… When those necessities are met, the doorway to compassion opens further.

Go directly to Venus Retrograde for each Sun Sign

A circle with a cross. Venus has a connection to Alchemy and Copper. Turning Copper into Gold.*

Venus, the goddess of beauty…

“This is the spirit that Beauty must ever induce, wonderment and a delicious trouble, longing and love and a trembling that is all delight. For the unseen all this may be felt as for the seen; and this is the Soul’s feel for it, every Soul in some degree, but those the more deeply that are the more truly apt to this higher love— just as all take delight in the beauty of the body but all are not stung as sharply, and those only that feel the keener wound are known as Lovers. These Lovers, then, lovers of the beauty outside of sense, must be made to declare themselves. ” Plotinus Enneads. (Found in The Invisible Embrace. Beauty. John O’Donohue.)

While I was putting this article together, I took a break, browsed the Youtube and found this Ed Sheeran song, Shape of You, performed with children’s instruments played by Ed, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots. The lyrics, to me, feels like it fits our focus with Venus.

Essential Needs & Core Values

In Evolutionary Astrology, the progression of the Soul or Higher Self, is a priority.  Pluto represents this Soul Drive. Venus, in its rulership of Taurus and the security-oriented Second house, describes what we need for this evolutionary process. Venus describes what we love and what we feel deprived of, when we don’t have it.

To describe the symbolism of Venus in our (or someone else’s birth charts), it is helpful to understand cultural and familial conditioning,  basic human necessity and our consciousness.  Through reflection we can identify our Core Values. Over a life, our needs evolve as we grow. Values might change.

During Venus Retrograde astrologers will encourage contemplation of one’s value system and asking questions like:

• What do I need to survive?  Who do I need in order to survive?  Who do I want in my corner? Who has my back?
• What am I attracted to?  Can I meet my own needs? Can I do better at being self-sufficient?

Other questions could be about talents, love and beauty. Some might be about seeking ways to spiritualize essential needs, by taking care of self, or sharing with others.

• What are my talents?  How do I relate to the Cosmos or the Divine or myself?   Will I allow/accept intervention from God/Goddess to fully receive Love or Abundance?

A Venus Tree. Where are the roots?

Answers related to Essential Needs are revealed in astrology by reflecting on Venus and the 2nd house and aspects to other planets or angles. During the retrograde, look at what house Venus is traveling in. That is the area of life Venus currently highlights. The roots of the journey are where Venus was at birth.

List of Core Values

Money

Some astrologers do not believe Venus rules money.  Whether it rules the dollar or rupee or not, money is a tangible (Taurus/2nd house) representation of value. Here in North America, it is very difficult to meet essential needs without it.

For some money may feel like a Core Value, but the root leads to what money provides.  A Core Value is Security.

Reflection on our relationship to money, can tell us a lot about ourselves. Money patterns in our families condition us. Abundance versus Lack can be a Venus lesson from the perspective of value and self-worth.

Venus Retrogrades are closely watched by financial astrologers like Ray Merriman, who writes a yearly financial forecast book and has a free weekly financial newsletter available at The Merriman Market Analyst.

In Merriman’s Forecast 2017 book, he notes this Retrograde Cycle includes two Venus/Saturn squares, which span from April 8-21 and just as Saturn is Retrograde. Venus=Money. Saturn=Control. In the U.S. Income taxes are filed April 15, in Canada April 30.  What kinds of rules are subject to change? In our personal lives, this first quarter square suggests some tension and decision making around finances.

Also, from Forecast 2017,  in the last Venus in Aries Retrograde in 2009, the U.S. Stock Market had a record low on the day Venus went retrograde on March 6, 2009. Read more about Venus in Aries Retrograde cycle.

