Venus Retrograde Is Coming And It's Even More Powerful Than Mercury Retrograde

Once every 18 months, Venus turns retrograde. During this time relationships and finances are turned upside down as we reevaluate and reconsider the way we commit to others and use money.

This time around, Venus will be retrograde for 40 days and 40 nights in Capricorn from December 19 to January 29, 2022. The pre-retrograde zone began on November 17 and the post-retrograde phase ends on March 1, 2022, so needless to say, we have a long journey ahead of us.

What does Venus in retrograde mean, exactly?

Venus, the planet of love and beauty that rules over passions, relationships, pleasure, art, and money is an important one. The planet influences how you socialize, relate to, and attract others. In astrology, we look to this planet to find out how we can spark inspiration, excitement, and lean into activities that we find fulfilling. So yeah, a Venus retrograde can cause a lot of emotional challenges.

A little bit more about how Venus retrograde works: Usually, retrogrades indicate a backward rotation of planets. That is not the case with Venus and Uranus because they are the only two planets in the universe that are constantly in opposite rotation of the Earth. They naturally flow to the beat of their own drum and move differently in the sky.

When the retrograde occurs, Venus (who is already rotating in the opposite direction of Earth) slows down, which makes us feel the effects of it more. Now, Earth is moving faster than Venus. This makes the retrograde noticeable to earthlings, as we feel as though we are moving faster — which we are.

Some may even say that it's worse than Mercury retrograde because of the way the planet moves in the solar system and because it's closer to earth than Mercury (Venus is the second planet from the Sun and we are the third). Needless to say, it's a very potent energy.

What should you expect during this specific Venus retrograde?

Being that Venus governs relationships, money, social graces, and self-esteem, it will help us self-reflect on what we fundamentally value in these areas. It could also bring in a new way of thinking and dealing with interpersonal relationships or money. Venus retrograde also tends to cause us to spend on a whim... then have buyers remorse.

And when it comes to relationships, yes, Venus retrograde might make us more likely to break up — if the relationship was already headed that way. If you're in a solid relationship, on the other hand, Venus retrograde might actually cause your relationship to prosper.

This particular Venusian backswing occurs in the sign Capricorn. The cardinal earth sign is known for its hard-working ways and straightforward attitude. Although Venus in Capricorn tends to put business and money first, the retrograde will force us to take a deeper look at what and who we are investing in.

While everyone will feel the retrograde, Taurus and Libra tend to be hit even harder (because they are ruled by Venus). The cardinal signs — Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn — will also be going forced out of their comfort zones and begin looking at professional goals, relationships, and themselves in different ways.

How can I use this retrograde to my advantage?

There is beauty in all retrogrades and Venus is no different. Retrogrades are unpredictable times that make us rethink and reassess matters. Here, a few tips to guide you through this retrograde and make the most of it.

Reconnect with yourself and focus on self-care.
This is a time to reconnect with ourselves and to be present within our bodies. Adding self-care to your daily routine is also a must. You can take a warm bath for a few extra minutes, treat yourself to a massage, incorporate yoga or meditation, or just sleep in. The goal here is to let your body feel like a temple. Give it respect and kindness. More importantly, listen to what it's telling you. Instead of pushing yourself hard every day, give yourself a break. Sleep the extra hour. Have a second serving of cake. Don't feel guilty or bad for indulging yourself. If you're craving it (and it's not harmful to you or anyone else) then go for it. And yes, take time off from work on the holidays if you can — and that means disengaging from texts, emails, and office politics.

Use this time to make amends with your past.
This is also a time to make amends with our pasts. Don't run away from ghosts who reappear in your DMs, inboxes, and iMessages. Have a conversation with them and try to understand the dynamic of the relationship. Perhaps there is an old flame that you'd like to rekindle or a friend with whom you're wanting to reconcile. Don't ignore them — at the very least it could lead to healing.

Trust your intuition.
Our intuition may be heightened at this time, which means that we might just have a sixth sense. If a situation doesn't feel or seem right — then it's not. Don't be scared to ask questions and to dig deeper into matters. Retrogrades are very reflective times, which is why it's ideal to journal and think about your emotions — just don't rush into decision-making.

Be mindful of over-spending.
Watching the way we spend money is key during this retrograde. Although the holidays are coming, it's important to stay within budget. There is a tendency to overspend during Venus retrograde, which is why being frugal is important. If you can't resist the urge to splurge, then keep your receipts handy because you may change your mind about the items later on.

Be kind to yourself — and others.
We may feel less confident than normal, so I'd suggest leaving love notes around your house to boost your self-esteem. More importantly, stop criticizing your flaws. Give yourself love and compassion — and also practice patience and empathy during the retrograde. Reminder: Energy is contagious and we are all doing the best we can.

Think twice about the bangs.
The only thing you should not do? Get a haircut. Venus rules the hair and it can lead to bad decision-making at the salon. Trust me, I got bangs when Venus was retrograde, and let's just say it wasn't my best styling choice.

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