Venus Retrograde
Venus Retrograde: July 22 to September 3, 2023
(**Note: The next Venus retrograde dates after this one are MARCH 1ST TO APRIL 12, 2025 in the signs of Aries and Pisces.)
On this Page:
- The significance of Venus Retrograde.
- Indicators in the charts of people especially sensitive to the Venus Retrograde cycle.
- How this Venus Retrograde cycle in Leo affects each sign of the zodiac. Jump right to Venus Retrograde Horoscopes.
See also: Born with Venus Retrograde
Overview
“Mercury Retrograde” has certainly become a buzzword – or buzzphrase. The Venus Retrograde cycle is lesser known and occurs less frequently than Mercury Retrograde, but it is a significant time nevertheless.
What is Venus Retrograde? Occasionally, Venus appears to be moving backward in the sky. “Appears” is the key word here because, technically speaking, no planet actually moves backward in its orbits around the Sun.
In fact, they don’t even slow down. Retrograde-station-direct cycles are essentially illusions that result from our point of view from Earth, simply because the Earth is also orbiting the Sun at a different speed than the other planets. Venus is Retrograde approximately 40-43 days every 18 months.
Venus stations and turns retrograde on July 22nd in 2023 in the sign of Leo and continues in retrograde motion until September 3rd.
Venus Retrograde Cycle in Leo July 22-Sep 3, 2023
Venus is Retrograde in Leo from July 22-September 3.
Venus Retrograde Important Dates in the year 2023:
- Venus shadow period begins/enters Rx zone (pre-retrograde shadow): June 19, 2023, at 12° Leo 12′
- Venus stations and turns retrograde: July 22, 2023, at 28° Leo 36′ Rx
- Venus stations and turns direct: September 3, 2023, at 12° Leo 12′
- Venus ends its shadow period/leaves Rx zone (end of post-retrograde shadow): October 7, 2023, at 28° Leo 36′
Venus is retrograde entirely in the sign of Leo, starting at 28° Leo 36′, and turning direct at 12° Leo 12′.
Venus is retrograde from July 22-September 3. Venus’s shadow period begins June 19th and ends October 7th. Note that the shadow period begins before Venus turns retrograde–when Venus first passes over the degree that Venus later returns to in retrograde motion. The shadow period ends when Venus again passes over the degree at which it first turned retrograde.
Note that similar retrograde Venus patterns repeat in about eight years, and a similar Venus Rx period occurred from July 25 to September 6, 2015, although the very first degree of Virgo was also involved. Interestingly, there can be common themes shared with this past period.
About Venus Retrograde:
As the planet of love and values, Venus retrograde periods are times when we reassess what—and who—we value. It is a period that many astrologers consider inopportune for getting married or starting a new relationship.
As well, major financial undertakings are not advised during this period. Venus retrograde cycles are good times for creating budgets and financial plans and for rethinking our personal relationships. Taking final action in the areas of finance and love, however, is not advised until Venus turns direct again.
Because Venus rules beauty and aesthetics, Venus Retrograde is a less than ideal time for beautification processes (new hairdos, enhancements, purchasing a new wardrobe, cosmetic surgery, and so forth), renovations, redecorating, and the like. Because Venus is associated with social events, parties may not go as planned.
Venus Retrograde in Leo & Love
On the subject of love, past lovers may reappear, and some relationships may end. With Venus retrograde in Leo this retrograde cycle, our need for attention may be extreme. We may question the romance factor in our current relationships.
Old friends and lovers may reappear, perhaps complicating current relationships. We are called upon to deal with relationship issues from the past during this Venus retrograde cycle. Events occur that seem fated or predestined. Getting close to a lover during this period can be a real challenge. We might favor unorthodox, experimental, and non-intimate relationships temporarily.
Affection is difficult to express naturally or spontaneously. We might find others lack sincerity or genuineness in their expressions of social niceties. (We may be inclined to do the same!).
Some of the more negative associations of Venus in Leo may be particularly prominent and/or hard to take, including egoism, buying affection, or haughtiness. Those who have Leo strong in their charts can be more introspective, distant, or hard to reach during this cycle. They may not be in as favorable light just for the time being.
Especially challenging relationships may come to an end during this cycle. However, strong relationships will survive, even if there are a few bumps and bruises. This can be a good time for “eyes wide open” or experimental dating, although opinions and assessments may change at a later date.
It is not a time when people recognize the need for another person to “complete” them. Some may question whether they are with partners who genuinely fulfill them.
We may, however, be especially in touch with our more profound, less obvious, and less superficial needs and wants. This makes it a good time to reevaluate our relationship needs; but, again, major love decisions are best saved for after the cycle ends on September 3rd, and better yet, beyond the shadow phase (after October 7th).
Our perceptions may be skewed, and we can come out of the retrograde cycle with regret if we’ve acted hastily, as the tendency to change our minds later is strong.
Venus Retrograde in Leo & Money/Things
On the subject of money, finances, and possessions, do try to hold off on major purchases or financial decisions during this Venus retrograde cycle. For example, the purchase of a new house, car, or another big-ticket item could backfire in some manner later on. They may become money pits or cause problems, or you may change your mind later and regret your purchase.
However, suppose you’re particularly skilled at sniffing out good buys. In that case, this can be a great time for finding unusual items at low prices as, during a retrograde Venus period, people may be more willing to get rid of things they may not part with under normal circumstances.
Venus Retrograde in Leo Do’s & Don’ts
There’s nothing truly to fear about Venus retrograde, but taking special care during this cycle is always wise. It’s not the best period for entering into a new relationship because our sensors when it comes to love are not up to par. However, beginning a relationship under the influence of a retrograde Venus is not unheard of, and the relationship survives and/or thrives.
Venus rules our values, and when retrograde, we don’t seem to be in touch with exactly what and who we value, or, some might say, we see things more or too clearly. After the retrograde cycle is over, we may look back and wonder what we were thinking. So, do what you can to avoid major decision-making during Venus’ retrograde period, but pay attention to your assessments to see if they last. A change of heart is possible later.
And, the people we meet now may appear more fabulous than they turn out to be. It’s also possible that some people we meet now seem less attractive than they turn out to be! Whatever the case, try to hold off until October before making big decisions, particularly life-altering ones.
Interestingly, we may not be as openly or obviously warm and affectionate during this cycle. It’s hard to trust others just now, and perhaps more so, it isn’t easy to trust our own instincts when it comes to judging others or our relationships.
As such, we might suspect insincerity in others. People can appear to be more selfish, withdrawn, and self-protective. It’s hard to make headway directly in our love relationships for now. If you are hoping to fix a relationship or trying to schedule a reunion, it may not be the best time to do so.
When breakups do occur in the second half of a Venus retrograde cycle, I have noticed they are imperfect. They are not often clean breaks. Couples and friends may reunite later, or if they stay broken up, they might frequently wonder if it was the right thing to do – something is left hanging.
Venus retrograde is a period for clearing the decks and dealing with the past to move forward fresh and re-energized, and this is especially appropriate in the first three weeks of the cycle. During the second half of the retrograde cycle, watch for impulsiveness.
Then there is a feeling of the inevitable during a Venus retrograde. What happened in the past, including past love affairs, can flood our consciousness now. Sometimes, a past lover reappears in their physical form.
Past Cycles & Reference Points for Venus Retrograde
Think back to what may have happened during the last few or several Venus retrograde cycles:
- December 19. 2021 to January 29, 2022;
- May 13 to June 25, 2020;
- October 5 to November 16, 2018;
- March 4 to April 15, 2017;
- July 25 to September 6, 2015;
- December 21, 2013, to January 31, 2014;
- May 15, 2012, to June 27, 2012;
- October 8 to November 18, 2010;
- March 6 to April 17, 2009;
- July 27, 2007, to September 8, 2007;
- December 24th, 2005 to February 3rd, 2006;
- May 17 to June 29, 2004;
- October 10 to November 21, 2002;
- March 8 to April 20, 2001, and so on.
Although each retrograde cycle is different, similar issues may arise. You may see patterns! In fact, you may now need to deal with similar problems you faced then.
More importantly, note that the last two times Venus was retrograde in the sign of Leo were from July to September 2015 and from July to September 2007 (eight-year intervals). We will likely deal with similar issues during the 2023 Venus retrograde cycle as we did during these cycles in 2007 and 2015 (and previous ones).
Retrograde Venus Aspects:
Significant times for Venus-ruled matters during this 2023 Venus retrograde cycle are July 26-27, when Venus Rx aligns with Mercury (we’re going over, analyzing, and verbalizing our feelings), August 8-9, when Venus Rx squares Uranus (we’re rebelling, dodging, and balking), August 12-13, when Venus Rx aligns with the Sun (below), and August 21-22, when Venus Rx squares Jupiter (we’re overcompensating, overstating, and overdoing).
At the time that Venus forms an inferior conjunction with the Sun (August 12th to 13th), relationship issues magnify. Fateful events can occur now. This is similar to a New Moon, but instead of the Moon, it marks the beginning of a new Venus cycle. We are symbolically in the dark during the retrograde and then starting fresh and re-energizing from this date forward. Importantly, impulsiveness and lack of preparation are issues now.
When Mercury forms a conjunction with retrograde Venus on July 26-27, there can be a lot of conversation about relationships, especially past ones. New light may be shed on an old problem. This can be useful but also a little too intellectual! The analysis might lack some heart, which can be jarring.
Particularly around the days of Venus’ stations on July 22nd and September 3rd, watch for confused situations and try not to say too much. If you are itching to argue with a lover, try to hold off. You will likely change your heart once the station passes, and you can do some damage in the meantime.
Note also that Venus is in the retrograde “zone” from June 19th to October 7th. From September 3rd to October 7th, Venus continues to traverse the degrees she covered during her retrograde period. Although Venus officially turns direct on September 3rd, issues are not expected to be entirely resolved until after October 7th, but they’re working themselves out–a hangover effect.
Sometimes people rush to get things started before the retrograde period, and this is not a great idea. The main reason for this: the event’s progressed chart will see the retrograde Venus soon after.
Where is Venus Retrograde transiting by house in your natal chart? Does it form a conjunction with a natal planet, your Ascendant, or Midheaven? Read interpretations of Venus Retrograde in Transit for a more personalized meaning of the transit cycle.
How does Retrograde Venus Affect You?
See the horoscopes below for more information. Some people are more sensitive to Venus retrograde cycles than others. For example, I know of one woman, with no knowledge of these cycles, who broke up with partners in three Venus Retrograde cycles!
Venus-ruled Taurus and Libra natives may be particularly sensitive to the effects of Venus Retrograde. Also, people who have Taurus and/or Libra associated with love or financial areas of their chart tend to be more affected than others. This includes:
- Aries Ascendant natives (because Libra is on the house of partnerships and, often, Taurus is on the cusp of their income house, the second) and
- Scorpio Ascendant natives (because Taurus is on the cusp of their house of partnerships).
- Taurus or Libra on the fifth house of romance is another indicator (more frequently occurring with Capricorn Ascendant and Gemini Ascendant natives), and
- those people who have Venus in Taurus or Libra are also quite sensitive to the cycle.
Venus Retrograde Horoscopes for Each Sign:
Aries and Aries Ascendant:
This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your solar fifth house of romance, pleasure, speculation, and children. Because the cycle directly affects your sector of love affairs and speculation, you should be especially wary of taking risks with gambling or making ill-considered moves in love. However, it’s a good time to reassess how satisfying your life is regarding pleasure, entertainment, creative expression, or romance.
Still, you may feel you are on shaky ground in the romance department when it’s likely simply a slowdown. You don’t necessarily need to share all your feelings with a lover right now, and you shouldn’t jump to conclusions if your lover needs a little space, either. It can be challenging to derive satisfaction from your romantic and creative activities for the time being. An old lover may resurface in your life, complicating matters.
Venus also rules your partnership and income sectors, and both/either of these things can come up for review during this retrograde cycle.
