Venus Retrograde: A Chance to Rewrite Your Love Story
Venus Retrograde: Rewriting the Love Story
Just over seven years ago, when Venus last moved backwards through Aries, I chose to relive and heal an almost love story that had left me disillusioned a number of years before. That inner journey set things in motion in ways I couldn’t have predicted, bringing me to this moment, to this contemplation on Venus retrograde. The possibility of a grand love that had once set my soul on fire is what ultimately pushed me to face myself in ways I never could have imagined back then.
And now, on the first day of this retrograde, I saw him. Not in memory, not in dreams, but in the flesh. Just long enough for the past to flare in my body before disappearing like smoke. And in that moment, I knew. I had healed.
This is what Venus Retrograde does. It takes us back. Not for punishment, not to relive old wounds for the sake of suffering, but to show us what’s ready to be rewritten.
The Venus Retrograde Cycle: A 40-Day Descent
Venus, the principle of desire, love, beauty, and value, is the force within us that draws us toward what we find beautiful, meaningful, and fulfilling. She is the impulse to attract and be attracted, to seek love and harmony, to create beauty in the world around us. Venus represents Eros, the force of love and connection, and Aphrodite, the goddess who embodies love in all its forms. As Richard Tarnas beautifully writes in Cosmos and Psyche, Venus is the principle of the Beautiful, She is the very pulse that makes us reach out for connection, pleasure, and affection.
But when Venus turns retrograde, this principle turns inward. It’s like Venus pauses to reflect on the love we’ve experienced, the relationships we’ve had, and the ways in which we engage with beauty and affection in our lives. This is an opportunity to stop and take a deeper look at the patterns and lessons in our love stories, whether we’re in a relationship or single. It's a chance to rewrite our ongoing story and heal old wounds that have kept us from loving freely.
Venus turns retrograde about every 18 months, retracing Her steps for 40 days. This isn’t random. It’s a cycle woven through time, a rhythm that repeats in eight-year patterns. This particular retrograde - March 1st to April 12th - begins in Aries, the sign of raw, unfiltered initiation, before slipping back into Pisces, the sign of surrender.
If Aries is the fire starter, Pisces is the ocean that dissolves. This is a rare chance to begin again.
The Stages of Venus Retrograde
Phase 1: The Shadow Period (Feb 7 - Mar 1) – Venus first enters the degrees She will soon revisit. Themes begin surfacing. Old desires, old wounds, old patterns whisper for attention.
Phase 2: The Descent (Mar 1 - Apr 12) – Venus begins Her retrograde. This is when things get real. Encounters with the past, ex-lovers, forgotten dreams, old wounds, may appear physically, emotionally, or through memories that won’t let go. In Aries, She asks: Where have you lost yourself in love? Where have you given too much or taken too much?
The Heart of the Retrograde: March 23 – Venus disappears from the evening sky and enters the heart of The Sun. This is Her rebirth moment. The old story meets the fire. Transformation happens here, even if you can’t see it yet.
Phase 3: The Return (Apr 12 - May 18) – Venus moves forward again, first in Pisces, then back into Aries. This is the integration. The rewriting. The stepping into something new - if you’ve done the work.
How to Work with Venus Retrograde
Here’s how you can make the most of this retrograde period to rewrite your own love story:
Reflect on your past relationships: What patterns have you noticed? Have you found yourself attracting similar types of people or repeating the same dynamics? Take time to journal or meditate on these questions.
Revisit old love stories: What parts of these stories no longer serve you? Sometimes, it’s not just about the people in our past, but about the way we view love itself. Are there any unhealthy beliefs or expectations you’re ready to let go of?
Heal old wounds: If there are wounds from childhood or past relationships that are keeping you stuck, now is the time to face them. Whether through therapy, self-reflection, or self-compassion, this is a time to release the emotional baggage that’s been weighing you down.
Be open to new ways of loving: Venus retrograde isn’t just about releasing the old, it’s also about making space for the new. Open your heart to new possibilities in love, whether that means healing your relationship with yourself, deepening your current relationship, or being open to new connections.
