Venus Retrograde - Let the Beauty We Love Be What We Do

Venus goes retrograde 5 times in 8 years - every year and a half or so. It stays retrograde for 45 days. The retrograde pattern over an eight year period, forms a pentacle in the sky. Perhaps this is the source for the symbol. Being related to the retrograde pattern of Venus in the sky - when Venus may be challenging the status quo - may have led to its identification with 'women's magic'.

Venus will station retrograde March 7 at 15 degrees Aries, go back into Pisces April 12, then station direct at 29 degrees Pisces April 17.

Venus retrograde asks us to review, refine and redefine our values, social behavior and relationship needs. We need to look at how we express love and affection. Time to focus on our aesthetics - taste and style. During this time of economic downturn, we might want to find more frugal and creative ways of dressing and decorating. Another way to approach this is to realize that beauty serves a real purpose in our lives. We need beauty to inspire and heal. But having beauty around us need not be expensive.

Last week, I visited a friend in Oakland. His home was magical and delightful. A true Libran (ruled by Venus), his home was comfortable and inspiring. He had told me earlier it was cluttered. On the contrary, it was a tribute to his full and interesting life. He opened the door and I stepped into another world. Bird song and blooming tropical flowers, wood carvings and paintings, color and light. He had created his own altar to Venus. Part of the magic was the way that each item was placed and arranged with intention. Carefully and lovingly selected.

I realized the influence that such a space can have on the psyche. We truly flourish amidst nature and beauty. It is a need, not just a luxury. It can be accomplished in many ways - flowers, plants, cherished items from our life, stones.

Another thing we can do during this retrograde period is to seek balance between the sacred (spiritual) and the profane (mundane) in our lives. Preparing food can be viewed as a ritual where we are preparing nourishment and sustenance to the temple of our bodies and those of our loved ones, rather than a task or chore. Smelling, tasting and feeling the texture of the food,l rather than just gulping it down.

During this time we have access to undeveloped personal characteristics which will be more available to our view. The house where Venus currently resides may be where you will have revelations. The challenge is to own whatever you discover about your needs and whether or not you are actually communicating or expressing them. Don't blame your partner, family or friends. Don't point your finger about "what they are doing to you". Take responsibility. No one can hurt your feelings and you can't hurt anyone else's. Sometimes the truth hurts. I found it interesting that people are finally seeking a Truth Commission in relation to the activities of our government for the past 8 years, because during this time political leaders can fall from grace.

Venus retrogrades also signal reversals in the stock market, but they can be totally erratic and frequent. So.... it can go up one day and down the next. I am not predicting anything here, so please don't gambol the farm.

In terms of money, you should review your spending patterns (like you haven't already been doing this). By reviewing your values - what you want vs. what you need. And as I wrote above, we all need love and beauty. By examining our values, we might find that we wish to make changes. I suggest you wait until after Venus goes direct to make some of those changes. This is not a good time for major purchases, remodeling your house, getting married or divorced, because your choices right now might actually be the opposite of those you would normally make.

You could end up with an orange house with purple trim that you will only love 45 days every year and a half. But you will LOVE it then! Maybe that's better than never loving it. LOL!

Since Venus is in Aries, it's a good time for new beginnings. Astrology and flower essences are tools that can help you can gain insight as to what is next in your life. Contact me for a reading.

'Let the Beauty We Love Be What We Do' is from a poem by Rumi.