Venus Retrograde in Leo 2023
Venus’s Retrograde Is Bringing You Your Sexiest Summer Yet
If you associate the word "retrograde" with miscommunication, technology glitches, and frustrating transportation issues, you're not alone. The term is generally used as shorthand to refer to Mercury retrograde, which sets the stage for slowdowns and setbacks.
But Mercury is far from the only celestial body that appears to move backward (aka retrograde) from our vantage point on Earth — it just happens to be the planet we associate most often with chaos because its backward spins happen three to four times a year.
Each planet goes retrograde on its own unique timeline and requires self-reflection and revision on the areas of life that it oversees. So, if you've been wanting to rethink your relationships, moneymaking ventures, or approach to beauty, you're in luck, as Venus will be retrograde from July 22 to September 3 in the fixed fire sign Leo.
Because Venus, the planet of romance and pleasure, goes retrograde every 18 months, this is the first Venus retrograde since its previous retrograde ended on January 29, 2022. Read on for more details about this Venus retrograde, as well as how each astrological sign will be affected by the planet of romance and beauty as it moves backward in 2023.
What Does Venus Retrograde Mean in Astrology?
To get the best sense of how any retrograde will affect you, you'll want to think about how the planet functions when it's moving forward (aka "direct.") When Venus is direct, it will influence how you relate to others in not only romantic bonds but platonic and collegial connections. For instance, it colours your flirting style. It'll also shape how you experience pleasure, what you value, how you'll go about making and spending money, and what you deem appealing aesthetically. And when Venus is moving direct, it's conducting all of its business in an external, action-oriented way.
By comparison, Venus retrogrades encourage us to prioritise introspection and revision around relationships, pleasure, money, and beauty. It also bears noting that its transits are definitely more acutely felt than, say, a Uranus retrograde, which lasts months and involves an outer, "transpersonal" planet. The basic rule of thumb is that the closer the planet is to Earth, the more we feel its movements.
Another thing you should consider is the house of your birth chart Venus is cruising backward through while it retrogrades in Leo. This can tell you in which area of life the retrograde will play out. For instance, if Leo rules your first house of self, this retrograde will nudge you to reassess your sense of self and your personal brand/how you project yourself out in the world. Because the first house sits opposite the seventh house of partnership (meaning the two houses are on the same axis, functioning like two sides of the same coin), you may also need to think about how you're showing up in relationships and how others are showing up for you.
When Is Venus Retrograde 2023, and How Can You Prepare For It?
Venus has been direct since January 2022, but the planet of love and beauty will go retrograde on July 22, moving backward through fixed fire sign Leo until Sept. 3, 2023. Although Venus usually only spends approximately one month in a sign, its time in Leo will be extended as a result of the retrograde, making for a summer full of Leo's brand of passionate, loyal, confident romance. But while retrograde is in effect, you could find you're compelled to hit the rewind button — whether that means doing self-work around your love language, taking a walk down memory lane with your S.O., or reimagining your love life. A few ways to prepare for and make the most of this transit:
1. Check in with yourself
Ruled by the sun, which oversees identity and confidence in astrology, Leo tends to be self-focussed and self-possessed. And while this can certainly be taken to an extreme, this energy can be channelled toward bolstering self-awareness and forging a stronger sense of self. And devoting time to either of these efforts can support healthier relationships. After all, when you know yourself, you also know what you're worthy of and what you won't tolerate. This Venus retrograde can be particularly useful for exploring these themes and healing related wounds, which could ultimately lead to feeling more confident and deserving of satisfying, reciprocal bonds.
2. Hone your artistic voice
Creative Leo is associated with the fifth house of romance and self-expression, so with the planet of beauty moving through the fire sign, you might be more inclined to pour your emotions into an imaginative outlet. Set yourself up for Venus retrograde success by signing up for a class that allows you to strengthen creative skills you haven't used in a while. Or pick up a project you previously back burnered; you might find you're able to now complete it with a new perspective.
3. Rethink self-promotion
Leo tends to be one of the zodiac's chief masters of claiming the spotlight, so with Venus moving backward through the sign of the lion, you'll want to revise how you're presenting yourself publicly and to reflect on ways in which you could be even more of a leader in your own life.
How the 2023 Venus Retrograde Will Affect the Zodiac Signs
People who have their sun, rising sign, or other astrological placements in the fixed signs Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, and Aquarius will admittedly feel this Venus retrograde more than others. (And if you want to get even more specific, see if any of your birth chart placements fall around 12 to 28 degrees of a fixed sign — if so, you'll feel this retrograde more than most.) But here's a general overview on how the 2023 Venus Retrograde will impact all the zodiac signs.
