We’ve all heard of Mercury retrograde, but now Venus is retrograde – here’s what to expect

It's coming for your love life.

Venus, the planet of love, goes retrograde this December. So, what does that mean? W've all heard of Mercury retrograde and the chaos it can bring, but it's not the only planet that does this. Astrologer Margaret Gray explained that every planet goes retrograde. "Retrograde an illusion - like sitting on a train that's moving faster than the one on the track beside us," she told Her. "It feels like the other train is going backwards. When any planet goes symbolically retrograde, the energy from that planet goes internal instead of external." Venus does this every 18 months and this time it's occurring from 19 December 2021 until 29 January 2022 in the sign of Capricorn. So if Venus is the planet that rules love, beauty and confidence, Venus retrograde means its usual role in these area is going to get a little messed up - and most importantly, it's coming for your love life. As Venus is right beside earth, its effects are likely to be felt hard. Plenty of break-ups and make-ups tend to occur around this time. Don't be surprised if you get a text from an ex or find yourself experiencing some conflict in your current relationship. And if you're looking for love, experts say that concentrating on your outward appearance shouldn't be your primary focus this December. Rather than changing your make-up, cutting your hair, buying new clothes, etc., to attract a partner, take some time for self-care by adapting a good skin care routine, meditating, and getting enough sleep - so you can shine from the inside out. In the world of astrology, Venus is the planetary ruler of Taurus and Libra - so these two signs are going to be hit the hardest. You can find out exactly how it will affect your sign by using a birth chart. While a little bit of mayhem may take hold of your romantic life, this retrograde period isn't necessarily a bad thing. Venus also controls our values and our sentiments, so it's a great time to sit back and think about what is important to you and what you want - you might find a little clarity on a few things. Just remember, when you get that seemingly innocent text from an ex wishing you a happy Christmas - best to keep in mind that it could be a sneaky tactic to re-enter your life!