A woman with curly hair and an orange top closes her eyes against a background of floating planets.

Your Guide to Venus Retrograde

Learn the meaning of this rare but impactful event

Planetary retrogrades are nothing new -- they occur when the Earth passes a certain planet, creating the temporary illusion of that planet moving backward through the universe.

For believers in Astrology, retrograde periods tend to thwart a planet’s power, sending ripples through our lives, both good and bad! These cosmic shakeups are times to slow down, reflect, and check in with ourselves before making any big decisions.

What does Venus Retrograde mean?

To understand the meaning of Venus Retrograde, it’s essential to understand Venus’s innate connection to love, beauty, values, and money. These are the areas of life over which Venus rules -- so naturally, they’re also the areas of life most likely to be interrupted or confused when Venus is retrograde.

What does this mean, in practical terms? The specifics will vary depending on your life, your birth chart, and the sign through which Venus is moving (more on that later!), but broadly speaking, Venus Retrograde can be prime time for:

Romantic upheaval (arguments with a partner, sudden changes in relationship status, new feelings for someone in your life, an ex’s reappearance, second-guessing your past choices in dating and relationships, etc.)
Aesthetic changes (experiments with your style, rearranging your home, frustration with the way you look, misplacing a treasured item from your wardrobe, etc.)
Ethical questions (challenges to your integrity, consideration of opposing points of view, moments of doubt over whether you’ve done the right thing, etc.)
Financial surprises (an unexpected bill, a raise or bonus at work, tricky negotiations, handling things with a loved one who hasn’t paid you back, etc.)

When is Venus Retrograde?

Venus Retrograde occurs once every 12-18 months, and each retrograde lasts around six weeks. This means that, of all the planets in our solar system, Venus spends the smallest amount of time in retrograde motion.

Venus Retrograde dates

Venus Retrograde 2025 in Aries and Pisces
Begins March 1, 2025
Ends April 12, 2025
Venus Retrograde 2026 in Scorpio and Libra
Begins October 3, 2026
Ends November 13, 2026
Venus Retrograde 2028 in Gemini
Begins May 10, 2028
Ends June 22, 2028
Venus Retrograde 2029 and 2030 in Capricorn
Begins December 16, 2029
Ends January 26, 2030
Venus Retrograde 2031 in Leo
Begins July 20, 2031
Ends September 1, 2031
Venus Retrograde 2033 in Aries and Pisces
Begins February 27, 2033
Ends April 10, 2033

Venus Retrograde in your birth chart

Just as we’re each born with the planets in a variety of zodiac signs, we’re also born while planets are either retrograde (appearing to move backward) or direct (appearing to move forward). This detail in the birth chart can be more important -- and reveal more about your personality and life path -- than many people realize!

If you were born during Venus Retrograde …

… you’re not quick to jump into love affairs. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t take this part of life seriously -- you simply need ample alone time to get clear on what you really want from romantic relationships. Doubt and insecurity can get the best of you.

To find success, it’s important for you to regularly evaluate how you show up in relationships so you don’t accidentally repeat unhealthy patterns of the past. Do you lose yourself in love? Do you feel like you need to hide parts of yourself to be accepted? As you ask these questions and explore new ways of loving others, you’ll be challenged to also love yourself.

If you were born during Venus Direct …

… things can get bumpy now and then in matters of the heart, and you’re not exactly immune to seasickness, but you’re probably not going to get lost at sea or anything! With Venus moving direct, you’ve got a relatively clear view of what you want in relationships. And while there might be some other aspects in your birth chart that muddy the waters, your ship is moving forward, even if you have no idea where you’re headed. Who needs a map or a compass when you’ve got a heart to follow?

Were you born during Venus Retrograde? Find out now with your free birth chart!

What does Venus Retrograde mean in each zodiac sign?

Venus Retrograde takes on a unique quality with each zodiac sign she inhabits. Here’s a quick rundown of what you can expect …

Venus Retrograde in Aries

When Venus is retrograde in Aries (as it will be for short times in both 2025 and 2033), challenges to independence are common. You might feel overly enmeshed with a partner -- or, on the other hand, you might feel like someone you’re interested in is a little turned off by your self-sufficient ways. Venus Retrograde in Aries can also come with circumstances that force you to ask for financial help or apologize for speaking too harshly. While these situations can feel like a blow to your ego, don’t get lost in shame! Take the opportunity to dig a little deeper and examine the value you place on freedom.

Venus Retrograde in Taurus

When Venus is retrograde in Taurus, you can anticipate challenges to your comfort and pleasure. Perhaps you’ll have to rein in your “little treat” habit or make a purchase that pushes you outside your comfort zone. Romantically, it may feel as if you’ve lost your mojo – you just can’t seem to find your preferred rhythm with another person! On the bright side, Venus rules Taurus, so once this planet moves direct again, you should be met with a lovely return to normalcy.

