Category Archives: Venus Retrograde

Venus Retrograde 19 December 2021: A Personal Renaissance

09 Thursday Dec 2021

Posted by in astrology, Sun-Venus Inferior Conjunction, Transits and Cycles, Venus, Venus Direction, Venus Retrograde

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Venus is a little more serious in Capricorn–here she is being serious about the Arts: ‘Venus of Poetry’ By Julio Romero de Torres 1913 {{PD}}

Our only imperative in this life is to be. It’s easy to forget that–or maybe, never to learn that, surrounded by a social order that promotes doing and action, that sees value only in what we create, give, or make happen. We receive a message of perpetual pressure to do, to measure ourselves by what we achieve, by the stack of qualifications, money and assets we accumulate, and by the accolades we manage to drag back to our cave (the best cave we can find!) and pile up, dragon-like. We ‘reward’ ourselves with treats, pampering, or even something as essential as rest, when we feel we’ve ‘earned’ them, with our crime being we should value ourselves just because we exist; we are no less worthy for what we don’t do, for the rat race we choose not to run.

Venus in Capricorn can support that societal valuation that we are what we do or what we have, but turning retrograde in this sign offers a new perspective, a potential for freeing ourselves from the link between our impact on the material world and the worthiness of our existence that we may see as natural when it’s anything but. When Venus takes up apparent backward motion we may be able to see the true worth of our efforts, see the genuine usefulness as well as the unreasonable constraints imposed by the status quo, may show us how playing by the rules and judging ourselves by the social order has made appreciation of ourselves just as we are less possible, less obvious, and may have persuaded us that we don’t have worth, unless we conform. Well that’s a crock.

Add to this state the way Venus in Capricorn will pass over Pluto just before going retrograde in the wee hours PST of the 19th, at 26 Capricorn 29. That suggests that just before turnaround we’ll get a glimpse, flashback, or awe-inspiring preview of immense change, a re-making, a re-birth, or a permanent ending that’s coming our way–and that may shake our foundations that are built in Love, relationship certainties, partnership, or financial security. It will be almost impossible to separate our current Plutonian view/ issues from the Venus retrograde–though they may have nothing to do with each other at all.

Pluto will give Venus retro a shadow she doesn’t normally carry, even at times of regression and review, and we are very likely to perceive this as inherent to Venusian matters at this time, rather than as shading provided by the brooding, ultra-serious lord of the Underworld. In Capricorn, this may look like guilt (especially guilt over not being what we consider productive), or like shame (at having our nose to the grindstone, and so missing some Venusian aspect we should’ve attended to), or it could bring a kind of morbid insistence on re-hashing a failed relationship, financial venture, or investment from the past.

Since Venus retrograde is a period of reconnoitering relationships, experimenting with aesthetics and interactions, and trying new, Venus-related activities of the House where this happens, the Houses that Venus rules, and the House where she is placed (the retrograde occurs in the same sign, and so often the same House with Placidus, absolutely the same House with Whole Sign) every 8 years, we are likely to re-visit whatever was cooking the last time Venus turned around here–and that’s where the Plutonian shadow may temporarily fall. The emphasis is always on the matters of the House where the retro occurs, with other Venus-connected factors of secondary relevance, unless receiving an aspect from the transiting body. Sometimes issues dealt with the last time she retrograded here come back in new forms; other times the very same issue springs to life once again, in the very same shape, as if no time has passed at all–and this time around, we are likely to be overly focused on the ways in which something didn’t work, was destroyed or lost, or on our own part in permanent change that the retro cycle prompts us to re-examine and mourn–and that’s even if we are fully aware the change was necessary, or we’re happy with the way things turned out.

This might seem the more obvious choice to illustrate this post. ‘La Nascita di Venere’ (The Birth of Venus) By Sandro Botticelli c1485 {{PD}}

It can feel like deja vu all over again, as they say, when Venus turns backward in the same area every 8 years; it may take a little detective work to see the consistencies and connections to the last time, or it may slap us right in the face with a sense that we’ve been unsuccessful in resolving the issue–or that, not having chosen definitively the last time around, we’re being given the same choice (or opportunity) again.

Also notable may be the way Venus turns around just short of quincunxing the Earth. That suggests that we won’t get the entire meaning of Venus’ retro phase, particularly the implications for our material situation, until later, when Venus finally makes another aspect to Earth/ Sun, slated to happen when Venus meets the Sun in Inferior Conjunction, 8-9 January 2022.