Taurus and Taurus Ascendant:
This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your solar fourth house of home and family. Relations with your family may be a little strained, or comfort matters in the home come into question. You have a powerful desire or need for support, security, and warm relations with family members.
However, the path to satisfaction is hard to see just now. It’s nevertheless a great time to think about improving your home, but not necessarily for going forward with brand-new projects.
Venus rules your sign, suggesting that you could be distancing yourself from others and questioning whether others are truly good for you. An old lover might resurface in your life, complicating the present.
With Venus as your ruler, you are especially sensitive to all Venus Retrograde issues described above. Venus also rules your work and health sector, and the desire for satisfaction and warm relations on the job is likely strong but complicated to achieve.
Gemini and Gemini Ascendant:
This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your solar third house of communication, siblings, and neighbors. You might withdraw somewhat from chit-chatting during this period and perhaps alienate a few people, especially siblings and maybe neighbors. Conversely, you might find it hard to derive satisfaction from this area of your life or from learning situations in general.
Communication may seem insincere. In fact, you may have a hard time getting your ideas across in a warm, genuine manner. For some, conversations about love or past relationships can figure strongly. It’s a time for reevaluating personal interests, communication projects, studies, communication channels, or transportation matters. Delays are likely, but they can lead to important edits.
Because Venus rules your romance sector, don’t jump to conclusions if a lover is acting a little distant. Wait it out. This can be a time for reviewing what makes you genuinely happy. Venus also rules your twelfth house, and your desires from love and relationship may take a lot of work to figure out for the time being.
Cancer and Cancer Ascendant:
This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your second house of money and values. As such, in addition to the general cautions outlined above, it’s best to be more vigilant with your money.
Take the time to rethink your sources of income and how you spend your cash during this period, and avoid making any big purchases until October, if possible. You might use this time to work on how you attract (or repel) the income you deserve.
Relationships with friends and family may be slightly strained, as these are Venus-ruled areas of your chart. It’s a time to reassess your levels of comfort and joy at home and with friends.
Leo and Leo Ascendant:
You’ll be dealing with issues surrounding independence, manner, and image during this cycle, dear Leo.
This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs entirely in your sign, affecting your first house of personal appearance and mannerisms. It very much affects the personal image you project to others. Others may misunderstand what you do and say, and misread your body language in spots during these six weeks.
Events may be such that you feel the need to rethink the way you present yourself. You may be coming across more harshly or distantly without even realizing it. Try to keep things status quo concerning your love life until you’ve given everything some thought. Take this time to review your instinctual responses to new things/experiences and the first impression you make on others in terms of how these things help or hinder you.
Venus-ruled areas of your chart are career, authority figures, and communications. These may not satisfy as much as you’d like just now. Extra caution in these areas of life may be necessary now, or delays can leave you in limbo. In fact, it’s a good time to review and reassess things, perhaps while you wait.
Virgo and Virgo Ascendant:
This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your solar twelfth house of all that lies beneath the surface of things. People from the past may resurface, which can happen physically/through messages or simply come to the forefront of your mind. You may be dealing with past karma now.
What you want from love–your desires–can seem ambiguous and obscure during this cycle. Deal with your past so that you can put it behind you, but don’t do it at the expense of your present.
Venus rules your money and possessions sector and your ninth house of adventure and discovery. Watch for impulsive spending. Take the time to review your finances. Try not to feel disillusioned with life in general – think about ways to improve your life experiences.
Libra and Libra Ascendant:
This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your solar eleventh house of friendships, groups, and aspirations. Your friendships or associations with groups may be a little strained during this period–a time when you may withdraw and others might misinterpret your intentions, or when friends are distant.
You may get the feeling that friends are either disinterested or insincere during this cycle, or a separation can feel weightier than usual. Your satisfaction with your current social life or happiness goals and projects can come into question now, offering you the chance to reassess and find ways to make improvements.
Your eighth house of shared resources and intimacy is also Venus-ruled, and you might find your intimate life leaves you wanting. It can be hard to find emotional (and financial) support when you need it most. Last but not least, Venus is your ruling planet, making this an important period for reflection and introspection.
