Drowning in Delirious Desire: Venus Retrograde in Aries & Pisces ~ March-April 2025 / part 2
- Kaitlyn Maura
- Apr 1
- 12 min read
On March 1st, 2025, Venus, planet of love & beauty, stationed Retrograde at 10'50° Aries, sign of its "detriment" before re-entering Pisces, the sign of its exaltation, on March 27th. Venus will continue journeying backwards through the sign of the fish until April 13th, when it will station direct at 24'37° of the mutable water sign.
In "part 1" of this article (which, if you're fairly new to this info, I suggest you go read, if you haven't already done so), I discuss the basics of what it means for Venus to be Retrograde (i.e. potential problems relating to love & beauty, reflection on love & beauty, focus on past relationships etc.) and go more into detail about the specifics of the current retrograde period, but really, only the first half in the sign of Aries. Part 2 is focused on its re-entrance into Pisces before going to direct. That said, it is important to note that, even though this retrograde period crosses over into two different signs, it is still ONE retrograde period, so the themes discussed in both articles are ultimately intertwined. The only reason I separated them into two articles is because the first one was already long enough without including its move back into Pisces, and believe it or not, I like to keep things as short & sweet as possible.
Quick ReCap of Venus RX in Aries
So, to reiterate some of what was discussed in "Playing With Fire," the first part of the 2025 Venus Retrograde period was loaded with conflict for many of us:
Venus in Aries is impulsive & instinct-driven, which while it maybe exciting, can also bring issues into relationships. For many of us, this is exactly what happened, whether from jumping headfirst into something we regret or ruining something good with aggression & arguments. Further aspects show the possibility of something hopeful that fails to come to fruition, self-destruction arising from arrogant ambition or selfish desires, and/or miscommunication, but also, the potential for deep intimacy & positive change arising from self-understanding. Another theme of Venus's Retrograde into Aries, that may continue with its journey back into Pisces, includes past conflicts that either come back up, build-up into something bigger over time, and/or unnecessarily affect the present. Meanwhile, the stellium (and re-entrance of Venus) in Pisces suggests that the reasons behind these conflicts may be unclear.
Venus Retrograde in Pisces: 2025
On March 27th, Venus retrograded back into Pisces, after transiting Aries since February 4th and on March 1st, stationing backwards at the ram's 10th degree. While many of the themes may be the same, or at least related, there is still a significant shift in energy that occurs from this change in sign. That shift is all the more significant when you consider that Venus left its sign of detriment for its exaltation. Venus previously transited Pisces on January 2nd, 2025, entering the "retrograde zone" or "pre-shadow period" on January 18th, so themes relating to whatever occurred for us, then, may spring up again for us now.
Named after the goddess of love and beauty, Venus, planet of relationships, is generally much more comfortable in Pisces than Aries. While the ram (ruled by Mars) can be seen as a symbol of division, competition and war, the sign of the fish (ruled by Jupiter) is associated with depth, wholeness and transcendence. While Venus rules the air sign, Libra, representing her* desire for interpersonal connection and socialization, as well as the earth sign Taurus, a symbol of the goddess's appreciation for physical beauty and sensual pleasure, its position in the sign of its exaltation is arguably just as strong, if not stronger.
When in Pisces, Venus's appreciation for beauty goes far beyond that which can be perceived with the eye, and the desire for connection is more spiritual than strictly personal. Venus in Pisces is the hopeless romantic, always yearning for union with its one true soulmate. After all, the constellation literally represents two fish, joined by a cord, but swimming in opposite direction. It's as if they are always searching for each other, and in doing so, always finding the other out of reach, not yet realizing that they are already intimately connected with one another. On a deeper level, Venus in Pisces is the mystic, endlessly seeking out union with God. This placement has a deep capacity for empathy and compassion, as if always looking for one's self in others. That said, there can be a downside to this, as one can also get lost in a sea of confusion and find what we're looking for (i.e. love, God, ourselves) within all the wrong places.
