Venus—the planet of beauty, love, and all things which we value— begins retrograde course in 21° Gemini on May 13 until June 25.

Venus retrograde occurs the least of any planet in our solar system. Mercury retrogrades 3-4 times a year for 2-3 weeks, whereas Venus only retrogrades about every 18-19 months for about 42 days.

No need for the wide eyes on whether your crush or relationship will thrive or dive at this time.

Venus isn’t just limited to love or romance, or does it’s retrograde period necessarily cause breakups, job losses, or make you lonely. Strong relationships and friendships find deeper meaning based on what physically connects them, whereas weaker ones may be put to the ultimate test.

… and while it may sound bleh, Venus retrograde actually couldn’t have come at a better time than now.

In short, Venus Rx pushes us to take what we value much more seriously. The notorious 2020 Saturn-Pluto conjunction is crumbling the societal foundations we’ve based everything we value around. Now that a pandemic has forced changed on personal and collective scales, many of us are trying to find a way forward with clarity and meaning.

Mars and Neptune in Pisces squaring off with the True Node and Venus Rx in Gemini is pushing us to pursue the careers, friendships, houses, styles, and partners of our dreams, yet we may feel stricken with confusion on what we truly want or how to realistically get there. Thankfully Venus Rx offers us the creative downloads we need without relying so much on the rose-colored glasses.

As the True Node joins Venus in Gemini on May 5, this year’s Venus retrograde is all about fated soul mate encounters. We’re bound to have a blast from our past— whether it’s in areas of romance, business partnerships, friendships, creative pursuits, or anything which offers something specific yet valuable on our soul’s journey. The house it’s in for each zodiac sign will largely tell which sector is most affected.

The following Venus retroscopes are good for both Sun and rising signs, so be sure to check both for further insight on your personal situation. To generate your personal chart, I recommend either Astro-Charts or Astrotheme.

Here’s detailed Venus retrograde horoscopes for each sign:

Aries/Aries Rising

Every ram has its horns, Aries. As the season shifts into Taurus and Gemini season, the vitality of your season dwindling may have you feeling more depressed, sedated, or more frustrated than you’d like to be. Venus backtracks in your 3rd house house of communication and learning, however, so you may encounter new networks or an opportunity to catch up with an old friend that’ll pull you out of this creative block you’ve been experiencing.

The Sun is lighting up your 2nd house of finance and self-esteem and 3rd house of communication, so offerings or opportunities on making money and being seen are in the works. You may feel blessed, yet you have likely been shifting what you value in recent months to where you may not be sure whether growth in this area means anything to you.

Mars and Neptune hanging out in your 12th house of self-undoing, mental health, and spirituality could have you stuck in a daze of what could be. You can healthily channel this energy through dabbling into a creative outlet you may have neglected in the past, as this may bear a lot of fruit post retrograde. Still pat yourself on the back for what you’ve done thus far, Aries.

Taurus/Taurus Rising

Enough of the bull, Taurus. You kick off this retrograde cycle with Venus in your 2nd house of finances and self-esteem along with the Sun in your 1st house of self, appearance, and new beginnings. Single or taken, your love sector won’t necessarily take a hit but will slow down more than you’re used to. This retrograde may require you to focus on yourself to find this sense of liberation you’ve sought for a while now.

Uranus and Mercury are sparking up your 1st house as well, whereas Jupiter and Pluto are camped in your 5th house of creativity, casual romance, and entertainment. You’re evolving into your more eccentric yet authentic self, but you first need to show up as yourself through your style, expressions, and first impressions. To include attracting people in your life who truly understand and accept you. For those with new partners, this means finding a way to truly express yourself so they can understand you so you can both connect on an enriching level.

It doesn’t have to require new people or love interests (unless you want this), but a little you time could do you a lot of good. Especially if you feel your sense of security is at stake or your worth is built in the time spent with others, as many of you have been navigating through relationship beginnings and endings. It’s advisable not to give exes or old business partnerships any second thought unless it’s ultimately for closure (or to get your $#* back).

Gemini/Gemini Rising

A little chaos ain’t gotta hurt nobody, Gemini. Venus is having a ball in your 1st house of self, appearance, and new beginnings. The Sun kicks off in your 12th house of self-undoing and mental health until you ring in your season when it joins Venus in your 1st house as well. Whether it’s your hoes or beaus, the self-transformation that’s to follow you the next few years is likely to coincide with your romance sector.

The True Node joins Venus in your 1st house as well, so now the South Node is in your 7th house of relationships, partnerships, and exchanges. Depending on love status, you may either encounter a soulmate connection, find one in an existing partner, or crave one that is felt within reach. Strong relationships should do just fine, but expect this retrograde to serve as a hallmark for any challenges in the coming months.

Regardless, this retrograde is offering you the creative downloads needed to reinvent yourself through your style or appearance. Perhaps the void you feel is you not exploring your creative side or personal truth enough, as Saturn is in your 9th house of expansion and long distance travel with Mars in your 10th house of career and public image. Just be sure to not jump the gun with entering or leaving a romantic situation. Put the work into your personal presentation— that’s where it’ll really count.

Cancer/Cancer Rising

Turn that clown upside down, Cancer. Venus paces through your 12th house of mental health and self-undoing, so you may experience uncomfortable revelations pertaining to a current relationship, companionship, living situation, or business partner. Perhaps they may act more distant or inconsistent, whereas more romantic or emotionally invested situations may press you to ultimately take care of your needs first.

With Jupiter and Pluto in your 7th house of relationships, old behaviors or other tendencies may be resurfacing from a partner or love interest. Likely resulting from a rushed or unusual situation. Perhaps a new love situation is allowing you to feel more like yourself again to where you have to overcome self-sabotaging tendencies from past relationships. For others, you could simply crave more independence and creative freedom that someone or something jeopardizes. Whether it has to do with relocating, career advancement, or learning something new.

The Sun joins Venus in your 12th house until closer to end of retrograde when it goes into your 1st house of new beginnings, self, and appearance. Now’s a good time to shed the remnants of your old self so you can move forward lightly and freely. Experiment with your appearance and style so it’s consistent with what you want. Lots of blessings are on the way for you. You need to be ready when it rings the doorbell.

Leo/Leo Rising

You’re being taken back to a place where you once shined, Leo. As Venus backtracks in your 11th house of social media and contribution, you may feel more connected and presentable than you have been in recent months. Taurus season may have offered a confidence boost in your career sector, so now’s the time to step back and see where you are versus how far you’ve come.

Now’s a time to connect with certain people or groups you may not have once considered. The Sun starts in your 10th house of career and public image until joining Venus and the True Node in the 11th house. You may encounter new likeminded groups that’ll pull you out of this creative block or sense of insecurity that’s gotten in the way of your work or relationships. Perhaps they’re connected to a new career opportunity, promotion, or has potential to do so.

Mars moves into your 8th house of commitment and joint resources during retrograde. Keep in mind not to demand too much from your partner, as Saturn is slowing down your 7th house of relationships. Some of you may have to troubleshoot a relationship issue, perhaps around social media or work. Others may experience a sudden delay in seeing your partner. Whatever it is, be attentive even if you aren’t in attendance. This juju will soon pass.

Virgo/Virgo Rising

Not even Venus retrograde can stop your come up, Virgo. Venus backtracks in your 10th house of career and public image, where the Sun and True Node eventually joins in. Though your grind isn’t at a halt, expect steadier movement in this area. You could be anticipating huge opportunities— but first, you need to put your critical eye to work and to double check your work, health, and other upcoming plans.

This could have to do with relocating, publishing, or travel plans, as the Sun and Uranus join in your 9th house of expansion and travel. Expect a lot of passion or heated conflict with any love interest or partner, as Mars is descending in your 7th house of relationships and partnerships. It could have to do with social distancing or your unavailability (or too much of it). Thankfully this has potential to cover any issues that you two overlooked in the past, to include ample opportunity to healthily deal with it to where your relationship grows.

Jupiter and Pluto in your 5th house of creativity, casual romance, and entertainment could resurface creative ideas that you may have neglected earlier on. Explore this, as it can sprout into something new and enduring. If you’re feeling irritable for no reason, then check in with your health and diet. Saturn is cruising through your 6th house of health and lifestyle, so be diligent in this area to keep up your progress.

Libra/Libra Rising

This retrograde is a whole lot of ‘blah’ for you, Libra. Venus backtracks in your 9th house of expansion, higher education, and travel— also joining the Sun and True Node. Whether it’s canceled travel plans, recently graduating, a publishing opportunity, relocating, or your schooling interrupted from the pandemic, you could feel more pressure than usual to show for something in your career sector.

As Saturn cruises through your 5th house of creativity, entertainment, and casual romance, it’s advisable to not expend too much of your time and energy on people or interests that don’t matter long term. Now’s the time to get into focus and touch up your resume, professional headshot, LinkedIn profile, or anything you can show for down the road. Creative experimentation will only do good if it’s in pursuit of your goals rather than as a distraction.

Mars is powering your 6th house to of health, lifestyle, and daily work, so thankfully you may feel more motivated to stay in shape, find a job, or shake up your diet. Huge career shifts are happening for you. You just have to get in your rhythm and return yourself to normalcy.

Scorpio/Scorpio Rising

You’re being asked to go ahead and take control, Scorpio. Venus backtracks in your 8th house of commitment and shared resources— joining the Sun and True Node. Whether it’s codependency (on yours or someone else’s behalf) to reconsidering a commitment you’ve made in recent months around a job, relationship, or family matter may come to light.

