"Why don't you wear a suit?"
A Venus retrograde retrospective in service of better understanding the meaning of Saturn and Neptune dancing at the Pisces-Aries threshold (psst, Saturn enters Aries this weekend!!).
It was February 28, 2025.
Venus was preparing to station retrograde in Aries and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, was in the Oval Office being asked why he doesn’t wear a suit.
This public debacle, this cringe-worthy confrontation, this embarrassing piece of theatre reminiscent of school-yard bullying, was a loud Venus retrograde signal.
Venus was at a near stand-still at this time. She stationed retrograde and made her pivot the very next day, on March 1st, 2025.
The planet of fashion, beauty, and social etiquette, turned on her heels in Aries, the sign of courage, conflict, war - and we had a public conversation that went like this:
GLENN (right-wing reporter): Why don't you wear a suit? You're at the highest level in this country's office and you refuse to wear a suit. Just want to see if you do own a suit.
ZELENSKYY: You’ve got problem [with this?]
GLENN: A lot of Americans have problems with you not respecting the office.
ZELENSKYY: I will wear a costume after this war will finish. Maybe something like yours. Maybe something better. I don't know, we will see, maybe something cheaper.
Ever since the war began in early 2022, Ukraine’s President has worn combat-style clothing in solidarity with those on the front lines. His fashion statement also serves as a reminder to everyone he meets that his country is fighting a battle.
As a former actor and dancer born with a Sun-Venus conjunction in Aquarius, Zelenskyy has no issues dressing up in pretty costumes when the situation calls for it…
…like when he wore a wide variety of costumes for the 2006 Dancing with the Stars Ukraine competition (he won), or when he donned stiletto heels and leather in 2014 for the spoof parody of a music video by the boy band Kazaky.
*(there are some deep fakes out there of Zelenskyy dancing, but both examples above are true)
Born when Venus was “in the heart of the Sun,” Zelenskyy is Venusian to his core. This means he is likely deeply aware of the power of fashion and clothing choices. This also means that for the past three years he has been able to tirelessly exert diplomatic pressure to obtain support for his beleaguered country.
However, this time his natal Venus position was not enough.
Venus is said to be in her detriment in Aries. This means she has less access to the resources she needs to achieve her essential planetary goals. It means she struggles to move with the same ease that she does in Taurus, Libra, and Pisces. In the sign of Aries (as well as Scorpio and Virgo) she experiences greater difficulties and increased friction with relational connections, the pursuit of peace, and the realm of beauty.
I found the following TikTok reel, created by a Zelensky fan, which I think really highlights the tension that the gentle planet of fashion and beauty experiences in a raw and direct sign that is symbolically associated with conflict and war:
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Not only was Venus in her detriment in Aries at the time of Zelenskyy’s infamous Oval Office meeting, but she was also in the midst of stationing retrograde. This means that delays, obstacles, set-backs, reversals, and revisions were par for the course.
Zelenskyy’s commitment to achieving a peaceful resolution of the conflict was challenged, he was reprimanded for not saying “thank you” enough, and ultimately, he failed to secure the additional military aid he was asking for. He and Trump were not able to agree on a mineral deal that would facilitate this.
Several days later, the United States suspended all military aid to Ukraine.
Since Venus stationed retrograde on March 1st, 2025, the Zelenskyy-Trump/Vance-Putin story has gone through some circuitous twists and turns. I admittedly haven’t tracked these changes closely, but I’m aware that for a while Trump seemed to be siding with Russia, much to Europe’s great alarm… and yet now, Trump seems to be backing Ukraine again.
The whole tariffs situation has similarly gone through many erratic starts, stops, reversals, and revisions since early March.
Venus rules over deals and agreements. Her retrograde initiated a break-down of many various types of agreements - which impacted the potential mineral deal between the U.S. and Ukraine as well as trade agreements between the U.S.and other countries.
However, Venus then backtracked into Pisces where it is considered exalted. Although still retrograde (and conjunct Saturn) Venus had access to more capacity, resources, and grace here.
Then, on May 16, 2025, Venus moving in direct motion now, cleared her post-retrograde shadow as she crossed her original stationing degree at 10°50 Aries.
Venus has now finished retracing her steps and integrating her underworld journey.
March 1, 2025 - May 16, 2025 was a really important container of time and space, delineated by Venus’ directional shifts (we could also stretch this out to begin on January 28th, 2025 with Venus’ pre-retrograde shadow).
