Venus is the brightest planet – she follows only the Sun (technically a star) and Moon (technically Earth’s satellite). Her cycles have been studied since antiquity.
One of the most famous – and oldest records –of Venus cycles is the Venus Tablet of Ammisaduqa, which is more than 3500 years old.
In a variety of cultures, Venus’ brilliance has been linked to love. In some of the more traditional styles of astrology, Venus was an important planet to consider regarding marriage.
Today, her astrological meaning emphasises the concept of unification, that of bringing things together, and beauty – an energetic quality that derives from her physically pretty presence (a feature derived from her astronomical closeness to Earth).
Part of what makes Venus’ cycle so magical, is that she periodically moves from evening star (one that’s visible in the few hours after sunset) to morning star (one that’s visible in the hour or two before the sunrises).
Within this shift from evening to morning star and back again, Venus vanishes for short periods, remaining invisible. These distinct changes in Venus’ cycle also change the quality of her energy, with her morning self known as Lucifer, and her evening self known as Hesperus.
Venus’ retrograde cycle lasts about 40 days (does that time period sound familiar to anyone – biblical references have to be inspired by something!). Even though Venus retrogrades about every 18 months, the retrogrades themselves connect over 8 year cycles.
Through the course of one lifetime, Venus only retrogrades in five signs:
Gemini – May/June 2004 + May/June 2012
Capricorn/early Aquarius – December 2005/January 2006 + December 2013/January 2014
Leo/early Virgo –July to September 2007 + July to September 2015
Aries – March/April 2009 + March/April 2017 ( For my in depth look at Venus in Aries, grab this webinar)
Late Libra/Scorpio – October/November 2010 + October/November 2018
Each time Venus returns to retrograde in the signs listed above, the retrograde itself occurs progressively a few degrees earlier. IE in May 2004, Venus went retrograde at 26 Gemini, whereas in May 2012, Venus will start her retrograde at 23 Gemini.
Occurring in just five parts of the Zodiac, Venus’ retrogrades trace out a five pointed star – the pentagram or pentacle (the five pointed star inside a circle). This symbol is essentially a potent Venus image.
In 2017, Venus is retrograde from March 3 – April 14, from 13 Aries back to 26 Pisces.
If you are familiar with your birth chart, find the house area that contains these degrees. This is the area of your life that will undergo the retrograde themes of delays, review, revision and second chances.
Any Venus retrograde can arouse old love and relationship themes.
However, if one of Venus’ signs rules an angle in your chart (like the MC or career point) then Venus’ retrograde cycle brings, for you, themes of review and redo regarding career.
How have you noticed Venus retrograde themes in your life?
If you need more on Venus retrograde in Aries, my recent webinar goes into more detail.
And just for something new (sarcasm), this occurs with Gemini on my 7th house. Jupiter is at 26 degrees so it just misses.
Love and relationships and lack of are a bit consuming of me at the moment.
Ur welcome any time I just love 2 learn bout ma Sign
Love it
Thanks Channel!
My pleasure Huela! Glad you liked it. Is your Saturn in Gemini?
Thanks Kelly I really enjoyed reading this – will affect my 5th where I have Saturn…
Yes, having a personal planet – Mercury, Venus or Mars – retrograde does change the energy of that planet. Typically it creates an inward quality. It can sometimes mean delays too. Venus is retrograde the least of all three.
By progression most personal planets become direct at some point – your predictive astrologer can work out when for you.
What if a child is born during that retrograde phase. Does it have any effect?