Crushes during a retrograde? Good luck, bestie

A crush born under retrograde skies can feel like a dream stitched together by doubt. There’s that familiar rush—quick glances, heartbeats skipping, a sense of something beginning. But the cosmos tugs at the brakes. In astrology, retrogrades aren’t stops, but slow-motion filters. They press pause, rewind, reframe. And in love, they complicate what should feel simple.

Mercury retrograde brings confusion to conversation. You think you’re flirting, but are you being understood? They seem interested, but then fall silent. Mixed signals, tech glitches, or just bad timing? Words lose their anchor. You reread texts, searching for meaning. A new spark can feel exciting but also unstable. You might be projecting more than receiving.

Venus retrograde tugs harder at the heart. It makes you question your taste, your choices, even your desires. Someone new appears, and you’re drawn in—but unsure why. It’s not always about the person. Sometimes, it’s about unfinished business. That sudden crush might feel intense, familiar. Could it be them, again, in a new face? Or just a pattern resurfacing?

Mars retrograde twists desire into restlessness. You want to act, then hesitate. You pursue, then retreat. Attraction flickers, then dims. Or worse—ignites something you’re not ready for. Impulses feel heavy. You second-guess every move.

Retrogrades are reflective. They ask us to pause, to reexamine rather than rush. A crush during this time isn’t doomed, but it’s under review. It’s a soft moment held in shadow. You may see clearly later, or realize it wasn’t what it seemed. Still, there’s value in the pause. In learning your heart’s rhythms. In letting something unfold slowly, if at all.

So yes, a crush in retrograde feels uncertain. But uncertainty has its wisdom. Let the moment breathe. What remains, after the sky resumes its pace, might just be real. Or it may gently pass, having taught you more than you expected.