The Wheel of Light
Monthly Newsletter - July 2015
Approximately every 18 months, Venus turns retrograde and remains in that direction for about 6 weeks. This is the month that Venus will retrograde. From the 25th of July until September 6th. It will appear that Venus is moving backward from day to day. Whenever a planet is retrograde we have an opportunity to review both our awareness of the nature of its energy as well as what we are choosing to do with it. Venus pertains to things that we value, such as personal relationships, security and beauty.
Beauty can mean what appears attractive. It can reflect one’s personal aesthetic. But it can also mean something deeper and more significant. Someone or something can be beautiful if it is in harmony with its environment. It suggests that an internal balance is enabling those who are in the presence of that person to feel serene and comfortable. This could include a person or situation that is in harmony with nature. When Venus is retrograde we can re-evaluate what we find attractive and try to ascertain whether it is merely so on the surface or if it embodies a deeper quality of beauty. Because our personal aesthetic may be “under review” at this time, it’s not wise to make major decisions about what we find attractive that will have lasting significance. This could include anything from a coat of paint to the purchase of an expensive piece of jewelry. Research the swatches, peruse the stores. Make your decision from mid-September on.
Security usually starts with one’s financial situation, at least in this culture. It could also be expanded to include one’s house and anything that we value that provides a sense of meaning and sustainability to our lives. When Venus is retrograde we can review our financial situation, making sure that we are maximizing our earning potential in the present. We could also see if that level of earned income is going to support our long range financial goals. Furthermore, we could also have clarity about the quality of life we have as a result of putting our time and energy into generating capital. Does our job reflect the values we uphold? We could be comfortable materially, yet be paying the price of hypocrisy or boredom earning it. Similarly, we might find that we don’t need as much money as we thought or as we previously needed. Maybe we’re not using our recourses to their greatest potential. Venus retrograde can be a drag in certain ways, but giving us 6 weeks to deal with our sense of security and material well being is probably about right.
The biggest problem people often experience while Venus is retrograde is in personal relationships. Venus pertains to what we have to offer others, what we need from others, and the behaviors we use to both give and receive. The fundamental quality of harmony that Venus embodies is often absent or at best erratic when it is retrograde. One may assume that the relationship isn’t working or that what we offer is no longer fulfilling to our partner or that they no longer are interested in satisfying us. The thrill is gone. There could be a tendency to blame the partner for our frustration, projecting our dissatisfaction.
Like everything else that deals with Venus, this is not a time to take action. The primary relationship we have in life is with ourselves. If we are in harmony with who we are and are sharing ourselves with thoughtfulness we should get along with most people. We can’t love others more than we love ourselves and we can’t accept love from others more that we love ourselves. Venus retrograde, therefore, is more about reflecting on self-love than on a relationship. What is it about myself that I don’t like or don’t love or don’t find meaningful and acceptable are the real questions. Finding answers to those questions, and working to make significant changes in our relationship to self is the work. As we engage in that process, we may be surprised to notice that the problems we had defined about our partner or in our relationship disappear. However, by doing the inner work we also might discover that we have been honest with ourselves or our partner in terms of sharing what we need or offer. Therefore, it’s time to bring the partner up to speed and the relationship up to date by having conversations about these issues. The partner may also be going through some updating and they have important things to share with us as well. Even as we openly share our updated self, we need to be open to listening to the partner’s updated self. In this way the value of our interaction improves, the harmony of our connection becomes truly beautiful and we discover qualities of love we hadn’t experienced before.
Retrogrades are not bad or something to be afraid of. They merely provide a time out from our daily habits of life. They offer an opportunity to make sure that who we are, what we want and we are doing are all working together to improve the quality of our lives.
Aries (March 21-April 20)
Aries: This is another month of slowing down and being reflective. Spending time at home, being creative or sharing with your family are good ways to take advantage of the energy. Being introspective in early month could help avoid volatility from mid-month on.
Taurus (April 21-May 21)
Taurus: Feelings of joyfulness and optimism in early month could give way to a sense of restriction from mid-month through early August. Growth comes from getting focused and doing some detailed analysis of what it is that’s holding you back. This is more a time of contemplation and strategy planning than a time of action or moving forward.
Gemini (May 22-June 21)
Gemini: Dealing with financial issues in early month could give you a head start on the retrograde Venus. Late month could bring stimulating conversations and creative expression, especially through the written word. Stabilizing relationships with family and friends could provide support for relationship challenges with a partner.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Cancer: An exact conjunction between the Moon and Uranus on the 8th could provide a shot of inspiration and the drive to get a new project off the ground professionally. The new Moon in Cancer on the 15th could bring heightened emotions and a tendency toward volatile behavior. Choose social activities carefully at that time.
Leo (July 23-August 23)
Leo: Most of the time Venus is retrograde it will be in Leo. Being confronted by a close friend or partner in early month could clear the air between you. The challenge is to be authentic and present about who you are and what’s going on in the situation.
Virgo (August 24-Sept 22)
Virgo: The first week Venus is retrograde it will be in Virgo. This may heighten your tendency to be reductively critical of yourself, your partner or the relationship. You may feel as if it isn’t working and there’s no chance that it will. Growth can come from looking inward to feel a powerful sense of connection to the Divine and the unconditional love that is always available from Spirit.
Libra (Sept 23-Oct 23)
Libra: Because harmony tends to be so important to you, the Venus retrograde period may be challenging. Venus will also square Saturn from early July through mid-August, suggesting feelings of restriction and lack of control, especially in relationships. Growth for you can come from using this as a time to look within to clarify present time needs, goals, limits and boundaries in your most important relationships.
Scorpio (Oct 24-Nov 22)
Scorpio: You could feel challenges from several areas, especially career, this month. Use them as opportunities to update your perceptions of the people and situations that you are involved with. Then shift your behaviors accordingly. Failing to do some inner work could lead to volatility that could erupt physically, emotionally or verbally.
Sagittarius (Nov 23-Dec 21)
Sagittarius: A period of exciting changes and inspiring challenges that began in May could end around mid-month. What takes its place is a time of focusing on practical, long range goals. Not as much fun, but it will help get you ready for the transit of Jupiter into Virgo next month.
Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 20)
Capricorn: The full Moon in Capricorn on July 1st opens a small window of emotional self-awareness. This in turn can provide impetus for relationship review that the Venus retrograde requires. Growth for you can come from focusing on your needs for emotional well-being and being less concerned with taking responsibility for that of others’.
Aquarius (Jan 21 to Feb 19)
Aquarius: This is a time to slow down and take stock of changes that have occurred in your life over the past few months. Continuing to push forward can lead to mistakes caused by carelessness. Growth can come from re-establishing a healthy balance between your professional and personal lives.
Pisces (Feb 20-March 20)
Pisces: Overextension at work could bring short term health challenges. Balance your life by putting more time into creative activities and/or academic pursuits. This is a good time to share what you know with others. Your intuition and “people reading” skills are quite strong.
Rio Olesky has been a professional astrologer since 1976. He is the author of A Manual for the Modern Mystic and Astrology and Consciousness. He offers both private readings as well as classes for both beginning and intermediate students. To make an appointment for a reading or to find out more information about classes and lectures, call Rio at 707-887-1820. Check out his website: www.starwatcher.com.