What a time to be alive! As we navigate the wacky social and celestial currents of 2025, a unique astrological event awaits: both Venus and Mercury will be retrograde simultaneously (yay). This March, Venus will transition from Aries to Pisces during its retrograde, while Mercury will retrograde in Aries. Lucky for us, this rare cosmic alignment offers a profound opportunity for introspection, reassessment, and personal growth with witch lessons can be learned and perspective can get gained. Retrogrades prompt us to slow down and reevaluate critical aspects of our lives, and while the experience may seem challenging, it ultimately serves as a chance to heal, reset, and reconnect with our true desires and intentions.
Buckle up your hearts. From March 1st to April 12th, 2025, Venus embarks on its retrograde journey in the bold and fiery sign of Aries and moves back into the dreamy waters of Pisces on March 27th. Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and values, typically encourages connection, pleasure, and creativity. However, during its retrograde, these areas come under review, reflecting deeply on our relationships, artistic expressions, sources of joy, and even self-worth. Questions about what we truly value and desire may arise, bringing clarity to areas that have been clouded by external influences or outdated beliefs.
In Aries, the planet of love exudes a daring and assertive energy. Aries, being the first sign of the zodiac, is all about self-identity, independence, and courage. These combined archetypes challenge us to confront fears that hinder our passions and to embrace our authentic selves without seeking external validation. Are we pursuing relationships and creative projects that genuinely resonate with us, or are we doing so for appearances? Aries energy bluntly asks us to be unapologetically ourselves, but Venus retrograde here means we must gently reflect on whether our boldness is coming from confidence or a desire for validation. A nice and confusing combo.
The focus shifts dramatically later in the month as Venus moves into Pisces. Pisces is a sign known for its compassion, spirituality, and dreamy nature, so with Venus retrograde in Pisces we engage in a more introspective and tender examination of our dreams, ideals, and emotional needs. It’s a time to explore how our fantasies shape our realities and to reassess whether these dreams serve our highest good. Ultimately, these two archetypes flow a bit better together, but the watery Pisces waves can be, emotional, chaotic and rough, so beware of delusional realities getting in the way of rational analysis.
The transition from Aries to Pisces signals a journey from self-focused ambition to collective compassion and deep emotional connection. We are asked to balance our immediate desires with empathy, and to redefine love and beauty in terms of spiritual fulfillment rather than superficial allure.
Lucky for us, coinciding with Venus’s retrograde, Mercury—the planet of communication, technology, and travel—also turns retrograde in Aries from March 15th to April 7th, 2025. Mercury retrograde periods are infamous for causing misunderstandings, technical glitches, and travel delays. In Aries, this retrograde may amplify impulsive communications, hasty decisions, and fiery debates. The assertive nature of Aries can make us prone to speaking without thinking or making snap judgments or decisions. However, when Mercury is retrograde we are urged to slow down, reassess, and think before we act or speak.
Aries energy craves action and quick results, but Mercury retrograde in this sign challenges us to adopt a more thoughtful approach. This period is ideal for revisiting past conversations, unfinished projects, and personal goals that require renewed focus. The fiery determination of Aries, when tempered by Mercury’s reflective pause, can help us channel our ambitions more effectively. Rather than rushing forward, we are encouraged to plan, revise, and ensure that our actions align with our long-term visions. This might be a match made in heaven tbh! Unless, of course, some technological upheaval gets in the way. Those are ever fun.
So, what does it mean for us when these two events occur at the same time? The overlap of these retrogrades in Aries creates a potent mix of energies: while Venus retrograde encourages a reevaluation of our desires, relationships, and creative expressions, Mercury retrograde demands careful consideration of our words, thoughts, and decisions. Together, they invite heightened introspection about how we express love and assert or communicate our needs. This is a powerful time for examining the balance between action and reflection, self-interest and compassion.
This combination can also bring unresolved issues from the past to the surface, especially in relationships. Past lovers or friends may reappear, offering opportunities for closure or reconciliation. Communication breakdowns may occur, requiring more-than-normal patience and understanding. Yet, these challenges can be transformative if approached with mindfulness. By aligning our thoughts (Mercury) with our hearts (Venus), we can emerge from this period with greater clarity, stronger connections, and a deeper sense of self-worth.
Embracing the reflective nature of these retrogrades can be both enlightening and empowering. Here are some ritual inspirations to navigate this period:
By consciously engaging with these practices, you can transform the challenges of Venus and Mercury retrogrades into opportunities for personal growth. This period may test your patience and resilience, but it also offers the chance to deepen your self-awareness (which we could all use a little more of) and cultivate more fulfilling connections. Remember, retrogrades are not times to fear but invitations to pause, reflect, and realign. As Venus and Mercury retrace their cosmic steps, so too can we revisit our paths, refine our choices, and move forward with renewed purpose and clarity!
Throughout history, the name Cupid, or Eros, has been synonymous with romance, desire, and playful mischief. This cherubic archer, often depicted as a winged boy with a bow and quiver full of arrows, has roots far deeper than modern Valentine’s Day iconography. Originating in ancient mythology, Cupid’s story intertwines love and fate, often with dramatic and unexpected consequences. But who exactly is Cupid, and what is the lore behind this mischievous god of love?