At the time of Inferior Conjunction the two, Sun and Venus, will be roughly semi-square Jupiter in Pisces–so look for big effects, sometimes world or social sphere events mirroring or echoing personal ones, and look immediately for the spiritual ‘message’ delivered by relationships or financial situations–they’ll be telling, but despite new revelations, save choices for after direction, early hours PST of 29 January. Venus will go direct with her first major contact being the Moon, just entered into Capricorn at the moment of direction and slated to meet Venus in just under one day. Emotions rush in, feelings become clear and probably undeniable, and intuition speaks loudly of the meaning of what’s happened during the retrograde.

That’s when we return to our customary tastes and relationship state-of-mind–and when we’re in the best position to assess our findings from the retro period. That’s when we have our personal renaissance, having re-visited and refreshed matters of the natal House where the retro occurs, and re-gained clear consciousness of both Venusian facets of our lives, and the worth of ourselves, being, just as we are.

11-13 May 2020 Hazardous to Your Health

10 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Retrogrades, Venus Retrograde

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‘Rokeby Venus’ By Diego Velázquez 1644 {{PD}}

Now we stand in the shadow cast over our reality by Saturn’s retrograde on the 10th, and we likely feel the need to reassess our approach and our standing according to the new conditions we see around us. Are you a ‘suddenly halted’ Saturn responder, or an ‘obstacles removed’ kind of Saturn person? The answer to that will tell you whether this period is a ‘go forward with all those stalled projects’ time, or a ‘take a Zen approach and accept stalls as delays meant to turn your attention elsewhere’ time.

The 11th sees some serious questions around power and values answered, specifically as they are addressed through ambitions, desires, and the array of personal responsibilities each of us has. Though we may feel disempowered, may feel that thoughts don’t match actions, we need to know that off-the-cuff choices and efforts will make more issues than they address–so avoid the spontaneous, if possible. Look in the dark corners for the information that is vital to making good choices (and of course, we didn’t know that before–that’s why we put it in a dark corner!)–and then go forward on the 12th, in all areas except purely creative ones. New impulses and ideas need to be noted, but not yet instituted–and it’s clear why when we consider that the 12th also has Venus turnaround in apparent retrograde.

This retro occurs every 18 months and institutes a short (approx. 6 week) period when we may see any or all of these effects: we re-visit an issue or Venusian-themed subject that was active 8 years ago, the last time Venus retrograded at roughly this point in the natal scenario. Things may pick up as if no time has passed, or we may see the same material re-emerge in different form. There’s a potential for quite abruptly seeing relationships, financial, and aesthetic matters in different terms; perceptions in these areas are temporarily distorted, making us more inclined to be adventurous, to stray from our normal preferences–and sometimes to make life changing choices. Our tastes don’t run in their usual channels. With any permanent change in those areas you consider making during the retro, put off the actual step until after Venus goes direct. The difference in choices should look something like this: henna tattoos–Yes! Real ink–No! Dating someone you might’ve typically turned down–Yes! Getting married spontaneously–No!

And this is all shaped by where in the natal chart this Venus retro occurs for you. Re-visited subjects will be found connected to the House where the retro falls (and possibly will involve Venusian matters or matters Venus rules or is otherwise involved with via chart rulerships), and they’ll carry the tone of the sign in which the retro occurs, in this case Gemini. That could mean the mind takes center stage, overruling aesthetic judgments and giving you lots of reasons why what the heart yearns toward isn’t the logical (or tidy, or justifiable) choice. Venus retrograde withdraws our innate taste standards, preferences, and ‘what we love’ and respond to, replacing it in this instance with what our minds, or the arguments of others, tell us we should love.

Interesting to note that on the 12th, unlike through the rest of Venus’ turnaround, the mind will be sharp, reality-oriented, and unusually smart, stable, and reliable. If you’re going to listen to the mind alone during the Venus retro, this is the day to do so–after that, remind yourself that nothing is done by thought alone, and thoughts without heart don’t tell the whole story.

On the 13th we may not understand how truly destructive or deluded our choices are, especially those around matters of health. What feels like deep thinking is really hyper-pessimistic. Let it go, for now, and stay with what you already know and practice.

Have a great week!

 

14-15 November 2018 No Straight Line

13 Tuesday Nov 2018

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, Mercury retrograde, Retrogrades + Directions, The Daily Word Image, Venus Retrograde

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‘Composition V’ By Wassily Kandinsky 1911 {{PD}}

Though the 14th may seem like a quiet day, big change can occur almost without our realizing it. We act with the future in mind, with goals and our highest priorities and values as guidelines–but what we’ve been ignoring or denying, or matters that have enraged us or forced us into a proactive stance, come forward and, in some amazingly clever and inspired ways, alter the terrain. Even if we don’t see the shift, it happens–and factors we couldn’t have anticipated (indeed, we make our choices only from what we start the day knowing) will spring up, appear, or (in a sense) reach out to us, and transform what lies before us. But, because we’ve used our values and commitments as a guide, we end up with things better aligned with our goals and priorities than they were when we started. That’s progress, as long as you don’t demand it unfold in an absolutely straight line.

Be ready for Mars to sextile Uranus tomorrow, the 15th, then move into Pisces–choices and actions, our own and others’, are unexpected, shocking, surprising, radical, or flow from Higher Mind–and leave us either confused or inspired. Keep in mind that the ‘Big Reveal’ of Venus going direct occurs the 16th, as does Merc’s retrograde in Sagittarius–that means what happens on the 15th may be a ‘pre-reaction’, as we feel the approaching shifts but are not yet conscious of them–more on both those changes later.

(Sun sxt Vesta and parallel Black Moon Lilith, Mars qnx NN and nov Pluto)

By Angelo Dall’Oca Bianca 1876 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a death that’s not a death but a kidnapping, instead. That’s a vague way of saying something we think is dead isn’t dead at all, it’s just been moved to another ‘location’–and that means we’re operating in a bit of Neptune’s territory (or is it Pluto’s?), as we’re actively being deceived about the viability of something important. What dream have you given up on (deceiving yourself), or have you been convinced by others or circumstances is dead, that might fit this image? Consider that it may, yet, be resurrected, and watch what occurs at the double turnaround of Venus and Mercury on the 16th–but don’t make up your mind just yet, wait for Merc’s direction on 6 December–that’s the earliest point at which all pieces of the puzzle become clear.

Venus Retrograde in Scorpio, 2018: Psychic Pheromones

19 Friday Oct 2018

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Venus Retrograde

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‘The Death of the Gravedigger’ c1900 By Carlos Schwabe {{PD}}

I don’t know about you, but for me, this Venus retro period has brought vivid, almost tactile dreams, defining moments in relationships, and unsettling encounters with strangers who seem to crawl out of the woodwork. At first, of course, I just thought it was me, drawing in weirdness because of some psychic pheromone I was unknowingly putting off–but turns out, others are having these experiences, too.

The retrograde happening in Scorpio had already primed me to expect a certain amount of digging, a handful of turned earth, now and then, the dark corners lit up, and I’d expected the resurrection or final termination of certain Venusian pastimes, pursuits, and in some relationship or money matters in general, and all of it keyed to the last retro of Venus in this House of my chart, 8 years ago (the 10th, for the curious–so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that each ‘event’ took place in public!) I didn’t count on the square of Venus to Black Moon Lilith, the way Mars mingled with the latter and moved on to square the former, the way Merc in Scorpio has begun to slow in preparation for that retrograde period, which closely follows Venus’ direction, the way Chiron and Sedna are sextile and forming a Finger of God with apex the Scorpio Sun (the Finger especially potent, as it combines a sense of woundedness with those matters we ‘know but don’t know’, creating a stew of hidden motives, just-below-the-surface hurts, and suddenly revealed atrocities)–in short, I didn’t count on all the varied sh*t stirring that would be going on simultaneously.

Rather than just a review of 8 years ago focused on career, public role, status in all its forms, reputation, business–all those 10th House matters–what I’ve gotten has been a series of encounters that have either showed me who others really are, beneath the civilized surface, or that have brought strangers pushing forward with what I can only describe as attempts at inappropriate interaction–that is, ones that break social boundaries and barriers, and not in a good way. They’ve each one featured at least one of the Scorpionic specialties: death, sex, darkness, regeneration, change, destruction, loss. As I said, at first I thought it was me, pulling in others with murky motives and nefarious aims, so naturally I looked at myself, wondering, ‘Am I doing that? Is this a reflection of my own behavior?’

Nothing made sense, until it did; that Aha! of recognition came (as it always does) when I stopped taking it personally and looked for the larger pattern, which involves the Truth about Love, Money, and/ or Relationships–so, if you’re seeing this, too, how is this manifesting for you? Check as many as apply, and feel free to comment, add your own answers, or to elaborate.

Have a lovely weekend! For the forecast, click here–and for a review of Venus Retrograde, see here–Thank You!

 

Venus Retrograde 2018 Experimental Passions

04 Thursday Oct 2018

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, future events in the sky, Retrogrades + Directions, Venus, Venus Retrograde

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‘Femme nue’, 1889 By Jean-Léon Gérôme {{PD}}

Venus currently appears stationary, and will begin apparent backward motion on October 5th at 10 Scorpio 50 (and a skosh), 12:05 PM PDT. Every 8 years Venus retrogrades at just a few degrees less in the same sign; last retro in Scorpio began October 7th 2010 at 13 Scorpio 13. We look back to what happened at that time for clues as to what will appear this time; the House of the natal chart where the retrograde falls will tell you what subjects, individuals, or groups will potentially be prominent. These issues may be the same as last time Venus went retro here, they even may pick up exactly where they left off, or another topic represented by the House may come forward, and there’s the possibility that the Venus retro effect may spill over into the matters of the Houses of the natal chart ruled by Venus, as well as Venus’ usual themes of ‘Love & Money’.

