Looking Back To Move Forward: The Wisdom Of Past Venus Retrograde Cycles

Venus retrograde is a potent time for working with one of the great benefics in the sky and manifesting long lasting changes in our life.  It is a time of deep reflection, an opportunity to slow down and reassess what truly matters.  But its lessons don’t emerge in isolation – each Venus retrograde we experience is a part of a larger story, weaving together past cycles into a greater tapestry of growth, love, and self-worth. 

Venus retrograde periods reflect a beautiful, repeating pattern of personal growth and transformation that quite literally mirrors the sky above with our life below, when we choose to accept the invitation to work with the cycle and engage in the transformative opportunity.  Its important to point out the reminder, that doing so truly empowers us to become co-creators of our reality and stories instead of victims and witnessing bystanders.

If you take some time to reflect and look back, you may notice familiar themes arising.  Patterns in relationships, self-esteem, finances, or creative pursuits often surface in these cycles, inviting us to finally see what we once overlooked or embrace what we were not ready to receive at the time.

Because Venus retrograde cycles only happen in 5 signs throughout our life and happen in repeatable 8-year cycle patterns, you can loosely predict what themes may show up for you, by looking at the prior cycle from 8 years ago.  This cycle of Venus retrograding in Aries & Pisces is a story pattern that repeats every 8 years.  The retrograde will shift the degrees that it impacts by 2 degrees each cycle, but it is otherwise similar in the houses and signs that it activates in your personal chart.  So, to glean a clue into what story you may see play out this cycle, again reflect back to the last cycle that occurred in March of 2017.  This will again repeat in 2033.  You will want to look at the houses that hold Aries and Pisces in your natal chart along with any personal planets included in the retrograde degrees (click here for a step-by-step).  Venus was last retrograde in Aries/Pisces March 25, 2017 for 40 days, retrograding from 13 degrees of Aries to 26 degrees of Pisces.  What patterns were alive for you then in terms of relationship, values, finances, or other Venusian topics relevant in the houses effected in your chart? 

Take a moment to reflect:

·      What was going on for you during the last Aries/Pisces Venus retrograde?  What emotions, challenges, or life events come to mind?

·      What desires were stirring in your heart?  Did you take action or did fear hold you back?

·      How have you grown since then?  What have you healed?  What still feels unresolved?

A significant relationship?  It may resurface in some way for you this time or themes surrounding that relationship may pop up for you in a new way, allowing you to re-evaluate those themes from a new perspective.  If it was a challenging experience, take a deep breath – in no way does this mean that the same challenge will re-present itself again.  You are now 8 years wiser and more equipped than you were then, to begin with.  Remember that you are the co-author of your story and get to shape how this will unfold for you.  

By revisiting the past, we gain clarity on what this Venus retrograde is here to refine, release, or realign.  Perhaps an old dream is ready to be reborn, or a past heartbreak has finally lost its grip.  Maybe a version of you that once felt small is now ready to step into their power and take up space.

Venus retrograde is not just about looking inward – its about reclaiming the wisdom that we have gathered along the way.  Let this be a time to honor your journey, trust in divine timing, and step into the next chapter of your life story with an open heart.

