What Venus Retrograde Means For Your Love Life

Venus, the pleasure planet that rules our relationships, aesthetics, and ability to attract, stations retrograde once every eighteen months. This year, Venus begins backpedaling in the sign of Aries on March 1st- eventually entering Pisces on the 27th, helping us to take a second look at who and what we’ve been attracting. Unlike Mercury Retrograde, which scrambles communication and travel plans, Venus Retrograde is an introspective journey through the heart, asking us to reflect on our relationships, desires, creative expression, and even our financial habits. Over the duration of this transit, we don’t attract new things or people- but enter a period of reviewing what we have already been drawing towards us. Is this bad for dating? Not necessarily, unless we insist on repeating the same mistakes.
As Venus begins her retrograde journey in Aries, we feel revved up, eager to assert our independence and own our desires, with little concern for the opinions of others. As Aries is ruled by war-god Mars, we take a brash and direct approach towards the objects of our affection. Blind to fear, this Venus in Aries energy can help us take the romantic risks we would usually shy away from. Aries is the warrior of the zodiac, which means we feel an intense urge to pursue love, passion, and pleasure on our own terms. This is a Venus that doesn’t wait for permission—she chases what (or who) she wants, unapologetically. Aries is a sign that thrives on immediacy, so the challenge of this retrograde is learning to pause, reflect, and resist the urge to act on every passing whim. In relationships, we might feel impulsive and impatient, and Aries Venus doesn’t shy away from conflict. Watch out for impulse spending, unnecessary conflict, and the inevitable reappearance of an ex, because denying our burning desires will feel more difficult than usual. Instead, we are called to own what we truly desire and take action, even if it means swallowing our pride. Venus Retrograde in Aries amplifies our appetite for romantic and creative risks, adding a lively energy to March.
On March 27th, Venus retrograde enters Pisces, putting out the fire. This is when we are more attuned to our intuition than our impulses, prone to daydreams and fantasies. Venus in Pisces wants to see the world through rose-tinted glasses, putting a poetic twist on our partnerships. If we’ve been putting people on pedestals or projecting things onto them- Venus retrograde will give us a harsh reality check. Instead, we are called to listen to the subtle messages of our soul, choosing relationships that feel spiritually fulfilling and aligned. It's simultaneously a good time to let go of any lingering energy from old partnerships, as Venus in Pisces acts as an exit valve, allowing us to let go.
Find out how this Venus retrograde is going to affect your sign below!
Aries and Aries Rising
This Venus Retrograde is personal. With Venus kicking off her backward spin in your sign, your approach to love, beauty, and self-worth is under major review. You’re used to charging ahead, fueled by passion and spontaneity—but now the universe is handing you a cosmic mirror, asking: Are you truly going after what you desire, or just chasing the thrill of the chase? What is it that you want most of all? Are you around people because they make you look good, or feel good? Answers await. Try to avoid impulse spending or giving yourself an avant-garde makeover. Bad haircuts are categorical of a Venus retrograde. Instead, try to find relationships that allow you to be yourself. You may feel a tug-of-war between asserting your independence and longing for deep connection. By the time this Venus retrograde enters Pisces on March 27th, your intuition will answer interpersonal questions for you. Look out for vivid dreams, déjà vu, or signs pointing you toward a soul connection.
Taurus and Taurus Rising
Venus is your ruling planet, and as it slows down, it allows you to let go of the energetic burdens you may be unconsciously carrying. Not over that one ex? Have weird dreams about a situationship? March promises to alleviate psychic stressors and present you with a clean slate. As Venus retrograde in Aries stirs up unfinished emotional business in your twelfth house of endings, subconscious patterns, and spiritual growth, love becomes more about soul-searching than outward romance. You may find yourself revisiting old wounds, confronting hidden desires, or finally facing a truth you’ve avoided. When Venus retrogrades into Pisces on March 27th, the focus shifts to your friendships, community, and long-term dreams. You may reassess your social circles, realizing who truly supports your growth and who you’ve outgrown. Old friends or past lovers could resurface, perhaps wanting closure.
