2023: Summer of Strife - How Venus Affected Our Love Lives

Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and money, is often associated with harmony, pleasure, and romance. But what happens when this benevolent planet goes retrograde, or appears to move backward in the sky? According to astrology, Venus retrograde is a time of confusion, chaos, and challenge in matters of the heart. It happens every 18 months and lasts for about 40 days1. During this time, we may experience difficulties in our relationships, such as misunderstandings, arguments, doubts, or breakups. We may also revisit old flames, reevaluate our values, or reassess our self-worth.

The last Venus retrograde occurred from July 22 to September 3, 2023, in the sign of Capricorn2. Capricorn is a sign of ambition, responsibility, and structure. It rules over our career, reputation, and social status. When Venus retrograde in Capricorn, we may face issues related to our long-term goals, commitments, and boundaries in our relationships. We may also question our sense of security, stability, and authority in our personal and professional lives.

How did this cosmic phenomenon affect the love lives of celebrities and ordinary people in the summer of 2023? Let’s take a look at some examples.

Celebrity Breakups

The summer of 2023 was marked by several high-profile celebrity breakups that shocked and saddened their fans. Some of the famous couples who split up during Venus retrograde were:

• Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott: The billionaire makeup mogul and the rapper called it quits after four years of dating and having a daughter, Stormi, together. The reason behind their breakup was reportedly their conflicting lifestyles and priorities. Jenner wanted to settle down and have more kids, while Scott wanted to focus on his music and touring3.

• Ariana Grande and Dalton Gomez: The pop star and the real estate agent ended their marriage after two years of being together. They tied the knot in a secret ceremony in May 2023, but decided to separate in July 2023. The cause of their split was allegedly their busy schedules and lack of compatibility. Grande wanted to pursue her career and travel the world, while Gomez preferred a more low-key and private life4.

• Sofía Vergara and Joe Manganiello: The actress and the actor divorced after seven years of marriage. They cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split. Rumors suggested that they had grown apart due to their different interests and personalities. Vergara was more outgoing and social, while Manganiello was more introverted and reserved5.

Personal Stories

Of course, celebrities were not the only ones who suffered from Venus retrograde. Many ordinary people also experienced relationship troubles during this time. Here are some of the stories that our readers and friends shared with us via email or social media @astroviaun on all social media platforms:

• Lily, 28: “I broke up with my boyfriend of three years during Venus retrograde. We had been having problems for a while, but we always tried to work things out. However, during Venus retrograde, everything came to a head. We had a huge fight over our future plans. He wanted to move to another city for his job, but I wanted to stay here and pursue my education. We realized that we wanted different things in life and that we were holding each other back. It was a painful breakup, but I think it was for the best.”

• Jake, 32: “I reconnected with my ex-girlfriend during Venus retrograde. We had dated for two years, but we broke up six months ago because of a misunderstanding. We hadn’t spoken since then, but one day, she texted me out of the blue. She said she missed me and wanted to see me. I agreed to meet her, and we ended up having a great time. We talked about what went wrong in our relationship and how we felt about each other. We decided to give it another try and see if we could make it work this time.”

• Emma, 25: “I had a lot of doubts about my relationship during Venus retrograde. I had been dating my boyfriend for a year, and everything seemed perfect. He was sweet, caring, and supportive. He always made me laugh and feel good. But during Venus retrograde, I started to wonder if he was the one for me. I felt bored and restless in our relationship. I wanted more excitement and adventure. I also felt attracted to other people. I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to hurt him, but I also didn’t want to settle for less than what I deserved.”

Conclusion

As you can see, Venus retrograde can have a powerful impact on our love lives. It can bring up issues that we need to face and resolve, or it can help us find closure and healing. It can also teach us valuable lessons about ourselves and our relationships. Here are some tips on how to survive and thrive during Venus retrograde:

• Avoid making major decisions or commitments in your relationship during the next Venus retrograde in March 2025, as you may regret them later. Instead, use this time to reflect on your relationship and what you want from it. Be honest with yourself and your partner about your feelings and needs.

• Communicate clearly and calmly with your partner. Listen to their perspective and try to understand their point of view. Avoid blaming or criticizing them for the problems in your relationship. Instead, focus on finding solutions and compromises that work for both of you.

• Be flexible and open-minded. Try to see the positive aspects of your relationship and appreciate what you have. Be willing to compromise and work together to overcome the difficulties. Remember that every relationship has its ups and downs, and that Venus retrograde is only a temporary phase.

• Practice self-care and self-love. Do things that make you happy and relaxed. Spend time with your friends and family who support you. Remember that you are worthy and deserving of love. Don’t let Venus retrograde make you doubt your value or attractiveness.

Venus retrograde may be challenging, but it can also be rewarding. It can help us grow, learn, and improve our relationships. It can also help us discover what we truly want and need in love. So, don’t be afraid of Venus retrograde. Embrace it and make the most of it. You may be surprised by what you find.

1: Venus Retrograde: Meaning, Dates, & More - Astrology.com 2: How Venus Retrograde Will Affect You, Based on Your Zodiac Sign 3: Celebrity Breakups 2023: Recent Celeb Divorces, Splits, Separations 4: The Biggest Celebrity Breakups of 2023 So Far - POPSUGAR 5: It’s been a cruel summer for love: Here are the celebs who have called it quits this season