Before we get into what that container of time and space may have held for you, consider what happened just last weekend at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Vatican City on May 18th, in the immediate wake of Venus clearing her post-retrograde shadow:
A surprising moment unfolded at the Vatican during the enthronement of Pope Leo. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenskyy shook hands marking their first encounter since a heated Oval Office clash earlier this year. This public gesture signals a possible thaw in their strained relationship…
That February White House encounter was described as one of the worst diplomatic incidents in recent memory… So what changed at the Vatican?
This handshake wasn't just a photo op. It suggests both sides are trying to move past the bad blood. The Vatican's neutral ground steeped in symbolism provided the perfect setting for a reset.
Sources indicate the enthronement ceremony fostered an atmosphere of reconciliation with both leaders under pressure to show unity…
This moment doesn't erase the deeper issues… Still, this handshake is a step toward dialogue showing both leaders are willing to engage at least publicly. (~excerpt from transcript)
And guess what?
Zelenskyy still wasn’t wearing a suit.
But no one tried to publicly humiliate him for his clothing choices this time.
Venus is still in Aries where she is in detriment, but now she is moving in direct motion. After having just cleared her retrograde shadow, she has greater clarity with how best to proceed with her goals.
She’s also better positioned to make amends.
Compare the photo below, of Zelenskyy and Vance meeting in Rome on May 18th, 2025, with the photo included at the beginning of this post that captured Zelenskyy, Trump and Vance in the midst of their confrontation in the Oval Office on February 28th, 2025. It’s a striking visual depiction of the before and after of a Venus retrograde.
It’s just a whole new vibe… there’s even flowers on the table! Plus, the mineral deal has been signed. In other photos from this outdoor meeting in Rome there are even smiles.
All of these are clear indicators that Venus is feeling better.
And what about you?
Are you feeling better? Have you seen greater clarity, forward motion, and certain problems steadily resolving since about April 12 - May 16, 2025?
I hope so!
Venus’ retrograde container this year encompassed more than just her own directional shifts; it also held a Mercury retrograde that closely followed her own footsteps from Aries into Pisces, as well as a Solar Eclipse in Aries and Neptune making its way back to Aries after a 150 year hiatus from the sign.
Venus’ retrograde began at 10°50 Aries on March 1, 2025, and she stationed direct at 24°37 Pisces on April 12. She entered her pre-rx shadow on January 28, and cleared her post-rx shadow on May 16.
Mercury’s retrograde began at 9°35 Aries on March 15, 2025, and the trickster stationed direct at 26°49 Pisces on April 7. Mercury entered its pre-rx shadow on February 28 (the day of the Oval Office meeting), and cleared its post-rx shadow on April 26.
The Solar Eclipse in Aries occurred on March 29th at 9°00 Aries.
Neptune left Pisces and entered Aries on March 30, 2025.
The emphasis on 9/10° of Aries is so interesting!
If you have important natal placements around this degree area (like meeee🙋♀️), then they have certainly begun a grand adventure with such a potent seeding happening here!
Can you see how Venus’ retrograde cycle was the greater container of both time and space that held the Mercury retrograde, the Solar Eclipse, and Neptune’s ingress inside of it?
When Venus cleared her shadow last week - officially on May 16th - she also brought our attention to the sizzling hot 9/10° of Aries once more.
So what does it all mean??
There is likely both a short-term story, as well as a larger thematic narrative involved for all of us in regards to the past 2.5 months (or 3.5 months if you want to include Venus’ pre-retrograde shadow that began on January 28, 2025).
The short-term correlations will be more obvious (e.g., the story arch from the Oval Office disaster, to pleasantly shaking hands in Rome).
The larger narrative involves whatever Saturn and Neptune are up to in our lives. The obvious short-term correlations from the last few months will give you clues as to what the larger narrative is about.
As I’m sure you’ve heard, there is huuuuge change afoot with alllll the outer planets changing signs within a 12 month period - Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto.
Saturn and Neptune are making this transition together; from the Zodiac’s last sign of Pisces into the Zodiac’s first sign of Aries.
From the end to the beginning again, this duo has a lot to teach us about the edges of surrender and rebirth as they linger on the Pisces-Aries threshold this year.
Some Story-Hunting Prompts:
Find the side-by-side houses in your birth chart that contain Pisces and Aries. Research and/or brainstorm a list of keywords for each of the two houses (focus on the themes that are most relevant to your life right now).