As an example, I will share a little insight into my own Venus retrograde story.  In 2017, after years of IUI and IVF I decided to take a break from the emotional and physical impact of daily trips to the fertility clinic for ultrasounds and bloodwork.  I had over a dozen miscarriages at this point in my life – all unexplained and this was 5+ years into my fertility journey.  I was exhausted mentally, emotionally, financially, and spiritually, and to be completely honest, I just needed a break.  My husband was not ready to cross the bridge into adoption yet and so I was at a standstill.  Yet, my heart deeply longed for a child.  So, I decided to open our home temporarily to fostering while I took some time to reset and renew.  I felt it was a great way to fill my internal desire for a child to share love with and that it would be a great distraction as well.  I completed the stack of paperwork, classes, inspections, and bought all the necessary furniture, clothing, toys, and other ancillary items, and embarked on the journey to become a licensed foster care parent and home in 2017.  Little did I know the profound impact that foster care would have on my life at the time.  Fast forward 8 years, over a dozen kids, later and I am wrapping up what will likely be my last 2 foster care cases (at least for now!).  Aries is in my 9th house of higher wisdom, philosophy, teaching, spirituality, and travel and Pisces is the sign of my natal Venus in my 8th house of shared resources, karmic ties, and deep transformation.  My natal Sun and Mercury sit directly in the window of the retrograde degrees both cycles.  This has been a profound chapter in my Venus life story; the love, energy, healing, and transformation that has taken place in this chapter of my life all align strongly with Venusian themes of values and connection.  It has deeply shaped my identity (Sun) and self-worth (largely a Venusian theme).  And, while it was never my original intention (as life so often humbles and teaches us), it ultimately has unfolded that all 4 of my children are (or soon will be) adopted from foster care.  The process, as well as helping neglected and traumatized children heal, has been the catalyst for deep spiritual awakening, growth, and healing in my own life.  And, it was ironically the desire to help young children who couldn’t fully express themselves heal, that initially led to me discovering and opening the door to astrology in my own life. It is really fascinating to see that story woven out in reverse.  What story can you find woven in your own life through these retrograde chapters?  What past Venus retrograde cycles have taught you the most?  Journal on these for deeper insight.  The answers you may be seeking may hold a clue, or already have been written, in your past.  Sometimes, we just have to take the time to reflect, integrate, and connect the dots, to see the bigger picture.

Read more about my personal Venus retrograde story in the 8th House here.

Venus Retrograde 2025: The Path of The Spiritual Warrior

Venus, the benefic planet of love, beauty, harmony, governs not only romance but the very essence of what we value – both within ourselves and the world around us.  When she retrogrades every 18 months, we are invited to step away from external distractions and deep dive internally, peeling back layers of conditioning and routine, to rediscover our authentic heart.

The Venus synodic cycle is an 8-year celestial dance between Venus and the Earth that traces a beautiful geometric pattern known as the Rose of Venus or the Pentagram of Venus.  As she orbits the sun, Venus’ position relative to Earth create a five-petaled flower shape (or pentagram, if you prefer), symbolizing the harmony and interconnectedness inherent in the cosmos.  Her cycle guides us through a deep and sacred journey of love, self-worth, and soulful embodiment.  And beautifully reminds us of the divine harmony and sacred geometry woven into the universe – and within ourselves – to guide us along our unfolding path.

This sacred geometry has been recognized by various cultures throughout history, reflecting the deep relationship between celestial movements and our own cycles of growth and transformation internally, as above, so below.  Each petal of the rose corresponds to a complete 8 year Venus cycle, inviting us to align with these natural rhythms and embrace the evolving journey of love, beauty, and self-discovery that our soul has been called to.

From an esoteric perspective, Venus is more than love and beauty; she is the bridge between the human heart and divine wisdom.  Her shifting phases from Morning Star Venus (bold, independent, initiatory) to Evening Star Venus (receptive, magnetic, reflective) mirror our own soul’s path – awakening, healing, and integrating the deepest truths of love and desire within us.

From an evolutionary lens, Venus’ retrogrades serve as powerful moments of re-evaluation, calling us to reflect and release outdated beliefs, patterns, and attachments that no longer align with our truth.  Each phase of her synodic cycle – her conjunction with the Sun, her first emergence in the sky, and her full radiance – offers a profound opportunity to realign with what truly matters in our hearts, values, and relationships.

Venus’ 8 year cycle is a sacred invitation to embrace both giving and receiving, action and surrender, self-love and connection with others.  She reminds us that love is not just something we seek- it’s something we become. 

With Venus descending into Aries and Pisces this cycle, we enter a soul-forging process – one that burns away false identities (Aries) and dissolves illusions of love and sacrifice (Pisces).  This transit is not simply about revisiting past relationships or reassessing desires; it is a spiritual rite of passage delving deep into the realms of desire, identity, and spiritual love.  This period is further enriched by a series of celestial aspects this retrograde transit, notably a sextile between retrograde Venus and Pluto in Aquarius, which offers profound opportunities for transformation and empowerment.

Aries and Pisces sit on opposite ends of the zodiac: Aries ignites the self while Pisces merges with the Divine.  Together, they form a sacred paradox – a journey from individualization to surrender, from ego to transcendence, and from passion to universal love. 

This retrograde is a mirror reflecting where we have either lost ourselves in our relationships or where we have walled ourselves off from connection.  The tension between these two states is where the deepest transformation will unfold. 

Venus in Aries: The Fire of Sovereignty (March 1-March 27)

Aries, ruled by Mars, is the warrior archetype of the zodiac, embodying raw will, instinct, and independence. When Venus retrogrades here, it challenges us to ask:

·      Do I truly know what I desire, or have I been chasing something out of habit or expectation?

·      Where have I sacrificed my identity in relationships?

·      Am I expressing my needs unapologetically, or am I waiting for permission to be seen?

·      Where do I mistake conquest for connection, passion for love?

This is a primal heart recalibration.  Venus in Aries asks us to stand in our full power, unafraid to claim what we truly want – but also willing to release what no longer fuels our soul.  Expect themes of personal empowerment, boundaries, and getting very clear about our raw, primal desires. 

Venus in Pisces: Dissolving Illusions, Returning to Divine Love (March 28-April 12)

As Venus drifts into Pisces, the warrior’s fire meets the ocean of universal love, compassion, and surrender.  Here, love is not a conquest – it is a remembering of something eternal. 

Venus is exalted in Pisces, meaning she expresses her most spiritual, poetic, and boundless qualities in this sign.  Yet, in retrograde she journeys internally to reflect, realign, and re-examine and asks:

·      Where have I lost myself in illusions of love?

·      Have I mistaken sacrifice for devotion?

·      Do I open my heart fully, or do I hide behind escapism and fantasy?

·      Where do I need to surrender control and trust divine timing?

·      Where do I need to reclaim my power and energetic boundaries?

This phase brings deep emotional healing, spiritual awakenings, and the release of karmic love stories.  It is a death and rebirth of the heart, dissolving old wounds so that we can love in a way that is pure, limitless, and free from distortion. 

Ultimately, Venus retrograde in Aries and Pisces is a magical time that initiates us into an internal journey of deep self-awareness, healing, and spiritual love.  It teaches us that true love is neither extreme of losing ourselves in another (Pisces) or demanding love through force (Aries), but rather about integrating sovereignty and surrender, passion and compassion, and self-responsibility and Divine trust. 

The Empowering Embrace of Venus and Pluto

A standout feature of this retrograde is the sextile aspect between Venus and Pluto, which we see her do within 2-3 degrees three times this cycle: Feb 7th (pre-shadow), March 21st, and May 6th (post-shadow).  These dates offer profound shifts around values, love, transformation, regeneration, catharsis, and rebirth that are heating up.  Ultimately, helping to guide us towards a more empowered an authentic expression of ourselves.  This harmonious alignment between Venus in Aries and Pluto in Aquarius serves as a catalyst for profound transformation:

·      Unveiling Authentic Desires: Pluto’s penetrating energy encourages us to confront hidden parts of our desires and relationships, foster a deeper understanding of our true needs.

·      Empowerment in Love: This aspect energy supports the release of outdated patterns we may be carrying, enabling us to embrace relationships that are both passionate and deeply empowering.

·      Creative Regeneration: The fusion of Venusian beauty with Plutonian depth can lead to an upstirring of artistic and creative endeavors, allowing for a creative outflow of expression that is both authentic and transformative.

Other Celestial Forces Unique to This Venus Retrograde

·      Venus Conjunct Mercury – March 11: We can expect enhanced communication, encouraging heartfelt dialogues, and the revisiting of past connections. 

·      Venus Conjunct Neptune – March 27: The energies of unconditional love, compassion, and spiritual connection are amplified, offering a time for healing and deep emotional release.

·      Venus Trine Mars – April 6: This stimulates balanced expressions of both passion and assertiveness, fostering harmony between feminine and masculine energies.

If we fully choose to participate in this deeply alchemical process, by the time Venus stations direct on April 12, we will have undergone a true inner transformation.  Love will no longer be something we chase or sacrifice for – it will be something we embody, from the inside out.

I release the love that binds me.  I reclaim the love that frees me.  I am desire and devotion, fire and ocean, warrior and mystic – whole unto myself.