Mar

17

Venus goes to the Bank

Filed Under Astrology trends | 1 Comment

venusandmoneyAstrologers believe in the “rule of three,” which says that anything occurring at least three times is a bonafide pattern. When I got three emails about banking problems during the first week of Venus retrograde, I figured I should rethink my ban on linking Venus with finances. Oh sure, Venus likes the good stuff money can buy. But I’ve never felt her presence inside banks or lending institutions, which have always felt more Saturn to me. My friend April Elliott Kent agrees: “Venus money wants to be out running around free with the wind in its hair, stimulating the economy and whatnot – not sitting around in some boring-ass building with guys in suits.”

Even so, the money stories kept coming this Venus retrograde–the ongoing mess of the economy, Bernard Madoff pleading guilty to stealing billions, AIG paying bonuses to the dimwits who got us into this mess, and Jon Stewart trouncing CNBC’s Mad Money Cramer for not reporting about the market with greater integrity. More personally, I heard stories of credit cards being charged twice for the same transaction, another charged not at all for a purchase that had left the store, and an account that went into arrears because an online statement never reached the cardholder. One client sent me a check but didn’t stamp the envelope. And for the first time ever, I discovered I had cashed someone’s check without sending her a report!

So I’m now willing to believe that during the retrograde Venus hovers around the green stuff. Still I can’t sense her juicy laughter in statements and bank drafts. The next time I deposit a check, I’ll look around for the flowers and chocolate!

Mar

5

Venus goes rogue!

Filed Under Astrology trends | 4 Comments

venusmarsVenus goes retrograde tomorrow. This period reminds me of Boticelli’s delightful painting: a spent Mars is passed out while Venus is alert and pondering (possibly scheming). Usually our warrior Mars is active, while Venus, as feminine receptivity, is passive. But during her retrograde these roles are reversed and Mars (who chooses what we do and don’t do) lets Venus take over.

Fuddy duddy astrologers are usually alarmed, advising caution in all matters related to Venus (relationships, creativity, pleasure, prosperity, and fashion). Venus might make you buy a garish striped coat (”But it looks so merry,” you think, “and I need a little more spice in my life!”). But after the retrograde the coat will never leave your closet. Venus could make you fall for an enticing stranger who seems to be everything that’s missing from your life–until you realize he’s worse than any jerk you’ve ever been with.

It’s true–such things can happen. But there’s a reason. Venus has needs you’ve been ignoring and during her retrograde she demands that you listen. Relationships can break up; new ones can begin. But this time is best used as a period of evaluation rather than making sudden (and possibly ill-advised) decisions. You do need to listen to Venus now. She’s announcing where your life needs to change. Consider new perspectives and new approaches. Use this time to get a new relationship with yourself!

Venus retrogrades on March 6 at 15.27 Aries; she goes direct on April 17 at 29.12 Pisces. She will be in her post-retrograde shadow period until May 20. If you have some knowledge of your chart, find which house(s) she’s touching. Eight years ago she was retrograde in this same part of your chart. What happened then? How are those themes playing out now?