Gemini and Gemini Rising
As Venus retrograde starts stirring up your sector of friendships, you may find yourself more assertive than usual. This transit asks: Are your friendships truly supportive, or are you keeping people around out of habit? If certain social ties feel more draining than inspiring, it may be time to step back and redefine what you want from your inner circle. Love, too, might feel more unpredictable—someone you’ve considered a friend could suddenly feel like something more, or vice versa. Be open to shifting dynamics, but don’t make impulsive decisions. By March 27th, Venus moves into your career sector- allowing you to take a second look at any professional opportunities that may have fallen through the cracks. This bodes well for finishing creative projects and reassessing how you want to share your work with the world. If you've been feeling creatively blocked, this transit helps you tap into a deeper, more intuitive flow.
Cancer and Cancer Rising
Venus retrograde wants you to be more assertive about your talents and claim ownership of your career. Kicking off in your professional sector, you may feel more inspired to work independently or take the lead in a group project. You may feel a shift in how you balance love and success, questioning whether your current path aligns with your deepest desires. This retrograde will push you to reflect on how love and ambition intertwine. When Venus shifts into Pisces on March 27th, the focus softens, and you begin to ponder more spiritual concepts. Your perspective on love may shift—suddenly, relationships feel less about security and more about meaning. You may question whether your partnerships are intellectually and spiritually fulfilling, or if you’ve been playing it too safe. If an old long-distance connection resurfaces, tread carefully—this is a time of romantic reflection, not impulsive reunions.
Leo and Leo Rising
As Venus retrogrades, you are encouraged to look at your love life as if it is a grand journey. Who are you bringing and where are you headed? What have you discovered in the process? Are your counterparts as committed to personal growth as you? Are you learning from them, or having to teach them? If you’ve been playing it safe in love, this retrograde will push you to break free from limiting mindsets and embrace connections that inspire growth. This is also a time of philosophical reflection—your views on love, relationships, and personal freedom may shift as you reassess what truly fulfills you. If you’ve been feeling stagnant, this retrograde inspires spontaneity. Just be mindful of making impulsive choices you’ll later rethink. When Venus retrogrades into Pisces on March 27th the carefree, adventurous vibe switches to more profound emotional work. Old wounds around trust, vulnerability, and emotional depth may surface. If you’ve been avoiding deeper emotional connections, this transit will bring your fears to the surface, urging you to confront and heal them.
Virgo and Virgo Rising
This retrograde inspires you to get free of energetic burdens, as Venus in Aries lights up your sector of shared energy, inspiring you to shake off the dead weight from past relationships. In the process, you are inspecting how you experience vulnerability with others. Do you find it hard to trust people? What do you need in order to let people get closer to you? Finding the balance between autonomy and avoidance is key. This is an intense, soul-searching transit that asks for emotional depth. When Venus retrogrades into Pisces on March 27th, the energy softens but becomes even more relational. Exes may reappear, unfinished love stories may resurface, and you’ll be forced to confront whether certain relationships still hold meaning in your life. Have you been idealizing someone, or ignoring red flags in the name of love? This transit reveals the truth—whether you’re ready for it or not.
Libra and Libra Rising
As a Venus ruled sign, you’ll feel this retrograde strongly. This is your moment to inspect the company you keep, lovers, friends and coworkers included. If you’ve been avoiding difficult conversations or making compromises at the expense of your own needs, this retrograde forces you to confront those patterns head-on. Venus in Aries is bold, direct, and sometimes impatient—so expect relationship dynamics to feel more heated than usual. If you're in a partnership, tensions could arise, especially if one of you has been holding back unspoken frustrations. On the flip side, this retrograde could reignite old flames, making you wonder whether there’s still something there. The focus shifts to self-love on March 27th, when Venus enters Pisces. It might be time for a health makeover, as you seek to infuse your daily regimens with more magic. Take this opportunity to revamp your mental, emotional, and even physical well-being.
