Is your relationship in harmony one minute, while in the next you feel like you’re in a soap opera with all the drama that comes with it? Watch out – Venus, the brightest planet in the sky, could be causing havoc with your love life while retrograde.
Venus, the love goddess, weaves her magic by bringing people together to spread joy and love into our lives, but when she is retrograde, she can cause all sorts of turmoil – particularly with relationships, and especially with intimate relationships. She also governs monetary matters, so depending on where she sits in your solar or natal chart a retrograde transit can spark financial tension.
Here’s a planetary account of what has come to pass and what to expect.
There are a few things to take into consideration with this Venus retrograde. Firstly, Venus rules two signs, Taurus and Libra. And as such, on the positive side the Venus energy is romantic, sensual, sharing and caring, but on the flip side, it can be stubborn, possessive, contrary and even bitchy. Venus, the ruler of relationships, began her retrograde journey in Virgo then reentered Leo, so there is the energy of two different signs to take into account as well as the interactions between Venus and other planets.
Venus began her retrograde transit on July 25th while situated in the level headed common sense sign of Virgo. And in this sign, as Virgo is the perfectionist, critical tension could have taken place between couples, particularly with old issues that have never been resolved. Now, Virgo will generally not walk away from a relationship when the going gets tough – they are in it for the long haul – but even they have their limits. If an issue keeps coming up over and over again, problems can arise during Venus retrograde. And it may not even be the issue in the end that is the actual problem, it can be that one partner feels the other does not love and respect them enough to abide by their simple requests and wishes. Then deep hurt and resentment, which has already started to take place in the relationship, accumulates and intensifies, and finally, enough is enough.
The Virgo vibration, which is ruled by Mercury, knows how to communicate and if one person is consistently not taking notice, then the small bump in the road can become a major crater, which can inevitably break down relations. So although a Venus retrograde won’t cause a break-up, the energy can trigger a situation that needs to be dealt with; it can end up being a make-it or break-it time.
On her backward journey, Venus reentered Leo on July 31st and does not come out of retrograde until September 6th. She will then travel forward in Leo and reenter Virgo on October 8th. This is an extended stay while in Leo, where demonstrative displays of affection, socializing, and declaring love to each other can take place. However, when Venus is retrograde, if things are not going well, bitching, possessiveness and fighting can also be displayed – in some cases, very publicly. Leo is a fixed fire sign, so when things go wrong there can be plenty of heat in the works, and an indignant attitude that is more concerned about pride and self than coming from a place of deep love and caring.
Venus goes direct on September 6th, but the planet does not return back to the degree it was in when it first went retrograde until October 9th – hence it is still technically in the retrograde zone until this time, but to a lessor degree. The very next day, on October 10th, Venus will square with Saturn and cast doubt or questions as to where your relationship is going. During this time, you may be asking yourself, is there a commitment for the long term?
Let’s not forget Mars, the other half of the love duo – Venus being the romantic side and with Mars providing the passion. On September first, when Mars and Venus connect, this is a dynamic love connection when electricity can spark between two people – a love at first sight type of connection. There is a lot of passion and desire that comes with this planetary interaction and it can put you in an unrealistic cloud nine, infatuated state. But with Venus retrograde, it does pull the energy back and keep it real, so in this sense the Venus-Mars connection is still very strong and can keep you more grounded. The perfect balance of idealism and reality.
While Venus is in Leo, the energy can heighten the love vibration in your life, but it can also increase the irritation of a partner, especially when retrograde. Let’s face it: we all have our share of irresistible and irritating traits. Past lovers can suddenly reappear now too, or you can resurrect a relationship that hasn’t been going anywhere, and it can suddenly get a new lease on life. Or, it may be that you finally let go of a relationship that just doesn’t seem to be working out. The issues may be too great to overcome and it’s time to call it quits; in this sense, it can free you from ties and binds that no longer serve you in a positive or loving way and allow you to open up to a more suitable partner.
Venus and expansive Jupiter connected earlier in the month on August 4th, in what is known to be one of the luckiest and most beneficial planetary aspects during the year and both in the sign of generous and giving Leo. This is usually a time of love and celebration, but with Venus retrograde and the day before, on the third, Jupiter squared off with cautious Saturn, high hopes could have been squashed with a dampening of enthusiasm. So although this is still a very promising time, it does come with a certain amount of uncertainty. It could cause a pull back of emotions, which can be very confusing for couples and singles dating.
Venus also governs monetary situations, and while retrograde, finances can play a significant part in relationships. It is possible that someone from the past can step forward with an opportunity. It is also possible for old debts to be repaid – or on the other hand, if you owe money, you could receive notice to pay up. Projects that are potential money winners can resurrect. And as Venus sat next to Jupiter, the planet of abundance and expansion, until August 11th – a potent combination of energy – anything is possible. These two planets will have another beneficial interaction during the last two weeks of October. The best way to work with the Jupiter energy is to have an optimistic attitude and to affirm the positive, not the negative.
On August 19th, Venus had a fire trine with Uranus, which is unpredictable energy, and sudden developments can take place. However, it is a favorable aspect so if the ground is rocky, it can start to rebuild, especially as the Sun and Jupiter connect on August 26th, which provides the energy to be open hearted and keep it real. There is a real intent of looking to the future for a solid relationship now. So if the waters have been choppy, all is not lost – it can smooth over again with the hope that you have cleared some blockages and past issues that can hold you back. This is a time to open your hearts to love more wholly and spiritually. But if not, then the full Moon in Pisces on August 29th will provide a boost of energy to cut the ties and do some solid and effective emotional clearing and healing.
If relationships are on rocky ground, it may be a difficult to hold it all together during Venus retrograde. You will be tested, along with your depth of commitment and whether you have dealt with the love lessons you have been confronted with. But there is also a lot of magic in the love chart with this Venus retrograde, and the support and challenges one faces in relationships; if you area not tempted to jump the love-boat, it can serve to strengthen your relationship. And let’s not forget that the possibility of resurrecting something from the past is very real now, too. Or, on the other hand, it can give you a chance to cut ties and finally close the door on a dysfunctional relationship so you can move on, which is also very positive.
If couples can keep it real during this Venus retrograde and speak from the heart rather than allow ego and false pride to get in the way, then they have a chance now to overcome blockages that can hold back intimacy and build a stronger connection. But as we know, it takes two to tango. And if couples build a spiritual partnership, an interest in growing on all levels and evolving together, this can be a positive time – but of course, as life goes... not without its challenges.