Many of you are in transition to a new job, level up in a relationship such as marriage or engagement, perhaps considering relocation. Some of you may have canceled plans around a job, engagement, or anything related to where it’s anxiety inducing. Saturn in the 4th house of family, home, and upbringing is asking you to slow down and double check any travel, wedding, or work plans.

Mars is powering through your 5th house of creativity, casual romance, and entertainment, so you could feel a bit hasty from the lockdowns and not being as productive as you’d like. Maybe instead of stressing out because you can’t show up for everyone else, show up for yourself this time. Your creativity has been a focus for you lately. Venus just might bless you with the downloads you need to channel this, as it’ll act as a catalyst for the exciting opportunities to come.

Sagittarius/Sagittarius Rising

Get ready to spice up your love life and living spaces, Sagittarius. Venus is chillin’ in your 7th house of relationships, partnerships, and exchanges— joining the Sun and True Node. Perhaps you’ve been too busy with work and finances to invest more into your relationships or friendships. Or vise versa, a lack thereof is resulting in too much time with someone or being alone.

As Jupiter and Pluto cruises your 2nd house of finances and self-esteem, you may notice a sudden sense of insecurity around a relationship of any kind surface from the past. This could also be from loneliness and social distancing. For stronger relationships, it could simply unveil certain financial habits on your partner’s (or your own) behalf. Perhaps a few heated arguments may arise and bring attention to other issues.

Thankfully you’ll work through this energy just fine. Mars in the 4th house of home, family, and upbringing makes it a great time for home improvement, spring cleaning, decorating, or anything that reduces stress in your living environment. Mercury and Uranus are in your 6th house of health, lifestyles, and mundane life. Tag teaming a certain lifestyle goal alongside your partner or friend can alleviate any emotional complications during this retrograde.

Capricorn/Capricorn Rising

Time to practice what you preach, Capricorn. Venus passes through your 6thhouse of health, lifestyle, and mundane life—joining the Sun and True Node. As we close out the nodal cycle in your sign, your overall energy is shifting towards your physical and mental health. Now’s the time to release anything from the last few years that’s weighed on you in areas of your health, relationships, and living environment.

Mars powering the 3rd house of technology, communication, and learning suggests you’re open to any resources you can use in this area. Jupiter and Pluto in your 1st house of self, appearance, and new beginnings is asking you to bring yourself back to center. You need to check back in with what you know is best for you, as you may have lost some parts of yourself from potent transformations over the last couple years.

Saturn in your 2nd house of finances and self-esteem is reminding you to not assign yourself so much pressure. Be wary of your financial investments during this period, though you could also receive a lot of recognition and pay bonuses in the upcoming future given you balance the work invested in your well-being and in what’s around you.

Aquarius/Aquarius Rising

Time to smell the roses, Aquarius. Venus cruises through your 5th house of creativity, casual romance, and entertainment. You could have sudden revelations on what you’ve been doing with yourself— perhaps in respect to a new hobby, interest, partner, or even children.

This retrograde is bringing your attention to your financial and family sector, as random shakeups with Mercury and Uranus in your 4th house of family and living environment are pushing you to reconsider how self-sufficient you are in this area— whether it’s financial, social, or emotional. Saturn in the 1st house of self, appearance, and new beginnings also suggests a need to reclaim a sense of independence you may have felt you lost. Also note Venus rules fertility, and this can mean increased chance of unexpected pregnancies (whether you are or aren’t trying to conceive).

Mars powering through your 2nd house of finances and self-esteem, thankfully, will offer motivation on how you’ll pursue your goals moving forward. Venus is empowering your creative sector, so nows a time to think back on something you enjoy and are quite exceptional in. Perhaps you have to consider how you’ll increment changes in your life. Remember anything can be a career or make you money if you’re just willing to show up and market yourself to the cause.

Pisces/Pisces Rising

Venus could have you a bit goo goo gaga, Pisces. Venus paces through your 4th house of family, home, and living environment. Many of you have recently moved due to a ending lease, career change, or to move back home. For others, the desire to be with family or to start your own is empowering your love and career sectors.

Whether it’s engagement, marriage, or new beginnings in relationships overall, the exciting rush of the new in your life may have come faster than you can process mentally, emotionally, and even financially. Career transitions and new beginnings could have you feeling less secure in your money, as Saturn in your 2nd house of finances and self-esteem may indicate obstacles or slow movement in this area.

Double check any pre-purchases, pre-funded travel, bills, or anything related from pre-retrograde and ensure you square your financial obligations away. Mars powering through your 1st house of self, appearance, and new beginnings thankfully lessens the self-sabotaging tendencies— though you should also avoid any self-destructive behaviors during this time.