This year’s Venus retrograde happens between March 1st and April 12th (plus the shadow periods right before and after). When any planet goes retrograde, that is, when it gives the impression of slowing down and moving backwards, it invites us to turn inward. So, when Venus—the planet of love, beauty, values, and money—does this, we are called to re-examine the nature of our relationships, values, and self-worth. It is a profound opportunity to dissolve some of the egoic illusions that bind us to suffering.
We are conditioned to seek love outside of ourselves. Whether it is through the attachment to relationships, the need for approval and validation, or the importance we place on physical beauty, we’re unconsciously attempting to fill an inner void the ego creates. This stems from the false perception of being separate and incomplete, which produces a sense of lack and dissatisfaction (there’s always something “missing” in our life).
Venus retrograde can disrupt this delusion. It reveals where we have been abdicating our power in the name of love, which traps us in codependency, or holding on to outdated illusions and desires. It forces us to confront the ways we neglect or even abandon ourselves in exchange for the fleeting pleasure of validation or money. It may also bring to the surface old feelings of powerlessness or loneliness from childhood.
However, it is an invitation to reclaim our wholeness by looking within. We are given the gift of self-reflection through old wounds that may resurface—not to punish but to promote self-awareness. Awareness is love, and love heals all wounds. Instead of resisting, we must allow these energies to arise and dissolve our false ideas. Love is not something we acquire; it is what we truly are.
Dissolving the Attachment to Ego
What you seek is already within you. I know you’ve heard this before, but when the planet of (sensory) love and beauty slows down, it brings to your experience opportunities to realize that the love you yearn for is not found in another person, nor is your worth determined by your possessions or external beauty. These are projections of the ego-mind reinforcing the delusion of duality and separateness that leads to suffering (see The Power of Togetherness: Navigating Relationships on the Spiritual Path).
Venus retrograde urges you to question these projections to recognize that love is your very essence and the essence of life. You express and experience yourself in many ways that have nothing to do with attraction, validation, or money because Venus also affects aspects beyond romantic love and relationships. Here are some key areas where its influence is deeply felt:
1. Self-Worth and Inner Value
Venus rules not just romantic love but also self-love, so issues around self-esteem and personal value often arise during its retrograde. It brings up painful patterns of perception and old wounds, helping you see where you have tied your sense of worth to impermanent things, like external validation and material success. You may want to clarify your priorities and goals, and invest the time and energy needed to actualize them!
2. Finances and Material Possessions
Venus is the planet of money and resources. When retrograde, it can bring financial reassessments—unexpected expenses, shifts in income, or a need to reevaluate your spending habits. It is a time to reconsider whether your financial choices align with your true values and aspirations rather than old habits, addictions, emotional anxiety, or social conditioning.
3. Beauty, Aesthetics, and Creative Expression
As the ruler of beauty and art, Venus retrograde may influence your perception of aesthetics. This is why it is often advised to avoid drastic beauty changes like cosmetic procedures or dramatic makeovers during this time. It is better to revisit and refine previous projects rather than start new ones.
4. Social Connections and Friendships
Though Venus is usually associated with romantic relationships, it also governs friendships and social harmony. During its retrograde, you might experience misunderstandings, unresolved tensions, or the return of people from your past. It is a time to discern which connections are in alignment with you.
5. Past Relationships and Emotional Closure
Old lovers or unresolved emotions from past relationships often resurface during Venus retrograde. This doesn’t necessarily mean rekindling past relationships but rather gaining clarity about unfinished business, emotional wounds, or karmic patterns in need of closure.
6. Relationship Dynamics and Boundaries
This retrograde phase highlights imbalances in your relationships. Where have you been giving too much or too little? Are you engaging in patterns of codependency or emotional avoidance? Venus retrograde nudges you to reassess how you connect with others and whether those dynamics reflect self-love or a distorted self-perception.
7. Feminine Energy and Receptivity
Venus embodies the feminine principle—openness, intuition, and flow. When retrograde, it can reveal where we resist receiving love, abundance, or support. It is an opportunity to heal wounds related to self-worth and to surrender to the natural rhythm of life (the Divine Feminine) rather than trying to force or control certain outcomes.
8. Spiritual Growth Through Love
On a deeper level, Venus retrograde invites you to examine the nature of love itself. Is the way you express love conditional or unconditional? Do you distort love with egoic self-interests or is it the spontaneous expression of your soul? This period is a portal to transcend superficial attachments and recognize that love, in its truest form, is always within you because it is what you really are.
Navigating the Venus Retrograde with Awareness
All of these are important aspects of your human experience, but they are not you! You are the one observing them as they fluctuate in your mind. During this retrograde period, painful emotions may surface: heartbreak, nostalgia, or disillusionment. These types of experiences are meant to dismantle the ego’s false constructs—your attachments. A Mercury retrograde will follow, so you’ll have more opportunities to let go of your need for control (see How To Take Advantage Of Venus & Mercury Retrogrades).
When you stop chasing love outside of yourself, you begin to perceive the boundless presence of Love at the core of your existence. This is the path to Liberation. Life is not about indulging the ego or reinforcing a separate identity; it is about self-knowledge to dissolve the belief that you are deficient or that something is missing. To reclaim true love is to recognize that there is no “self” apart from love itself. In this realization, there is nothing to seek, nothing to prove, and no external conditions that define your worth.
To align with the deeper purpose of Venus retrograde, consider the following:
- Observe your attachments: Where have you mistaken love for lust or emotional codependency in an attempt to heal wounded needs from childhood (such as the need to be liked, appreciated, useful, right, and so on)?
- Reflect on your relationships: What painful patterns keep repeating, and what illusions have you been holding on to that is time to let go of now?
- Clarify your priorities: What have you been neglecting that you know would bring you more joy and fulfillment?
- Embrace solitude: Can you be with yourself without distraction, embracing suppressed feelings and desires as they arise, and allowing any discomfort to reveal its deeper source?
- Reclaim your wholeness: Recognize that love is not given or received—it simply is.
Venus retrograde can help you shed the false layers that obscure it. When you relinquish the need for external validation and the idea of being separate that produces it, you step into the boundless, eternal Love that is your essence, feeling connected to the flow of life as you fulfill your destiny.
A unique aspect of a Venus retrograde is that at some point (when it conjuncts the Sun), Venus transforms from an evening star to a morning star. During this process, it disappears beneath the horizon, which represents a descent into the underworld. This time it transitions from Aries to Pisces, pointing to a reawakened dream that once felt lost and inviting you to root yourself in something bigger than personal desires.
It’s time to fully commit to your soul’s truth and do the (inner) work! You must step into the heart of the “heroine’s journey” and descend into the underworld (your subconscious) to conquer yourself. Part of your ego must die so that a new version of you can emerge. So contact me today to receive guidance and support on your inner journey. Gain emotional and spiritual freedom by uncovering and releasing what blocks your true Self!
If you’re not ready to work with me one-on-one to delve deeply within, you can learn about the workings of your ego-mind to transform your perception and experience by implementing the Swan Method I share in You Are Your Healer: The Ultimate Guide to Heal Your Past, Transform Your Life & Awaken to Your True Self!
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