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Venus's retrograde falls in your fifth house of romance and self-expression, Aries, which makes you the sign most likely to receive visits from ghosts of flirtations past. Bear in mind that when exes or old flings resurface, it's not necessarily a green light to pick things back up where you left them. It's an opportunity for self-reflection and potentially learning a lesson about defending what you deserve. At the same time, you have the chance to dive deep into introspection and self-work that could lead to feeling more fulfiled creatively and making even more room in your life for fun and pleasure.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Venus will be retrograde in your fourth house of home life, Taurus, which means your relationships with family members and what you value most about your domestic sphere will be highlighted big time. It's time to reassess where you're living on the grounds — or perhaps how much money it's costing you — but also how much pleasure and peace it brings you. You'll also be reflecting on familial bonds. It could be that reconnecting with loved ones is the best way to take advantage of this transit — or you could be revisiting certain boundaries that, when held, are best for everyone involved.
Gemini (May 21-June 21)
The planet of beauty, romance, and pleasure will move backward in your third house of communication, Gemini. This is the zone that's associated with your sign, so it's terrain you're quite familiar and comfortable with. While your social life is usually firing on all cylinders, Venus's retrograde here will encourage you to be more intentional with your time and energy. It's possible that you've been saying "yes" to people who wouldn't necessarily do the same for you, and throughout this transit, you'll have the chance to reassess these bonds and set new boundaries to protect your mental — and in turn, emotional — well-being.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Venus's retrograde will fall in your second house of income, Cancer, so this transit is all about rethinking your relationship to money and your relationships tied to moneymaking. It might be that you've been spinning your wheels on a project that you're not getting enough out of — be it financially or in terms of garnering recognition. Or you're realising that you're bringing your skills to the table for a purpose that doesn't align with your own. Basically, now's your chance to allow your heart some say when it comes to earning, as it could ultimately lead you down an even more successful path.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Venus's retrograde falls in your first house of self, Leo, which sounds like a doozy, but it's actually a really exciting opportunity to reinvent yourself. You might be experimenting with a makeover of your website, resume, or social media. Basically, you have a chance to switch up how you're presenting your personal brand and how you're showing up in the world. Because the first house is on the same axis as the seventh house of partnership, you'll also be reflecting on the dynamics of one-on-one relationships and how you may want to tip the balance to feel more satisfied.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Venus's retrograde falls in your twelfth house of spirituality, blurring your typically rational, clear vision of what you desire. The forecasts for your romantic life, moneymaking, and relationships could all feel a bit hazy. Though you tend to want to have your finger on the pulse of these — and really, every — aspect of your life, so that you can plan ahead, create space for self-exploration, journaling, meditation, and magic now. The more you can sit in the unknown and see how it all plays out, the better for your spirit.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Your ruler, beauty-loving Venus, will be moving backward through your eleventh house of networking, Libra, meaning this is a period in which old friends and colleagues could be popping up out of nowhere to reconnect. You could find that picking up a group project that was previously put on the back burner proves to be satisfying and productive. At the same time, this is a moment for rethinking the groups, communities, and platonic relationships that you want to show up for.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
This Venus retrograde falls in your 10th house of career and public image, Scorpio, nudging you to rethink how you're approaching big picture goals and making a name for yourself in your professional sphere. You might realise that an aspiration you once held in such high regard actually doesn't align with your values the way it used to. In turn, you could be inspired to re-envision the best way to make your mark — and with whom you'll partner to reach that finish line.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Venus, the planet of romance, will move backward through your ninth house of adventure and higher learning, providing you with a moment in which you can take a step back and reset your belief systems. Because you're so passionate about your philosophies, you could be a bit disillusioned by this impulse to reassess. That's why you'll do well to lean on friends or loved ones to talk through your big picture ideas. You could move beyond this transit with even more clarity around what you want to pour your passion into.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
The last Venus retrograde may have fallen in your sign and first house of self, Capricorn, but this one's activating your eighth house of emotional bonds and joint resources, which should make for a very different vibe. You'll want to meditate on the best path forward with certain joint financial projects like taxes, investments, and real estate. But because this zone covers intimacy and sex, you'll also do well to set aside time to get in touch with your physical and emotional needs. Exploring this important part of your overall well-being can leave you feeling even more empowered and inspired.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Venus's retrograde falls in your seventh house of partnership, Aquarius, so your one-on-one connections are very much front and centre now. You can review what you're bringing to the table as a partner and consider what you get out of your bonds, whether romantic, platonic, or professional. Communicating your needs and hearing others out on theirs could be the key to feeling more satisfied — and seen — within these important relationships.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
This Venus retrograde affects your sixth house of routine and wellness, Pisces. You have a chance to reimagine how you care for yourself. Part of that could be pinpointing what you want and need from loved ones and friends from day-to-day and then making that more apparent. The Leo energy of this retrograde can inspire you to go to bat for more reciprocal relationships and equal work loads. Before fall begins, your confidence — and sense of inner balance — could soar.