Wellness

Venus reflects areas of beauty in the body and what presents well.   The Venus Glyph is linked to Copper. Certain natal aspects to Venus can symbolize possibilities of natural Copper deficiencies (or imbalances) which can result in nutritional imbalances, including B12 deficiency. If Venus retrogrades through your 6th, 12th or 1st house, and there are others reasons for you to pay attention to deficiencies, she may gently remind you of the value of health and wellness.

Love & Social Affairs

Venus also rules Libra and the 7th house. This side of Venus is more outgoing and includes our interpersonal relationships.

Projection is when we reflect something of ourselves onto another person. ‘Something’ might be a value we hold dear. “Oh, we have so much in common,” one might say to a new love or connection who is enthusiastically willing to go to an art museum with us. He may truly love art or just want to know us better. We might hold the value of ‘art appreciation’ so dear that we project this same value onto our infatuation, who may never have been exposed to art.

Bonding is a natural energy that comes from Venus. Venus, the Yin to Mars’ Yang, has sensitivity and taste. Venus seeks connection. By bonding with another, Venus becomes more than it is. Love grows. We feel supported with another by our side. Venus as the 2nd house ruler is about loving ourselves. As the 7th house ruler it involves our receptivity to others.

During Venus Retrograde, one or more former loves or connections may reappear.  Years ago, someone who I did not know previously in this life, a true Innocent, came up to me during a Venus Retrograde time and looked deeply into my eyes wanting to make a connection. “I know you, I know you” he repeated until his caretakers came for him.  Venus was traveling in my 12th house at the time.  We had met in another life and he was checking in with me. For me this was both a spiritual moment and a reminder of  compassion.

If someone comes up and says, “Hey, did we go to school together?” maybe you did— in another School of Life, in another time and place. If an ex re-appears, maybe it is just for this retrograde cycle, to be reminded of Venus and relationship matters. Would a reappearance mean a reconnection? Maybe, or maybe not. Keep the enjoyment factor of Venus alive during reconnection. Don’t attach to outcome.

Venus in Aries

Aries

Aries relates to energy. Physical, extroverted, fiery. Venus is Yin, internal and receptive. There is some awkwardness when synthesizing these two energies. Aries is necessarily interested in Self. Venus is self-focused, too (2nd house), and is also sensitive to others (7th house). One might think of Venus’ pleasures as coming more ‘spur-of-the-moment’ in Aries. There is a love of independence or courageousness.

Venus in Pisces

Pisces

Pisces, the last sign in the zodiac, is most empathetic. As a Water sign, there is an idyllic, emotional connection to ‘All that Is’. Boundaries are thin. Self can be illusive. People born with Venus in Pisces, may constantly be trying on roles, putting on costumes, trying to figure out what they want and how to relate to others. At its best, Venus in Pisces, holds compassion that is as large as the Universe and beyond.

While reflecting on beautiful Venus and what she means to you, consider keeping a beautiful touchstone present.

2017 Venus Retrograde: March 4 – April 15

Venus Retrogrades every 584 days, so about 19.2 months. Every 8th year a Venus retrograde will be in  the same sign. The last Venus Retrograde in Aries was in March of 2009.

Venus Retrogrades 1900-2050 List . Venus Retrograde Aries Cycle 1961-2057

On March 4, the moon is Void of Course in Taurus. 17th century, horary astrologer, William Lilly, wrote that during Void of Course times, matters decided upon will not happen out as expected or pan out at all. Void of Course Moon is when the Moon makes no more ptolemaic aspects to another planet before moving into the next sign. All planets can have Void of Course periods when they travel the last degrees of a sign.

Saturn in Sagittarius conjoins with the Galactic Center (about 26 Sagittarius). Research by Ray Merriman and his team have noted significant changes in Stock Markets with this alignment. Two famous ones were September 1929, and October 1987. I heard a talk on this last year, but don’t remember the other financial astrologer who concurred with the probability of corrections.

Jupiter in sweet, ever-looking-for-equilibrium Libra opposes innovative, active Uranus in Aries for the second time since December. Oppositions correlate to both separation and fullness. You can’t get any further apart or any more complete than with a Full Moon or a Full Jupiter/Uranus. Decisions comes from this aspect and transit.

