“Can we find a way of living in which we don’t use another, psychologically, emotionally, not depend on another, not use another as a means of escape from our own tortures, from our own desires, from our own loneliness?” – Jiddu Krishnamurti – On Love and Loneliness
Illustration: Group IX/UW, No. 25, The Dove, No.1 – Hilma af Klint (1915)
Are you ready for a sexy Christmas-y cocktail? Venus almost ended its shadow phase. It’s now slowing down and down, almost immobile, just before stationing direct on December 19th, at 26°29’ of Capricorn, in conjunction with Pluto, with Chiron turning direct in Aries, under the Full Moon in Gemini… O-MA-GAD! What’s that?! In short, the planet of love, relationships and money turns backward on top of the Lord of transformation, secrets, power and fear. Hmmm… Do you already feel what’s coming or not?
Some of us might already have gotten a hint regarding the topics that will be addressed during the retrogradation. Have a look at what happened between November 17th and December 19th, during the shadow phase (pre-retrograde period), and you will have an idea of what can probably come back, this time more powerfully between December 19th and January 29th. You might already be afraid while reading those lines, and I understand you. It’s normal, the field on which we’re playing right now is very sensitive and painful, but remember that everything that happens is here to help us redefine and recalibrate our relationships and systems of value. It has a huge evolutionary purpose!
It is now very common and popular to hear about the retrogradation of Mercury. It is however seldom to come across people aware of the retrogradation of Venus. Even fewer of them will know about its meaning and its consequences. Almost none will engage in the powerful inner work that this period implies.
The first reason is that Venus retrograde happens less often than a Mercury retrograde, every 18 months only, for 40 days and 40 nights. The second is that it deals with more intimate areas of our lives like love and money. It is therefore more difficult and delicate to work with it and even more to talk about it. It requires courage and honesty to face those topics. Yes I know, Venus, Aphrodite or Inanna is the Goddess of Love and Beauty. But she’s not all pink and soft. Believe me, with what’s coming up, it’s highly possible to hear her say “you better work b**ch!”.
During a retrograde period, we turn inward and we review, we question, we test the foundations of the planet associated with a part of ourselves or a part of our psyche. Venus is the planet of love, relationships, money, resources and exchanges at large. All these areas of our lives will therefore be affected and will need some attention. We will have to question what and who we love and value, with what and whom we exchange and bind.
Venus rules two signs of the Zodiac: Taurus (Yin & Earth sign) and Libra (Yang & Air sign). Being retrograde (passive, observing), we revisit the Taurean topics of value, safety, abundance, peace, and pleasure (among others). We have to figure out what our needs are and what we need to feel safe, to feel good, to relax and experience pleasure. Venus rules the Heart Chakra, so don’t hesitate to deep dive into it, ask your heart: what are your needs? Are you satisfied? How can I feed you? What can I do to heal you?
Stationing on Pluto, this retrograde cycle can potentially be extremely intense and many relationships are gonna be shaken. What kind of depth, of intensity, of commitment do we want in our love relationships, in our friendships, in our families? Are others able to meet us at the same level? What is the power of our bond, of us coming together? If we’re not aligned at the moment, are we able to find a common ground, a common goal to reach and grow towards? Are we ready and willing to work together, in synergy, hand in hand to reach this level of intimacy, of trust, of honesty? Are we actually together, or are we both trying to dominate and manipulate with our ego?
It is very likely that those games of power, secrets, lies and manipulation will come up. So be careful, and try as much as possible, as much as your rationality allows it in those difficult moments, to step back, to set clear boundaries and ask your heart: what’s serving me right now? Is it aligned with who I am, with what I need, what I’m striving for? Does it really serve my purpose, or am I just bending, bowing and playing the game again because I’m too afraid of the consequences (rejection and abandonment)?
I know, when it comes to relationships everything is amplified and takes infinite proportions. We’re so afraid to lose what we have, to hurt and to be hurt… I know, I know, I KNOW. It will probably not comfort you but Chiron stations direct on the same day in Aries. It will provide us with a healing “me and my interest first” energy, giving us the courage to fight for our independence and freedom. It might be easier to stay true to yourself and to bring honesty to the table right away. This is, according to me, the most important. Nothing good will come out if it’s not based on transparency and H-O-N-E-S-T-Y.
Uffaaaa!!! What I just wrote was intense! I think I’m gonna stop here and leave the evolutionary purposes on the side for a moment. To be a bit “lighter”, let’s come back to some “pop astrology”. Venus retrograde is in general not recommended to start a new relationship (and it will be a test phase for those who started one in the last 18 months). Old lovers and/or friends might come back from the past for unfinished business or simply to test you and see if you really learned the lessons. Avoid big decisions regarding beauty and appearance like aesthetic surgery, haircut that you might regret, painting your room in orange… these kinds of things.
Also, I mainly talked about relationships until now, but the cycle also influences our relationship to money and resources. Personally, financial investments are to be carefully reviewed if not avoided, and on a global level, it might be possible to see some financial institutions (Capricorn) being affected. With the Pluto return of the USA coming up in February, this Venus retrograde could potentially bring up the first symptoms of the deep transformation that our worldwide economy is gonna go through in a few months.
I will come back very soon with a post dedicated to the rest of December 19th, the Full Moon in Gemini. It would be too much to digest here.
In the meantime, I invite you to prepare yourself and really use this Venus retrograde as a Spring cleaning for your relationships to others, to money, to food, to anything. Any type of interaction or exchange can be addressed, with the same questions: is it doing me good, is it serving me?
With Love!
Bridge!
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Gamla Healing is a beautiful blend of modalities (astrology, breathwork, reiki, ceremonial cacao, tarot, Thai massage, meditation), a holistic approach that takes all levels of your being into consideration.
Your body, your emotions, your energy, your mind, your soul – every aspect of yourself is precious.
The purpose is to guide you and support you during your transformation, empowering you and making you responsible for your own healing.
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