Venus Retrograde in Leo
Venus stations retrograde in Leo on July 22, 2023 and remains retrograde there until September 3rd. Venus goes retrograde about every 1 ½ years, and stays retrograde for about 40 days.
We primarily think of Venus as the planet of love and romance, as it rules Libra and the 7th House of partnership. But the Venus archetype is so much more than that. The sign and house placement of our natal Venus points us toward what we need in order to feel connected to another, in both partnership and in friendship. And Venus, as ruler of Taurus and the Second House of finances/resources, is also related to our core values and what makes us feel materially secure. In short, Venus is about both “love and money.”
The sign of transiting Venus shows us where to focus our energy in order to find pleasure, connection, and abundance. Venus is spending a total of four months in Leo (6/5 - 10/8/23). This is giving us plenty of time to reflect on our needs for play, romance, and creative expression. These are the things that bring joy, that make life worth living.
In our closest relationships, we are invited to consider what kind of activities can help us to reignite a spark. Leo is ruled by the Sun, and so this sign is also about putting our needs at the center of things–in the spotlight. During the retrograde, ask yourself: what would be fun for you? Then advocate for that within the relationship. Your partner or friend can do the same for themselves. And if it’s a balanced relationship, there will be room for both people’s versions of fun.
For example, let’s say you’re in a friendship that’s been going along agreeably for a few years. But that’s because your get-togethers are always going out to dinner at that restaurant your friend likes. Maybe you don’t like it, and going out to dinner isn’t even fun for you. What would bring you more joy is to go for a walk in the morning together. Perhaps you’ve been going through the motions for a while in this friendship. Venus Retrograde in Leo is the time for you to break the pattern and say, when she suggests that dinner: I’d like to go on a walk this weekend. Could we try that instead?
In the realm of money, it’s time to examine the ways in which a playful approach to our lives can actually bring in more abundance. Perhaps you have an untapped creative skill that could actually bring you more income. But even if it doesn’t directly bring you a paycheck, engaging your creative self has a way of breathing life into everything else that you do–including your day job. The retrograde offers you a chance to take a second look at some of the creative practices which you may have put by the wayside over the past few years. It’s time to reclaim that part of yourself that had a beloved hobby or creative outlet that you’ve put on the shelf. Revisit it like an old friend, and make time for it again.
During the retrograde period, we are asked to reflect and reconnect. Here are some questions for your Venus retrograde:
-What are some activities that have brought me joy in the past?
-What do I feel about the place of play in my relationship (friend or partner)?
-What gets in the way of my romantic connection with my partner? (if in a romantic relationship)
-What does romance mean to me? (whether single or partnered)
-What would be fun for me to do with a friend or partner?
-What is stopping us from doing more of those things?
If you know some basics of astrology and your natal chart, then you can identify the house(s) in which Leo resides. Once you know the house(s), you know the life areas that are touched by this Venus retrograde. Then you can make it more specific to you. Put simply, ask yourself: What is dampening my joy in this area? How can I bring more beauty, joy, and play to this area of life?
Related podcast episode of Let’s Get Real Astrology:
