When Venus revisits Aries from April 30th to June 5th, double down on going after what you want. After dipping back into Pisces during its retrograde journey, the planet of love and beauty is getting another adrenaline rush in the sign of the ram. For this second go-round, put into practice what you’ve learned about being courageous with your creative pursuits and your crushes. Whether you’re experimenting with radical honesty on a first date or with bolder choices in your wardrobe, keep nudging yourself out of your comfort zone. You have to play new games to win new prizes.

Venus is anything but demure in this Mars-ruled fire sign. Think: the feeling we get when something is so adorable we want to gobble it up (metaphorically, of course). But this kind of assertiveness doesn’t always come naturally to a planet concerned with grace and diplomacy. Venus is traditionally considered to be in detriment in Aries, meaning it struggles to access its usual tact in this placement. Just remember that a little friction or frustration is par for the course during this transit. Then again, busting romantic clichés and defying stale aesthetic conventions is half the fun. Matters of the heart demand bravery, after all, and the coming weeks dare us to zero in on our passions — relentlessly.

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After reclaiming its fighting spirit in Aries, Venus is ready for a spa day. From March 27th to April 30th, the planet of love and beauty re-enters Pisces, the sign of its exaltation — a harbor where Venus feels in its flow and fully resourced. But this homecoming isn’t just a straightforward Hollywood ending, so go easy on the rose petals. Venus is still retrograde in this mutable water sign, where our focus shifts from relearning conflict strategies to retrieving our intuitive powers. If you’re feeling burnt out from the fierce inner scrutiny you braved when Venus stationed retrograde in fiery Aries, give yourself space to process the hard-edged truths you’ve uncovered. Spend extra time savoring that algae face mask. And extend yourself boatloads of compassion if this underworld journey has depleted your energy — or frayed your last shred of patience.

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Plug those leaks

Venus’ return to the sign of the unabashed romantic is an opportunity to reinforce any boundaries that still feel porous as you reconnect with the muses within. But a word of caution: Escapist tendencies or daydreams about “the one that got away” can distract from our inner work when Venus is retrograde in idealistic Pisces. We can also get swept away by crushes, budding friendships, or mesmerizing new art projects without registering how far we’ve drifted from the shoreline. And yes, this is a time when old flames and frenemies can slither out of the woodwork and lure you with even more elaborate promises than before. Rally the support of your group chat before sending a text you might regret the morning after.

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Venus stations direct: Soak up what you’ve learned

Though the temptation of total immersion may be strong, it can quickly tip into self-abandonment if we’re not careful. When Venus stations direct on April 12th, matters of the heart will feel less murky, but it’s worth giving yourself time to integrate the pearls of wisdom that have risen to the surface. Over the coming weeks, remember what Venus retrograde taught you in assertive Aries, and interrogate moments when you lose yourself in another person’s agenda instead of prioritizing your own needs. Whether you take a time-out to regulate your system or vet new friends and lovers with probing questions about shared values, don’t be afraid to burst some bubbles with the tools and tactics that help you feel emotionally safe. The connections that honor your deep wells of sensitivity aren’t boring; they’re the most enchanting of all.

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When Venus travels through Aries from February 3rd to March 27th, our hearts are in it to win it. Whether you’re putting your cards on the table with a crush, bringing a competitive edge to your flirt-a-thons, exploring a new art form that quickens your pulse, or communicating your desires more frankly than ever, relish the adrenaline rush.

The planet of love and beauty is anything but demure in this Mars-ruled fire sign. Think: the feeling we get when something is so adorable we want to gobble it up (metaphorically, of course). But this kind of assertiveness doesn’t always come naturally to a planet concerned with grace and diplomacy. Venus is traditionally considered to be in detriment in Aries, meaning it struggles to access its usual tact in this placement. Just remember that a little friction or frustration is par for the course during this transit. Then again, busting romantic clichés and playing against stale aesthetic conventions is half the fun. Matters of the heart demand bravery, after all, and the coming weeks double-dare us to zero in on our passions — relentlessly.

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Venus retrograde: review, reignite, reclaim

But not so fast. Venus in Aries may be raring to wear a head-turning outfit or gate-crash the local art scene, but a slowdown is on the horizon. On March 1st, Venus stations retrograde in the sign of the ram, foreshadowing a horn-lock or two. During a Venus retrograde, which happens once every 18 months, our pleasure centers can go offline. The planet of love appears to turn backward in the sky and slips into the underworld for 40 days and 40 nights. So if an important relationship loses its luster, if your creative spark seems dimmer than usual, or if everything in your wardrobe suddenly ceases to conjure delight, know that this is all normal — and temporary.

Venus’ retrograde through Aries may be uncomfortable, but it’s an invitation to rediscover your personal convictions and pierce through the stories and patterns that have undermined your agency. At the same time, this period is a potent opportunity to reconnect with your inner warrior. Though this subterranean journey may not be straightforward, Venus’ retrograde in Aries will help us all delve into our deepest caves and tap into the resources that will energize us to love boldly, connect courageously, and keep fighting together for the world we want to live in.

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