The Astrology Podcast

Episode: Venus and Mars Retrogrades as the Unfolding of a Sequence of Events

Host: Chris Brennan
Date: June 21, 2025

Overview of the Episode

In this special episode, Chris Brennan leads an in-depth retrospective analysis of the recent Venus and Mars retrograde periods, which are now concluding. Chris discusses his evolving perspectives on how these planetary retrogrades operate, emphasizing their role in initiating and timing extended sequences of events in people's lives, rather than only marking singular, dramatic moments. Drawing on his observations, client stories, and examples from patrons and students, Chris aims to document, validate, and formalize new interpretive techniques for retrogrades—especially those that cross two signs or houses—while weaving in lived experiences from the astrology community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Redefining Venus and Mars Retrogrades

• Chris’s Approach: The retrograde influence extends far beyond the actual backward (retrograde) movement of the planet. It covers the entire period a planet spends in the sign(s) it will retrograde through, including its pre-retrograde shadow, retrograde, and post-retrograde shadow periods.
  • Example: Mars first entered Cancer (the sign it would retrograde in) in September; didn’t move on until mid-June.
• Why it Matters: The extended transit means the planet's influence lingers in particular houses/topics in a person's chart, leading to a series of interconnected events.

2. Three Primary Manifestations of Retrogrades

Chris outlined three core patterns to look for:

1. Unfolding Sequence of Events
   Retrogrades frequently manifest as extended storylines rather than single, isolated incidents.
2. Connecting Two Houses or Life Areas
   When a retrograde crosses two signs/houses, events frequently interlink the topics of both (e.g., relationships and work).
3. Simultaneous Activation by Both Venus and Mars
   In overlapping retrogrades, major life events sometimes arise in two different domains, connected by the overlapping planets' symbolism.

3. Example: Divorce as a Sequence (Chris, 10:50)

"The divorce was not just a singular thing, but instead it was this entire process that began in September when Mars first went into cancer..."
— Chris Brennan, [12:45]

• Sequence:
  • Mars into Cancer: partner starts legal inquiries.
  • Mars retrograde station: divorce papers served.
  • Mars direct: divorce finalized, house deed changed.
  • After: ex-husband becomes engaged to someone else.
• Illustration of Fate: The drama unfolds like a “chain of causes” (Stoic Fate), interconnected and precisely timed by planetary movements.

Live Participant Stories (Selected Highlights with Timestamps)

Chris hosted multiple guests who shared stories demonstrating the above patterns. Each story provided rich, first-hand evidence of the retrogrades' operation.

Kit—Work, Break-up, and Self-Assertion

[19:36] – [38:05]
Chart: Aquarius Rising, Mars retrograde moved from her 6th (work) to 7th (relationship) houses.

• Key Story Beat:

  • Partner disappeared and broke up while she was abroad.
  • Both worked at the same company—had to maintain composure at work despite emotional upheaval.
  • The Mars retrograde coincided with escalating workplace stress and realization of the need to change career direction.
  • Venus in Pisces/Aries: Boosted self-assertion and financial independence.
  • “Boy oh boy, on exact dates for the Venus retrograde... everything just went from bad to worse to worse, trying to extract myself out.” [20:25, Kit]

• Outcome: Left toxic job environment, started own business, AND reconciled with family roots, culminating in buying a home—an extended, life-changing process.

  “That might be the third house piece with Venus retrograde in Aries... learning how to speak up within that difficult work situation.”
  — Chris, [37:16]

Abby—Disaster, Relocation & Healing

[39:34] – [48:15]
Chart: Virgo Rising, Mars Retrograde crossed 11th and 12th houses; Venus retrograde in 7th/8th houses.

• Key Story Beat:

  • Home destroyed in the January California fires (singular event).
  • Instigated a months-long journey: homelessness, living in a car/hotels, followed by radical relocation to Maine.
  • Husband forced to stay behind; long-distance relationship stress.
  • GoFundMe, debt issues, community support (themes of 8th house Venus retrograde).
  • “When the barn burns down, now I can see the moon... where we've landed is actually a fairy tale.” [45:26, Abby quoting Leisa]

• Outcome: Out of tragedy arose a healing, synchronous new life.

