Venus Retrograde in Leo. 07/22/2023 - 09/03/2023
Everything I know, I know because of love.” - Leo Tolstoy
Venus retrograde in Leo starts on July 22nd at the 28th degree and this is one of the most anticipated and needed periods for so many. Venus retrograde happens every 18 months and for decades the retrogrades happen in the same 5 signs repeatedly ( currently they take place in Aries, Gemini, Leo, Scorpio and Capricorn), occasionally dipping into the sign next to it for a brief moment. Last time we had Venus Retrograde in Leo (with a dip into Virgo) was from July 25th ( 0º degrees of Virgo) to September 6th ( 14º degrees of Leo) in 2015. This time around the whole retrograde falls in the sign of Leo completely. The vector of our attention is very clear, find the house where Leo falls in your chart, the focus is there.
Astrology is a study of cycles, and if we look back at the summer of 2015 and reflect on the themes and events that took place back then, we may understand the underlying message of the Venus Rx in Leo for us. With that said we shouldn’t expect the same exact events to happen, a lot of the aspects surrounding this Venus retrograde are very different, they are sharper and more testy. We now have Uranus and Jupiter in Taurus squaring Venus retrograde adding a quality of abrupt changes and sudden redirections. And let’s not forget about black Moon Lilith in Leo, as she is going to make this retrograde a true journey through the shadow into the light.
Venus retrogrades are periods of deep internal realignment, they are doorways to the root of what we consciously or unconsciously magnetize into our reality. Venus watches over the domain of what is sweet and what we crave, both literally and metaphorically. The satisfaction is what Venus desires, pleasures of the body, sex and food, pleasures of the mind, harmony and art, pleasures that come only through surrender to the authenticity of our needs. Venus through different signs has different trigger points, in Leo this is about the need to be seen for who we are, both intimately and on a larger scale.
Venus in Leo in its highest form is the pleasure of the creativity that flows from the internal Sun, it is independence of the light, it is about the responsibility for the cultivation of one’s inner fire. Whatever is going to orbit you during this time is for you to re-awaken to the Sun within. There is love and abundance and pleasure, when we take responsibility for the talents we all possess. Our gifts, our unique ways of showing up in this world deserve respect, honor and dedication. Venus retrograde is an opportunity to dedicate yourself to what is eternal, to the desires of your heart. It will require taking up space and declaring to the world about the beauty you are going to inject into it. We are now cultivating courage of the heart to love again, to be radically wholesome and to protect the ideals we value the most.
Venus rules over our relationship dynamics, with lovers, friends, family and clients. It is commonly known to be a time of comebacks, but we need to understand the purpose of anyone or anything coming back into our life, as the purpose is often greater crystallization of one’s true needs and desires, it is an opportunity for correction, for clarity and maybe for closure. This can go both ways, towards final dissolution or a new beginning, observe, but do not act during this time. This doesn’t have to be a romantic situation, creative opportunity, work connections and family members we have lost touch with returning into our lives are all possibilities. Whatever comes back is asking you to pay attention to the messages of resonance you are seeking or the lack of it.
If you have any of the points included below, this Venus Retrograde is especially significant for you.
If you have prominent Leo placement between 11º and 29º degrees, especially Sun, Moon, Venus or Rising.
If you have prominent placements between 11º and 29º degrees of the Fixed Cross (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius)
If you are ruled by Venus ( Libra and Taurus Risings)
If Venus is the Lord of your year ( through annual Profections)
Happy Venus Retrograde, Lovers!