Uranus Retrograde 2023 will ask you to break free of the norm—here's why you *can't* ignore it, according to astrologers

This is the part where you break free: Uranus retrograde 2023. 

Swooping in at the end of our August 2023 horoscope, the Planet of Innovation and Revolution will begin its backward spin days two days ahead of the next full moon on Wednesday, August 30, a lunation that will inspire creative and romantic adventures to flourish. 

What can we expect from this cosmic player, and how should we prepare for what it is about to send our way? Allow astrologer Dalila Salgueiro to fill you in. 

Dalila Salgueiro

Dalila Salgueiro is an astro-manifesting coach and the founder of The Manifesting App, as well Retrograde PR, which is based in London and New York. Through her work, she aims to "cultivate a holistic way for mental healing and positive living."

What to know about Uranus retrograde 2023

• When: Monday, August 28, 2023, to Friday, January 26, 2024

We're wrapping up August and the summer season with a few planets spinning backward. Since Mercury Retrograde 2023 usually gets the most attention, we wanted to shift the focus to a less prominent but arguably more powerful planetary happening. Uranus' backward movement is meant to bring about clarity and help you get on the proper path. It definitely has its benefits, but the journey can be a little challenging. 

"This a time where you can break free from boundaries that have been holding you back," Salgueiro says. "The best thing to do is to listen to your inner voice. Uranus retrograde is in Taurus which is ruled by Venus and so you will be feeling changes most related to money and love."

As always, retrogrades ask you to re-evaluate circumstances and revise your behaviors, so now is the time to truly assess what's working and what needs improvement. Perhaps you need a new routine? Perhaps a behavioral change in your relationship is necessary. Whatever the case might be, now is the time to embrace the opposite of what you're used to—it's going to be for your benefit.

According to astrologer Noush, you can expect this experience to be a bit out of sorts (but it'll totally be worth it). 

"Uranus is trying to create a bigger vision for you, but it’s not a comfortable journey to get there," Noush previously told My Imperfect Life. "You'll come back more empowered and feeling more comfortable with potential change and potential surprises moving forward because those are always going to be part of our lives."

How to embrace Uranus retrograde

Approach changes and new situations with a glass-half-full mentality

"You need to be flexible and go with the flow—be open to exploring new possibilities," Salgueiro says. "Uranus retrograde in fixed sign Taurus will be a transformative period. This will be a time to break free from your normal routines and embrace changes in your life. There will be areas that you notice are not working and during this time, and you will work to change those."

What to do during Uranus retrograde

Focus on the areas in your life that could use a little sprucing up. What needs to change, and how can you implement a new structure or routine effectively? When things get a little hectic, Salgueiro recommends taking a self-care break and paying attention to meditation, breathwork, and yoga, her wellness trifecta. 

What to expect after Uranus Retrograde

Following the event will be Jupiter Retrograde on Monday, September 4, an equally important transit. 

"Jupiter is all about the unknown and optimism," Salgueiro notes. "You will be wanting to take great leaps of faith during this time. It is good to push forward with whatever changes you were making during Uranus retrograde and fully ensure you change that area in your life. Trust your intuition."

And, according to our in-house astrologer, Narayana Montúfar, we'll be refreshed and ready for what's ahead in the fall, especially after that once-in-a-blue-moon August Blue Moon. 

"We're going to have a better idea of how we want to move forward with everything that happened," Montúfar previously said. "We're not going to feel uninspired. We're going to be ready to tackle anything and know what we want to focus our energy on. We're going to be more focused."

For more intel on the cosmos, have a look at our guide to what planet is in retrograde.