Reflect on how the themes and life domains represented by these two houses seem to be tightly weaving themselves together this year.
For example, if Pisces and Aries land in your 10th house and 11th house respectively, think about the emergent connections between your career/social roles and the collaborative group efforts you contribute to. If your 6th and 7th houses are being activated, consider how matters of health, healthcare, and your daily work/employment setting are impacting (or impacted by) your important 1:1 relationships and contractual agreements.
How did you notice these two entangled areas of life being confused, pressurized, uncertain or delayed throughout the first few months of 2025? And then, how have you seen these two areas of life building greater collaborative momentum since mid-April, alongside growing clarity regarding your priorities and direction?
Venus retrograde cycles repeat every eight years at around the same dates, shifting direction at nearly the same degrees and therefore activating similar areas of our natal charts and our lives. In 2017, Venus stationed retrograde at 13°07 Aries on March 5th, and stationed direct at 26°54 Pisces on April 15th, again crossing the Aries-Pisces threshold several times.
When you reflect on the events of early 2017, are there any echoes of current life themes that provide greater insight into what is continuously seeking to awaken in this part of your natal chart?
Regarding your Pisces house, what do you notice seems to be in the early stages of completing, resolving, and ending?
Neptune initially dipped into Pisces from April 4, 2011 - August 5, 2011, and then was in the sign of the fish for the long haul from February 3, 2012 until March 30, 2025. What chapters of life (relevant to your Pisces house) were held by this container of time and space from 2011 to 2025?
Saturn first entered Pisces on March 7, 2023, and this weekend, on May 24/25, 2025, it will leave Pisces for Aries! What chapters of life (relevant to your Pisces house) were held by this container of time and space from 2023 until now?
When story-hunting in this container pay close attention to Saturnian themes such as: boundaries, commitment, perseverance, father-figures, external authorities and regulations, reality checks, saying no, endings, facing limits, addressing the hard stuff and doing some serious adulting with massive payoffs for your internal growth.
Regarding your Aries house, what do you notice seems to be in the early stages of beginning, initiating, and launching (in ways that bring forward and metabolize the life content and learnings from your Pisces house)?
Consider too, the three recent North Node Solar Eclipses that occurred in Aries on April 19, 2023, April 8, 2024, and March 29, 2025 - what moments of seeding mark these dates in your life in ways relevant to your Aries house?
Neptune will be in Aries from March 30, 2025 until October 22, 2025. Then, it takes one last swim in Pisces, before jumping into the fire for good on January 26, 2026.
Saturn will be in Aries from May 24/25, 2025 until September 1, 2025. Then, it will plunge into Pisces once more until February 13, 2026 when it crosses into Aries where it will be for the next couple of years.
Therefore, we will end 2025 with Saturn and Neptune both back in the final degrees of Pisces.
But not for long.
The threshold edging that Saturn and Neptune are doing throughout 2025 into 2026 (which was foreshadowed by both Venus and Mercury’s recent retrogrades), is significant and meaningful.
If the present-day connections between your Pisces house and your Aries house are not yet evident, they will become so as the year progresses.
0° Aries, as the marker of the Spring equinox in the Western hemisphere and the birthplace of the Zodiac wheel, is such a unique and special degree that is held within a fire sign associated with the first cries of life, the vital pulse, and the initiatory leap.
0° Aries is sizzling with potential.
In fact, the much anticipated Saturn-Neptune conjunction will happen right at 0° Aries on February 20, 2026.
More clues about your Aries-house task will arrive this weekend when Saturn enters Aries!
Some Personal Reflections:
My natal Venus is at 9° Aries and my Sun/Mercury are at 25° Pisces - basically holding the bookends for Venus’ recent retrograde. So I knew it was going to be a particularly important transit for me.
Venus rules my 10th house of career from her natal position in my 9th house.
In 2017, when Venus made the same backwards trek, I launched Lilith Rebellion online as both a website and an Instagram page! I set the intention to be an astrologer.
Around this time, I also had multiple people tell me I should write a book.
Well, eight years later as Venus repeated her retrograde pattern through my 9th house of publishing, I had the opportunity to contribute to a book project. It was a full circle moment.
As Venus stationed direct on my Sun/Mercury in my 8th house (which is associated with deep psychological and emotional pain), I completed the final live training for a trauma healing modality that I have been studying for six years (Saturn, the planet of perseverance, completions and graduations, was also on my Sun/Mercury at the same time).
