Venus Retrograde: Love Hurts - March-April 2025
- Hollie McKitrick
- Feb 19
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 10
So, you might be wondering: what in the cosmic heavens is this Venus retrograde business, and why should you care? Well, grab your favorite snack (preferably something indulgent), because we’re about to dive into the enchanting yet tricky waters of this astrological phenomena.
Venus retrograde occurs when the planet of love, relationships, beauty, values, and possessions appears to move backward in the sky. Just like a confused hamster on a treadmill, it’s not really going backward; it just seems that way from our little spot on Earth.
During this period, which happens roughly every 18 months for about six weeks, our relationships and finances might feel a bit... um... off-kilter. Think of it as a cosmic rewind button that asks us to re-evaluate what we value in love and life.
Mark Your Calendars:
Like all planetary retrogrades, Venus will slow down before turning retrograde. It will also take a little time to speed back up once it turns direct. The dates below include the actual retrograde period and some recommended buffer periods before and after. Proceed with mindful deliberation during the totality of these timelines while expecting the impacts to be felt most noticeably leading up to and at the start of the actual retrograde.
Retrograde Dates:
March 1, 2025 - April 12, 2025
Buffer Periods:
Pre-Retrograde: January 28, 2025 - February 28, 2025
Post-Retrograde: April 13, 2025 - May 16, 2025
Know your planetary audience and read the cosmic room
You may feel like your closest relationships resemble a game of Twister during this time (left foot yellow! Right hand blue!), you’re not imagining it. Buckle up; it's going to be a wild ride, but there’s joy in the chaos if you know where to look.
Red light, Green Light
During Venus retrograde, the cosmic currents can leave us feeling particularly vulnerable or impulsive. Here are some things to steer clear of:
Starting New Relationships: This isn’t the time to swipe right on Mr. or Ms. Right-Now. New relationships built during this period may later crumble like a poorly baked soufflé.
Making Major Purchases: That new luxury handbag or expensive gadget you’ve been eyeing? It can wait. This is a prime time for expensive purchases you could later regret.
Finalizing Agreements & Contracts: Whether it's a romantic or financial agreement, avoid formally committing to anything until the shadows lift. This includes engagements, weddings, nuptial agreements, business partner agreements, employment contracts and the like.
Major Aesthetic Changes: Not gonna lie here. Venus retrograde periods often evoke retro ideas and thoughts, a desire for change which blinds your ability think it through. Like when you cut your bangs in 8th grade because you thought they'd look like Holly Hunter's (buuut not so much). Now is not the time for a new hair treatment, major color change, or nip / tuck procedure. No one wants to end up on an episode of Botched.
Instead of biting off more than you can chew, consider leaning into the reflective nature of this retrograde. Take a stroll down memory lane and make some stops along the way to remind yourself that it was better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Reflect: It’s time to journal about your feelings, interests, and what you truly love. Deep dive into your personal list of “Yeah, I’ll think about that later” topics. Start by meditating on this heavy hitter: what do I value most?
Reconnect: Reach out to old friends or loved ones. You might find those connections reignited. Scroll through your contacts and flag a few people you were once really tight with, those people who made you laugh, shared your interests or rolled with your crew. This period is ideal for rekindling connections.
Revive Creativity & Resources: It's a great time to hit the thrift stores for great finds (if that's your jam). Creativity flows with potent energy during Venus retrograde so go ahead, embrace your inner Bob Ross (or Rick Ross if music is more your thing). Pick up those paints and return to the canvas — just don’t expect everyone to appreciate your avant-garde interpretations right away.
Here’s the deal: work, decisions and responsibilities don’t come to a halt just because a planet shifts into reverse. Instead of screaming into the void, here are some productive ways to navigate your daily grind:
Stay Informed: Know when the retrograde is coming and set reminders for yourself. That way, you can prepare the ship for inevitable rocky waters ahead.
Meditate Before Important Decisions: Center yourself. A 10-minute meditation can mean the difference between “we need to breakup” and “we just need a week off.” It can also help prevent you from getting tangled up with something (or someone) better left in the past.
Communicate Clearly: Misunderstandings and misgivings about relationships and partnerships run rampant during this time. Make sure every text or email you send is as clear as a freshly cleaned window.
Now that you know what is happening and when, let's get deeper into landscape and vibe of the lands Venus will traverse on her journey. Understanding the weather will ensure we're adequately prepared for this trip.
Prepare to reverse course
February 4th - February 28th: Venus slows her roll as she leaves the cool waters of Pisces (where she was before this) and steps into the blazing heat of Aries.
March 1st - Venus Retrogrades in Aries: Venus turns to retrace her steps in the land of Aries. The hot sands beneath her feet belong to Aries. It's scorching here because this place is ruled by Mars, the God of War. Aries tendencies abound, it's easy to find something to fight about. Judgement can take a backseat to impulse and action.
Retrograding under Aries spell can inspire us to move fast and break things. Keep in mind those things we break belong to Venus - love, relationships, personal values, money and possessions.
Aries is known to get people all hot and bothered. So...while you might be feeling like a randy little bug. Stop and count to 10 before sending that 3am, "you up?" text to your ex. You'll thank me later.
March 27th - Venus moves into Pisces: Venus cools her scorching feet in the mystic waters of Pisces. Here, she finds comfort, creativity, emotion and heightened instincts. Inspiration and fantasy take the wheel. Venus finds her flow in Pisces and during this part of the trip, she doesn't need a map to find the way.
Moving backwards through these sparkling waters, Venus may bring our attention to an old flame, an earlier genre of music, or a longing for spiritual bliss.
Pisces compels us to get in touch with our instincts, emotions, and the constant changing of the tides. This is an ideal time to calibrate your internal, spiritual compass. What do you really care about and why? How are your beliefs about relationships, money and personal values changing?
It's comfortable here and people can easily deceive themselves when considering answers to the questions above. We can forget the pain and dishonesty of the past and fool ourselves into thinking, "it will be different this time." Before you get swept away in the possibilities, remember that relationships you ended, in the best-case scenario, were likely a harmonious blend of oxytocin and melancholy.
Leeches can live in Piscean waters. Alas when you come out to dry, make sure that you've not attached yourself (or your resources) to a con man, cult leader, or hustler.
The U Turn
April 12th - Venus retrograde ends in Pisces: Confusion and indecision begin to fade as Venus's direction reverses course. Her speed increases as she leaves the fanciful land of Pisces and heads back into the heat.
April 13th - May 16th - Time to pick up the pace: Venus has completed her nostalgic saunter through Pisces and resumes forward progress in Aries. If she was paying attention along the way, she will find herself emotionally fortified and ready for the battlefield that lies between her and the homeland (the fruitful gardens of Taurus).
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