Venus Retrograde in Leo 2023: Fierce Self-Love

Journeying with Venus Retrograde in Leo

Introduction

Every two years, we embark on a beautiful journey with Venus as she takes us through her captivating spiral in the sky. Each time, it is a different experience, offering new lessons and depths to explore. Venus retrograde periods are an opportunity to retrieve the gifts we may have lost along the way. This summer, we find ourselves in the heartfelt sign of Leo, ready to embark on this beautiful journey with Venus. As we gather here, let us reflect on the affirmations shared by Lina in the chat. Perhaps we can write them on post-it notes and keep them as reminders throughout the summer.

Understanding Venus Retrograde

During Venus retrograde periods, Venus is in motion from the western to the eastern horizon. Pre-retrograde, we observe her in the western sky at sunset. However, once every two years, she undergoes a transformation. She leaves the sky, seemingly descending beneath the earth, only to rise again on the eastern horizon at dawn. Venus serves as both the Evening Star and the Morning Star, and the retrograde period represents her transition from the gentle Evening Star to the fiery warrior Morning Star. This is the journey Venus will take us on from now until October.

Ancient Myths and Symbolism

The ancient Sumerians held the goddess Inanna in high esteem, associating her with the planet Venus. She embodied various aspects; lover, warrior, stateswoman. Inanna’s story is intertwined with the cycle of Venus, representing her descent into the underworld, gaining wisdom, and ascending again. This descent lasts for 40 days, during which time Inanna disappears from the evening sky, only to rise once more in the east. In the underworld, she encounters her abandoned sister and becomes one with her, rescuing her from darkness. This myth serves as a metaphor for the journey we undertake with Venus during her retrograde, discovering and integrating abandoned aspects of ourselves.

Modern Psychological Interpretation

In psychological terms, Venus's journey can be seen as shadow work—a process of embracing the abandoned parts of ourselves. This work involves self-love, self-compassion, and self-forgiveness, allowing us to integrate these forgotten aspects into our identity. It's not solely about traumatic experiences; it can also include forgotten gifts, unseen qualities, or behaviours that hinder us. Venus retrograde offers an opportunity to engage in this shadow work and reclaim our power. By renewing, reviewing, and releasing patterns related to Venus issues such as love, money, values, relationships, beauty, and balance, we embark on a personal underworld journey.

The Work of Venus Retrograde in Leo

During this Venus retrograde, our focus is on the sign of Leo, which brings forth themes of self-love, self-worth, self-expression, heart, courage, and visibility. This is an empowering transit, inviting us to embrace radical self-love. It calls us to love ourselves unconditionally and ferociously. The work involves renewing, reviewing, and releasing patterns related to Leo energy, which includes our Leo house in the natal chart. Additionally, all houses ruled by Venus—Libra and Taurus—are influenced by this retrograde.

Key Dates and Repeating Cycles

Several key dates mark the journey of Venus retrograde in Leo:

On June 5, Venus entered Leo, shining brightly in the sky.
On June 19, she entered her shadow, signaling the beginning of the retrograde journey.
The significant day of July 22 marks the retrograde station, initiating the 40-day retreat into the underworld.
On August 6, Venus disappears from the evening sky, visually embarking on her journey.
August 13 is a magical day when Venus meets the sun, offering important revelations and illuminations.
August 20 marks the Venus Morningstar apparition, symbolizing completion of the journey.
September 3 marks the direct station, and on
October 7, Venus leaves her shadow, concluding the retrograde period.

The Impact on Your Life

The retrograde journey will primarily affect your Leo house in the natal chart, as Venus moves back and forth through the degrees of 12º-28º Leo. However, it also influences houses ruled by Venus—Taurus and Libra. If you have placements between 12º and 28º degrees of Leo or any of the fixed signs (Aquarius, Taurus, Scorpio), this retrograde will have a significant impact. It is important to note that this is an empowering transit, and there is no need for worry. The challenges encountered during this period are life-enhancing and bring more love, balance, and beauty into our lives.

Repeating Cycles and Echoes

Venus retrograde in Leo is not a repetition of past events. Instead, it offers echoes of the inner transformation that occurred during previous retrogrades in Leo. Reflecting on the years when Venus was retrograde in Leo—2015, 2007, 1999, 1991, 1983, and 1975—allows us to explore the connecting threads and gain awareness of what to expect this August. It is essential to focus on the subtle shifts and inner growth rather than external events.

Embracing the Beauty of Cycles

Astrology, at its core, is about understanding and embodying cycles. Nature teaches us the beauty of repetition, as seen in day and night, the seasons, and the phases of the moon. Astrology empowers us to embrace the cyclical nature of life and deepen our understanding of ourselves and others. The Venus retrograde in Leo calls us to embark on an inner journey of self-compassion and self-love, mirroring the beauty of the Venus rose. By connecting with the cycles, we can move with greater ease and intuition through our lives, transforming frustrating challenges into playful and empowering experiences.