Venus Retrograde in Leo
July 22 – September 3, 2023
Approximately every 18 months, Venus stations retrograde for approximately six weeks, and this year she does so in the sign of the Lion.
When Venus is in Leo, we take a strong personal interest in our pleasure, and that include romance, hobbies, creativity, entertainment, social events and anything else that makes us laugh, ignites our passion and makes us feel alive.
Once Venus is retrograde, that interest becomes internalized and we find ourselves reconsidering their value in our lives, including whether or not they’re worth the time, energy and money we invest in them.
Generally speaking, while Venus is retrograde it’s best to avoid spending money on big ticket items unless they’re necessary. It’s not that they turn out to be defective (that’s Mercury retrograde which makes its debut next month). It’s that they don’t hold their value. Either we feel we overpaid or the thrill wears off quickly and they no longer excite us.
And that can apply to romances as well. In fairness, that happens when Venus isn’t retrograde, though I will say you’re more likely to hear from an old flame (even if it’s just news about them) when Venus is moving backwards.
And speaking of romance, there’s a karmic purpose to relationships that are rekindled at this time. Sometimes it’s about closure, but sometimes it’s about getting it right. Over the years, I’ve seen scores of couples reunite at this time and while some ended up walking away from each other for good, many of them endure to this day.
Although to a lesser extent, I can say that same thing about new relationships. Some turn out to be a karmic test to see if the person is going to fall for a narcissist again or if they learned their lesson. If they walk away, the next date they have might just be with “the one.”
Others turn out to be a karmic contract, and while I will say that some contracts have tough lessons attached, I have seen my share of happy endings for Venus retrograde couples.
Besides love and money, Venus rules beauty and self-worth, and when she’s in Leo few can match her level of self-confidence. Except when she’s retrograde.
And that’s because when Venus in Leo looks inward, she doesn’t always care for the reflection she sees in the mirror. Like it or not, Leo is a vain sign, and during the entire retrograde cycle, she insists she doesn’t look her best.
That’s why why cosmetic procedures and new hairstyles, makeup, hair color or even wardrobes don’t pan out while Venus is retrograde. While it may not turn out to be a disaster, it does nothing for us. Not only are we disappointed in the results, but we also feel it was a waste of our money.
As Venus transits retrograde in Leo during the next six weeks, she encourages us to discern who and what really matters to us. If we heed her call, we can expect to emerge from this cycle with well-defined priorities, a greater sense of self-worth and a clear understanding of what inspires our joy.
