FRIDAY, MAY 26

FRIDAY, MAY 26
The Day of Venus in Fireweek. If you actively invoke blessed HANIEL, the Archangel of Venus into your heart today, you may find you have developed the ability to feel like Khrisna, multiplying himself into a dozen pastoral, naked farmhands with muddy feet and emerald pond scum on their thighs, or maybe you are a young Freya on the back of a panther, eating honey. In the Western Mystery Tradition, the most pervasive polyamorous archetype is Aphrodite, Greek goddess of Love and Beauty. She is Venus, Ishtar, Astarte, Inanna and relates to the sephera Netzach on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. While she had more lovers than any other Greek goddess she was not victimized and never suffered from her numerous love affairs as did many of the other goddesses. Neither was she jealous or possessive. Unlike her counter parts she was allowed freely to choose both her husband and many lovers. She inspired poetry, communication and art as well as love. Her liaison with Hermes produced the bisexual Hermaphroditus. and her long time union with Mars (God of War) produced a daughter, Harmonia. Thus Love and War combined to give rise to Harmony.Freshly waxing Moon in Gemini helps us move forward with something requiring study or communication. Morning is best for inner work, quiet time and research. Reach out to your honey, clients, or other key persons after 12:49 pm (3:49 ET), when Moon makes an auspicious sextile to Venus. Assertive requests prosper now, and remarks can hit the bull’s eye, when Moon joins Mars at 7:21 pm (10:21 ET)—not so great for pillow talk but fun for playing Scrabble, taking in an action film, or enjoying sports.At 11:18 pm (2:18 am) Moon goes VOC.

Venus retrograde 2017 and Venus in Aries

Venus is retrograde from March 2 to April 15, 2017. Venus’s shadow period begins January 30th and ends May 18th. Note that the shadow period begins before Venus turns retrograde, when Venus first passes over the degree that Venus later returns to in retrograde motion. The shadow period ends when Venus again passes over the degree at which it first turned retrograde.

As the planet of love and values, Venus retrograde periods are times when we re-assess what—and who—we value. It is a period that many astrologers consider inopportune for getting married or starting a new relationship. Major financial undertakings are not advised during this period either. Venus retrograde cycles are good times for creating budgets and financial plans, and for re-thinking our personal relationships. Taking final action in the areas of finance and love, however, is not advised until Venus turns direct again.

Because Venus rules beauty and aesthetics, Venus Retrograde is a less than ideal time for beautification processes (new hairdos, enhancements, purchasing a new wardrobe, cosmetic surgery, and so forth), renovations, redecorating, and the like. Because Venus is associated with social events, parties may not go as planned.

On the subject of love, past lovers may re-appear, and some relationships may end. With Venus retrograde in Aries much of its retrograde cycle, our needs for action may be especially high but frustrated. We may question how much independence and confidence we have in our relationships. With Venus in Pisces towards the end of the cycle, the tendency for misplaced faith, or to be blind-sighted, in love may be strong. The compassion we’re seeking may be missing now.

Old friends and lovers may re-appear, perhaps complicating current relationships. We are called upon to deal with relationship issues from the past during this Venus retrograde cycle. Events occur that seem fated or predestined. It can be a real challenge getting close to a lover during this period. Unorthodox, experimental, and non-intimate relationships may be favored.

Venus is in its detriment in the sign of Aries (Aries is opposite Libra, which Venus rules). Some of the more negative associations of Venus in Aries may be particularly prominent and/or hard to take, and these include impatience, arrogance, and childishness or naivety. Those who have Aries strong in their charts may be more introspective, distant, or hard to reach during this cycle. They may not be in a very favorable light just now, and they may be reconsidering things.

Relationships that have been especially challenging may come to an end during this cycle. However, strong relationships will survive it, even if there are a few bumps and bruises along the way. This can be a good time for “eyes wide open” or experimental dating, although opinions and assessments may change at a later date. It is not a time when people recognize the need for another person to “complete” them. Some people may be questioning whether they are with partners who actually fulfill them. We may, however, be especially in touch with our deeper, less obvious, and less superficial needs and wants. This makes it a good time for re-evaluating our relationship needs; but, again, major love decisions are best saved for after the cycle ends on April 15th, and better yet, beyond the shadow phase as well (after May 18th). Our perceptions may be skewed, and we can come out of the retrograde cycle with regret if we’ve acted hastily, as the tendency to change our minds later is strong.

Affection is difficult to express in a natural or spontaneous manner. We might find others are lacking in sincerity or genuineness in their expressions of social niceties. (We may be inclined to do the same!).

