Venus Retrograde in Uttara Bhādrapadā
Artwork: Pinterest | Edit by @turiyacollection
March 1st - April 11th
Today, Venus retrogrades (vakrī वक्री) in the Vedic lunar mansion of Uttara Bhādrapadā (sidereal Pisces) उत्तरभद्रपदा, the Warrior Star. This mystical asterism is connected to the fertility of both earth and sky, the realm of dreamtime, and the excavation of the unconscious. It harmonizes universal mind, beckoning us to uncover hidden wisdom through humility, experience, and self-sacrifice—an energy that is transformative and karmic.
Śukra Graha, the revered planet of devotion, divine love, justice, restoration, relationships, and virility, is one of the three Jñāna Kārakas (significators of knowledge) and the Kāraka of union (yoga) and transportation.
In this retrograde through Uttara Bhādrapadā, Venus invites us to reflect on our emotional patterns and relationships, urging us to examine whether they align with our highest self. It is a time to reassess, reimagine, and review our connection to love, provisions, creativity, and self-worth.
The retrograde cycle offers us a sacred pause, encouraging us to consider how we might balance our lives by harmonizing the internal and external worlds. As Śukra transits this deeply transformative space, it becomes a moment to ask: Are the connections we are nurturing authentic, or are we simply repeating old patterns from the past?
Guru Śukrācārya, the holder of Sanjīvinī Vidyā, possessed the sacred wisdom to revive the dead. This knowledge aligns with the synodic cycle of Venus, which spans 584 days. Venus follows a rhythm of life, death, and rebirth: it is visible on the eastern horizon at sunrise for 263 days (symbolizing birth), disappears for 50 days (symbolizing death), and reappears as the evening star on the western horizon for another 263 days (resurrection/regeneration), only to disappear again for 8 days before the cycle repeats.
As Venus prepares to relinquish its reign as the evening star, we enter a rite of passage, confronting and healing old shadows and wounds. This transition, known as the inferior conjunction, occurs when Venus passes between the Earth and the Sun, disappearing from view for approximately 8 days. It then reemerges as the morning star, marking a symbolic rebirth.
Venus will be last visible as the evening star on March 19th. After this, it will disappear until March 23rd, when it enters its inferior conjunction and remains invisible for 8 days. The planet will then reappear as the morning star on March 26th. This pivotal transition mirrors the process of death and rebirth, offering us an invitation to reflect on our own cycles of transformation.
Venus follows a distinct rhythm, retrograding every eighteen months as part of an eight-year cycle. Reflecting on the lessons of the last Venus retrograde in 2017, we are invited to revisit themes from that time, particularly concerning relationships, creative projects, and emotional healing. Much like its celestial dance in 2017, this retrograde prompts us to assess whether our relational dynamics and emotional patterns have truly evolved since then.
On February 27th, Mercury entered Pisces, where it is debilitated—a position that can present as confusion, miscommunication, and difficulty maintaining clarity of thought. Adding complexity, Mercury will conjunct Venus retrograde on March 2nd, amplifying the need for introspection in matters of love, communication, and creativity. This alignment calls us to look inward, particularly regarding past relationships and unspoken thoughts that need to be aired or healed.
On March 15th, Mercury will also turn retrograde, amplifying the energies of reflection, review, and rethinking—especially around how we express ourselves emotionally and intellectually. This upcoming Mercury retrograde cycle, lasting until April 4th, will further invite us to slow down, reevaluate communication, and revisit unresolved issues from the past. A more detailed blog post on this will follow soon.
Artwork; Pinterest
Śukrācārya, as the Guru of the Āsuras, was known for his protection of his people. He is also associated with Paraśurāma, the sixth incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu. Paraśurāma's story is among the most violent of the incarnations, as he wielded an axe against the Kṣatriyas (warrior/political class) to rebuild a better society.
Pay close attention to where you draw lines between "your people" and others—and what you are willing to do to obtain and maintain your position or seat. Notice the actions that arise from a sense of injustice, particularly if fueled by vengeance or a desire for retribution.
Śukra's narrative is often linked to blindness or arrogance, reflecting a misalignment between one’s self-perception and the views of others. This can manifest as seeing oneself as either superior or inferior, diverging from reality.
Śukra Graha is the enjoyer—the one who delights in all sensory experiences: music, good company, fine food, mantra, and meditation. Venus imparts wisdom through experience, calling for complete absorption. He is the Samādhi maker, invoking unity with the divine at his highest octave.
This is beautifully exemplified in the story of MahāLakṣmī, who resides in Viṣṇu’s heart, as well as in the lives of saints born with Śukra in Pisces in their charts—embodiments of supreme devotion and the boundless grace of divine love.
As we navigate the deep waters of this transit, the energies associated with Śukra’s karakas will be amplified, requiring thoughtful self-reflection and a container for introspection. Pay close attention if you have major planets, your moon, or your Lagna (rising sign) in Pisces, or if you are currently running a cycle of Venus or Saturn.
This Venus retrograde in Uttara Bhādrapadā invites us to explore the depths of our relationships and creative pursuits, unraveling karmic patterns and allowing us to emerge transformed. Use this time wisely, for it is through wisdom, experience, and self-reflection that we can find clarity and renewal.
All My Relations | ॐ शुं शुक्राय नमः
Brene brown // “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it's our greatest measure of courage. A lot of cheap seats in the arena are filled with people who never venture onto the floor.”
Venus Retrograde Key Dates and Transitions
January 28th: Venus enters Pisces
February 1st: Venus enters Uttarabhadrapada (Pisces)
March 1/2: Venus Retrogrades in Uttarabhadrapada (Pisces)
April 12/13: Venus Stations Direct in Purvabharapada (Pisces)
May 31st: Venus enters Aries
These dates mark the transition of Venus from an evening star to a morning star.
Last visible as an evening star: March 19, 2025
Inferior conjunction (invisible): March 23, 2025
First visible as a morning star: March 26, 2025
