .

Here is an interesting note on Venus retrograde by Dane Rudhyar:

The same type of analysis applies for the case of Venus retrograde; with this difference, however, that Venus and Mars are retrograde only for a short portion of their synodic cycles. The average cycle between two superior conjunctions of Venus and the Sun last 584 days (about a year and 7 months) , and its retrograde phase – during which the inferior conjunction occurs – only about six weeks. This is the shortest time a planet spends being retrograde relatively to the length of its complete cycle; which means that its rarer for a person to be born with Venus retrograde than with any other planet retrograde.

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