40 Days to Love Yourself: Embracing Self-Love During Venus Retrograde

As Venus stations retrograde on 1 March 2025, it begins a 40-day journey that invites us to reflect on our relationships, personal values, and most importantly, our self-worth.

While many discussions around Venus Retrograde focus on romantic relationships, we’re taking a different approach. We believe that the most fundamental and enduring relationship is the one you have with yourself.

This celestial event is a profound opportunity to deepen our love and understanding of ourselves.

Venus Retrograde is a time when the planet appears to move backward in the sky, symbolising a shift from outward to inward focus. During this period, we’re encouraged to reevaluate what truly matters to us and how we perceive our own worth. This isn’t just about external connections; it’s about nurturing a deeper connection with your heart and soul.

The Power of Self-Love

When we focus on self-love during Venus Retrograde, we open ourselves to a more authentic and fulfilling life. This period prompts us to question our self-worth and how it influences our relationships.

• Are we seeking validation from others because we lack it within ourselves?
• Or are we confident in our own value, allowing us to attract healthier connections?
• Do we often compare ourselves to others, or do we celebrate our unique qualities?
• How do we respond when faced with criticism or self-doubt—do we let it define us, or do we use it as an opportunity for growth?

For many of us, cultivating self-love can be challenging. Our culture often hasn’t supported us in nurturing a positive relationship with ourselves, and we may hold negative core beliefs about our own worth. However, this is precisely where the journey begins. By acknowledging these challenges, we can start to shift our perspective and build a more loving connection with our inner selves.

Self-love is not selfish; it’s essential. By prioritising our own emotional and spiritual well-being, we become more resilient and better equipped to navigate life’s challenges. This Venus Retrograde encourages us to explore what truly nourishes our soul and to align our actions with those values.

As you embark on this journey of self-love, remember that it’s a powerful foundation for transforming your life. By cultivating a deeper connection with yourself, you can enhance every relationship and experience you have, leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Practical Reflections and Rituals

To harness the energy of Venus Retrograde for self-love and personal growth, consider these practical rituals:

1. Self-Reflection Journaling: Write about your current self-perception and what you value most about yourself. Reflect on how these values impact your relationships. Consider taking this a step further by engaging in stream of consciousness writing. Write whatever comes to mind without stopping or editing. This can help uncover hidden thoughts and emotions, allowing you to better understand your inner world.

2. Self-Care Practices: Engage in activities that promote self-love, such as meditation, yoga, or spending quality time alone. For some, spending time alone can be uncomfortable. If this is the case, try small steps like taking a short walk by yourself or enjoying a solo cup of coffee in a quiet spot. For those who need distractions, consider listening to a podcast or an audiobook while doing something relaxing, like drawing or knitting. Gradually increase your comfort with solitude by starting small and celebrating each success.

3. Boundary Setting: Focus on establishing healthy boundaries that respect your needs and desires. This can help you maintain a strong sense of self-worth in all your relationships. To create effective boundaries, ask yourself:

• What are my non-negotiables in relationships?
• How do I communicate my needs effectively?
• What actions will I take to protect my emotional space?
• How will I prioritise my own desires and needs?

Write down specific examples of how you will implement these boundaries in your daily life.

4. Gratitude Practice: Reflect on the aspects of yourself that you’re grateful for. Try writing down three things each day that you appreciate about yourself, such as your resilience, creativity, or kindness. Celebrate these qualities by sharing them with a trusted friend or family member, or by treating yourself to something special.

5. Creative Expression: Use art, music, or writing to express your feelings and emotions. This can be a powerful way to connect with your inner self. For example, create a playlist of songs that uplift your self-worth, like our curated playlist “Your Anthem” on Apple Music and Spotify, featuring songs with lyrics that support self-love and empowerment. Sing along to these anthems whenever you need a boost of confidence and positivity.

Astrological Influences

This Venus Retrograde begins in Aries, a sign known for independence, assertiveness, and pioneering spirit. Aries encourages us to stand up for what we believe in, assert our individuality, and take bold steps towards our desires. During this phase, you may feel an unstoppable urge to express yourself authentically and pursue your passions with courage. This energy can help you confront areas where you’ve compromised your self-worth for the sake of others, inviting you to reclaim your power and assert your needs more confidently.

As Venus moves into Pisces on March 27th, the energy shifts from fiery assertiveness to compassionate introspection. Pisces is a sign of deep emotional wisdom, spiritual connection, and empathy. This phase invites you to dive deeper into your emotional world, reconnect with your inner self, and explore what truly brings you joy and security. Pisces encourages forgiveness, healing, and release of past wounds, allowing you to realign with your spiritual values and cultivate a more compassionate relationship with yourself.

Together, Aries and Pisces offer a dynamic balance between assertive self-expression and compassionate self-reflection. Aries helps you stand in your power, while Pisces reminds you to pair confidence with empathy and understanding. This combination can lead to profound insights into your self-worth, guiding you toward a more authentic and fulfilling life. By embracing both the boldness of Aries and the emotional depth of Pisces, you can emerge from this Venus Retrograde with a clearer sense of your values and a stronger connection to your inner self.

Conclusion

As Venus Retrograde unfolds, it offers us a profound opportunity to embark on a journey of self-discovery and growth. By embracing the energies of Aries and Pisces, we can assert our individuality while nurturing our emotional and spiritual depths. This celestial event invites us to confront our self-worth, challenge negative self-beliefs, and cultivate a more loving and compassionate relationship with ourselves.

As you navigate this Venus Retrograde, remember that the most enduring and transformative relationship you can cultivate is the one with your own heart. By prioritising self-love and self-worth, you lay the foundation for more authentic connections with others and a more fulfilling life. May the reflective light of Venus Retrograde guide you toward greater self-awareness, inner peace, and a deeper love for yourself.

Blessed Be, 

So Mote It Be.

May the journey of Venus Retrograde illuminate your path and nurture your soul.