  “Sometimes it’s good for astrologers to see and share difficult stories… so we can understand how things like that work out and what it can look like under a difficult transit.”
  — Chris, [42:54]

Kahn—Mother’s Illness, Unexpected Recovery

[50:37] – [60:08]
Chart: Cancer MC, mother with strong Sagittarius (receiving Saturn, Neptune); Mars retrograde through 10th house.

• Key Story Beat:
  • Mother diagnosed with terminal cancer as Mars entered Cancer.
  • Pursued alternative treatment, recovery announced as Mars stationed direct.
  • Intense emotional journey paralleling the retrograde timeline.
  • “At the end of February [Mars station direct], there was no sign of disease anymore.” [53:40, Kahn]
• Reflection:

  “Sometimes the burden of knowing or seeing difficult things coming up in the future... how to use the information and not get completely freaked out about it...”
  — Chris, [58:06]

Emily—Generational Patterns & Rare Recurrence

[61:09] – [75:38]
Chart: Gemini Rising. Venus/Mars retrogrades echoed the years 1977 and 1993.

• Key Story Beat:
  • At age 16, broke another girl’s arm in an arm-wrestling contest (1993, last time Venus and Mars retrograded in these signs).
  • In 2025, her own son is involved in a freak accident where his opponent breaks a limb—nearly the same celestial configuration.
  • Family investigation reveals similar pattern with father in 1958, tied to Venus retrograde.

  “...those two events are otherwise unconnected, the astrology is the only thing that otherwise we know is connecting those two periods of time.”
  — Chris, [71:55]

• Key Takeaway: Illustrates mysterious, meaningful connections across generations, possibly orchestrated by planetary cycles.

Summer—Stalker, Crisis, Career Change

[76:45] – [91:45]
Chart: Virgo Rising; Mars retrograde from 11th (friends/community) to 12th (hidden enemies).

• Key Story Beat:
  • Developed a stalker situation beginning as Mars entered Cancer.
  • Fled home, tension and anxiety heightened by transits indicating possible threat.
  • As Mars entered Leo (12th house), considered the possibility of her story ending violently “on the news”.
  • Instead, extended job dissatisfaction led to decisive break—quit job to pursue astrology, started successful YouTube channel.
  • “Maybe the thought of impending death made me realize like, you know, I might as well die doing something I love instead.” [87:18, Summer]
• Outcome: Fear and crisis pushed her to prioritize her own dreams and assert independence.

Christine—Friendships, Work, & Recurring Patterns

[93:13] – [121:30]
Chart: Virgo Rising; Mars retrograde 11th/12th, Venus retrograde in 7th/8th.

• Key Story Beat:
  • Professional conflicts (workplace friend becomes antagonist, escalating passive aggression).
  • Quit beloved job out of sudden desire for autonomy and meaning.
  • Same period: old romantic relationship unexpectedly rekindled, echoing Venus retrograde’s themes of things/people from the past returning.
  • Boundary setting in core relationships, shifting toward equality and reciprocity.

  “...sometimes the same energy can manifest in two different areas or two different relationships while still being broadly in the same area of your chart.”
  — Chris, [116:46]

Dina Maria—Legal Battles, Child Health, Mystical Growth

[123:40] – [144:42]
Chart: Sagittarius Rising, Mars in Cancer in 8th (ex-husband money/legal); Venus retrograde across 5th (children) and 4th (roots).

• Key Story Beat:
  • Years-long fallout from husband’s infidelity finally peaked: massive legal battle, job loss, and child support at risk—all paralleling Mars retrograde and hitting eighth-house topics.
  • Both children experienced health/injury crises during both 2017 and 2025 Venus retrogrades in Aries (5th house).
  • Unexpected friend’s sudden death as Mars opposed Pluto—a loss, but also a catalyst to deepen spiritual/ancestral ties (Venus 4th house).
  • “I could really feel the opposition to my Libra stellium too… I’ve been able to alchemize this pain in a very healthy way.” [136:18, Dina Maria]
• Outcome: Series of difficulties led to personal and spiritual growth; also exemplifies how certain events aren’t known until much later, yet are timed astrologically.

Denise—Health Crisis, Systemic Delay, Family Bond

[146:42] – [167:38]
Chart: Scorpio Rising; Venus in Aries (6th, health); Mars in Cancer (9th, doctors/experts).