At the beginning of Venus’ retrograde I initially decided I would step away from astrology all together, in terms of doing readings and consultations. Then, as Venus retraced her steps, I revised this plan as my future goals came more clearly into view (another thematic connection to her 2017 retrograde).
As for my Saturn in Pisces story, in March 2023, the very next day after Saturn (planet of reality checks and adulting) entered Pisces in my 8th house (of debts, loans, other people’s money and shared resources) I had an appointment with a credit counsellor to figure out how to best manage my debt. This included considering options such as bankruptcy.
Now, as Saturn is preparing to leave Pisces and my 8th house, I’m steadily reducing my debt - and, I’m reading books on investing! It’s quite a contrast.
Whew. Thank you, Saturn.
I’m not ready to invest yet, but I’m preparing.
On that note, I need to give a shout-out to the book, Girls that Invest, by Simran Kaur.
I have tried a few times to understand the stock market, but this book finally gave me the foundation I was looking for. It also equipped me with strategies around how to invest in low-risk ways. It was a very accessible read and I highly recommend it! There’s plenty of other great investing books out there, but this one was the perfect launching pad for me becoming a stock-market-nerd.
Recently I read
recent account of living through Saturn’s transit in her Pisces 8th house (same as me). I always appreciate hearing people’s personal transit stories and it was interesting to compare our experiences.
I was also reminded of how goddamn literal Saturn transits are.
Saturn is the planet of the material world and concrete reality, and thus his transits tend to make themselves known in obvious ways that match the symbolism perfectly. For that reason tracking Saturn transits are a great way to learn astrology (even as we may be suffering through them, tbh).
I had some additional Saturn-in-the-8th-house correlations that mirrored Cara’s experiences, although in very different ways. Themes of shared resources, estate planning, inheritances, and being shaken to the core by the death of someone close to me, factored into my story as well (both Saturn and the 8th house are symbolically associated with death).
While the co-presence of my natal Jupiter in Pisces may have slightly softened my recent Saturn transit, Saturn transits are not easy - and certainly, Saturn in the infamous 8th house in particular, is no frolic in the park.
However, as Cara points out in her story, it is possible to befriend Saturn.
I actually believe Saturn is one of the planets that is most open to collaborating when we lean into the work he asks of us.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous about Saturn crossing my natal Sun/Mercury cazimi last month, in a house that is notorious for its challenging experiences.
The last live training module I completed while Saturn was sitting on my Sun (identity) and Mercury (learning) stretched me far out of my comfort zone. I had been anxiously anticipating this particular module for literally years - to the extent that I had pushed the completion of this program three years beyond what is typical for most people.
However, ultimately I was able to embody Saturn.
In other words, I committed to the process. I persevered. I spent a year consistently saving the funds for the training. I had a lot of therapy sessions months in advance to internally ready myself.
I successfully brought myself to the finish line - and I didn’t even need to crawl over it (although that would have been okay too); I finished strong. Despite having to navigate numerous challenging variables I ended with a good experience and a literal Saturnian Certificate of Completion.
Whereas we frequently encounter Saturn as a harsh external force, I’m grateful for the ways in which the archetype Saturn is alive within me.
Saturn is a planet of wisdom and strength gained through experience. There are no short-cuts to the internal growth that is nurtured through facing life challenges.
However, I do believe we can prepare for these transits and actively collaborate with the process.
So how can we prepare for Saturn entering Aries this weekend?
The answer to that question will be unique to your birth chart and your life circumstance. Reflecting on the meaning of the whole sign house that contains Aries and the recent activations of this area of life will give you a head start.
For example, I would love if a component of my upcoming 9th house Saturn story involves an ancestral trip through parts of Europe. Right now it’s way out of the ballpark for me. However, I know that Saturn appreciates commitment and consistent effort.
I plan to launch this transit by beginning the process of renewing my passport; a small step that matches Saturn’s symbolism (e.g., having to do with legal regulations, government authorities, official paperwork and formalities).
I also hope to bring into the 9th house of spiritual beliefs and higher education, my life-changing 8th house encounters with death and my desire to deepen my knowledge and skillsets in order to be of service in this area.
What about you?
On a lighter note, another deeply important question we need to consider is:
With Saturn and Neptune soon to be in Aries together, what do we wear?!?!
I asked Chat GPT this question and here’s the apparel it suggested:
