She Wants What She Wants, But Venus Is Retrograde…

Planet Venus is due to make an about turn, just like Mercury does but this is so, so much BETTER! Why? Because while Mercury rules the mind (emails, communication, commerce – all the dry stuff) Venus is love.

Romance, fashion, friendship, affection, intimacy, sweet moments and girlie things (think: sugar, spice and all things nice), they’re all ruled by the goddess Venus – money and your bank balance too…

What Is Venus Retrograde?

Just like MRx, Venus Retrograde is an optical illusion, where the planet appears to be going backwards from our perspective here on earth. That’s right, the planet of romance, money and what we value does an about turn around every 18 months.

The best way to think of any retrograde period is to see the planets path becoming very busy. For example, when Mercury goes retrograde the communication highway gets super active – that’s why mistakes are occurring around Mercury matters – commerce, short journeys and exchange, because everything is travelling at lightning speed. There are more cars on the road, metaphorically speaking.

For the Venus Retrograde period lets envisage a sports playing field, rather than a rapid stream of traffic… Imagine the games get twice as busy. It’s a competitive day (after all, Mars and Venus are both in Aries now). Everyone’s getting a bit flustered and fraught, people can’t see their teammates or where to pass!

This is Venus retrograde.

It’s not communication that’s getting thrown off balance – it’s our sensual nature, what we value is coming under scrutiny and people are contemplating, reflecting and reviewing what and who they love, how they show affection, flirt and attract a mate.

If you hear people complaining during a Mercury Retrograde that they messaged the wrong person and lost their mobile phone, during Venus Retrograde listen for outlandish declarations of love and watch for extravagant purchases, made on a whim…

Who Will Feel It Most?

Venus-ruled things fall under the two zodiac signs Taurus and Libra, so these signs are particularly sensitive to Venus Retrograde (don’t forget to consider your rising, moon and Venus sign!)

Taurus rules the senses (beautiful scents, pleasing art scenes and landscapes, valuables, material wealth, riches etc.) and the assets with which to indulge! Libra rules fashion, beauty, congenial social graces and partnerships, including marriage. Taurus is akin to second house matters in astrology – where we find value and our personal power (also linked to money) and Libra is seventh house, how we relate to others and balance two egos harmoniously.

The Two Sides Of Venus In Astrology – Taurus The Bull And The Librian Scales…

In our natal chart Venus represents our inner goddess, what we like to buy and spend money on; it’s how we dress up to attract a partner, the style in which we flirt – even how we draw friends and lovers in with our unique feminine style. Read more about your Venus sign here.

Where is Venus transiting in your natal chart? Does it aspect your Venus or another planet? Your Ascendant, or Midheaven? If you have planets or angles in Aries or Pisces it’s likely this will be an interesting time for you!

What To Do?!

Venus retrograde is a good time to re-assess and re-discover our values. Who do we appreciate? What do we like and appreciate around us in the way of material goods, people, friends – what qualities do we like in others? In ourselves?

How do we attract and value money?

Romance may come under scrutiny, and with different aspects of relationships being re-visited (love and friendship) you can expect past acquaintances (perhaps old lovers) to reappear. It may or it may be necessary to re-visit old issues around friendships and relationships and it’s a great time to deal with matters of the heart.

Beauty, fashion, re-decorating and make-overs may have to be ‘re-done’ when Venus goes direct. Money and finances could need going over and social events and parties may not be as straightforward as planned…

Why not…

• Reassess What Beauty Means To You

Venus rules how we dress up and beautify ourselves and our surroundings (look to your Venus sign for clues on your personal style, for example if you’re an Aries your Venus could be in Taurus, blending fire and earth, dressing for action and comfort.)

When Venus retrogrades you can remodel, redefine and rework your choices. This is a great time for reflection, and a mood or inspiration board will reaffirm and realign your unique, personal tastes.

Do not however make major new changes, book in for drastic haircuts or get the decorators in just yet though – this is the contemplation stage.

Wait till Venus goes direct (dates below).

• Review Your Finances

Venus rules over money honey!

The retrograde period is prime for reviewing, reassessing and rebalancing your figures. Hold off implementing any ideas for reconfiguration – this period is better used for reevaluation rather than beginning new financial commitments. It’s about tying up loose ends, revisiting old debts. It could be a great time to go and get a refund and have people pay up, likewise you can reimburse or repay others.

• Resist The Lure Of Luxe

Just as buying electronic and communications equipment isn’t advisable during Mercury Retrograde you’re better off waiting to buy luxury goods and beauty related purchases. You might want to avoid large expenditures where fashion and frivolities are concerned – now is not the time to pull together a capsule wardrobe of ‘investment’ pieces, definitely not on credit.

Your instincts could be off during this time so stick to window-shopping or check the returns policy.

• Research Your Purchases

There’s no harm in using the Venus Retrograde to you advantage when it comes to shopping, the secret is to know the true value of what you’re buying and make an informed choice. It can be a great time to barter and bargain, as long as you’re the one in the drivers seat. It could be a great time to manifest and attract some beautiful impromptu pieces into your life – think flea markets, second hand shops or simply a gift from a friend. One mans trash is another’s treasure as the saying goes, and people could be reviewing their valuables during this time. It’s a good time to think about luxury purchases but wait till later to put down a deposit…

• Retreat From The Dating Scene

A relationship started during Venus Retrograde will carry the energies of that particular time; as Carl Jung said:

“We are born at a given moment in a given place and like vintage years of wine we have the qualities of the year and of the season in which we are born.”

Projects, relationships, people and businesses all carry an astrological imprint; a relationship commenced during Venus Retrograde could get off to a repetitive or exasperating start. At best you could have a long, drawn out honeymoon period, however one’s romantic inclinations could be receiving a sensory overload.

A suitor could seem far more magnificent, charming and fabulous than they really are, and when Venus resumes normal function the rose tinted glasses come off.

That burning desire may ebb and flicker to a low flame – don’t trust ‘the heat’ of the moment during the Venus Retrograde, you can reassess and commit when the planet goes direct. You’ll be in a better position to make decisions about your romantic inclinations on the other side… Just sing “I can see clearly now retrograde has gone” for added will power! Wait till after the party’s over and Venus moves into the more serious sign of Virgo to make firm commitments around relationships!

If you’re in a relationship Venus Retrograde offers you an opportunity to resolve any issues with your partner and recommit to the relationship – if you’re wed you can even remarry! Reaffirm your love, rekindle and reignite the romance, rejoice and reproduce! If it’s time for a reshuffle now is the time to reassemble the jigsaw to create a beautiful picture.

More Top Tips For Venus Retrograde…

• Remember The Good Times

Venus retrograde speaks of past relationships coming out of the woodwork (that goes for both romances and friendships), or if you’re experiencing a break-up it could take quite some toing and froing before you’re able to put it to rest. With Jupiter in Libra there’s even more emphasis on partnership and harmony now, it’s good to practice patience too, with Uranus in Aries inciting radical change that might be a little hasty…

Reminiscing can be totally therapeutic, especially if you’re ready to go back over the old and dig up the treasures from the past. Ensure a reexamination is positive by appreciating the good times, knowing they were right then, even if they wouldn’t work for you now. Seek gratitude for the peak of happiness in that moment, and if you decide an old flame could be reignited the universe could well support you now…

• Revisit Your Passions

Venus is ruler of art, music and aesthetics – why not look to refresh your interests in a past pursuit? Feminine hobbies are particularly favored – for example jewellery making, beauty and fashion, make-up and hair, baking, flower arranging and interior decoration. You can rediscover them now…

• Rethink The Sweet Stuff

Sounds silly but if you suffer from sugar cravings Venus Retrograde could be just the time to tackle your habit! Venus rules over cakes, biscuits, sweets (candy) and everything found at Willy Wonka’s. There are so many documentaries on the hazards of this highly addictive substance (I’m talking about the refined white stuff – not sugars found in fruit). Research and reeducate yourself on this subject, it’s a supportive phase to regain control over a sweet tooth.

• Reinstate Femininity

Invite the divine feminine into your world and cement its presence with the Venus Retrograde. Reestablish friendships with the women you love and appreciate their soft yet strong attributes – embrace womanhood and what it means to be an empowered female today. Regroup or plan a reunion with your girls, recollect and celebrate them and why you value their friendship. Repair and patch up relationships that are lacking.

I hope you work this Venus retrograde to its best possibilities!

Past Venus Retrograde Periods

15th May 2012 to 27th June 2012

8th October 2010 to 18th November 2010

6th March 2009 to 19th April 2009

27th July 2007 to 8th September 2007

24th December 2005 to the 3rd February 2006

April to July 2004

September to December 2002

March to May 2001.