• Key Story Beat:
  • Lifelong good health abruptly derailed as Mars entered Cancer (9th): increasing pain, delays, and inadequate attention from doctors, culminating in emergency surgery planning.
  • Experienced systemic delay “on the list”; health progressively worsened until crisis forced action.
  • During illness, cherished reconnection with sons—embodying Venus retrograde in 5th (children).

  “So it was really lovely to have them around in that sort of peak period when Mars was retrograde… it was really nice to have them around in that sort of peak period when Mars was retrograde.”
  — Denise, [153:06]

• Outcome: Forced to navigate bureaucratic health system (9th house), underwent repeated procedures (retrograde symbolism of repetition), positive transformation in family relationships (5th house).

Notable Quotes

• "Sometimes the retrograde is the unfolding of a sequence of events over an extended period of time."
  — Chris Brennan [13:30]

• "But really I already knew at that point that he wasn’t going to come back."
  — Kit, [27:54]

• "It was like several events, but all connected to the same theme and the same sequence of events."
  — Chris, [14:05]

• "Sometimes things like the Mars retrograde can represent a sequence of events that play out over an extended period of time..."
  — Chris, [167:38]

• "That might be the third house piece with Venus retrograde in Aries in your third—was that taking additional steps in terms of that as well, and learning how to speak up within the context of that difficult work situation."
  — Chris [37:16]

Segment Timestamps (Highlights)

• Intro to Retrogrades & Patterns: [00:00] – [19:36]
• Kit—Work & Relationship Story: [19:36] – [38:05]
• Abby—Fire & Relocation: [39:34] – [48:15]
• Kahn—Mother’s Illness: [50:37] – [60:08]
• Emily—Generational Accident: [61:09] – [75:38]
• Summer—Stalker & New Career: [76:45] – [91:45]
• Christine—Work, Friendship, Repeating Themes: [93:13] – [121:30]
• Dina Maria—Legal & Family Crisis, Spiritual Growth: [123:40] – [144:42]
• Denise—Health Crisis, Healthcare Delay, Family: [146:42] – [167:38]
• Final Reflections & Synthesis: [167:38] – [End]

Memorable Moments & Analogies

• The “Hot Sauce” Analogy:

  "Mars retrograde being like eating a really hot sauce that you can't… where the feeling just lingers and you can't get rid of it."
  — Chris, [25:52]

• Reflection on Fate and Sequence:

  "That's important because one of the ways that the ancient Stoics talked about the concept of fate… is that fate was like the unfolding of a sequence of events."
  — Chris, [14:00]

• Generational Rhyming:

  "There’s some sort of connection there in terms of the timing... pointing to some really interesting property of the universe that’s connecting otherwise unrelated events..."
  — Chris, [75:38]

Summary of Insights & Techniques

1. Widen Your Retrograde Windows:
   Don’t just focus on the exact retrograde phase—track the full duration a planet spends in a sign. The “pre-shadow” and “post-shadow” are often packed with precursors and resolutions.

2. Watch Ingresses/Foreshadowing:
   As soon as a planet ingresses the sign it will retrograde in, themes begin “telegraphing” themselves. Early events often foreshadow the coming main drama.

3. Note Houses Crossed:
   When retrogrades span two signs/houses, expect your story to blend both (e.g., relationship crises spilling over into work, or financial matters linked with health).

4. Expect Repetition and Echoes:
   Personal and family histories may echo at regular intervals, sometimes even across generations—especially when Venus or Mars retrogrades repeat in the same signs.

5. Sequence Over Singularity:
   Rarely are these periods about one event. Instead, expect a trail: a beginning, critical mass near station, and a resolution—often on or after the last shadow/in the new sign.

Concluding Reflections

Chris ties the episode together by:

• Reaffirming that Venus and Mars retrogrades function as catalysts for extended life narratives, with patterns that can be tracked and studied astrologically.
• Emphasizing the value of integrating whole sign houses and tracking ingress/egress points.
• Urging the astrological community to continue documenting case studies, as these patterns bring ancient philosophical concepts of fate to life (“the unfolding of a sequence of events”).
• Encouraging ongoing research and sharing of stories to test and refine these theoretical perspectives.

For more discussions and stories, join the conversation on The Astrology Podcast’s YouTube channel.