Venus Retrograde: What It Means, How to Read One, and the 2026 Schedule
Quick Reference: Venus Retrograde
- Frequency: every 18 months, on average.
- Duration: about 40 days.
- Astrological themes: relationships, money, beauty, art, values.
- Traditional advice: avoid starting new romantic relationships, major aesthetic decisions, major financial moves.
- Recommended: review, revisit, and repair.
- Next Venus retrograde: see schedule below.
Venus retrograde is one of the less frequent but more consequential planetary retrogrades in astrology. Unlike Mercury, which goes retrograde 3-4 times per year, Venus retrogrades only once every 18 months, but for about 40 days at a stretch. The theme is consistent: a deep review of relationships, money, values, and aesthetics. Here is what Venus retrograde traditionally means, how to read it, and the upcoming schedule.
What Venus Rules
Venus governs love and partnership, beauty and art, money and financial values, and what we find pleasurable. When Venus appears to move backward in the sky (an optical illusion of orbital geometry), astrological tradition reads these themes as needing review rather than fresh action.
Traditional Advice During Venus Retrograde
The classical reading is that Venus retrograde periods are times to review and revise rather than to commit to new directions.
- Avoid: starting a new romantic relationship, making major aesthetic decisions (haircut, tattoo, redecorating), big financial moves, signing partnership contracts.
- Embrace: reviewing existing relationships, reconnecting with people from the past, finishing artistic projects, reviewing budgets, releasing what no longer reflects your values.
- Watch for: exes resurfacing, unexpected reconnections, financial decisions returning for review, values clarification.
The 2026 Schedule
Venus retrograde windows:
- October 3 to November 14, 2026: Venus retrograde in Scorpio (the second half) then Libra (the first half). Themes: deep intimacy, shared resources, fairness in partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does Venus retrograde happen?
Every 18 months, lasting about 40 days each time.
Is Venus retrograde really bad for relationships?
Astrological tradition advises caution starting new romance during retrograde, but existing relationships often benefit from the review period. It is a ‘pause to check in’ rather than a ‘avoid everything’ window.
Should I avoid financial decisions during Venus retrograde?
Major new investments and large purchases benefit from being deferred or double-checked. Routine financial decisions are fine.
When is the next Venus retrograde after 2026?
May 2028. The 18-month cycle is unusually predictable.
Kyle Thomas
Kyle Thomas is an expert astrologer who writes for The New York Post, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Marie Claire, Elite Daily, Bustle, and more. He has been featured on Access Hollywood, E! Entertainment, NBC and ABC television. Kyle is globally recognized as a "celebrity astrologer" for his guidance of well known actors in Hollywood and prominent business executives, but he also loves sharing his comic insights with everyday people. His work explains how astrology influences lifestyle and trends worldwide. Learn more about him at KyleThomasAstrology.com.
This article was published by the Staff at FarmersAlmanac.com. Any questions? Contact us at questions@farmersalmananac.com.
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Farmers' Almanac Staff
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Farmers' Almanac Staff
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Farmers' Almanac Staff
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Farmers' Almanac Staff
I will be readying for my 55th birthday when we have the VERY similar Aries and Pisces Venus retrograde in 2049 😄 I’m excitedly intrigued thinking about how that one is going to reflect this one. This current time will certainly be a helpful one to look back on. 💫
The stock market usually crashes during venus retrograde. I just lost some money. I should have just held it instead of sell, because it went back up a few days later.
I thought about cutting my hair and then I remembered venus was retrograde, nah!!
You know this is all “HUMBUG”! Instead, do a Bible study during this time period. Read the Psalms, Proverbs, or the Easter story in the four Gospels.