*I do not believe in the literal goddess, as the Ancient Romans did (although anything is possible) but sometimes, utilize mythological language as as a metaphor to illustrate aspects within human nature. I have to put this disclaimer here, because I have had certain family members read my articles & misinterpret wording like this as reflecting some sort of conversion to a pagan religion. I respect paganism and I am aware there are still pagans who do worship Venus/Aphrodite as a literal deity, but I am not one.
While for some, Venus's re-entrance into Pisces might have been felt as a positive shift, it's likely that for most of us, it's these more "negative" aspects of Venus in Pisces that are highlighted when in retrograde motion. Unfortunately, this mutable water sign also has a reputation for being easily seduced by fantasy and illusion, or even being a seducer of it. With Venus Retrograde here, we could be caught up in a dream, preferring the escapism of an imaginary love affair to the hard work of a real-life relationship. In fact, such fantasies can have drastic consequences for our real life relationships.
For example, some of us could find ourselves falling for the "idea" of a person, rather than the individual themselves, only to run away once we realize this flesh-and-blood human being fails to live up to our projections. We might find ourselves tangled up in a web of deception crafted by a "soulmate" whose existence was no more than a mirage. It's possible that Venus Retrograde in Pisces may cause disappointment, disillusionment and heartbreak by revealing the fantasy for what it really is, or else, relationships may simply be more confusing to navigate. It may be unclear what work is needed for a relationship to develop and grow, because as Venus in Libra (a sign exalted by Saturn) or Taurus (an earth sign) both know, relationships do take work, and sometimes, Venus in Pisces, wants to escape the hard parts by swimming straight toward the easiest answers. Perhaps, that's the downside to being ruled by Jupiter, a planet otherwise associated with positivity & good luck.
With Venus Retrograde, we may be tempted to escape the challenges of our present circumstances by romanticizing the past. For some, this could be literally by going back to an ex, who may or may not be good for us. Others may simply get nostalgic, say, by stalking them on social media. If we're already in a relationship, this could create problems for us by causing us to become checked out and if we're single, we might avoid putting in the work to have a successful relationship with anyone new.
However, this time can also be used for genuine reflection, and a certain amount of escapism can be very healthy. Fantasy is only harmful if we become so attached to it that we lose sight of reality: that's when the "escape" we're seeking truly becomes just another cage. Our imagination can alternatively be used for envisioning the reality we want, inspiring us to actually create it and make it happen. Similarly, reflecting on the past can help us to find solutions and/or appreciation for the present.
The shift of Venus from Aries back into Pisces could ultimately be played out in various ways, from impulsive escapism (like rushing into a bad relationship that we idealize for something its not) to impulsive behaviors (such as an argument with a partner, which causes us to flee, or a decision that we regret & try to forget didn't happen) that lead to escapism. While both of these two possibilities are examples of foolish choices that lead to disillusionment, who knows?
Maybe the move back into the sign of Venus's exaltation could be felt as something positive, after all, at least if we utilize the energy correctly or if it makes nice aspects to our charts. Maybe, we will meet our soulmates, find beauty after a bad relationship or perhaps, that ex truly was the one that got away and you really are meant to be together, after all. Even when retrograde, Venus in Pisces can be a very beautiful transit, but in order to experience it as such, we have to balance our dreamy romanticism with a healthy willingness to work for that dream relationship we so want to achieve.
Like Venus Retrograde in Aries, the aspects made by Venus Retrograde in Pisces only seem to emphasize what's already written above. While I do feel these aspects, made by Venus Retrograde to the other planets, are important for me to discuss, it does start feel a little bit like I am repeating myself, but perhaps, there's a message in that. If the messages communicated by the aspects seem to be repeating the same themes, that really only serves to strengthen the significance of the transit and the importance of the themes we are learning from it.