Scorpio and Scorpio Rising
Venus retrograde wants you to take a healthier approach to relationships- rather than slipping back into dynamics that require you to care-take or martyr yourself. If you have been in particularly draining situationships, Venus in Aries wants you to call your power back and forge a new leaf. Try to take the time to prioritize yourself and your health, rather than slipping back into someone else’s world. When Venus retrogrades into Pisces on March 27th, the energy shifts towards romance, creativity, and pleasure. This is where things get emotional. If you’ve been repressing certain desires or ignoring your need for passion and playfulness, they will come bubbling to the surface. If a past lover returns, this time it won’t feel casual—it will feel fated. But be careful: Are you seeing them clearly, or are you falling into an old fantasy?
Sagittarius and Sagittarius Rising
Creative sparks are flying this Venus retrograde, as you feel more inspired than ever to take artistic risks. If you’ve been feeling blocked, an old project, artistic pursuit, or hobby may call you back. You may realize that something you once loved—whether it was painting, writing, performing, or simply indulging in playful romance—deserves a second chance. It’s time for you to examine how you experience pleasure and play, making room for your inner child to express themselves freely. When Venus retrogrades into Pisces on March 27th, the energy shifts inward, activating your need for emotional security. This is a good time to reflect on what your family or origin taught you about love. You may feel the need to retreat, reassess your foundations, or even revisit old family dynamics that shaped your approach to intimacy.
Capricorn and Capricorn Rising
Venus Retrograde isn’t just about relationships—it’s about where you feel safe, who you let in, and what home truly means to you. From March 1st to March 27th, Venus retrogrades through Aries, activating your home sphere. This is a deeply personal transit that urges you to reflect on your foundations: Are your relationships built on stability and trust, or are you holding onto outdated family patterns? Inspecting your early childhood can show you the patterns that have shaped your approach to love and emotional intimacy. If your romantic life has felt ungrounded, this retrograde will highlight where adjustments are needed. You may also feel the urge to reconnect with the past—visiting an old home, revisiting childhood memories, or even rekindling a connection with someone who once felt like home. On a practical level, this retrograde may also bring delays or second thoughts about moving, renovating, or making major changes in your living situation. If possible, hold off on big home-related decisions until Venus stations direct. When Venus retrogrades into Pisces on March 27th, the focus shifts to your third house of communication, mindset, and close connections. Conversations with past lovers, old friends, or even estranged family members may resurface. You might be revisiting old texts, rereading love letters, or reconsidering words left unsaid.
Aquarius and Aquarius Rising
This transit stirs up past conversations, unspoken words, and lingering "what-ifs." Exes or old crushes may suddenly pop back into your inbox, or you may feel the urge to reconnect with someone from your past. However, this is not just about rekindling old flames—it’s about understanding the patterns in how you communicate in relationships. Have you been too detached? Too impulsive? Too quick to ghost or move on? This retrograde is also a test of your words. Aries energy is bold and direct, but with Venus moving backward, miscommunications are likely. Be mindful of how you express yourself in love—what you don’t say may matter just as much as what you do. It’s also a time of mental clarity: If you’ve been unsure about a romantic situation, this retrograde will bring the truth to the surface, even if it’s not what you expected. When Venus retrogrades into Pisces on March 27th, the energy shifts to self-worth, and finances. You’ll start reflecting on what (and who) you’ve been investing your time, energy, and money into. Are your relationships aligned with your values, or have you been settling for less than you deserve? Old financial issues may resurface, or you may feel called to reassess your spending habits, particularly when it comes to beauty, art, or luxury purchases.
Pisces and Pisces Rising
Venus retrogrades through Aries, activating your second house of self-worth, finances, and personal priorities. This transit urges you to ask: Am I truly honoring my value in love and relationships? Am I giving more than I receive? Old financial matters may resurface—past debts, unfinished business, or unexpected expenses tied to a former relationship. Be mindful of impulse spending, especially in Aries’ fast-paced energy. Emotionally, this retrograde highlights any imbalances in the way you invest your time, energy, and love. If you’ve been settling for less—whether in romance, friendships, or even your career—Venus will make it painfully obvious. You’re being asked to reclaim your worth and stop overextending yourself for those who don’t reciprocate. When Venus retrogrades into Pisces on March 27th, the energy becomes deeply personal. With Venus moving through your first house of identity, appearance, and self-expression, you may feel a strong desire to reinvent yourself—but this isn’t the time for drastic changes. Instead, use this period to reflect on how you present yourself in love and relationships.