Tag Archives: Venus Retrograde

Venus Retrograde 22 July-3 September 2023: Arrested Development

20 Thursday Jul 2023

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Venus matters, particularly the costs to our individual expression, will be under the microscope during the retro period.

Right now (the 20th) Venus has stationed within 5 minutes of its retro point–so it appears to keep moving, just a bit, before actually seeming to stop and go backward. That’s an important thing to keep in mind during all retrograde cycles: this is an apparent phenomenon, completely dependent upon our viewpoint; what we witness (a body seemingly halting forward zodiacal progress, then appearing to go back over already traversed degrees, stationing at a point that from long observation we know is coming, then beginning apparent ‘forward’ progress once again) is based upon the point in space we’re observing the heavens from, and is caused by the movement of everything, as those movements affect positions relative to other bodies, and we observe. But our interest is in something else: it’s centered in the observer effect, which is the idea that the very act of observing something changes what’s observed. That makes us, as observers, as much a part of what’s happening as those bodies we’re tracking. And then our question becomes: just how is our observation affecting what occurs?

To my mind the most important role our observation plays is that of adding message (through interpretation) and meaning (through symbology and timing) to what we observe. If all things in the Universe are working in concert, then both the relationships bodies have to one another at specific points in time, and points in time when things appear to reverse course, are important signposts for developments and especially for change–and isn’t that what an astrology chart is, those relationships and timing points captured and ready for interpretation, which is done in light of all the times that particular set of aspects has occurred before and been compared to what we experience here on Earth? Yes, it is.

So, a singular event such as the apparent retrograde of a planet doesn’t really happen alone; it happens in connection with every other thing in the Universe, and it happens as our observation of it both affects the event itself and adds its own meaning. In this case, we’re talking about Venus, second major body from the Sun, symbol of Love, Money, Relationships, Beauty–and anything that stands for something also carries the opposite of that thing, so that the absence of Love is also Venusian (in all its forms: indifference, envy, jealousy), as is poverty, loneliness, or the subjectivity of attractiveness, ‘eye of the beholder’.

And that, then, means that each person observing this event will bring their own ideas of Venus, their own interpretations and beliefs about Venusian subjects, to understanding the retrograde itself. This retro happens once every 18 months, and every 8 years it happens in the same sign (which, depending on the House system you use and the degree where it occurs, may or may not be in the same House as 8 years before). The retro period carries both a shift in aesthetic perceptions and values linked to the sign where it happens, and to the personal House of the natal chart where it falls for the individual. That means that every 8 years you’ll be re-examining those House subjects through the same lens; often we are even plunked down in the middle of all the same issues, sometimes altered, other times manifesting as if no time had passed at all! During these periods our tastes, aesthetic assessments, financial inclinations, use of talents, and relationships (existing ones and openness to new ones) are likely to take an experimental turn, which is why it’s important to dabble and sample, even as we make no permanent changes during the retro period. House subjects are typically examined through a Venusian lens; it happens in our 5th and suddenly romance or having children is on our mind, in the 10th business, in the 1st Self-improvement (or Self-decoration), and so on. We can and should try new things on for size and fit, and make more lasting choices after direction. That’s why dyeing the hair or trying a new clothes style or make-up is good, but a new tattoo or an impulsive marriage really needs to wait to be assessed in our more characteristic aesthetic light.

Let’s look at a snapshot of the time of retrograde, as this is like a birth chart for the retro period. Venus officially enters retro status at 6:33 PM PDT of the 22nd at 28 Leo 36. In Leo Venus is all about the glory of the individual, the way each of us is a shining light, and focus is on making the most of our assets and who we are. That means that it’s appropriate to keep most of the emphasis on us; even in relationship matters, we must be asking: does this serve my highest good? For once, keeping ourselves in the foreground in every matter isn’t only right, it’s required in order to see things in proper perspective.

The most striking thing may be that Venus at time of turnaround does so as apex to a Finger with base of 29 degree Pluto conjoined a 29 degree Earth (which is about to be trined by Luna in Virgo), and 27 degree Neptune, slated to have a quincunx perfected once again by Venus in backward motion. Venus is also short of perfecting a trine to the North Node, and is semi-sextile the Sun. It all looks like arrested development; we’re almost clear on changes needed to move more toward the ideal (in areas related to the House in the natal chart where Venus falls at this time), but the retro period asks us to pull back, to wait for the emotional experiences the retro will bring, to inspect our material situation and see where we are on direction, and to consider during the retro just where our current Venusian standards are taking us in life.