When Venus re-entered Pisces on March 27th, 2025, it made a conjunction to the mutable water sign's "modern ruler," Neptune at 29'53°. Neptune is a foggy blue ice giant named after the Roman god of the sea, the equivalent of the Greek Poseidon, and the farthest planet from the Sun, at least, if we listen to Neil DeGrasse Tyson by excluding Pluto. Interestingly, some modern astrologers refer to Neptune as the "higher octave of Venus." Essentially this conjunction highlights and magnifies the already dreamy nature of Venus's Retrograde transit through the sign of Pisces, adding to its ethereal beauty to such a high degree that it may feel too good to be true.
We may feel as if we're drowning in a deep sea of love, empathizing with our lover(s) & crush(es) to such an extent that we don't know where one's feelings ends and the other's begins. On one hand, this could very well be a true reunion of soulmates, a merging in both body and soul, heart and mind. The ethereal beauty of the Neptune-Venus conjunction in Pisces can be a helpful transit for artists as well, activating the imagination and giving us a good glimpse into the collective unconscious. However, this transit can also be experienced as a fog of confusion; as much as we may want the dream to be real, reality sets in and we're not sure whether we will sink or swim. It's worth noting, too, the significance of this conjunction occurring at the fish's last degree, days before Neptune entering Aries on March 31st after transiting Pisces since 2011: will Neptune's shift wake us up from the dream of Venus Retrograde in Pisces or will the sunlight lift the clouds up to unveil it's beauty as a reality?
It is also worth acknowledging that the conjunction of Venus Retrograde with Neptune at 29'53° is aligned with the fixed star, Scheat. According to Ptolemy, this star, found on the winged-horse's leg in the Pegasus constellation, is of the nature of Mars & Mercury, but it has been described by others as Saturnian in nature. In either case, while I don't want to come as a messenger of "doom and gloom," it does not exactly have the prettiest reputation, to say the least. It is associated with extreme misfortune, particularly that involving the ocean & sea. This includes drowning, shipwreck, tidal waves, floods and violent storms. While obviously such events will not affect us all, it is possible we'll see this on a literal level at this time, with such events making the news, but I feel like there could certainly be a metaphor here too. We could be drowning in a delirious delusion, a sea of dreamy desires that lead us nowhere but to a shipwrecked shore, our hearts hit by a violent & tumultuous storm, causing tears to pour from our eyes like torrential rain.
Honestly, though, it's equally possible that for some of us, it's the heartbreak itself that is the delusion. There are many times when our own pain is self-inflicted with the creation of paranoid fantasies. If feeling this way, it may help to ask yourself: "am I crying over something real or something I only imagined?" This interpretation fares well with other astrologers, such as Vivian E. Robson, have written, associating this star's conjunction of Venus with self-inflicted injury & pain. The conjunction of Venus and Scheat can indicate self-destructive tendencies, imprisonment or trauma from a negative environment, essentially causing us to create our own nightmares.
Interestingly, the Moon was also in Pisces at the moment Venus Retrograde re-entered the sign, making a conjunction with it later that same day. Basically, the Pisces energy is really strong. This is the energy of compassion for all beings, of unconditional love and self-sacrifice, of the magic inherent in the human condition. The Moon, in astrology, is the "planet" of emotions, and in Pisces, an emotional water sign, there is a deep sense of sensitivity, possibly to the point of psychism. Psychological activities, healing, and dreamwork are favored at this time, and we may be very emotional, particularly in regards to our relationships, and general themes of love, aesthetics, sexuality, sensuality & beauty. We may be affected by other people's energies and emotions now too, for better or for worse, so it is important to protect ourselves and set boundaries when & where needed. Try not to care too much what other people think or allow yourself to be unnecessarily dragged into other people's drama but do extend compassion and empathy where & when you can.