Though seeking balance and harmony  is desirable, these two visionary, future oriented planets may suggest too much of a good thing. What follows may be imbalance, chaos as a result of abrupt decisions. Merriman calls Uranus to Jupiter and/or Venus’ ‘hard’ connections, bankruptcy transits. As always, we can’t make personal speculation without knowing the fuller picture in a birth chart and a person’s previous choices.

Notable Venusian dates

 January 30. Shadow period begins.

March 2. Jupiter Retrograde in Libra and opposite Uranus in Aries.
March 4. Venus Retrograde in Aries.
March 9. Mars enters Taurus.
March 31. Mercury enters Taurus.
April 2. Venus enters Pisces.
April 5. Saturn Retrograde in Sagittarius.
April 8. Venus square Saturn.
April 9. Mercury Retrograde in Taurus.
April 10. Full Moon in Libra.
April 15. Venus Direct in Pisces.
April 21. Venus square Saturn.

 May 18. Shadow period ends.

Resources for further Venus study

• Arielle Guttman. Venus Star Point.
• Mark Jones. “The Essential Venus Plan.”
• Evolutionary Astrology Net carries some Venus Talks from other astrologers.

Reading Options

Reading for your Rising Sign adds additional information. Don’t know your Rising Sign? Email me with your birthday details (unless I already have them) and I’ll send you it to you.

2017 Venus Retrograde for each Sign.

Aries

Love yourself. While Venus is in Aries, remember your innate courage to initiate. Pay tribute to how you learn from the results of your fearless actions. When in Pisces, the symbolism suggests an old flame, past-life lover, or someone who you feel you’ve met before, returning if only for a short time. Revisit former relationships through contemplation about boundaries.  How will you behave once this retrograde cycle ends? How will you compassionately relate to others and meet your core needs?

Taurus

Appreciate your worthiness.  Venus is your sign’s ruler. While Venus is in Aries, understanding core needs can feel illusive, almost unnecessary. Yet, they are essential.  Braving through the mist is a worthy effort.  Reminders come from a former partners. Music or art may evoke the ‘knowing’ of what you need for yourself. Martyrdom is risky, during contemplative periods. When in Pisces, reflect on your dreams. Who do you need to connect with to help you fulfill your aspirations?

Gemini

Love your connection to yourself. While Venus retrogrades in Aries, wrapping your mind around the value of your current community might lead to reminders of old friend-groups and how you represent yourself in them. Temporarily forgotten or waylaid dreams, may provide a clue to what you need now. It’s easy to do mental gyrations. Try checking in with your gut.  When in contemplative Pisces, the senses may receive unclear signals from people like former professional colleagues, or work sweethearts. Dreamy memories to enjoy but not necessarily count on. You know the spiel, no commitments during this cycle.

Cancer

Love yourself and your space. While Venus is in Aries, it also makes a last quarter square, to some Cancers,  adding a double-statement to the re-evaluation theme of this retrograde. Security consciousness is up for review. Do you have what you value? The feeling of responsibility may be present. Remember this is a review time, not one to make quick decisions either about finances or career matters. When in Pisces, contemplate on your big picture. How? Gaze upon a masterpiece. Or, listen to an unfamiliar orchestral piece. Beauty holds messages reflecting your dreams and Truth.

Leo

Joyfully love and appreciate your gifts.  Venus in Aries complements Leo’s steady burn. Some Leos may not be motivated to look in the mirror while the Saturn/Uranus trine are so supportive. Still all Leos, in general, may indulge in this pleasure.  Gaze at your reflection until you see  yourself in all the roles you’ve played over lifetimes. One of those courageous characters may reveal a message relevant to your current needs. When in Pisces, reflect on the cycles of life, debts, and sweet babies. No babies? Find a  symbol of to remind you of continuous rebirthing of Love.

