The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - May 2012
Venus is a benign and gentle energy. It pertains to the harmony that we create and receive. Primarily, we experience Venusian harmony in our social activities. So, by extension, the position and condition of Venus in our natal horoscope indicates our needs in relationship and the behaviors we choose that will either fulfill or frustrate those desires.
Venus is the ruling planet of two signs, Taurus and Libra. Taurus is an earth sign. By nature it is competent, resourceful and self-reliant in its quest for material safety, comfort and security. As it's ruler, Venus can provide information about what we value in terms of physical plane security and the tools we have to manifest what we define as meaningful.
Libra is an air sign. It prioritizes social interaction through one-to-one relationships. One reason for that focus is that Libra seeks clarity of self through social feedback. One way to see the self without the benefit of social contact is by creating one's own feedback through creative expression. Venus, therefore, can also pertain to aesthetics and beauty.
On May 15th Venus will turn retrograde and remain so until June 27th. It's shadow period lasts from April 11 until July 31. Even though its period of retrogradation is relatively short, it is often the most challenging of all retrograde planets because it is rarest of the retrogrades, turning around only every 18 months and remaining in that direction for 5-6 weeks at a time. Because Venus is oriented toward the peaceful and the pleasant, we don't often think about it creating problems. One might assume that with Venus if we just keep smiling everything will be OK. So when Venus is retrograde it can blindside us.
Harmony, the stock-in-trade of Venus, is a rare commodity when Venus is retrograde. We may notice little disconnections between ourselves and others. It feels as if we're out of the flow, socially speaking. Close, personal relationships may feel jagged and awkward. Traits and behaviors that our partner manifests may feel particularly unpleasant and unacceptable. As a result ,we may be critical of the partner and the relationship.
When any planet is retrograde, we tend to experience and express the energy associated with that planet subjectively. So the work to focus on when Venus is retrograde is not what's wrong with someone else. It's time to get more in alignment with who we are.
One of the main questions I get asked in readings is about personal relationship. To accurately assess the answer to that question I inquire about what the person needs in relationship. Surprisingly, many people don't know. Venus retrograde is a perfect time to go within to discover, redefine or update what we need in relationship. Much of the frustration we feel during this period is not having our needs met. Some of that could be not having defined our needs to ourselves, let alone the other person. Introspection should be followed by communication, in which both parties let each other know their needs. One might also realize that they are in a relationship in which their needs will never be met.
This is also a good time to update our values. In the past 18 months things that used to be quite meaningful may no longer be at the top of the list. They may have been surpassed by new things. This in turn can extend to what we find attractive and how much we are willing to pay for what we get. Two things should be avoided during this period. One is making major purchases. At one time we might have found a certain type of car, house or painting was intrinsically important and worthy of its price tag. As our values are being questioned, we should avoid spending large sums of money on something that may have lost its ability to fulfill us.
Aesthetics are also being questioned. This is a horrible time to decide what color to paint the kitchen, or how to change one's appearance. Making major decisions about a relationship, or what has meaning or what is attractive should be avoided when Venus is retrograde. Otherwise, you will be happy about those decisions every year and half for about 6 weeks, each time that Venus is transiting retrograde.
Those of us with Sun, Moon or Ascendant in Taurus or Libra will feel this transit in a more personal way than others. To personalize Venus retrograde, note the house in your natal chart that has Gemini on the cusp. That's the area of life that you should focus on in terms of relationship, values and aesthetics.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Energy is starting to move for you again. But it's important to move slowly, methodically and deliberately in starting new things. In doing so you'll probably find that you are effective and grounded in your productivity. Acting impulsively will create confusion and waste.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Venus will be retrograde in Gemini, the sign of communication. So a key for you to navigate this transit is being clear with yourself and then with others about what you are experiencing. Try journaling to find internal clarity. Then proceed to interactive communication, making sure that you are going through the internal changes that are important to note.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
A lot of moving parts for you this month. Writing offers a good opportunity for you to keep things clear, defined and organized. Working to integrate ideas with practical manifestation in mid-month and balancing analysis with intuition in late month provides good ways to take advantage of this period.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
A solar eclipse at the time of the new Moon on the 20th suggests that unusual or unexpected events could transpire from that point of the month on. Focusing on psychological clarity and spiritual growth can enable you to feel uplifted by joy. Feelings of generosity and compassion enhance the natural warmth and nurturing that is so important to you.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Opportunities that can enhance your material and financial security could manifest in early month. Take advantage of them because later in the month you may feel more ethereal or at least be more creatively inspired. Focusing on grounding at that point may seem boring.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Anything to do with children, education or travel is enhanced for you this month. Being pro-active and initiating activities is a good idea. You may also feel more creative or athletic, especially in mid-month. After a long period of patience and internal focus, now is the time to begin to fully engage your life again.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
If you are in school, this is a period when research is supported. This is also a good time to review your spiritual focus or philosophical path. You may feel somewhat frustrated socially, as this is more a time of contemplation than it is one of action. But, you should feel stable and content even if there aren't many people to share activities with.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
The full Moon in Scorpio on the 5th brings emotions to the surface. Growth for you comes from expressing those feelings. Don't stuff them. Make sure, however, that you reveal yourself only to those whom you trust. One thing to focus on during the Venus retrograde is the degree of trust you feel for others in your life.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Put finishing touches on projects you have been doing for about a year. These could include taking advantage of good job opportunities, improving or maintaining health, feeling expansive and joyful when in nature or working to improve or refine job skills. Things will shift focus next month.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
This is a good time to focus on defining, clarifying or actually achieving career goals. Not major ones, but ones that have importance to you. You could also find that, in the process of achieving these things, certain goals no longer have the same value that they once did. In that case, focus on things that are currently meaningful and let the rest go.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
A big challenge for you throughout the year, not just this month, is working to integrate information derived intuitively with that understood through logic and analysis. One way to access the intuitive right brain this month is through creative expression. Have fun with that and note how much clarity comes to the mind.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Relationships with family members, either in your family of origin or your current living situation, could be a focus for you this month. The point is to get clear about your real feelings about those people and the degree to which they, individually and collectively, are truly important to you.