Venus Retrograde in Gemini

When Venus is retrograde in Gemini (as it will be for a short time in 2028), playfulness and clear thinking feel strangely out of reach. It’s hard to solve problems (or talk your way out of them), especially if those problems have to do with relationships, finances, or fundamental differences in worldview. It’s tough to just let loose and chill out under this transit -- every argument feels bigger than it is. Try taking a different approach. Focus on small improvements (a simple change to one part of your budget, for example, or offering a tiny olive branch to your lover).

Venus Retrograde in Cancer

When Venus is retrograde in Cancer, emotional security and home life are a little shaky. Is something really wrong? Or does your anxiety have more to do with this cosmic energy than the true facts of the matter? You’re the only one who can know for sure. If you’re feeling weird about a serious relationship or your living arrangements, do your best to stay calm. Tend your heart well. Outsiders can sometimes see our situations more clearly than we can, so if you just can’t tell what’s real or what’s imagined, try talking to a friend you trust. Let them decipher the clues a little bit -- then offer to do the same for them!

Venus Retrograde in Leo

When Venus is retrograde in Leo (as it will be for a short time in 2031), self-expression and sexuality can take a bit of a hit. Most likely, you’ll feel more shy than usual about saying what you think or asking for what you want. Creative exploits could feel similarly stuck -- you’re just not making the progress you want to make! Rather than tearing your hair out or convincing yourself that you’re a talentless hack, try embracing the relative silence. Like a leafy tree in wintertime, you need time to rest from the growing season. Once Venus returns to forward movement, you’ll know your way forward as well.

Venus Retrograde in Virgo

When Venus is retrograde in Virgo, it’s normal to struggle with practical plans and routines. This time is a little like Mercury Retrograde (thanks to Mercury’s rulership over Virgo), but the consequences tend to be more deeply felt. If your plans for a big date are thwarted or you can’t seem to hit your goals at work, these disappointments are more than annoying -- they feel like reflections of your total unworthiness. We all get caught in these toxic thoughts sometimes, but don’t let yourself stay there. Throw your hands in the air, give up control, and pivot to something that makes you happy.

Venus Retrograde in Libra

When Venus is retrograde in Libra (as it will be for a short time in 2026), challenges to harmony, balance, and beauty are par for the course. None of these outfits are working! No one’s willing to compromise! Frustrations just pile up, pushing you to the edge and disrupting your ability to cope. There’s good news, though: Venus rules Libra, so once she gets all that retrograde business out of her system, she’ll start moving forward in her home sign. This will bring significant relief to our rattled hearts.

Venus Retrograde in Scorpio

When Venus is retrograde in Scorpio (as it will be for a short time in 2026), you can anticipate challenges to your sense of excitement. Boredom, especially in matters of romance and appearance, runs rampant. If you feel stagnant during this transit and are thinking of making a big change, hold your horses! That spontaneous idea that seems so brilliant in the moment might be solving a problem that doesn’t actually exist. Write down what you’re thinking, then come back to your notes when Venus is direct again. See if they still check out.

Venus Retrograde in Sagittarius

When Venus is retrograde in Sagittarius, your joy, hope, and optimism are on the fritz. The goals you’re working toward seem to be a million miles away, and your confidence is dwindling. This is a very uncomfortable transit for most people, but the best way through is to try something new. Play around in your closet, take on a low-stakes hobby, or dive deep into a fascinating subject. Your biggest aspirations will still be waiting for you when the dust settles.

Venus Retrograde in Capricorn

When Venus is retrograde in Capricorn (as it will be for a short time at the end of 2029 and beginning of 2030), loyalty and determination are harder to locate. Your commitment to a partner or a particular relationship structure may suddenly seem like a joke. Efforts toward long-term financial goals just seem pointless. A sense that nothing matters shrouds everything, and you’re not very motivated to see your way through it. To some extent, the best thing you can do with this energy is endure it! Give yourself a little grace. When moments of inspiration or enthusiasm manage to break through, seize them.

Venus Retrograde in Aquarius

When Venus is retrograde in Aquarius, staying true to yourself can feel like a tall order. You’re more inclined to go with the flow and fit in with the crowd, even if it means betraying your values in subtle ways. Individuality? Never heard of it! Watch for the temptation to buy things you don’t need or want but that other people seem to covet. If you’re in a relationship or are dating around, be careful about inauthentic communication. We all make mistakes in this area, so don’t torture yourself if you fall short. Before long, you’ll find your way back to your true being.

Venus Retrograde in Pisces

When Venus is retrograde in Pisces (as it will be for short times in both 2025 and 2033), it’s typical to struggle with acceptance. In situations where you’d normally allow inconveniences to roll off your back, Venus Retrograde in Pisces might bring out your stubborn side. The “I’d like to speak to the manager, please” energy is strong here! And while Venus in Pisces can tend toward the overly idealistic, the planet’s retrograde motion can help you see things as they are. This is a great boon for relationships and reckoning with any bad financial habits.

Get your love questions answered

Venus Retrograde is a rare occurrence, and as such, it packs quite a punch! While we all feel the energy when Venus Retrogrades, the way it can impact you on an individual level is unique.

If you’re wondering how to navigate this time, we’ve picked some of our best Tarot readings for Venus Retrograde to give you the insight you need.