When a planet is retrograde, it appears to move backward in the sky from our Earthly perspective—like when you’re on a train, and the one next to you starts moving, making you feel like you’re the one going in reverse. Venus does this dance every 18 months for about 40 days, shaking up love, money, and beauty in its wake.

But here’s the thing—having Venus retrograde in your birth chart? That’s a whole different story.

Wait… How Rare Is A Natal Venus Retrograde?

Only about 7% of people are born during Venus retrograde. So if you’ve got this in your chart, congrats—you’re part of an exclusive astrological club.

Unlike the temporary retrograde transits (which mess with everyone’s love life every year and a half), a natal Venus retrograde imprints a lifelong flavor on how you experience relationships, self-worth, and even money.

How Venus Rx Usually Manifests

  • Love and relationships feel more complicated, with recurring themes of misunderstandings, delays, or missed connections
  • Strong tendency to romanticize past relationships or ex-partners, making it harder to fully move on
  • Attracts unconventional, karmic, or “star-crossed” romantic connections that challenge personal growth
  • Often questions self-worth in relationships – may stay too long in unsatisfying situations or feel undeserving of love
  • Develops unique, sometimes contradictory tastes in partners that don’t fit societal norms
  • Financial patterns include boom-and-bust cycles, difficulty maintaining consistent savings, or money tied to relationships
  • Expresses affection in subtle or indirect ways that partners might misunderstand
  • Has a distinctive personal style that evolves dramatically over time, often incorporating vintage or nostalgic elements
  • Creative talents frequently involve reworking, revising, or rediscovering old ideas in new ways
  • Feels an odd disconnect between what they intellectually value and what they emotionally desire
  • May experience significant shifts in values and priorities regarding love/money throughout life
  • Often needs alone time to process feelings before being able to express them in relationships
  • Tends to learn about love through difficult experiences rather than smooth sailing
  • Has a love life that seems to operate on its own mysterious timeline, defying conventional expectations

Bonus: Some astrologers link natal Venus Rx to past-life ties or soul contracts in relationships.

How Venus Retrograde In Your Birth Chart Affects Love

If Venus was moonwalking in the sky when you were born, your love life probably doesn’t follow the “typical” script.

  • You’re introspective about relationships—you don’t just fall in love; you analyze it.
  • You might attract (or be drawn to) unconventional partners—the kind of relationships that make others raise an eyebrow.
  • Past loves linger in your mind longer than most. You don’t just move on; you reflect, reassess, and sometimes revisit.

I’ve noticed (and so have many astrologers) that people with Venus retrograde often face more hurdles in love—breakups that hit harder, feelings of unworthiness, or relationships that fizzle out unexpectedly. Some astrologers even compare natal Venus retrograde to Venus in the 12th House—like love feels just out of reach, something you witness but don’t always get to hold onto.

But here’s the flip side: You love deeply. You just do it on your own terms. You are..different.

Self-Worth & Values: The Hidden Struggle

Venus rules what we value—both in ourselves and in life. If yours was retrograde at birth:

Money can be a weird spot—either you ignore it until it’s a problem, or you swing between splurging and extreme frugality.

You might question your worth more than others, especially in relationships. (Ever felt like you “don’t deserve” love or success? Yeah, that’s Venus retrograde whispering doubts.)

You reject superficial standards of beauty or status. Your style? Probably unique. Your taste? Unapologetically you.

The Creative Superpower

Here’s where Venus retrograde shines: Your creativity isn’t like anyone else’s.

Nostalgia isn’t just a feeling for you; it’s inspiration.

You see beauty in unexpected places—old films, vintage fashion, forgotten art.

You express love indirectly—through art, music, or even how you curate your space.

Money

Venus retrograde in your birth chart can impact your finances and money management in some interesting ways. Venus rules over values, pleasures, and material comforts, so when it’s retrograde at your birth, it can indicate themes around money that may come up repeatedly in your life.

  • Overspending: There can be a tendency to spend money impulsively on things that bring you pleasure in the moment. However, this spending may not provide lasting value.
  • Issues with money and relationships: Venus rules relationships, so with it retrograde at birth, money and finances can become entangled with close personal bonds.
  • Fluctuating income: Income levels may vary more than the average person, with periods of more and less money coming in.
  • Attracting debt: With Venus’ retrograde motion, debt repayment and management of loans may require extra effort and discipline.

Final Thoughts: Own Your Venus Retrograde

Yes, Venus retrograde in your birth chart can make love, money, and self-worth feel like a cosmic puzzle. But here’s the big BUT:

  • You don’t love like everyone else—and that’s your strength.
  • Your unconventional taste is what makes you magnetic.
  • The “challenges”? They’re just invitations to go deeper.

So instead of seeing it as a curse, think of it as your secret edge. You weren’t meant for surface-level connections anyway.

(And hey—if you’re checking someone’s chart and see Venus retrograde, especially in a woman’s chart… yeah, you know that’s where the real story is.)

Last Update: May 26, 2025