Venus Retrograde Ritual 2026

Ritual written by Honey Bunny. Meditation written by Quinton Li.

Purpose:

To reflect on the Venus retrograde, in honor of the divinities of Love, Harmony, and Pleasure, and release ourselves from what keeps us unbalanced.

Materials:

A drink (for libation)
Small to large bowl of water
2 cloths or towels
Perfume, lotion, or body oil
An item representing the self (example, mirror, jewelry, crystal, etc)
A list of relationships or circumstances that represent imbalance, conflict, or apathy. These things do not have to be your own experiences.
Pen or pencil
Optional, a physical representation of the Venus Retrograde or of a deity you wish to honor (example, a picture, statue, or gemstone)

Ritual Set-Up:

General Cleansing & Purification of the self & body
Purifications of the space & altar
Altar set-up:
1. If you have a physical representation of a deity or of the planet Venus, place it at the back of the altar.
2. In the center, from left to right, place your towel, bowl, and lotion.
3. Place the item representing yourself in front of your bowl. Set your drink and your list off to one side.

Ritual:

Invocations

“I call the divinities of love, pleasure, and harmony, whoever you may be! Tender, smile-loving Aphrodite! O’ Goddess of love, uncontained, who snuck strong-handed Ares into your marriage bed and was ensnared in Hephaestus’ chains. You found purity in the warm waters of the bath your Kharites drew for you, fresh scented oils lathered upon your skin, renewed! I pour out this libation and I drink in your honor. May this ritual please you now and bless us with your love and guidance.”

Participants will now call out the divinities that they wish to honor for this ritual, taking a sip of their drink.

Retrograde in Scorpio

There are situations and dynamics during this retrograde that we might want to ignore or delay. But Pluto-ruled Scorpio asks us to observe these dynamics and consider what is truly worthwhile for our transformations.
Refer to your list. Why did these things come to mind? How are they observed in your life? Are they worth keeping or fixing for your transformation?
When you’re ready, fold your list so that the text is hidden inside. Hold your list in one hand and the item you chose to represent you in the other. Whatever emotions or thoughts you had during your reflection, imagine them being transferred from the list to your representation.
Set the list aside. It’s okay if the paper gets a little wet in the next part; We will return to it toward the end of the ritual.

Cleansing in the basin

(Inspired by the act of washing during Aphrodisia and the myth of Aphrodite’s affair as depicted in the Odyssey, a ritual cleansing has been implemented.)

Before you begin, reflect back on what feelings came up from the previous step. Is there guilt? Regret? Shame? Aphrodite is both “The Unholy” and “The Merciful”. She is Apostrophia, the averter of evil, and Epistrophia, turning to love. In these same waters where she was cleansed from the shame of her affair, we can wash away these feelings of our own imbalances.
Use one of your cloths to wash your hands and face. You may feel called to wash other parts of your body as well.
Then, take the representative of yourself and dip the item into the water. Use your hands and the cloth to rinse the water over the item. Visualize those emotions and conflicts washing away and dissolving back into the water, leaving behind the clarity needed to return to love and harmony.
There’s no need to rush this part. Take all the time you need to be present.

Redirection Meditation

Using your other cloth, dry your hands, face, and the item representing you. Set the bowl of water aside to make space for your list and chosen body products.
In this space of redirection and renewal, you are invited to take in a deep, grounding breath. Take a moment to notice what is around you, whether through sight, scent, sensations, perhaps even familiarity.
Continue breathing deeply, in through your nose, out through your mouth. See if there is anything you want to adjust about the space you’re in or your position to create a more comfortable and loving experience for yourself. This might be opening a window, closing your blinds, moving to a more comfortable spot, putting different music on, even changing the clothes you’re wearing.
When you are ready, you may be seated or laying with your body products in reach.
Just as Venus retrogrades back into the sign of Libra, which she rules and flourishes in, we return to a harmonic Venusian domain in this sacred space together.
We first work with the body. Gather your perfume, lotion, or body oil. Get a sense for what is in your hands. Are there any particular scents you are bringing forth? What can this adornment do for you -does it moisturise, soften, repair? How often do you use this perfume, lotion, or body oil? What has come to be associated with it?
Here, you are being asked to connect with a moment shared between yourself and your body. Your body holds you, it consumes food which is used to create energy, it drinks water to refresh you, it takes you places, it allows you to be here in this moment with Venus.
Take a bit of perfume, lotion, or body oil in your hands and adorn your body with it. Run it along your hands and arms if you can. Perhaps you want to apply it to your chest, where your heart sits. Maybe your forehead, behind your ears, your legs. You can also ask yourself where the planetary energy of Venus resides in your body. Allow this ritual to ease your heart and mind through your physical senses.
There is no need to rush. Love delights in the slow sensuality of the senses.
As you adorn yourself, let your mind come forth. What do your thoughts, feelings, memories and hopes tell you about the harmony and balance you are seeking in this next period of your life?
What acts of renewal and redirection do you want to take with you in this season? Perhaps it is Spring or Autumn for you, times of transition which are perfect for these questions.
Let the soul be present too. Let divinity be present, whether that is deities related to Venus, deities you love in your own practice, or a broader sense of planetary magic. What does divinity tell you? How is your soul speaking to you here?
As you integrate these actions, feelings, thoughts, and knowings, ensure that you thank yourself and all parts involved. It can take a lot to be here. It can be a vulnerable experience.
When you are ready, take your list and pen. On the unwritten side of your paper, write down the ways in which you can increase or improve the harmony and balance in your life. They could address your experiences of imbalance, or be new acts of care and devotion.
Place your item on top of your new list and visualize the energy of love and harmony filling it up. Keep this item around or on your person to remind you of your return to Venus.

Closing Libation

“We thank the divinities who have graced our ritual with their presence, and for any aid that they offer in this time. We offer this final libation to you and may your departure be pleasant.”

Participants may again call the names of the divinities they wish to honor, and conduct this libation as necessary. Whether by drinking the rest of their drink or pouring it out.