On the subject of money, finances, and possessions, do try to hold off on major purchases or financial decisions during this Venus retrograde cycle. For example, the purchase of a new house, car, or another big-ticket item could backfire in some manner later on. They may become money pits or cause problems for you, or you may change your mind later and regret your purchase. If you’re particularly good at sniffing out good buys, this can be a great time for finding unusual items at low prices as people may be more willing to get rid of things they may not part with under normal circumstances during a retrograde Venus period.

There’s nothing truly to fear about Venus retrograde, but it’s always wise to take special care during this cycle. It’s not the best period for entering into a new relationship because our sensors when it comes to love are not up to par. However, it’s not unheard of to begin a relationship under the influence of a retrograde Venus, and the relationship survives and/or thrives.

Venus rules our values, and when she is retrograde, we don’t seem to be in touch with exactly what and who we value, or, some might say we see things more or too clearly. After the retrograde cycle is over, we may look back and wonder what we were thinking. So, do what you can to avoid major decision-making during Venus’ retrograde period, but pay attention to your assessments to see if they last. A change of heart is possible later. And, the people we meet now may appear more fabulous than they turn out to be. It’s also possible that some people we meet now may seem less attractive than they turn out to be! Whatever the case may be, try to hold off until May before making big decisions, particularly life-altering ones.

Still, we may not be as openly or obviously warm and affectionate during this cycle. It’s hard to trust others just now, and, perhaps more so, it’s difficult to trust our own instincts when it comes to judging others or our relationships. We tend to suspect insincerity in others. People might appear to be more selfish, withdrawn, and self-protective. It’s hard to make headway in a direct manner in our love relationships for the time being. If you are hoping to fix a relationship or if you are trying to schedule a reunion, it may not be the best time to do so.

When breakups do occur in the second half of a Venus retrograde cycle, I have noticed they are imperfect. They are not often clean breaks. Couples and friends may reunite later, or if they stay broken up, they might often wonder if it was the right thing to do – something is left hanging. Venus retrograde is a period for clearing the decks and dealing with the past so as to move forward fresh and re-energized, and this is especially appropriate in the first three weeks of the cycle. During the second half of the retrograde cycle, watch for impulsiveness.

Then there is a feeling of the inevitable during a Venus retrograde. What happened in the past, including past love affairs, can flood our consciousness now. Sometimes, a past lover reappears in their physical form.

Think back to what may have happened during the last few Venus retrograde cycles (July 25 to September 6, 2015; December 21, 2013, to January 31, 2014; May 15, 2012, to June 27, 2012; October 8 to November 18, 2010; March 6 to April 17, 2009; July 27, 2007, to September 8, 2007; December 24th, 2005 to February 3rd, 2006; April through July 2004; September through December 2002; February through May 2001). Although each retrograde cycle is different, similar issues may arise. In fact, some of the problems we faced then may need to be dealt with now.

More importantly, note that the last times Venus was retrograde in the sign of Aries and Pisces were from March 6 to April 17, 2009, and from March 8 to April 19, 2001 (every eight years). It’s highly likely that we will deal with similar issues during the 2017 Venus retrograde cycle as we did during these cycles in 2001 and 2009.

April 8th is likely to be a more challenging period of this retrograde cycle when Venus forms a square to Saturn. Better times for Venus-ruled matters during this 2017 Venus retrograde cycle are March 18th and 25th, when Venus aligns with Mercury and the Sun.

At the time that Venus forms an inferior conjunction with the Sun (March 25th), relationship issues are magnified. Fateful events can occur now. This is equivalent to a New Moon but marks the beginning of a new Venus cycle. We are symbolically in the dark during the retrograde, but starting fresh and re-energized from this date forward. Impulsiveness and lack of preparation are issues now. When Mercury forms a conjunction with retrograde Venus on March 18th, there can be a lot of conversation about relationships, especially past ones. New light may be shed on an old problem.

Particularly around the days of Venus’ stations on March 4th and April 15th, 2017, watch for confused situations and try not to say too much. If you are itching to argue with a lover, try to hold off. It is likely that you will have a change of heart once the station passes, and you can do some damage in the meantime.

Note also that Venus is in the retrograde “zone” from January 30th to May 18th. From April 15th to May 18th, Venus continues to traverse the degrees she covered during her retrograde period. Although Venus officially turns direct on April 15th, issues are not expected to be entirely resolved until after May 18th.

Where is Venus Retrograde transiting by house in your natal chart? Does it form a conjunction with a natal planet, your Ascendant, or Midheaven? Read interpretations of Venus Retrograde in Transit for a more personalized meaning of the transit cycle.