Venus Retrograde
Felissa Rose offers her astute assessment of the current Venus Retrograde which began on July 22.
Venus Retrograde
Approximately every one-half years the planet Venus goes retrograde. This next begins July 22nd at 9:34 pm EDT when Venus is at 28 degrees 36 minutes of Leo and ends on September 3rd at 9:21 pm EDT with Venus at 12 degrees and 12 minutes of Leo.
When a planet is retrograde its expression tends to be internalized. While retrograde Venus, planet of beauty and harmony, seeks an inner meaning. It’s not about how pretty something or someone is but does it inwardly resonate with what one really feels about them or it. Leo is a fixed sign which aside from being less changeable than the mutable and cardinal signs, is involved with values. Thinking about the value of what one owns or creates as well as relationships during this retrograde often takes precedence over the external expression of them.
Venus determines what one does to attract others and how we make ourselves appealing. This includes skills when in Cancer by cooking and nurturing others, in Capricorn through status and professional expertise. Mars is how one pursues and goes after things and the connection between Mars and Venus in one’s horoscope determines both what one does to make themselves appealing and what one is attracted to.
Leo is an expressive sign, one that often thrives on attention. It frequently expresses itself in ways that are quite creative in music, art, and the way one presents oneself to creating a lovely and harmonious environment. While retrograde there’s more of a tendency to seek an inner beauty in whatever one is focused on, and there can be difficulties with the external expressions including getting a haircut, buying new clothing and furnishings. Often clothing or furnishings purchased during this time are more likely to have flaws. It’s best not to try new ways to alter one’s appearance, and if you do don’t forget what you did before. But meditation, spiritual insight and reflection are favored then as well as most any time. For retrograde energy is internalized and seeking one’s inner beauty can be particularly positive.
For those planning to get elective cosmetic surgery, It would be best not to have it done while Venus is retrograde. Mercury ruler of the eyes and one’s sight, will be retrograde from August 23 until /cosmetic surgical procedures go well but there tends to be more surgical mistakes while Venus and Mercury are retrograde. Mars as well but that won’t be happening until December 2024.
Venus also rules relationships, and it would be good to watch them develop before moving to a more formalized state, such as getting married. But it’s a good time to see if the person or people you’re involved with can resonate with you on an inner as well as worldly level. In other words, it’s a time of getting to know each other.
When a planet isn’t retrograde its energy manifests more openly. As the ruler of esthetics and art, while Venus is in retrograde it would be best to go over what one previously worked on. There could be a lessened interest in bold colors and more in subtle and muted ones. Watch how people dress during the retrograde. They are less likely to wear bold colors and favor darker or more muted ones. Having seen a few artists born with this position, their work is often less colorful but also interesting and thought provoking, which reflects the internalization of Venusian energy.
When a planet is stationary, right before it’s about to go retrograde or direct, its energy is heightened. So, for the next few weeks people to be more interested in art, music and various forms of adornment. Once Venus is no longer retrograde there will be an increased interest in and awareness of creative and visual areas. This will be even more apparent when Venus is at 28 degrees and 36 minutes of Leo on October 6. Venus will next be retrograde from in 2025 from March 2nd until April 1st. And while retrograde or direct it’s important to remember that beauty is also the light that comes from one’s soul.