Venus retrograde in Aries arrived with a bang on March 2nd 2025 – and it’s hard to remember a weekend where diplomacy (Venus) has been so brutal (Aries) or fast to respond to events (Aries). My apologies, but astrology affects the real world, so we need to pay attention. When Venus goes retrograde in this sign, it’s spending an extended time in the realm of Mars. Mars and Venus are often considered the ideal couple, but they are not always a perfect match. This combination can be violent, demanding and difficult. Let’s not forget that the planet of peace is now retrograde in the sign of war.
In this post, I’m going to look at what it means when Venus turns retrograde in this sign. It’s a time when issues of love, desire, wants, relationships, alliances, contracts, agreements, appearances, money and core values come up for inspection. Venus retrograde reminds us of our deepest values. During the retrograde period, you may be reminded of past allegiances, lovers, former material desires – the things you used to cherish – including peace and harmony. With Venus retrograde in Aries, that process will be startling and in your face. And yes, things may seem harsh and unfair.
Venus Retrograde in Aries: The Basics
Venus turned retrograde at 10˚49′ Aries on March 2nd at 00:36 (UT). Venus retrogrades occur every 18 months and, yes, they do last for that biblical time in the wilderness of 40 days and 40 nights. I’m not a religious person but it’s remarkable how regularly that time period occurs in the bible. Jesus spent 40 days and 40 nights fasting in the desert, so it’s appropriate that, this year, Venus retrograde will coincide with both the Christian period of Lent and the Islamic period of Ramadan. It’s traditionally a time to forego food and Venusian indulgences – the things you love. The deepest appreciation is often formed in absence.
This Venus retrograde in Aries occurs at a particularly active time in the heavens. Mercury turns retrograde at 9˚35′ Aries (on March 15th), and there are also two eclipses this month – the lunar eclipse in Virgo on March 14th and the solar eclipse at 8˚53′ Aries on March 29th. Keen readers will have noted that the Venus and Mercury retrogrades and and the solar eclipse occur at virtually the same point in the heavens: 8˚-10˚ Aries is being sensitized, so any of you with planets or points on (or close to) that degree (or in aspect to it) can expect to feel the impact of the retrogrades and solar eclipse more than most.
With Venus retrograde in Aries, events will contain the following themes: difficult relationships, impulsive desires; instant gratification; vanity and ego; making demands. Especially that final point. Venus in Aries is demanding; whatever Venus wants, she wants NOW. This is a self-centered Venus retrograde. Ask yourself this: do your impulses, passions and actions align with your values? Please note, there is always a financial impact with Venus retrograde in Aries; consider how money, self-image, selfish desires and values are connected.
Venus is materially oriented and, during the retrograde period, you may forego many of the material benefits or indulgences you take for granted. If you consciously ‘go without’ during Lent or Ramadan, for example, you will engage with values that go beyond material and physical desire. Even if you’re not religious, during a Venus retrograde period, you may want to get in touch with your values. With Venus retrograde in Aries, your actions (Aries) over the next six weeks may be value driven (Venus).
Venus Retrograde in Aries: The Chart
Venus Retrograde in Aries: The Aspects
The chart for Venus retrograde in Aries provides us with the following information. First, the aspects tell us about the main issues that will arise during the retrograde period and, second, the chart shows us how events will unfold during the Venus retrograde period. Again, you may experience the retrograde period’s main themes in your personal life – if the retrograde makes a significant connection with your chart – and you will definitely see its themes in the media headlines. I’ll deal with the aspects first:
- Moon conjunct Venus in Aries – this is going to be a fiery and emotional Venus retrograde, notable for impulsive, sudden emotional outbursts, rage, anger, tantrums – often childish or selfish in nature. It’s a noisy demanding and needy retrograde period. There will be hurt feelings.
- Venus retrograde in Aries square Mars in Cancer – this is a really angry and vindictive, passive aggressive combination. For example, if assertive demands are refused, the response is often spiteful, bullying or petulant. Mars in Cancer is entirely motivated by feelings and has a deep fear of losing – and that includes loss of face. It’s going to be difficult to see reason during the Venus retrograde period.
- Venus retrograde in Aries sextile Jupiter in Gemini. This aspect makes it easy to give voice to desires, feelings and emotional demands. There is a lot of noise, loud talk and big ideas. Important exchanges, forthright discussions, conversations and negotiations may take place during the Venus retrograde period.
Venus Retrograde in Aries: The Timeline
The aspects have set the tone, but how does the retrograde play out? As Venus turns retrograde it makes contact with several planets as it travels backwards. The critical conjunct aspects it makes on the journey are set out below. Here are the dates for your diary:
- March 2nd: Moon conjunction Venus – see above. This Venus retrograde began with heightened emotions.
- March 12th: Mercury conjunct Venus – there is an urgent need to talk (or a need for urgent talks), or starting negotiations, or dialogue (Mercury) aimed at bringing opposing sides (Venus in Aries) together. This is a quick thinking, responsive and communicative aspect, but Mercury is approaching its own retrograde period, so agreements or contracts may be reversed, rescinded or reconsidered.
- March 23rd: The Sun conjuncts Venus retrograde. The Sun highlights, and it’s likely to highlight an important moment, an important person or both.This is a classic vanity/ego aspect. It shows impulsiveness or risk taking. It highlights creativity and has the potential to forge strong relationships. Financial issues are also in the spotlight.
- March 28th: Venus dips back into Pisces before turning direct on April 13th. As it does so, it conjuncts Neptune, just before Neptune leaves Pisces to enter Aries on March 31st. This is one of those ‘everything changes’ moments that I’ve been writing about for some time. This is (potentially) a ‘broken heart’ (or broken bank account) moment. Betrayal is a good word to keep in mind now.
- April 5th – 10th: Venus conjunction Saturn in Pisces. Saturn brings a reality check. You realise the limitations of an agreement or relationship. It’s also possible to commit to an agreement or relationship at this time. Whatever the Venus retrograde brings to the world – or to you – things get real. Illusion is stripped away and the reality of a relationship (or financial involvement / deception) is revealed.
- April 13th: Venus turns direct in Pisces. Do you know what you really want? There are things you may want to let go – or forget about. It’s time to break down barriers and find common interests. Some things transcend the material world. Be generous – but don’t be played.
- May 1st: Venus direct re-enters Aries. This is the time for new alliances; to act on your values; to negotiate your way across the minefield; to be clear and direct in your desires. To go after what you want with no distraction or doubt.
- May 16th: Venus leaves the final shadow period.
Venus Retrograde in Aries: The Conclusion
The timeline above shows how Venus retrograde in Aries (and Pisces) unfolds. As with any retrograde, events often reach a critical situation that requires re-evaluation before you can move forwards. In both personal and impersonal situations, those dynamics are likely to occur. It’s going to be emotional, hurtful, painful in all senses – and in the heart and bank account most of all. I mentioned the word ‘betrayal’ earlier: values and relationships during this Venus retrograde in Aries period may be not what they seem. Don’t take anything at face (Aries) value (Venus). You may discover all is not fair in love (Venus) and war (Aries).
Also as I mentioned earlier, Venus retrograde in Aries is only one of several astrological events that are taking place this month – I’ll be writing soon on Mercury retrograde in Aries, the lunar and solar eclipses and Neptune’s ingress into Aries. In astrology, as in life, all things are connected. The effects of Venus retrograde in Aries are only part of a much bigger picture; as the process unfolds, the complexity increases. During retrograde periods we have to take some backward steps, but this month is an important stage in an overall process in which there is no turning back – even if there are many issues to be contested on the way.
Further Reading
Lunations 2025 | New Moon in Pisces
March 2025 Horoscope: The Month Ahead
The Astrology of 2025: The Year Ahead (Part One)
Lunations 2025 | Lunar Eclipse in Virgo: Crisis? What Crisis?
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© Sara Shipman 2025
Picture Credit: Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
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