Venus Retrograde – March 2 to April 13, 2025
The lovers of the heavens, Venus and Mars, turn retrograde every couple of years. This year, they’re taking it in turns to slow down. Mars was retrograde from December 6, 2024 to February 24, 2025.
Next, it will be Venus’ turn from March 2 to April 13, 2025. Like Mars, Venus is turning retrograde in a fire sign and direct in a water sign.
Venus Retrograde
So what does Venus retrograde mean for you, what is it wise to avoid doing and how can you make the most of Venus’ change of direction?
To start with, it’s important to know that Venus rules love and relating, also money, beauty, art and pleasure. Venus is the feminine principle and represents women.
When a planet turns retrograde, its energy is said to be weakened. Therefore this isn’t the best time to pursue Venus-related matters. Instead, turn your attention inward and reflect on your situation.
Traditionally, Venus retrograde is not the time to marry, have expensive beauty treatments or cosmetic surgery or make major purchases. If you have already arranged some form of Venusian pleasure during the retrograde phase, there are certain dates which are more favourable and other dates which are best avoided.
Sometimes a lover goes absent or quiet on you when Venus is on go slow. Alternatively, you’re the one who retreats or changes your mind. As with all retrograde phases, Venus retrograde connects you to the past so you may hear from an ex or childhood sweetheart.
Venus retrograde can be an ideal time to reassess what you value in life, where your desires lie and recognise who or what’s important to you. Use this retrograde phase to shift your perspective, gain insight into your needs and learn more about what you truly love and desire.
Venus Retrograde – Aries/Pisces
When a planet is retrograde, it’s an ideal time for reflection rather than out-and-out action. This time around, however, Venus turns retrograde in Aries, the star sign that loves action and Venus in Aries knows what she wants and how to go get it.
Traditionally, Venus is in detriment in Aries as love and independence do not make easy bed-fellows. This can be a tough, uncompromising Venus that doesn’t want to get hurt and rarely takes rejection well.
Therefore, while Venus is retrograde in Aries, it may be time to rein in your love chariot as this is when you’re advised to contemplate love and consider what love means to you. Are you in the right relationship and what sort of relationship do you want?
Whether you’re running away from love or towards love, notice whether you’re willing to open your heart or you close your heart down. Venus in Aries is passionate but love can be tempestuous.
Venus doesn’t remain in Aries throughout her retrograde phase but retreats back into Pisces, a star sign which Venus likes. Venus is in her exaltation in the star sign linked to romance.
Venus in Pisces is boundless, a symbol of unconditional love. Venus here is a reminder that love requires vulnerability as well as strength. Venus in Pisces is willing to give as well as receive and it’s in Pisces where Venus turns direct.
Venus Retrograde Dates & Degrees 2025
Venus enters her shadow phase – January 28
Venus enters Aries – February 4
Venus turns retrograde [10 Aries 50] – March 2
Venus returns to Pisces – March 27
Venus turns direct [24 Pisces 38] – April 13
Venus enters Aries – April 30
Venus moves out of her shadow phase – May 16
Other Planets
What’s intriguing about this Venus retrograde phase is that she’s not alone. From March 15 to April 7, communication planet Mercury turns retrograde. And Mercury switches direction at almost the same degrees in the zodiac as Venus.
The two of them are teaming up. Perhaps, you’re on a reunion into your past. Or you find your tribe, your people and you’re working on something in secret throughout March and the first two weeks of April.
Plus, as Venus and Mercury move back and forth between the first sign of the zodiac Aries and the last sign of the zodiac Pisces, they’re paving the way for the slower-moving planets Saturn and Neptune.
This year and next, 2025 & 2026, the planet of authority Saturn and the planet of dreams Neptune are side-by-side as they take the same steps to the faster-moving planets.
Add to this the karmic North Node triggering all four planets as they leave Pisces and this is a flood, an overwhelm, a deluge of planetary activity at the end of the zodiac. In your own life, contemplate what you’re letting go of and where you’re ready to move on or start over.
At times, it may feel emotional. Or perhaps, your heart is full and your sensitivity or psychic abilities are highly attuned. You may tap into higher consciousness, the collective conscience or a spiritual awakening.
Venus Retrograde Advice
Some astrologers suggest that if you fall in love during a Venus retrograde phase, it won’t last. Yet, it’s not so black and white. It might mean that a relationship takes longer to get off the ground or you both have doubts at first or the timing’s not right.
If you’re in a rocky relationship, this could be when you realise that your relationship is going backward instead of forward and you want to call the whole thing off. Yet, astrological advice would be to wait until Venus turns direct before you make up your mind.
Venus retrograde can symbolise a change of heart but once Venus turns back to direct motion you may view your relationship from a fresh perspective.
Working With The Timing of Astrology
A retrograde phase invokes the fable of the tortoise and hare. There’s no need to rush, take the pace slow and be patient.
This is especially true during this Venus retrograde phase. If you follow my astrology or you’re a member of my Inner Star Circle, you’ll know that March is a unique month this year. Not only are there two retrograde phases at the same point in the zodiac but there are two eclipses taking place.
Everything’s happening in Pisces and Aries, the end and the beginning, alpha and omega.
Eclipses and retrograde planets have a similar theme in that they’re hidden and it’s not a time to leap into action. It may be that you’re feeling lost and confused or you’re unsure which way to turn. Perhaps, you’re in a permanent state of not knowing and, for now, that’s ok. Go with the flow.
The halfway Venus retrograde phase often brings insight or understanding and that date is March 23.
In ancient times, Venus was called the Harmoniser. This is because she creates a perfect pattern every 8 years as she dances around the Earth and the Sun. The last time Venus was retrograde at a similar point in the zodiac was March 4, 2017 to April 14, 2017. What took place in your life back then may be relevant to what’s happening now.
Inner Star Circle
My Inner Star Circle is a unique astrology service which will ensure you know what’s happening when and what the major astrology means for you. Over 350 members are currently in my Inner Star Circle. Will you join them? Click here to subscribe: Inner Star Circle.