During Venus retrograde we have an opportunity to reflect on our relationships. On 13 May Venus stations retrograde at 21° degrees Gemini, remaining in retrograde motion until 25 June when it stations direct at 5 degrees Gemini. During this time it spends a goodly portion of its time in square to transiting Neptune.

We can expect this period to be a focal point for the energetic work that needs to take place in our relationships, especially in terms of how we communicate, trust between parties and whether we are having the conversations that really matter.

Retrograde motion occurs when a planet appears to move backwards in the sky. Venus retrogrades for about 40 days every eighteen months or so. This is a time to revisit, reflect and redo any relationship decision or conversation that you could have done better.

Whether this work involves a few subtle nudges here and there or a complete overhaul depends on how consciously we have been relating up to this point. Relationships that are already under stress will certainly come under scrutiny, particularly for those who have planets or points between 5 and 21 degrees of the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces).

Due to a square to Neptune, trust will be a significant theme of this Venus retrograde period.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself encountering people and situations that reflect your inner state. Psychologists call this projection; it’s when we’re so focused on the faults and issues of others that we fail to see how we ourselves are behaving. In fact we often accuse others of the exact behaviour we ourselves are exhibiting.

Venus retrograde may bring difficult people into your life, or create challenging situations in existing relationships. But the opportunity here is to focus on our own behaviour rather than on that of the other. For example it’s easy to say, ‘Aha! I finally realise after all these years that you’re not meeting my needs’ but much harder to examine ourselves closely and find out why we feel that person must meet our needs in the first place.

As Venus rules values, we may come to the realisation during this retrograde period that we’ve failed to truly value a person in our lives, that we’ve taken someone for granted. On the other hand we might see clearly that we ourselves are not valued highly enough. This transit could also open our eyes to how we fail to value ourselves, placing ourselves in destructive and soul destroying situations for the sake of others or for financial or emotional security.

With Venus in Gemini this is an opportunity to clean up your act when it comes to gossip and misinformation, choosing instead to speak the truth and keep your word. “Before you speak, ask yourself: Are my words kind, necessary, and true?” Focus on the positive qualities of Gemini, including connecting people, sharing ideas worth sharing and being a good listener.

Traditional astrology cautions against beginning new relationships during Venus retrograde and this makes sense when we consider that this is a time for resolving issues in existing relationships. This often means tying up loose ends and sometimes a relationship will come to an end during Venus in retrograde.

Bear in mind that the true purpose of relationships is to help both parties grow and evolve and ask yourself whether your current relationships serve this purpose. But don’t give up too easily! Often when there is anger and resentment present there is still work to do!

Remember I’m talking about all relationships here. When retrograde, Venus can bring deep change to friendships, family and work relationships; it’s not just about love and partnership.

Venus retrograde square Neptune

Transiting Venus is currently involved in a square aspect with transiting Neptune. This aspect was exact on 4 May, but due to retrograde motion it will be exact two more times, on 21 May and on 28 July. It will remain in orb (effective) for much of the retrograde period.

This transit can have a number of impacts for those whose charts are touche, which will be primarily those with planets or points between 5 to 21 degrees of the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces).

You may suddenly see someone for who they truly are, or conversely become very deluded about someone, thinking they are all that when they are not. Deception or betrayal in relationship may come to light.

You may be more needy of loved ones and insecure about how you look and whether you are liked.

You may be confused about a relationship or feel that it is not built on a solid foundation of trust and good faith.

Overly romantic ideals could get you into trouble and you may be painfully disillusioned when Venus turns direct again on 25 June.

You may be more gullible and prone to being taken advantage of.

Venus square Neptune does not bode particularly well for the corona virus pandemic, as it suggests a lack of boundaries and increased infection.

How will Venus retrograde affect you?

Some people will be more affected by this transit than others. Those will Taurus or Libra strongly emphasised in their birth chart will likely feel it, as these are the signs ruled by Venus. Anyone with planets between 5 and 21 degrees of the Mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sag, Pisces) will also be touched.

For example in my natal chart the Ascendant / Descendant axis is at 7 degrees Gemini/Sag, while my Imum Coeli / Midheaven axis is at 20 Virgo Pisces. Given that these points, called the Angles, represent key areas in a person’s life, I expect this transit to have a particularly strong impact on me.

Also, look at your birth chart to see through which house(s) Venus retrograde will pass. For me this will be the 1st House, suggesting that this transit will be focused on my very identity and how I represent myself in relationships.

If you don’t have one yet you can get a free birth chart at astro.com. To understand how to read your chart, and follow the transits, download my free ebook The Language of Astrology.

Your turn…

Venus retrograde may shake up any relationship where there has been an imbalance of power, mistrust, unrealistic expectations, inadequate communication or a failure to appreciate one another. Please share your thoughts on this.