Meanwhile, Venus Retrograde made another conjunction to the North Node, which will be exact at 27'22° Pisces on April 1st. Venus Retrograde is karmic in itself and in Pisces conjunct Neptune, deeply spiritual, and the North Node conjunction intensifies all of this. There is a quality of otherworldliness to the relationships we develop now, as if we had already known this person in a former life. It's very possible that those we've known in our past lives might actually come back, but even those relationships that are so-far limited to this life may bring its own karmic lessons. While not all "karmic" relationships are necessarily negative and this configuration may very well bring about a beautiful reunion with a soul you've missed, in other cases, that initial feeling of magic might be exposed as nothing more than an April Fool's joke. Remember: just because you knew someone in a past life doesn't necessarily mean you're meant to keep them in your present one! That said, relationships built on development and growth are definitely favored.
Interestingly, you also have Venus trine her mythological consort, Mars, God of War, in Cancer, an aspect that will be exact on April 6th with the planets meeting at 25'30° of the water signs. Even with Venus Retrograde, it is hard not to see this as a positive aspect for partnership and unions of all kinds. This is a very emotional, maybe even spiritual, meeting. With Mars in the sign of its fall and Venus exalted, it could mean war losing out to love, or possibly, the "masculine" being weakened by the "feminine" ...for the better, of course. Essentially, this is a good sign for reunions and reconciliations. Could I even be sensing a possible enemies to lovers vibe?
Lastly, Venus Retrograde is conjunct Saturn in Pisces too. The fiery hot goddess will meet the ringed-planet associated with "Father Time" on April 7th. This match will come together at 25'15° of the Jupiter-ruled water sign. Saturn is traditionally associated with boundaries, challenge and limitation, so for some, this Venus Retrograde conjunction could bring some harsh lessons, "karma" coming to bitch at us once again. This aspect is a possible dream-crusher, not gonna lie, and it could be when reality finally sets in for some, exposing impulsive and escapist desires for what they are. Of course, Pisces, being ruled by Jupiter, is associated with the boundlessness, found only in spirit & dreams, there are times when the boundless, true & eternal love between souls is simply blocked, by the circumstances of the material world, from expressing itself physically. For example, a loving relationship might be tested by obstacles such as distance or social prejudice, during this transit (i.e. taboos such as age-gaps or cultural differences spring to mind). If this is the case, you know what is true in your hearts, regardless of your 3D "reality" says.
That said, it's very possible this transit could be experienced as something positive. Saturn is associated with commitment and even though retrograde, the conjunction to Venus in Pisces can increase faithfulness. With Venus Retrograde, it's probably best not to rush, but this conjunction can definitely bind people together and make a relationship permanent. Some people may very well be matching Saturn with a ring on their fingers; just make sure it's a true soul connection and not something that you're going to regret!
Conclusion
Essentially, in contrast to the uncomfortable position of Venus in Aries, Venus is very happy in Pisces, which would make for a welcome change except it's retrograde, which may cause us to wonder: is this a real union of soulmates or is it just an illusion, an impulsive fantasy used as an escape from the work of a real relationship? When Venus finally goes direct at 24'37° Pisces on April 13th, 2025, we should have more clarity on our situation and knowledge of how to move forward. Venus Direct in Pisces will be better for experiencing true bliss instead of the confusion we've been facing. When it re-enters Aries on April 30th we may be more active, and this transit could bring us a more genuine excitement, that while challenging, we might be more ready to face head-on, without trying to escape from it this time around. However, it's possible that issues from the retrograde period might linger on until Venus exits her post-shadow phase on May 16th, or maybe even not until leaving Aries altogether, when it enters Taurus, the sign of its domicile, on June 6th.
It is important to remember, however, that this is a very general article. How this affects you, personally, and/or to what extent, will depend on your individual natal chart. To learn more about this, you can book a reading with me here. That said, those with significant placements between 0° and 11° of the fixed signs (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius) or 24° and 29° of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius and Pisces) are the most likely to be affected by this transit.
Comments