Venus retrograde is here, and there's one thing you should *absolutely* avoid

Venus in retrograde 2023 is a major cosmic player in our August horoscope, and the event is likely to cause a bit of emotional unrest. (Don't blame us, we're just the messenger!) 

The planet of relationships and pleasure will be spinning backward for well over a month, and she'll make things a bit challenging in the relationship department. (And you thought Mercury retrograde 2023 would be a headache...) Before you let moods flair and give in to any frustrations, allow astrologers to help you stay one step ahead of the cosmos. Here's what you need to avoid during Venus retrograde. 

One thing to avoid during Venus retrograde

Venus retrograde in Leo will take place from Thursday, July 22, to Sunday, September 3, 2023. That being said, the month-and-a-half-long phenomenon has the ability to get pretty intense, thanks to that fire sign energy. So, what should we do to avoid any complications? It's simple, actually: don't rush to make any hasty decisions, romantically or creatively. 

Whether you're thinking about the state of your relationship status or considering switching up your side hustle, take a step back and evaluate. These areas of our lives are being affected by the planet, and yes, we'll get a few a-ha moments here and there. But that doesn't mean abandoning everything we've been doing. Allow yourself time to process your thoughts before taking a step in a different direction, particularly around the next full moon on Tuesday, August 1. 

"Definitely be sure to think twice before getting things off your chest and try to keep your future self in mind when it comes to making decisions that feel good at the moment but you might later regret," astrologer Jennifer Neville warned us. 

Our in-house astrologer, Narayana Montúfar, agreed and suggested that we use this time to review, as is the case with all retrogrades. And should you decide to indulge in a self-care practice while marinating thoughts, so be it. (Not that we need an excuse for a bubble bath.) 

"Whenever necessary, seek time alone so you can have time to think about what you truly want," Montúfar said. "Do expect to have some eye-openers concerning which direction your connections are moving into between August 9 and August 13."

Likewise, Solaris The Hii Priestess said: "You might feel more to do some reflecting about your values and self-worth. This is a good time to pay attention to your priorities and focus on what truly matters to you."

Taking a step back and not springing into action might have its benefits in the long run. Though we tend to dismiss retrogrades as a negative happening, they can actually be beneficial. 

"Venus retrograde in Leo brings opportunities for growth and transformation around matters of the heart and creative expression," Solaris added. 

See? Not terrible, right? Just take things slow and see where they go. Haste makes waste, friends. 

For more cosmic intel, check out our guide to what planet is in retrograde. 

Narayana Montúfar

Narayana Montúfar is an astrologer and an expert in the astrological studies of the Moon and the author of Moon Signs: Unlock Your Inner Luminary Power. She has been My Imperfect Life's resident astrologer for over a year, providing you with cosmic intel straight from the stars in our monthly and weekly horoscopes. 

Solaris the Hii Priestess

Solaris the Hii Priestess is an Austin-based tarot reader, astrologer and newly published author—y.o.u. Your own universe, a children’s astrology book— is known for her contemporary method of divination using tarot. She has been featured at various festivals, such as: Mala Luna, SXSW, ACL and more.