Venus’ turnaround prompts us to pull back on aesthetic choices, to reconsider friendships, partnerships, or love interests, to review investments of all kinds, to experiment in these areas. Suddenly we wake up one day and long to try something new in one or another Venus ruled arena; as this retro is in Scorpio, we are likely to dig, excavate, research, our need to find ‘the Truth’ urgent and emotionally stirring, with all the consequent (and probably predictable) upset this brings to relationships, values, or financial situations. We’ll be drawn, one way or another, into a Venusian ‘cave’–how and how deeply we choose to explore it is the retrograde journey.

During the retrograde we may decide to resuscitate some Venusian interest. We could go back to making Art, making money, or making Love, reconnect with an ex-, reach out to a lost friendship, dabble in new income sources, or look to handle our funds or interactions differently than before. What we cherish or find rewarding comes into focus–though we could say it loses its usual focus, giving us a different viewpoint than we are accustomed to–and we may see temporary circumstances that turn as much on finding what doesn’t work for us as by locating what does.

The retro period frees us from the usual Venusian constraints we apply (indicated by the natal Venus placement by House and most especially by sign), but caution from the get-go is necessary: what we may not see is that our judgments made under the influence of the retro may not hold, may in fact revolt or upset us when Venus is once again direct. We need to remain cognizant of the experimental nature of a Venus retrograde–the trick is to venture out of our comfort zones, try new things, but to do so without destroying what already is–though that judgment may come later, once the goddess goes direct.

Who holds emotional power within relationships may be at issue, and the choice to regenerate contacts that may have withered may come before us. Passions of all stripe may be re-ignited, and passion may be the measure against which we judge all things at this time. Does it fire us up, does it move us, does it reach us deep inside? Venus in Scorpio will let us know if it does–or maybe even more important, if it doesn’t–and one thing we can know is that our experiences now will reach into our emotional depths. Feelings that may have been hidden could see the light–and of course, once released that djinn can’t be shoved back into the bottle.

By Max Slevogt 1896 {{PD}}

What we must remember, though, is that our tastes and preferences change shape during the retro; tried-and-true preferences give way to the exotic or strange, or especially with Scorpio, to the dark impulse or forbidden, the urge toward complete obliteration, transformation, or change, the seduction of the extreme. What we fall in or out of love with may or may not better reflect who we really are–it all depends on so many things.

What have you always wanted to try, in line with subjects of the House placement of the retro within the natal chart, but it crossed a line for you? You may be presented with that very thing (or go out seeking it!) between now and 16 November–and add to that Mercury’s retrograde in Sagittarius as soon as Venus completes her apparent backward motion, suggesting that out from under the altered tastes of Venus retro we must immediately re-think our actions or what we’ve learned (Merc in Sagittarius, a Fire sign). Take the hint: during this Venus retro we are likely to do some things we later question; that means changes should be easily un-doable–dying the hair pink, yes! Getting a tattoo, no! Dating someone new, sure! Getting married spur-of-the-moment, nope!

Aspects made soon after the retrograde period begins, or aspects occurring at the turnaround point, often clue us in to the nature of the retro itself, and certainly to the circumstances early in the period. This time, other than a sextile from the Moon once she changes sign, Venus’ first aspect will be a square to Mars in Aquarius. That occurs 10th-11th of October and is accompanied by a conjunction from the Moon to Venus. This suggests that we likely meet at least some consequences of our actions during the retro–and these may show too much of a tendency to intellectualize the Will, perhaps divorcing it from the raw want that Venus can stir, and possibly underestimating the emotional impact our choices will have, on our own egos, or on our ability to continue to exercise our Will.

The retro period offers situations and circumstances that allow us to reconsider our values, to reassess where and on whom we spend our Venus energy, where we give or invest our Love, our cooperation, what we are willing to do in exchange for life giving material support or Soul-enhancing affections.  Happening in Scorpio, we need to remember during the retrograde that what we’re ultimately aiming for is better discovering or understanding the Truth that drives each of us forward–and from there, how well we receive and process and make use of that information is up to us.

Winter is coming! Photo by me

I’ll be taking some time off, so no daily reports for a while. I will pop back in randomly and do plan on reporting on New and Full Moons, and of course will be checking mail and orders. Hoping to finally finish my Moon book–right now I’m working on the Lunar relationship between Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds, and just finished a Juno-heavy Lunar look at Mary Shelley and her mother, Mary Wollstonecraft. Thank you to all my readers, to those who offer support in all forms, and to my clients–you keep me hopping!! and I love you for it 🙂

Your Week 3-9 March 2017 Enjoy the Moonlight

02 Thursday Mar 2017

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, forecast, future events in the sky, Horoscope, Mars, Retrogrades, Sun/Mercury Superior Conjunction, The Daily Word Image, Venus Retrograde

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'Moonlit Landscape' Archip Kuindshi 19th c. {{PD}}

‘Moonlit Landscape’ Archip Kuindshi 19th c. {{PD}}

3 March just enjoy the growing moonlight.

Today’s word image is actress Tilda Swinton. She’s not everyone’s cup of tea for the very reasons we should all embrace: not feeling the need to conform to others’ expectations, responding from genuine feeling and concern for others/ the planet, allowing the creative essence within to drive the existence, not fearing one’s own uniqueness (and this latter is particularly tough, since we are instinctively ‘programmed’ to feel that conformity is safety). Today, have yourself a Tilda moment: be, or do, whatever you are moved to.

4 March Venus retrogrades! Here’s something on dating during a retro, and then there’s this: “Any Venus area where we have met a dead end while she’s direct is an area prime for rejuvenation during retrograde. This means that the changed tastes and willingness to try the new and unusual in Venusian pursuits that typically surfaces during this time can be a means to re-generate a part of life that we have worn into a rut with too narrow a viewpoint, taste palette, or definition of what’s ‘right’ or appropriate for us. ‘New’ can definitely be the keyword that frees up an area and an approach leading to new relationships, experiences, and an enhanced aesthetic sense that lasts and benefits us long past Venus’ direction. The retro period can serve to modify our Venusian standards and perceptions so that they are wider and at the same time more refined once the planet appears to move forward again.” This rejuvenation is related to the House subjects where the retro occurs, which are likely very close to where Venus reversed direction 8 years ago, with the retro energy now re-visiting these topics in new form (or, sometimes, picking up precisely where they left off). And there’s also this on the current cycle.

It’s an odd mix today, as actions shape the future even as thoughts and reasoning are obscured, inspired, deluded, or steeped in deception. Opportunities and ‘luck’ come from tackling hidden, ignored, denied, or enraging matters head-on and doing one’s best–everything else simply turns in upon itself.

Too literal? By misocrazy from New York, NY - Cropped from Kipper, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17673198

Too literal? By misocrazy from New York, NY – Cropped from Kipper, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17673198

Today’s word image is a shack with a sign that reads ‘Red Herring’. What established thing in your life (possibly something that has a sense of ‘shelter’ about it) is actually a ramshackle distraction or misdirection–a red herring?

The 5th is a day when our physical actions and choices are highly effective in real-world terms–in shaping our surroundings, in producing material results, in stopping or containing the impact we have–and this is doubly so if our acts have spiritual or creative inspiration behind them. Just be aware: thoughts are thoroughly divorced from instinct, and in order to make things work, we must be our most reliable, by-the-book selves.

Today’s word image is a cement retaining wall with this spray-painted on it: ‘Please let me get what I want this time.’ A retaining wall holds back something, typically earth, preventing it inundating another area or collapsing beneath a structure. So, perhaps we can see this plea as requiring our own restraint or holding back in order to get what we want. Maybe we need to ‘firm up’ the foundation of something important to us. Or we can see the spray-painted sentence as the internal mantra of so many people, those who are always focused on the next thing, always believing their wishes aren’t heard or fulfilled; inevitably these people fail to see and appreciate what they have, since a good part of their Self-image is wrapped up in seeing themselves as denied. Take a good look around, beyond gratitude, and consider that singing a song that’s always got a sense of deprivation at its center simply attracts that very quality.

For the 6th, which just so happens to feature the Superior Conjunction of the Sun and Mercury (their meeting when Merc is in direct motion), also shows a kind of serendipitous array of contacts that promise both a strong awareness of opportunity, the social order and its requirements, the facts, and/ or the need for more, and a clear sense of ambitions and goals. Simultaneous to that, though, is a sense that we are not empowered, and that the opportunities spread before us are, one way or another, unwise in what they offer or require us to do. Concentrate today on what’s presented whole, done, or completed, in such a way that we can contemplate a new approach or venture without actually having to take too many steps right away.

No creator info provided {{PD}}

No creator info provided {{PD}}

Today’s word image is a paper doll. Remember those? We practiced our cutting skills on these cheap, easy-to-carry-along and fun-to-change-the-look-of representations. Though wonderfully entertaining, they weren’t durable, and they had their limits as they were difficult to make stand and required some patience when dealing with clothes and accessories. What in your life brings joy but is ephemeral, and may need extra care in order to preserve?

The 7th it’s all about health, mental, emotional, and the healthiness (or lack of it) related to our choices and actions. Changes and choices made today build the future, but we are in danger of making at least some of those out of fear or a compromised sense of our own wants, abilities, and power. Kinetic energy in all its forms contains a certain genius at this time–get moving and get inspired. If you can trace ‘it’ back to a fear, don’t go forward, but if you can be confident in your integrity and aims, then absolutely move ahead.

Ilja Repin 'Apples and Leaves' 1878 {{PD}}

Ilja Repin ‘Apples and Leaves’ 1878 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is an apple. What does that bring to mind? The Adam and Eve story? One a day keeps the doctor away? The story of William Tell–and are you the archer or the potential victim, with the apple on your head? Do you think of your favorite apple thing–cider, pie–or do you think of the orchards, with their delicate blossoms and their twisted trunks? In order to create the same kind of apple again and again, we resort to grafting–apples in nature are distinctly different from every tree, with no two alike. Think of the role some humble component plays in your life, and discern whether it’s a freakish natural gift, or whether it’s taken a lot of intervention and engineering just to be what it is.

For the 8th action and choice bring us power and automatically help us stake out our territory, and thoughts and reasoning are easily aligned with the highest values and priorities. The down side? We can only seem to see what’s not working with our ambitions and goals, and may spend too much energy on trying to adjust and correct, rather than pursue.

Today’s word image is a white rabbit with red eyes. When you think of a rabbit, do you think of a pet, a casserole, the Chinese zodiac symbol, Alice in Wonderland, cosmetics testing, the old-fashioned pregnancy test, the way they multiply like wildfire, how some so casually carry the rabbit’s foot for luck right up until they realize how grisly that is? Personal associations are important with this, and at least part of the meaning may lie in how often and varied have been the cultural associations projected upon the rabbit, all of which spring from how we decide to relate to this rather unresponsive and unconcerned animal.

On the 9th Mars enters Taurus, and so the Will, ego, and actions become more material and sense-related in expression. At the same time, thinking resists the facts–it may seem like too much to adjust our prejudices to reality–but at the same time we may demand sweeping change. Try to get the entirety of the psyche on the same page.

Thomas Gainsborough - 'Mary and Margaret Gainsborough, the artist's daughters' c1758 {{PD}}

Thomas Gainsborough – ‘Mary and Margaret Gainsborough, the artist’s daughters’ c1758 {{PD}}

Today’s word image is two sisters who seem to be polar opposites but are actually very much the same. Where in your life are there two elements that you’re assessing as very unalike that are in reality two peas in a pod?

Enjoy your week!

Your Weekend 4-7 September 2015: A Kind of Gravity

04 Friday Sep 2015

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Venus, Venus Retrograde

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Kuroda Seiki Title 読書　(Woman Reading) circa 1890 {{PD}}

Kuroda Seiki
Title 読書　(Woman Reading)
circa 1890 {{PD}}

Truth be told, I shouldn’t even be here now, I should be at work on the final edit for the Vesta book, which is going swimmingly, despite being my own editor–a grueling job that requires I re-check every statement I made about a chart, so using the same old eyes, I could still get something wrong, right?–but I thought I should at least pop in for a few words on the weekend. Friday the 4th we may find ourselves subject to a mysterious pull, a kind of gravity that turns us toward the future and fills us with equal parts dread, excitement, and surprise at the things we discover–but those surprises will probably go well, as our thinking is aligned with our highest values and goals, and so takes us without strenuous effort in the direction we want to go. Assistance from the group and true originality may also be on the agenda.

Saturday the 5th we see an opportunity to achieve balance among our own empowerment urges, Nature and authorities, and those things we may not currently be aware of, but that will surface in the process. It’s all about Power, and thoughts are likely on goals and desires, aided by instincts, and that’s all good; however, when it comes to others, believe what they do, not what they say. Stick with that and you won’t be the victim of anyone else’s power-play.

Sunday the 6th we may see a lot of discord: instincts and forgotten or hidden matters bedevil us, and to follow prompts means we must abandon values and ideals–and no one wants to do that. Ambitions can be realized through material means, but higher mind concepts must be left for another day–the atmosphere is too competitive to allow us to advance without losing our way.

Venus goes direct 1:30 AM of the 6th, just before backing herself into apex to a Finger of God with base of Pluto-Earth–and that’s a good thing, probably, because it prevents us from going too far with those retro Venus experiments and changes–they would’ve gone destructive, if we’d continued in the direction we’ve taken–this way we back off and re-group before making any vital decisions. The first aspect our Lady of Love makes when direct is a trine to Pallas. This says what occurs to us upon direction is probably wise, born of accumulated Venusian experience. We’re back from the brink, with nowhere to go but forward!

Monday the 7th we may be skittish, worried about being wounded if we assert ourselves, and plagued by cliched thoughts and old mental tropes we thought we’d freed ourselves of long ago. Things really aren’t as bleak as they seem; we’re simply re-aligning our discernment and perceptual faculties with the now-direct Venus environment. Once we get our bearings, things go well. Hint: use a material means, an exercise or ritual or project, to help you re-orient to your usual way of seeing and assessing.

And have a great week! My Vesta book will be available at some point in this four-day period, likely Monday, though subscribers who are expecting the book will be the first to receive it, before it’s available for sale.

A Tactical Retrograde: Venus Retreats 25 July 2015

24 Friday Jul 2015

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, Venus Retrograde

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Venus Retrograde July 2015Our Lady of Love and Money has been lingering at the 00 Virgo mark for a bit now, and tomorrow (the 25th) at 2:29 AM Pacific time, she begins her apparent backward motion. ‘Tactical Retrograde’ is a military term meaning ‘retreat’, and this retro period may be centered in an examination of Venus and chart-area themed euphemisms, all continuations in one form or another of circumstances 8 years ago. Virgo is mutable earth, connecting us to practical matters, but the shift into Leo’s fixed fire narrows the attention and subject matter to ourselves and our wants–and initial aspects suggest we will have to work in symbols, euphemisms, metaphors, to look indirectly at our subjects, because to do otherwise would be too harsh to allow for much progress.

We’ll start out the retro period with a critical (Virgo) mindset; we want to set things right, correct, account for, and otherwise get matters of Love and Money on track. Keeping our usual close orbs, the turnaround point makes no contacts. The first aspect completed is a square to Saturn (other than a square from the Moon, which is likely to kick things off emotionally), and that only when Venus proceeds into Leo. The implication may be that for all our good intentions, reality comes along and delivers some hard facts–and those facts are about ourselves and our egos (Leo), and whether we successfully ‘shine’ within our own lives–or not. And we’ll be given some illuminating feedback from the social circle when Venus hits Jupiter–so, like it or loathe it, what we have to look forward to is illumination of the things within our own attitudes and expectations that have created our current Love and Money circumstances.

Of course, a Venus retro distorts our usual Venusian standards and perceptions; we’re willing to experiment in these areas in ways we would typically find unappealing, too costly, below our standards, or even repulsive. We are also prone to alterations to taste and fancies in both literal and figurative senses; the trick, though, is not to avoid trying something new, it’s just to make sure that, as long as Venus moves backward, we don’t take steps in Venusian areas that can’t be easily undone later. Dye your hair–yes, shave your head and tattoo hair on it–no; try new foods–yes, insist on preparing the blowfish yourself–no; date someone you wouldn’t usually look twice at–yes, marry them on your first date–no; paint a wall purple–yes, paint the entire house inside and out purple, no; decide to open a savings account–yes, decide to empty your 401K and dump it all in the stock market, no; jet to Spain for four days–yes, abandon your current life and jet to Spain with no intention of ever returning, oh no. It’s not that you won’t like what you’ve done after direction–maybe you will–it’s that the retro period is for shifting your perceptions, allowing a new viewpoint that can allow experimentation and a broadening of horizons, not for making definitive life changes. You may wake up when it’s over and find it wasn’t for you–that’s why it’s so important you don’t do anything irrevocable. Venereal risks of all kinds are a problem at this time, because we just aren’t assessing things the usual way. Just be aware.

We can get a lot of clues about what we’ll be dealing with by looking back 8 years. That’s the last time Venus retrograded in this spot, and circumstances, topics, and dilemmas will often simply re-appear, sometimes just as they were, other times in new guises–but still posing the same fundamental questions and challenges. Of note: a Fist of God in effect on turnaround day made up of a square between Jupiter and Saturn, apex Vesta=this may signal that our efforts and ideas oriented toward expansion clash with the reality picture–the only thing that may survive are those matters we honor, and what we find sacred, especially in the home life or in the relationship with the mate. Since Saturn and Jupiter are the two first contacts of retro Venus (not counting Luna), this might describe our retro experience. Out of the conflict comes what really matters–if you become overwhelmed, make a strategic tactical retrograde, and deal with it when the pressure subsides. Happy Venus Retrograde!

See books and services–and to those waiting for the Vesta book, it’s on its way, though I may not make the promised end-of-July deadline. Thanks for making me so busy!

This has lots to ponder, from the excellent Jude Cowell over at ‘Stars Over Washington’

A Little on the Holidays, A Little on the Solstice + A Little on Venus Retrograde

20 Friday Dec 2013

Posted by in current events in the sky, ECLIPSE magazine, Venus Retrograde

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Apparently this is a Christmas card from 1910--but it certainly looks like a hipster

Apparently this is a Christmas card from 1910–but it certainly looks like a modern-day hipster who knows his knots {{PD}}

Interesting that what we label ‘the holidays’ in much of the Western world typically falls in Capricorn. That would seem odd, with Cap’s stodgy reputation (though the affinity for gratitude in this sign is a nice fit) except when we note how Earth, the very planet upon which we sit, is currently (from a heliocentric point of view) nestled in caring, loving, nurturing, mommy-ish Cancer, with the holidays in question centered on the generosity and love that is at the heart of Cancer’s urge to nurture, feed, and ‘fix’. To be open to those Earthly energies, to celebrate them and express our appreciation for others with gifts and song and food (so Cancer!) and then to renew ourselves (like a phoenix, or a license, or a Time Lord) as the New Year begins—and this year we really do have a chance to rise from the ashes, as the Sun of 1 January 2014 conjuncts Pluto, and Mars squares the Sun-Earth axis, providing unlimited energy, the kinetic kind, with a chance to reform and resurrect identity and purpose.

The 21st is the Solstice and the beginning of the Venus Retrograde, the former marking the shortest day and longest night at the equator, with the recipe reversed for the Southern hemisphere, and the latter bringing us temporary changes in values, attitudes toward Love and Money, and often lessening of opportunity in the Houses ruled by Venus—though House matters may play out instead as relationship, aesthetic, or spending choices we later find cringeworthy. Think about how the retro period, running through 31 January, gives us plenty of time for a whirlwind courtship and marriage, enough time to cash out our life savings to invest in that plan for a space elevator or chinchilla breeding scheme (at a time when use of fur may be at an all-history low) or to finance your brother-in-law’s invention that’s been sitting under a tarp in his garage for years, and certainly we do have time to get the Last Supper tattooed on our backs, and the retro runs just long enough that most of us, if doing our worst, could end up jobless, homeless, and/ or divorced if given enough Venus contrarian rope. Be careful, as we can’t count on the reliability of our own tastes, values, or feelings to guide us terribly well during the Venus retro—that, of course, is where the danger lies. The best guideline: don’t do anything that can’t be easily undone, should you change your mind after direction.

This is from the 50th issue of ECLIPSE this year, and the final one for 2013; to subscribe and get everything delivered to you for less than $7 per month, please click here!

See more on Venus Retrograde here.

Thank You to All my Readers, and Wishing All a Wonderful end to 2013, and a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year in 2014!

Just a Little on Venus in Capricorn 2013

04 Monday Nov 2013

Posted by in current events in the sky, Venus, Venus Retrograde

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'The Laundress', a perfectly Capricornian image from a perfectly Venus in Capricorn guy--Toulouse-Lautrec 1884-1888 {{PD}}

‘The Laundress’, a perfectly Capricornian image from a perfectly Venus in Capricorn guy–Toulouse-Lautrec 1884-1888 {{PD}}

5 November Venus enters Capricorn. This can be a teeth-grinding, jaw-clenching transit, just because Venus is not super-comfortable following the rules (though she does love to be fair, as long as she gets hers!) being restricted, doing things because they’ve always been done that way, or putting on her frumpiest, as she’s expected to get down on her knees (a Cappy-ruled body bit) and work hard. This transit can be tough if we have a natal Venus that is essentially undisciplined, that just wants what she wants and is used to sating her appetites whenever she pleases. The good thing is, once Venus bothers to climb into those work clothes, she may end up making something astoundingly beautiful, though there might always be a sad element to things (Dostoyevsky has this natally, as do sculptor Camille Claudel and artist Toulouse-Lautrec, a depressive trifecta indeed) and disciplined performance may be in the blood (Beethoven and Maria Callas both have this natally, but so does Miley Cyrus! which only argues for her ‘out-of-control’ presentations really being very very controlled) and tastes can run to the decidedly dour and unappealing (Eva Braun has this placement natally, and we all know who she found attractive).

Venus will slow in Capricorn, and retrograde there on the 20th of December, so our time in the land of the dominatrix and ‘practical’ gifts for the Holidays will last a long time–and it will feel twice that, by the time our Lady of Love leaves the sign in early March 2014. It’s a long slog, and we’d better make friends with Venus as she moves through this sign; find a way to shape the Venusian impulse to the Goat’s exacting requirements and you can have a rollicking time, just as long as it’s cleaned up by 9 and lights out by 10.

This is from ECLIPSE; subscribe for less than $7 per month!