Maybe the most unusual thing, though, is the way Venus is novile both Juno and Ceres. The novile is serendipity, the spark of genius, and in this case promises that the Venus retrograde will illuminate our personal empowerment situation, and our circumstances of personal authority and in matters where we are responsible for others (and in some instances may show inspired ways of dealing with health or dietary matters, or in areas that require negotiation).

The Venus retro, while holding us back from reaching certain conclusions we thought were on the horizon, will give us an understanding of peripheral matters that in the end may significantly alter our goals. Things will look differently to us by retro’s end, particularly as it relates to positive expressions of our empowerment and our agency, and these will without doubt restructure our ideas around our responsibilities, our roles within relationship, and how and where we dedicate our assets and talents. It may at first appear to be a case where we are stopped short from achieving our ends, but by direction we’ll see much more clearly what it is we really want (at least in part because the retro will have in some way forced us to put ourselves first), and we’ll understand much better both our true goals, and how to reach them. The Universe always works in our favor, but we’ll only realize that if we see that denial or withdrawal of what we anticipated is only happening because there’s something we haven’t yet seen, haven’t yet considered, or some value we aren’t completely clear on, yet.

Expect a point of revelation or illumination around August 12th, when the Sun lights up retro Venus, giving us some ideas of what to do about what we see (Sun-Venus semi-sextile Mars in Virgo).

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.

Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius 3/4 December 2021 Silver Linings

01 Wednesday Dec 2021

Posted by in astrology, current events in the sky, eclipse, forecast, New Moon, Retrogrades + Directions, Solar Eclipse

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From John Cobb field notebook: Wm. Helgeson, “Whiskey Bill”, hand-lining for codfish near Pirate Cove. July 1913 {{PD}}

The first thing about the eclipse picture that jumps out at me isn’t terribly obvious, but may be extremely important: the eclipse occurs in a very tight novile to Venus in Capricorn. The novile in a personal chart defines the spark of genius the individual carries; but what is it in an event chart? We could describe it as the Silver Lining, the energies prevalent that, when tapped into, generate remarkable beneficial results. In this case, a New Moon is new beginnings, and an eclipse wipes out what came before; falling in Sagittarius, we find a sense of opportunity introduced by the extinction of a previous way of believing or a change in an accepted set of facts, with this resonating mainly through matters of the individual natal House in which this occurs. Add in a ‘genius’ facet of the practically-oriented, steady, just-a-little-repressed Venus in Cap, and you have a recipe for a brilliant, forward-thinking blueprint that has a solid grounding in relationships, aesthetic standards, and/ or in financial payoff.

Keep in mind, though, that Venus is due to retrograde soon (19 December), and that hints that anything originating now may seem during the retro to lose credibility or to in some way disappoint; that’s when we need to remind ourselves that our Venus-oriented perceptions are definitely altered during a turnaround–and that means that what begins now, though it may appear to be undesirable at retrograde time, is actually what we will want in future. So, any changes to matters begun with the eclipse should be avoided between the 19th and Venus’ direction (29 January). The retro period can show us new things, allow us to try what we wouldn’t have tasted before (out of indifference or a differing standard), with the beauty of that being we can bring back to our regular Venusian way of operating those things we experimented with and still find appealing on direction. Venus retrograde is a time for being adventurous, but not to make irretrievable changes. I always like the example of changing hair color (that’s okay) versus getting a tattoo (permanent!)–one being reversible, the other, not so easily–simply because it’s hard to know what we will regret and what we will find enhances our lives, until Venus is once again direct.

The eclipse falls less than two degrees past (and so still within orb) of a square to Pallas in Pisces, and a quincunx to Uranus in Taurus. These suggest that difficulties arising will contain wisdom or push us in a practical direction, though it’s up to us to figure what response will be to our benefit, and we must be prepared for the unexpected, the serendipitous, the accident, or the infusion of Higher Mind to present circumstances we hadn’t anticipated. In the moment we can draw on the available wisdom, if we are open to seeing how the hard choice or tough situation allows us to respond wisely, or practically, if we can get out of our own way (some may manifest a rebellious streak when confronted by eclipse realities–I can state flatly that would not be the best way to answer circumstances, no matter what they seem to be on the surface).

Though the rest of the eclipse aspects are somewhat wider than our usual orb, in sequence they tell a story. The eclipse will occur after both Sun and Moon have passed over Vesta, with them on their way to conjoin Mercury and as well oppose the Black Moon Lilith point. This series of contacts speaks of the impact of what we find sacred, what we honor, or what we have dedicated our time and energy to on the new beginnings that come about at eclipse time; they also tell of how what we have faith in, what we know, or what we think, will change, and this occurs specifically in the context of either our rejection of the opportunity to acknowledge or deal with matters we’ve previously ignored, or in the context of our embrace of those same issues. Perhaps we face them at eclipse time because we’re better equipped with either fresh knowledge or renewed faith (New Moon in Sagittarius)–or perhaps we shun them for fear that acknowledging buried issues will endanger the New Moon new start. We need to remember that it’s the temporary blocking by the Moon of the Sun’s light on its path to Earth that creates a window of time wherein we get a different view of our own circumstances, one that’s less prone to be overwhelmed by those matters that typically draw our conscious attention. The eclipse offers a moment of clarity–we just have to be willing to see what is, in order to make the most of it.

The Sabian for the Solar eclipse New Moon is, ‘A Widow’s Past Is Brought To Light’. Appropriate, right? I think ‘widow’ in this context implies two things: that we face our eclipse revelations alone, and that we have a past ( a relationship or status) that generates our present–and there’s something about what we’ve created in that past that will now show itself, take ‘center stage’, in a sense. This might be intimately connected to those Black Moon Lilith matters, and if so suggests that our willingness to inspect, deal with, or embrace them will be much more effective than will continuing to ignore or bury them. Just keep in mind that this eclipse offers us new knowledge or faith that will give us the strength or tools to face things anew, and that skills or experiences from the past show their worth now–there’s no better time to make peace with what’s behind us, and so usher in better prospects for the future.

Thank you to all my Readers who comment, ask questions, and email me. I’m not able to answer each one personally, consult, or accept new work, as I’m trying to complete my Moon book—and unfortunately that also means I won’t be addressing your individual questions about the eclipse in your personal chart sent to me or entered in comments. I wish it was the good old days, when I had that kind of time! But, I will add a few things here to help you understand the eclipse in your own chart. Remember, it’s all about new information, or new faith. For this particular event, falling in your 1st House makes it very personal, affecting your way of interacting with the world or even your physical being; in the 2nd, your asset or talent picture, or it changes your own idea of your Self-worth or abilities; in the 3rd we see it affect your writing, thinking, communications, or your physical neighborhood; in the 4th, the beliefs or knowledge about the family of origin or your core view of yourself; the 5th sees matters around your offspring/ creations, your romantic life!, or sees you taking a gamble (or calling one off) based on what you learn or believe; in the 6th, revelations about health or duties are likely; in the 7th, it may seem not to directly affect you–you could instead observe effects in your spouse, the wider public, or you could channel your feelings into Art; in the 8th what changes could seem to happen only to others, or it could affect what others share with you, or hide from you; in the 9th it could prompt a desire to travel, roam far and wide, to further education or apply yourself to religious study, or could involve things happening to in-laws; in the 10th it’s either career-affecting or whatever happens occurs where everyone can see, and probably they can see your reaction, as well; in the 11th the eclipse may trigger a long-held dream, or even present an opportunity for you to contribute the very thing you’re here to offer; and in the 12th, its impact might be felt in changes to your spiritual approach, in interactions with large institutions (ones where you feel like a cog in the wheel), or knowledge or faith may be renewed through the dream life or in communion with the Universe.

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!

 

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!