Scorpio and Scorpio Ascendant:
This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your solar tenth house of career and reputation. For the time being, the social aspect of relationships on the job may be compromised somewhat, or your satisfaction and enjoyment from your career and responsibilities can be under question/review. Be as non-judgmental as you can with others during this cycle as you reassess matters.
You might find that your professional reputation is not as favorable as it typically is, at least not from your point of view. You may not know how exactly you would like to come across, which could be part of the reason for any confusion just now. You might look to past projects and goals for inspiration during this cycle or rethink a direction you’ve been taking.
Your partnership sector is ruled by Venus, and you could find some challenges relating to a spouse or a close partner. Past lovers may figure strongly in your life now. With Venus also ruling your privacy sector, you could be dealing with past actions or karma. It’s time to redefine what (and possibly who) you desire.
Sagittarius and Sagittarius Ascendant:
This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your solar ninth house of faith, spirit, and adventure. A disagreement over personal philosophies of life can get you into hot water or could reveal what seems to be deeper problems in a relationship. Or, you could be reassessing your faith, studies, or beliefs during this cycle.
It may be that your larger, broader plans and visions don’t satisfy you very much these days, and a closer look at the problem makes sense now. This is a cycle during which you might redefine these visions.
Friendships and working relationships are Venus-ruled in your chart, and special care should be exercised in these areas of life. Be patient if these matters fail to satisfy you for the time being. Take this time to reassess what (and who) is most important to you.
Capricorn and Capricorn Ascendant:
This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your solar eighth house of intimacy, shared resources, and personal transformation. As such, it’s best to be more vigilant and mindful with money, work on a budget, and be more careful when discussing issues that revolve around intimacy and sexuality, but do consider your needs more deeply.
A disagreement over joint finances can also get you into hot water, and it may be wise to hold off, observe, and reserve judgment. What you say now can have annoying ramifications. Temporarily, you may find it hard to feel supported by others, and your intimate life may seem superficial or even strained.
Use this time to review money and sharing matters or to handle financial issues, such as taxes that you have put off (or you may be prompted to do so).
Venus-ruled areas of your solar chart are also affected–career, relationships with lovers, and children. Something can be left up in the air in any of these areas. Waiting things out makes sense now. As well, keep in mind that slowdowns can serve a good purpose.
Aquarius and Aquarius Ascendant:
This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your solar seventh house of one-to-one partnerships. Misunderstandings with your partner now can be notable. If you need to talk through problems, do your best to be as non-judgmental as possible, and try not to overreact to what your partner has to say.
A partnership can appear stalled for now – something is up in the air, or a close partner could be emotionally distant. Additionally, you may be questioning your satisfaction levels in the relationship department.
Watch also for less than warm relations with family members or problems with comfort levels in your home life. It may be best to wait on purchases of new property or major things for the home just for now.
Pisces and Pisces Ascendant:
This Venus Retrograde cycle occurs in your solar sixth house of work, health, and habits. In addition to the general precautions outlined above, the social aspect of relationships on the job may be strained for the time being, or your satisfaction from your work, chores, or routines comes under question. Do your best not to let frustrating people get to you.
The desire for warm relations on the job or more harmony, pleasure, and satisfaction from your work, daily chores, and routines is strong, but the path to fulfillment is hard to see just for now. Schedule major beautification processes around this cycle, if possible. There can be a focus on healing and processing regarding health. Importantly, you might recognize the need to reassess your routines, work, or health.
This retrograde cycle also affects the Venus-ruled sectors of your solar chart, which are your communications and intimacy sectors. You may feel unsupported emotionally and financially, and you may feel a little withdrawn regarding daily communications and light chit-chat. This can be a time for taking a second look at debts, shared resources, and intimate relationships.
When is/was Venus retrograde?
See also: Year 2023 Horoscopes
See the Transits of Retrograde Venus page.
See Born with Venus Retrograde: Venus Retrograde in the Natal Chart.
Back to This Week in Astrology.
Back to The Astrology of Year 2023.
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On this page: The significance of transiting Venus retrograde in general and for all zodiac signs, with regards to love, relationships, beauty, money, and values.
