Venus Is Retrograde: Here's How To Manage Your Feelings & Escape Unscathed
By now, some of you may have heard of Mercury retrograde – the nerve-racking three weeks when the planet symbolizing communication and technology goes bonkers, making the simplest things like sending a text message, using a laptop, or stringing together coherent sentences, some of the hardest things to do. Well, you may not know that Mercury isn't the only planet that goes into retrograde. There is such a thing as a Venus retrograde too.
Astrologically speaking, Venus is the planet that symbolizes romance and relationships, as well as self-worth, beauty, pleasure, and money.
And anytime a planet goes retrograde, it's considered to be moving backwards, which means that it's a time for us to go backwards too, reflecting on and reevaluating the areas in our lives that the retrograde planet covers. Between March 4th - April 15th, that planet is Venus.
As a rule, Venus represents what we want when it comes to finances and relationships; the things that bring us security, pleasure, and comfort. For romance and relationships specifically, Venus is also symbolic of our personal magnetism and style of relating. Currently, Venus is moving through the sign of Aries, a sign known for its confidence, passion, and epic clapbacks.
This means that while Venus is in Aries, we may find that we're more passionate about having what we want and who we want.
For many of us, this may mean taking a bold, fearless, or impulsive approach.
On April 2nd, Venus retrogrades into Pisces, which has a very different outlook when it comes to mating and relating. Pisces tends to put others first before its own needs, which makes for a more intuitive and compassionate relationship style. However, trouble can arise with Pisces when it comes to boundaries. Venus in Pisces can sometimes be too accepting or accommodating of others, which can be a recipe for lopsided or one-way relationships. Though over the six-week period that Venus is retrograde, when it comes to our relationships and our overall happiness – the biggest question is: are we getting what we really want? When it comes to Venus, we need to believe that we're worth having it.
[Tweet "We need to believe that we're worth having it."]
One last thing to note, is that while Venus is retrograde, this is not a good time for starting committed relationships, getting engaged, getting married, or drastically changing our appearance (like a new hair color or cut) as this is a time for taking things slow and getting clear about who and what we want, what we value, and what it means to be in relationship to ourselves, as well as to another human being.
Here's what Venus retrograde means for your sign:
Aries
It's time to cool your jets a bit and become more intentional with your desires. Just because something or someone is available, it doesn't mean it's for you. Also, does your personal style align with how you want to be seen?
Taurus
Deep down, what do you really want? Are you giving yourself space or permission to have it? Money and security are fine, but it's time to honor what your soul needs. With friendships, are you giving more than you're getting back?
Gemini
When it comes to certain friendships or associations, you may have a sneaking suspicion that you're outgrowing them. Know that as you grow, you need people alongside you that support that growth. Career-wise, are you getting your due?
Cancer
Are you getting the recognition you deserve in your professional life? Is there something else that you'd rather be doing? The lack of inspiration you feel may be because you're overdue for a new experience. Start with travel.
Leo
You don't need messy and dramatic emotional entanglements to make you feel alive. You can get that same thrill and heady rush by following a creative inspiration and daring to go, see, and experience somewhere you've never been.
Virgo
You don't have to give everyone you meet open access to your heart. Conversely, you don't have to be so guarded either. Find a healthy balance between how much you give and how much you take. Vulnerability can be a strength.
Libra
Whether you're single or not, it's time to get clear on what you really want from partnership. If you're not getting what you want, you may need to reevaluate your perceptions/values around love and relationships.
Scorpio
Are you feeling as physically good as you could be? To answer this question, you may have to reassess what your self-care routine looks like. Know that a big part of self-care is knowing when to ask for help and when to say no.
Sagittarius
You may find that what you used to be into or who you used to be into, has lost its allure. That's OK because you're becoming more discerning about what and who you give your heart.
[Tweet "If your heart isn't it, leave it alone."]
Capricorn
Honoring your feelings and intuition can be tricky for you because you tend to be a “facts-only" kind of person. However, you're starting to find out that you can ignore your heart for too much longer. You deserve to be happy too.
Aquarius
You're known for being rather free-spirited and independent, though you're recognizing that you can't always do it alone. You need people in your corner too. When it comes to your money, are you placing too little value on your worth?
Pisces
How much do you believe in yourself? Or do you believe in yourself at all? If you're ready to level up, it's time to show others (and the universe) that you're worth it. This means not settling for less than what you deserve.
What has Venus retrograde told you about the kind of changes you need to make in your life?
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Mecca Woods is a New York City-based Astrologer and Transformation Coach working to help others to claim and create a life they truly want. You can find her at www.mylifecreated.com
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage