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Restless, flirty Venus in Gemini will be taking things more seriously for the next six weeks. From May 15 to June 27, she’ll be moving backwards (retrograde). This reverse motion is an optical illusion, but its effect on relationships is very real. Venus’s energy will be slowed down and internalized. You may experience this (depending on where Venus retrograde hits your chart) as a re-evaluation of your love life. Venus retrograde is also notorious for bringing up past (karmic) relationships. This will be a time for tidying up loose ends or exploring new options, but not for making romantic commitments. A relationship that appears during Venus retrograde may only last for the duration of this period.
In Gemini (the sign of duality and information) you can expect some or all of the following: re-visiting relationship choices, messages from or about ex-lovers, and the appearance of overlooked/forgotten information. Read on to discover how Venus retrograde will affect your sign.
Cardinal Signs: Aries, Cancer, Libra, Capricorn
Venus-ruled Libra will experience this transit as an internal re-balancing. Your romantic needs, versus what you give to others, will be examined. Venus in Gemini is about choice, and Libra is about comparison. You may find it difficult to make up your mind during this period, but that’s okay. You’re not supposed to. Once this retrograde is over, you’ll have a much clearer picture of what your love life will look like. Planets at any degree of Libra will be impacted, but those between 7-23 degrees will feel it strongly.
For all the Cardinal signs, May 15 to May 31 will bring a supportive trine between Venus retrograde and Saturn retrograde in Libra (although the trine won’t be exact until July 31). This double retrograde aspect will demand that you tie up loose ends in your love life. Past choices and present consequences (including how you treat, or are treated by, partners) will be on the agenda. Making the correct relationship decision will be obvious as taskmaster Saturn whittles your choices down. Planets between 19-23 degrees of the Cardinal signs will be hit by this aspect.
From June 14 to June 20, Venus will form an awkward inconjunct to Pluto retrograde in Capricorn. An inconjunct demands adjustment between two incompatible energies. And once again, two retrograde planets will saturate this aspect with energy from the past. Watch for a no-compromise showdown between romantic decisions (Venus in Gemini) and power (Pluto). You may be pushed to accommodate someone’s rules or relationship agenda. Or, you may try to force your agenda onto someone else. Whichever scenario occurs, it will be a repeat of past relationship patterns. This time you’ll have to decide if you want to break those patterns. Planets between 8-10 degrees of the Cardinal signs will deal with this aspect.
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June 16 to June 20 will bring a flowing sextile from Venus to Uranus in Aries. This will be a harmonious influence, good news if you have planets around 8 degrees of the Cardinal signs. The changes that Uranus in Aries has been stirring up will open some unexpected relationship doors from the past. But Uranus is about the future. Your goal will be to liberate yourself by taking a fresh look at your relationships, and then taking action (Aries). The sextile is such a gentle influence (it functions as a weak trine), that you might miss it if you haven’t been on track with Uranus’s new agenda!
Fixed Signs: Taurus, Leo, Scorpio, Aquarius
This will be a potent time for Taurus because Venus is your ruler. She’ll be asking you to look within, towards your relationship needs, values, and thoughts. It may be difficult to make any forward progress in your love life during this retrograde, so don’t sweat it. Allow yourself to sift through relationship options and collect information. Flexibility is key; are you ready to learn something new (even if it’s a repeat lesson)? Planets at any degree of Taurus will be impacted, but those between 7-23 degrees will be hit hardest.
If you have planets between 7-23 degrees Leo, Venus will sextile them. This will start a gentle re-boot of past relationships. It may be so gentle that you won’t notice it if you’re not paying attention! Sextiles function like weak trines; they are harmonious but need a push to get anything out of them. Pay attention to coincidental meetings or sudden thoughts about an ex whom you haven’t seen for years. Mercury (Gemini’s ruler) will enter your sign on June 25, forming a flirtatious sextile with Venus retrograde. Watch for messages and conversations that quietly ask for your attention. Planets between 0-2 degrees Leo will be affected by this aspect.
Planets between 7-23 degrees Scorpio will be challenged by an inconjunct from Venus. Be prepared to adjust any fixed relationship ideas that are confronted by an ex-lover, fated romantic encounter, or information about a past relationship. You may have to let go of someone (even if they’re just in your head), or ease up on the power plays in a current relationship.
Retrograde periods aren’t always fun, but if you have planets in Aquarius, this one could present some intriguing developments. Venus will form a flowing trine to planets between 7-23 degrees of your sign. Issues with past lovers or relationship decisions may ease into your life. Choices could fall into place, and you’ll see why events unfolded in a certain way. A compelling new romance with a “Haven’t we met before?” quality might appear.
Mutable Signs: Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces
For Gemini, Venus in your sign might result in attracting multiple romantic options. But Venus retrograde can make you think twice about who you’ve attracted. You may feel like going it alone during this transit, so you can process what’s happened so far. Or, you may be reunited with an ex-lover. Whether the relationship is from this life or a previous one, know that there’s unfinished business that needs to wrapped up. If you have planets between 7-23 degrees Gemini, you’ll experience the full impact of this transit.
For all the Mutable signs, Venus square Mars in Virgo (June 1 to June 4) will present some challenging scenarios. Correct actions versus white lies and the pressure to choose can crank up the frustration. Discussions will be key, because Mercury (the planet of communication) rules both Virgo and Gemini. She’ll also unite with Mercury in Gemini on June 1, stirring up conflicting opinions. Talk with your partner, express your desires, and be as specific as possible. Planets between 15-18 degrees of the Mutable signs will be strongly impacted.
Venus will pass over the face of the Sun on June 5. This rare eclipse can trigger a major turning point in your love life. You could end a cycle involving a contentious ex-lover or questionable romantic choices. For some, this could mark the entrance of a major relationship from a past life. The Venus/Sun alignment will occur at 15 degrees Gemini. You’ll feel it most strongly if you have Mutable planets within 1 or 2 degrees of this point.
June 15 to June 27 will feature a painful square from Venus to Chiron (the Wounded Healer) at 9 degrees Pisces, and then Neptune retrograde at 3 degrees Pisces. Romantic lies and disappointments may be sticky and overwhelming. Venus’s retrograde will be finishing up so the energy will be quite intense. You’ll feel pushed to get to the truth (whether you want it or not). Neptune’s romantic illusions and Chiron’s painful revelations will be confronted. Remember that Pisces’ energy includes forgiveness and letting go. Use it to accelerate into the Venus direct period with a clean slate. Mutable planets between 3-9 degrees will be strongly impacted.
Venus retrograde in Gemini will have lessons for all the signs. As she retraces her steps, look at the choices you’ve made in your romantic life. Evaluate, but save the final decisions for when she goes direct.
Are you ready for Venus retrograde in Gemini? Let us know what romantic issues arise for you in comments below.