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’

The Cancer New Moon 15 July 2015: Healing An Imbalance

11 Saturday Jul 2015

Posted by in astrology, Cardinal Activity, current events in the sky, New Moon, Sabian Symbols, T-Square

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Paul Gauguin - Vahine no te miti (Femme a la mer) (Mujer del mar) 1891 {{PD}}

Paul Gauguin – Vahine no te miti (Femme a la mer) (Mujer del mar) 1891 {{PD}}

The New Moon in Cancer occurs at 6:25 PM Pacific time on the 15th at 23 Cancer 14, and makes only a few contacts, so I’ll be stretching orbs a bit so that we get some kind of picture. Usually I shy away from expansive orbs, as I feel things can get sloppy fast; this time, though, we have a loose Grand Trine that really may be the heart of the event. Too, I usually don’t pay much attention to what else is happening, preferring to focus on the New or Full Moon contacts so that we can delineate the NM or FM effects away from everything else, making it very clear what leads to what. Today I’m breaking both those rules–hold on!

Though I’m stretching those orbs, I won’t go crazy with it, and that means that the Mercury-Mars pairing that some might consider conjunct the New Moon won’t be for me–but we still need to note that aggressive speech under a banner of how much one cares may be the offering of the day. This also suggests that those not normally assertive verbally or with their ideas may find a little fire today and let everyone know what they think–and this possibly signals for them a new way of communicating or of expecting to be treated, courtesy of the New Moon.

There’s also the matter of Venus at 29 tense degrees of Leo. The poor girl is wound up tight about identity, who’s in the spotlight, about matters of generosity, about how to best shine, and about recent vicissitudes in Love or Money–and she’s preparing to retrograde soon, which implies that all this stress will find outlet in re-visiting similar topics, matters, or life areas from 8 years ago, whatever those were for you, when she last retrograded at approximately this point in the chart. Note this: whether or not current Venusian stresses seem to relate to 8 years ago, they will flow out through those life areas where Venus retros soon, the same ones visited 8 years ago–so don’t be fooled if the forms they take look new or unfamiliar.

Now, finally, the New Moon! It has sextiles to Black Moon Lilith and Sedna (though fails to fall at their midpoint), creates a loose Water Grand Trine with Saturn and Chiron, and the Sun-Moon/ Earth axis forms a T-square with Uranus. What’s born at the New Moon is born from instinct, or from those things we’ve ignored or denied, or by anger stirred by matters that normally fall in our ‘blind spot’–suddenly we see them, and wow, are we upset! What’s born makes for emotional release, and that can’t help but offer healing, even if the precipitating event itself is upsetting.

The idea is that if we attended to things yesterday (see my post for the 14th) what comes forward now may be something healing and emotionally positive (the Water GT, Chiron), and that potentially results in real-world change or the lifting of restrictions (Saturn). The ‘T’ involving Uranus suggests we may be taken by surprise by what’s born–we may not have anticipated the new understanding that underpins events, and we may feel pressure to ‘modernize’, to learn new protocols, to catch up to the group, or to be original and inventive–but in any case what begins is something unusual, at least in terms of what we cared about (Cancer) previously. Likely subjects are described by the natal House where the New Moon occurs, and/ or the Houses where your natal Sun and Moon sit, or those they rule (and probably a combination of these). A few will rebel or act erratically in reaction to what happens, taking anything upsetting as an individual affront, and missing the chance for healing and removal of restrictions that events bring.

The Sabian for the New Moon is, ‘A Woman And Two Men Castaways On A Small Island Of The South Seas’  Now, no matter how copacetic a scenario involving three may be, eventually someone feels like a third wheel–and that makes either a tricycle, or a really uncomfortable scene. With this image we’re told these are castaways–so involuntarily in this situation–and the implication is there’s no one else there. We should also be aware of the imbalance in energies: two representatives of the animus, doing energy and one of the being, receptive energy–and so the symbol may speak to an imbalance in our own approach that possibly precipitates the New Moon upset or change. We may be emphasizing aggression, action, ‘tackling’ a job, and using too little receptivity; the result of this kind of imbalance is typically the kind of surprises we will have at the New Moon: entirely of our own creation, we look upon them astonished, shocked that such upset, healing, and the resulting freedom, are actually of our own making.

See my books here, and watch for my new offering on Vesta, available later this month!

The New Moon in Cancer 15 July 2015

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!