Venus retrogrades March 4: the bitch is back!

Venus turns retrograde March 4-April 15. At the time of this post (2-15) we have already entered the shadow period of the retrograde and Venus is moving slowly through Aries. During a retrograde period a planet appears to be moving backward in motion.

  

Venus is associated with money, love, beauty and attraction and values. Typically it is associated with love and changes in relationships as we re-access our love lives, but in reality it is so much more.

Venus will be the second planet to retrograde after Jupiter turned retrograde on February 6. This means the two financial planets are retrograde for the next six weeks, and this could affect the ebb and flow of finance and money between now and April 15. Jupiter doesn't turn direct until June 8.

In a general sense when Venus retrogrades love energy becomes more intense and drama sometimes begins. It is a period when seemingly fated events occur, sometimes appearing to be beyond the control of the parties involved.

As Venus is in the sign ruled by Mars people may seem more aggressive, or as Venus retrogrades, passive aggressive, more needy and overly intense.

Relationships can slow down or end. Sometimes those from our past can reappear. It is a time of reviewing and re-accessing your love life. Changes occur, and people can switch their affections and partners. The karma (karma=the universal will, what will ultimately be) of the relationship can play out during this period, especially if there is conflict to begin with. Unresolved issues come to the forefront to be resolved one way or another, but if a commitment exists with work it can become stronger.

If Venus turns stationary retrograde on a planet in your personal chart you may experience a change or slowdown in something, depending on what planet it is aspecting. Alternatively, if it turns direct aspecting a planet in your chart in a positive angle, significant events can occur, or you could meet someone new. 

For some the retrograde direct period can be very significant and positive.

A retrograde Venus is not the time to get married, have plastic surgery, buy art, jewelry or items ruled by Venus. It is better not to spend money on things that are questionable. Do you really need it?

Venus retrogrades about every 18 months. The most important period is the stationary retrograde period when Venus is starting to retrograde and the stationary direct period when it is about to move forward again.  The last retrograde of Venus occurred July 25, 2015-September 6.

If you begin a new relationship on a retrograde Venus the love energy may never be fully expressed or when Venus goes direct the relationship may change or end. It's a wildcard. Sometimes the relationship doesn't take off until Venus turns direct.

I always tell clients that during this time, the ‘karma,’ of their relationship often plays out. Retrograde planets often have to do with events that are ‘fated’ to some extent, or otherwise outside of our ability to control.

Sometimes during a retrograde you can re-connect with those from your past, and other relationships may end during this period. Love energy seems more difficult.

Relationships that are tottering on the edge may end completely at this time. Situations often become revealed for what they are and secrets can come out. Some couples will decide to divorce or split and decisions will be made as to the future of the relationship. Other couples will reunite or take things to a deeper level.

Art and creativity can be affected in a positive way at this time. Retrograde planets can mean finding a deeper and more profound energy to work with which can affect those in the creative arts in a positive way.

Venus retrograde is a process. The shadow period when we first began to feel the effects of the retrograde started on January 30. Venus officially retrogrades on March 4, and goes direct on April 15. Another shadow period follows where things are not quite back to normal until May 18.

And remember, Venus is about more than romantic love. It's about other relationships, our values, money and those things that are important in life. Many significant changes can occur depending on where it falls in your personal chart.

Retrograde Venus may bring about changes but it is part of the natural cycle. It is important to re-evaluate our priorities from time to time so we may continue to move forward. Good luck!