Practice self-love: The foundation of any healthy relationship starts with self-love. Venus retrograde encourages us to reconnect with our own sense of value and beauty. Spend time nurturing yourself, doing things that make you feel good, and remembering that you are worthy of love, in all its forms.
The Takeaway
Venus retrograde is not a time to fear, but a time to embrace the opportunity to rewrite your love story. It invites us to reflect on the unconscious patterns we’ve carried with us and to release what no longer serves us. Whether single or in a relationship, this is your chance to heal old wounds, break free from limiting beliefs, and create a future filled with love, beauty, and harmony.
Remember, Venus is the Goddess who brings us the gifts of love and connection, and she’s offering us a powerful opportunity to transform the way we love. The pen is in your hands - this is your chance to rewrite the love story that’s been waiting for you.
Venus Through The Houses
Venus Retrograde will highlight different themes for each rising sign, depending on which house She is moving through in your chart. Below is an overview of what this retrograde may stir up for each rising sign and how to work with it.
Aries Rising (1st House: Self, Identity, Personal Expression)
Venus is asking you to redefine your relationship with yourself. How do you present yourself to the world? How do you value yourself? Old wounds around self-worth or attractiveness may surface. You’re being called to let go of outdated identities and step into a version of yourself that truly reflects who you are now.
How to Work With It:
Re-evaluate how you express love toward yourself.
Reflect on the way you relate to your appearance and identity—are you being authentic?
Avoid seeking validation externally; focus on self-acceptance.
Taurus Rising (12th House: The Unconscious, Endings, Spiritual Healing)
This is deep soul work. Venus is stirring up hidden wounds, past-life patterns, and subconscious beliefs about love and worthiness. You might feel more introspective, drawn toward solitude, or notice old romantic ghosts resurfacing in dreams or memories.
How to Work With It:
Engage in spiritual or therapeutic practices to uncover hidden emotional patterns.
Allow yourself to grieve past relationships or loves that didn’t materialize.
Focus on forgiveness—of yourself and others.
Gemini Rising (11th House: Friendships, Community, Aspirations)
This retrograde shines a light on your social connections, group dynamics, and even unfulfilled dreams. Are your friendships and networks aligned with your values? You may reconnect with old friends or reconsider who belongs in your circle.
How to Work With It:
Reflect on whether your friendships nourish you or drain you.
Reconnect with an old dream or passion that you put on hold.
Look at your social media habits—are they helping or harming your sense of self-worth?
Cancer Rising (10th House: Career, Public Life, Reputation)
Love and value meet ambition. This retrograde asks you to reassess your career path, how you’re valued in the workplace, and whether your professional relationships reflect your worth. Old issues with authority figures or visibility may come up.
How to Work With It:
Revisit career choices—are you following a path that aligns with your heart?
Set boundaries around work-life balance, especially if your personal life has suffered.
Consider how your public image is shaped by your deeper values.
Leo Rising (9th House: Beliefs, Travel, Higher Learning)
Venus is asking you to re-examine your beliefs around love, pleasure, and relationships. Have you outgrown certain perspectives on relationships or self-worth? This may also bring up past connections from different cultures or long-distance relationships.
How to Work With It:
Challenge any outdated beliefs about love and attraction.
Explore spiritual or philosophical teachings related to self-worth.
Reconnect with a passion for travel, learning, or storytelling.
Virgo Rising (8th House: Intimacy, Shared Resources, Transformation)
This retrograde takes you into the depths. Old wounds around trust, vulnerability, and emotional intimacy may resurface. Financial entanglements, inheritances, or debts could also come up for review.
How to Work With It:
Get honest about your fears around intimacy and trust.
Re-evaluate financial or energetic exchanges—are they balanced?
Consider therapy or shadow work to uncover deep-seated patterns in love.
Libra Rising (7th House: Relationships, Partnerships, One-on-One Dynamics)
This is a major retrograde for you. Venus is revisiting your closest relationships—past and present. You may reconnect with an ex or have a profound realisation about what you truly need in partnership.
How to Work With It:
Get clear on your relationship patterns—do they reflect your true values?
