Venus Retrograde Dates: When Is the Next One, and What Does It Mean for Love?

Venus Retrograde Dates, 2026 to 2034

Dates are in Eastern time. If you live far from the US and Canada, a station that happens on a US evening may fall on the next calendar day where you are.

If you're here because Venus retrograde has you rethinking your love life, or because you want to plan ahead, you're in the right place. Let's look at what this cycle is, why people feel it, and how to use each one.

What Is Venus Retrograde?

Venus doesn't really turn around. From where we stand on Earth, it only looks like it's moving backward for a while, the same kind of visual trick that makes Mercury look like it reverses a few times a year. Venus does it less often, so it gets more attention when it happens.

In astrology, Venus is the planet of love, attraction, beauty, money and the things we value. So when Venus appears to back up, many people find themselves looking back at those same parts of life. Who do I love? What do I want? Am I settling? What am I worth?

That's why exes tend to come up, old feelings resurface, and people rethink their spending and their style. It's a review, not a punishment. If you'd like the bigger picture of how Venus shapes the way you love, our guide to what your Venus sign says about your dating style is a great place to start.

How Often Does Venus Go Retrograde, and for How Long?

Venus turns retrograde about every 19 months. Each time, it stays retrograde for roughly six weeks, between 41 and 43 days in the years on our table. That makes it one of the rarer retrogrades. By comparison, Mercury goes retrograde three or four times a year for about three weeks at a time. You'll find those dates on our Mercury retrograde dates page.

There's also a lovely eight year rhythm. Venus tends to repeat its retrograde in nearly the same part of the sky about every eight years. Look at the table: the 2026 cycle ran from Scorpio back into Libra, and the 2034 cycle does the same. Many people notice that love themes from one Venus retrograde echo eight years later. It can be a meaningful thing to reflect on.

Is It Normal to Hear From an Ex During Venus Retrograde?

Many people notice this. Venus retrograde is linked with the past and with love, so it makes sense that old names come back to mind, and sometimes back to your phone.

When that happens, give yourself room to sort it out. What you feel might be intuition. It might also be loneliness, memory, unfinished business, or simply missing the good parts. All of that is human. A message from an ex doesn't mean they're destined to come back, and it doesn't mean you have to answer. You get to decide what you want now.

Our articles on why exes come back during Venus retrograde and why breakups happen during Venus retrograde go deeper, and so does whether to start a relationship during Venus retrograde.

What to Do (and Go Easy On) During Venus Retrograde

Many astrologers suggest using these six weeks to look inward before you leap. Here are some simple ideas.

Good things to do:

• Reflect on what you want in love now, not five years ago.
• Have honest talks about what's working and what isn't.
• Revisit old creative projects or hobbies you set down.
• Review your budget and where your money really goes.
• Notice where you've been settling, and why.

Things to go easy on:

• Rushing into a big commitment you haven't thought through.
• Dramatic makeovers you might second guess, like a bold haircut on a whim.
• Big luxury buys made to fill an emotional gap.
• Getting back together just because it feels familiar.

None of these are rules. Life keeps going, and plenty of people fall in love, get engaged and buy homes during a Venus retrograde. These are simply ways to make the season work for you.

Each Venus Retrograde at a Glance

October 3 to November 13, 2026: Scorpio, back into Libra. This one started in Scorpio, the sign of depth, trust and intimacy, then slipped back into Libra, the sign of partnership and balance, on October 25. Many people felt it as a season of truth telling: what's real in this relationship, and is it fair? The shadow ran from August 31 to December 15, 2026, so the themes may still feel close for a few weeks after Venus turns direct. For more, see Venus retrograde 2026, Venus in Scorpio and Venus in Libra. It also overlapped with a Mercury retrograde, which we cover in Mercury and Venus retrograde in Scorpio at the same time.

2027: no Venus retrograde. Venus moves forward all year. If you've been through a lot in love lately, that can be a welcome breather.

May 10 to June 22, 2028: Gemini. Gemini is about conversation, curiosity and choices. Expect love questions around communication: are we really talking, or just texting? It may also bring back people you used to chat with. Read Venus in Gemini to get ready.

December 16, 2029 to January 26, 2030: Capricorn. This one covers the holidays and New Year. Capricorn is about commitment, responsibility and long term plans, so many people may review where a relationship is really going. See Venus in Capricorn.

July 20 to September 1, 2031: Leo. Leo is about romance, confidence and feeling seen. This cycle may ask: do I feel celebrated in love, and do I celebrate myself? See Venus in Leo.

February 27 to April 10, 2033: Aries, back into Pisces. It starts in bold Aries and drifts back into dreamy Pisces. Expect a shift from "I want it now" to "what do I really feel?" See Venus in Aries and Venus in Pisces.

September 30 to November 11, 2034: Scorpio, back into Libra. The eight year echo of 2026. If 2026 was a turning point for you, this is a natural time to look back at how far you've come.

For Men: Use It as a Relationship Review

If you like a clear plan, think of Venus retrograde as a six week relationship review, the kind of check you'd run before any big decision.

• Check the facts, not just the feeling. If an ex reaches out, ask what has actually changed since you split. Nostalgia isn't new information.
• Read the room. If your partner seems distant, ask a calm, direct question. Guessing tends to make things harder.
• Hold off on big gestures. Proposals and big purchases land better when you're sure. Plan them for after Venus turns direct.
• Get clear on what you want. Reading other people well starts with knowing yourself. Use the slower pace to decide what kind of partner fits your life now.

How Venus Retrograde Compares to Other Retrogrades

Each retrograde has its own flavor. Mercury retrograde tends to show up in messages, plans and mixed signals. Mars retrograde tends to show up in energy, drive and anger. Venus retrograde tends to show up in love, money and self worth. If you want the full picture, read our Mars retrograde guide too.

For the bigger yearly view, our 2027 astrology calendar shows every major date in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next Venus retrograde?

After the October 3 to November 13, 2026 retrograde, the next Venus retrograde runs from May 10 to June 22, 2028, in Gemini, in Eastern time. There is no Venus retrograde in 2027. After 2028, the next ones are December 16, 2029 to January 26, 2030 in Capricorn, and July 20 to September 1, 2031 in Leo.

Is there a Venus retrograde in 2027?

No. Venus moves forward for all of 2027. The 2026 retrograde ended on November 13, 2026, and the next one doesn't begin until May 10, 2028. That gives love and relationship themes a long, steady stretch with no Venus retrograde at all. For many, that's a welcome breather.

How long does Venus retrograde last?

Venus retrograde lasts roughly six weeks. In the cycles from 2026 to 2034, each one runs between 41 and 43 days. It happens about every 19 months, which makes it much rarer than Mercury retrograde. Many astrologers also watch the shadow period, a few weeks on either side, when the themes start and fade.

Do exes come back during Venus retrograde?

Many people say they hear from an ex or think about one during Venus retrograde, since the cycle is linked with love and the past. That doesn't mean a reunion is meant to happen. It's a chance to notice what you still feel, what has changed, and what you want now. The choice is always yours.

Can I start a relationship during Venus retrograde?

Yes, you can, and many people do. Many astrologers simply suggest taking it slower than usual, paying attention to old patterns, and not rushing into a big commitment until you know each other better. If it feels right after Venus turns direct, that's a good sign you're choosing with clear eyes.

What should you not do during Venus retrograde?

Many astrologers suggest going easy on rushed commitments, dramatic makeovers and emotional spending. None of these are forbidden. The idea is to slow down and make sure the choice reflects what you value now. Reflection, honest talks and reviewing your budget are all good ways to use the time.