Virgo

Love yourself in this moment. You are perfection. Venus in Aries, is an ideal time to remember that life consistently changes including what you need and love. Gut feelings are worthy of consideration, though during the retrograde, not always appropriate for action. This instinctive sensitivity is more noticeable in intimate relationships, with investments, or desire for luxuries and anything that changes the look of something. When in Pisces, digesting the dilemmas  or options concerning relationships (even ones from the past) are fodder for making good choices for yourself after the retrograde is over.

Libra

Love your peace and harmony. While Venus is in Aries, it travels opposite your Sun sign. Relating and where you want balance could be is your focus. Find time to listen to your heart.  Pay attention to what others are doing. In some cases, they may reflecting back to you, what you need for yourself.  An old partner or lover may call simply to check in or remind you of what you value.  When in Pisces, contemplate ways to take care of you and your health. What can you do that you will love and makes you feel good? When you feel at your best, compassion for others is easier to access.

Scorpio

Love yourself intimately. Scorpio is Yin energy and Aries is Yang. Both are ruled by Mars, one is driven internally, the other externally. While Venus is in Aries, reflect on the how your Personal Will generates what you want. Does this come from inner or outer forces? How does trust play a role? What about your physical drive? Are there adjustments to make in how you care and love yourself?  When in Pisces, consider the Personal Will’s creative and loving alignment with Divine Will. When the two play well together, the most sacred gifts of grace are possible.

Sagittarius

Love your inspired adventurous self.  Aries and Sagittarius are Fire signs, so while Venus is in Aries, this reflection period warms the insides with deep remembering of your Truth and Purpose. Venus may remind you of your great ability to love, create and take a risk. Children may reflect joy back to you. When in Pisces, look to your personal space to bring rest and comfort. If you find you want to make changes and just the perfect lounge chair or antique armoire appears, WAIT! No luxury purchases until after this retrograde. Big picture: Find the beauty, love and joy already present. Visualize Love expanding. Don’t work too hard at it, there’s plenty of time for that while Saturn travels through Sagittarius.

Capricorn

Love yourself and your endurance. While Venus is in Aries, you might find yourself puttering around at home wondering if your personal space reflects your inner authority? Forge a beautification plan to implement after the retrograde cycle. Remember, it is not advisable to make costly changes now, just in case preferences change later. When in Pisces, walks around your area provide inspiration. Reconnect with close relatives, brothers and sisters or people with whom you have that kind of closeness. Watch for how words are used. Do they convey your thoughts accurately?  Writing a poem or song lyrics (just an idea!) may reveal your core values.

Aquarius

Love your uniqueness. Venus  in Aries complements Aquarius. There is less motivation to think about your needs and values; however, it is a terrific time to do so. Appreciate the way your mind works. Recollect ideas you have loved. Are some ready to bloom? A former companion, close relative or someone who has felt like a brother may make an unexpected appearance. Take time to enjoy beauty in your area and watch for sparks of meaning. When in Pisces, the retrograde is less clear, especially in the area of values and giving.  If paying it forward would lead to over-extending your credit, don’t. Reevaluate your generosity after the retrograde is over.

Pisces

Love your adaptive, sensitive, compassionate Self. While Venus is in Aries, you may be interested in self-worth. This time period is wonderful for reminding yourself of your talents. Check in on your personal budget. Is it designed to care for you in an emergency? The temptation to spend is better morphed into a research project for now. When Venus returns to Pisces, explore compassion by pretending to be someone you don’t like. Then open your heart, first empathizing with the person, then feeling the same deeper love toward yourself. If you reconnect with a flame, observe your differences, then sort what is entangled with another and what belongs to you.

• February 2018 Book of the Month
• The Purpose of Your Life
• 2017 Venus Retrograde: Reflect on Courage to Care for Essential Needs…
• Venus Retrograde Aries Cycle 1961-2057
• Venus Retrograde for the Twelve Signs.