Avoid rushing into or out of relationships; let things unfold.
Have the hard conversations—honest dialogue can lead to breakthroughs.
Scorpio Rising (6th House: Daily Routines, Health, Work Environment)
Venus is asking you to re-evaluate your daily habits and how they contribute to (or detract from) your sense of beauty and pleasure. Your work-life balance may be tested, and self-care routines could need revision.
How to Work With It:
Reflect on how your daily habits impact your sense of self-worth.
Prioritise self-care—especially bodywork, rest, and creative rituals.
Assess work relationships—are they harmonious or draining?
Sagittarius Rising (5th House: Creativity, Romance, Pleasure)
This is a heart-centred retrograde for you. Past lovers, creative blocks, and issues around self-expression may surface. Are you allowing yourself to experience joy and pleasure fully?
How to Work With It:
Reignite a creative passion that you abandoned.
Reflect on love affairs—what have they taught you about desire?
Give yourself permission to pursue what lights you up.
Capricorn Rising (4th House: Home, Family, Emotional Foundations)
Your home life, family patterns, and deep emotional needs are under review. Venus is inviting you to heal old wounds related to your upbringing or redefine what home means to you.
How to Work With It:
Reconnect with family (if healthy) or create a chosen family.
Address any lingering emotional baggage from childhood.
Consider how your home environment supports your emotional well-being.
Aquarius Rising (3rd House: Communication, Siblings, Thought Patterns)
Your thoughts, words, and the way you relate to others are undergoing a shift. You may reconnect with someone from your past through a message or find yourself revisiting an old creative project.
How to Work With It:
Watch how you speak to yourself—are your inner thoughts loving or critical?
Revisit old letters, journals, or unfinished creative works.
Reconnect with siblings or close friends from the past.
Pisces Rising (2nd House: Self-Worth, Money, Personal Values)
This retrograde is about reclaiming your worth. Old financial patterns, self-esteem issues, or past relationships tied to money and security may come back for review.
How to Work With It:
Re-evaluate your relationship with money—are you honouring your worth?
Reflect on where you’ve settled for less than you deserve in love or career.
Identify what truly brings you pleasure and prioritize it.
Venus Retrograde isn’t just about past lovers resurfacing (though that can happen). It’s a profound opportunity to rethink love, beauty, and value in all areas of life. Each of us has a unique relationship with Venus, and Her retrograde motion is a chance to heal and rewrite old stories.
What house is Venus moving through in your chart? What themes are already surfacing for you? Let’s make this count.
A Personal Journey with Venus Retrograde
No two people will experience this Venus Retrograde in exactly the same way. Yes, She is retracing Her steps in Aries and Pisces, but how this unfolds for you depends entirely on where She lands in your birth chart and the conversations She’s having with your natal planets.
Venus is personal. She holds the stories of how you love, what you long for, and what you find beautiful and meaningful in this world. Her retrograde is not just about revisiting the past—it’s about uncovering the deeper patterns that have shaped your heart’s journey. This is why one person may find themselves re-evaluating their self-worth, another reconnecting with an old love, and yet another breaking free from an outdated belief about relationships.
If you’re feeling the pull to explore what Venus is whispering (or shouting) to you right now, I offer Venus readings that dive into the unique way She moves in your chart—how She loves, what She values, and what She’s asking you to transform during this retrograde.
Your love story is yours alone. And this is your chance to rewrite it with intention.
If you're ready to explore what Venus is reworking in your chart, let’s dive in together.
or if you'd like an in person reading at Essential Therapies in Sidmouth get in touch with me here.
A note on AI & my writing:
I use ChatGPT as a writing assistant—not as a writer. These are my thoughts, ideas, and words, shaped by my lived experience and deep love for self-work, self-awareness, the spiritual journey, and astrology. AI helps me refine, structure, and occasionally nudge me toward better phrasing, but the voice you’re reading is mine. I use it as a tool to help me put into words everything I believe is valuable in sharing my insights. Honesty matters to me, and this is simply one way I bring my thoughts to life.
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