Venus Retrograde and the Flowering Earth
Venus began her retrograde in the late degrees of Leo on July 28th. Since then, I have noticed myself, and many other people enduring a unique difficulty that is tied to long held dreams and the vision of who we are as individuals. Venus rules much of what we value and connects to our finances, our experience of pleasure and beauty, and also to the areas of our life in which we can be indulgent, lazy, irresponsible, and instinctual.
Just a couple of weeks ago Venus begged us to question our instincts and veer away from our normal algorithmic path when she formed two separate inconjuncts in a yod formation with Pluto and Neptune. This was an opportunity to win back our personal power and escape the grip of an illusion by doing a little energetic aikido. This was only the first step along an unfolding path to potency.
Venus retrogrades in an eight-year cycle that creates a five-petal floral pattern in its dance with the Earth. This dance adds depth, beauty, and form to her normally mundane influence and brings long held aspirations to fruition. We are each a flower meant to open in our time here on Earth and Venus helps us along this path. While there is an esoteric, internal element to her effect right now, you can bet there are very tangible strings tied to the longing that one might have experienced over time - a person, a place, or a paycheck are all candidates for themes and likely transcend their surface-level value into the the depths of one’s personal desires and direction in life.
Have you ever gotten close to getting what you truly want only to be met with an internal twinge of fear or worse, an act of self-sabotage? Venus is putting a spotlight on that long-held dream while Pluto in square to the Lunar Nodes is showing us the subconscious obstacles that we have used to block this dream from becoming a reality. These obstacles can show up in nuanced ways and are often overlooked but right now the universe is marking them with a red pen for us to take note.
Although I see this as a radically beneficial aspect, I don’t want to negate how truly difficult it can be to experience. Our tender egos rarely appreciate such clarity in these matters. One can experience an enormous amount of pressure when Pluto is involved and this pressure now is likely coming from a new awareness of all the ways that you might have messed up something that is extremely important to you. It may feel like you have lost your chance to hold this dream forever but that is NOT the message that I am getting from this aspect.
It’s not always beneficial to dwell on how you would have done things differently in the past, but in this case I recommend it. There’s no reason to beat yourself up, but if you are able to take responsibility for your past actions, and/or inactions, I think you will get another opportunity to reach for your dreams if you are proactive and employ the insights that you receive now.
The trouble is, there is a good chance you will want to hide under a rock, which is understandable but not advised. Pluto and the Nodes have moved back into the 28th degree - a degree of mastery and potency. If you take responsibility, stay humble, and absolve yourself from the need to be perfect, you stand to gain so much ground.
My son just asked me to watch the movie Puss in Boots The Last Wish on Netflix. Incredibly, this children’s movie displayed so much of the storyline that I see unfolding with the current astrology. Puss in Boots realizes he is on his 9th (and last) life and is paralyzed by his fear of death. He becomes domestic and unrecognizable to his friends. Through facing this fear head on, he gets his life back and the dream of love and friendship that he had previously sabotaged. Even if you don’t watch this movie, keep this concept in mind. In addition, here are some other helpful tips to make the most of the next month (Venus goes direct September 3rd):
Put yourself first - don’t put others feelings or aspirations before yours and certainly don’t do anything for the sake of optics as it would be likely to backfire. Venus in Leo is trine the wounded self Chiron so the focus isn’t on anyone else.
Own it - Don’t make excuses for yourself, cast blame on others, or shrink back from the way things have gone in the past. There is strength in accepting yourself as imperfect.
Speak your truth - maintain the highest level of integrity and authenticity. Don’t hide yourself on any level and stand up for yourself if need be.
Another aspect that is influential this August is Venus’ t-square to Uranus and Cupido which has the potential to build up tension with romantic interests to the point of making a move or even having a meltdown. Cupido is also implicated in war, and in this case could push enemy instincts into acting or reacting in an unpredictable fashion.
Asteroid Juno now moves into a well-worn opposition with Pluto for the next few weeks. Since January, Pluto has seen 6 meaningful oppositions from the Black Moon Lilith, Pallas, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the Sun. Juno opposite Pluto gives us the ability to break bonds that are no longer serving us. We can now be objective about associations that we previously adhered to without question. This applies to romantic partners, family members, friends, and one’s sense of community. Juno’s power to keep you tied to someone or something hinges on values and unspoken agreements regarding lifestyle and culture, which may have shifted over time. In addition to straining and splitting some connections, Juno will encourage the formation of powerful new bonds based on a revised set of values and standards. Who you relate to now is not inconsequential and may become quite important in the coming years. Juno gives plenty of time for these shifts to take place as there won’t be another opposition to Pluto until asteroid Vesta arrives here in June of 2024.
If you start to feel crunched in the days and weeks to come, take heart in the transformative powers that are afoot. Like a flower, have the courage to open up to your own vulnerabilities. In the same stroke you can open up to your full potential and the realization of long-held dreams and aspirations.