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Dec132013

Venus Retrograde Solstice

By Dana Gerhardt

Turns of the season invite us to trust the intelligence of the body. This is our personal and portable temple–our Divine Feminine vessel. That’s how our ancestors saw it, years and years ago. We may have forgotten their rituals and incantations, but the body remembers. Without consulting a calendar or reading the blogs, it knows that Solstice is coming.  It’s feeling the coming of the new season (officially arriving on December 21). In the three weeks before and after new seasons begin, our bodies are changing and they’re vulnerable.  Bodies are susceptible to infections at this time. They need a little extra rest. So pay attention!  Support your instinctive animal self. If you’re in the Northern Hemisphere, eat foods that have cooked awhile (like hearty soups) as this will bring supportive warmth into your body. If you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, eat raw fruits and vegetables, as this will help your body dance into summer.

Your body has another message for you this year. See if you can find it. Venus turns retrograde in Capricorn. She descends into the underworld. Because Venus is your pleasure principle, this is primarily an opportunity to return more pleasure to your life. But be aware, as with all retrogrades, the energy can be unconscious and somewhat unstable. Sudden new impulses may be regretted later. Listen to your desires. They bring important news. But consider your actions carefully. Be especially wary of large purchases and investments—their actual value may be less than what you imagine. New relationships may seem to offer what you’ve been hungering for—but recognizing and taking responsibility for your needs may be more important. Check out new partnerships carefully before committing. With retrogrades, old friends and lovers might re-enter your life. You could discover new treasures among old and faded objects. If you’re experienced in assessing the value of antiques, this can be a good time to check out garage sales. In all things Venus, this is an excellent time to conjure fresh strategies.

What does Venus want you to know?  She’s operating from your Capricorn house–but her natal position in your chart is her constant throne. This is your Venus “command central.” If you’re not sure what your chart’s Venus most desires, this is a great time to order your Venus Unleashed report!

Filed under: Blog, Cross Quarter Holy Days

About Dana Gerhardt

A popular columnist with The Mountain Astrologer since 1991, Dana Gerhardt is an internationally respected astrologer. She has lectured extensively and written for astrology publications on several continents. Her ongoing passions are the moon and living the intuitive life. Dana worked for many years in the corporate sector, where she observed the undeniable influence of natural cycles. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Occidental College in Los Angeles and did graduate work in literature at Columbia University and CSULA. Dana can be contacted by email.

Comments

  1. Tai Manning says

    Dec 28, 2013 at 12:11 pm

    Dana, an old flame is re-emerging for me – A Capricorn sun/moon man who was not in a position to have a relationship a few years ago. I have a feeling his marriage has not brought the happiness he has worked so hard to achieve, although it has brought material successes. (We were deeply in love and have not really forgotten about each other truth be told). I am wondering if this unusual turn of the cosmos could create a window of opportunity here? Not that I wish to be the instrument of a marital breakup – and my Virgo sensibility is keeping very cool!

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Dec 28, 2013 at 12:45 pm

      I know this story! I received a similar invitation during a Venus retrograde years ago, and I said yes. I reconnected with an old flame involved in an unhappy marriage. Our passion ignited, his marriage broke up, and within months I left my job and moved a thousand miles to be with my new partner. Quickly, it became complicated. There was plenty misunderstanding and disappointment on both sides. This situation skittered and endured for years. Was it wrong to have begun this relationship during a Venus retrograde? Was it wrong to have begun it at all? For many years I asked myself these questions. I can’t say what the answer should be for you–your relationship with Venus (and this man) is something you need to investigate deep within. In my case, Venus shook up my life in just the way it needed to be shaken. While the romance didn’t survive, the decisions I made because of it have been very, very good. As they say, the planets work in mysterious ways.

      Reply
      • Tai Manning says

        Dec 28, 2013 at 2:59 pm

        food for thought! thank you 🙂

        Reply
  2. Molly says

    Dec 22, 2013 at 3:34 pm

    Hello Dana. The retro Venus will be passing over my natal moon in the 7th house of Capricorn around January 1, 2014 (Cap 26 33). I’m wondering how this could further influence the situation? I was planning on joining an online dating side next week, but I’m having my doubts. Thanks! 🙂

    Reply
    • Dana Gerhardt says

      Dec 23, 2013 at 8:58 am

      The standard (ie, fuddy duddy) astrological position is “Don’t start new relationships during a retrograde!” which I think, misses the point. Our desires during the retrograde can motivate us to take new action, which can be a very good thing. If you’re feeling agitated or vulnerable, I’d wait. But if you’re entering the online dating site with good awareness, about yourself and all that you’ve learned from past dating experiences, I’d listen to the prompting of your spirit and see what happens. I’d also keep a good boundary and a sense of adventure. Be prepared to learn something new about your approach to the partnering game.

      Reply
  3. Dana Gerhardt says

    Dec 17, 2013 at 7:56 am

    Venus was retrograde in this part of your chart eight years ago… do you remember what was going on for you at that time? It’s actually a great opportunity for you to “restart” your own Capricorn Venus, perhaps get a new angle on what’s trapped her in the 12th, and what her deeper longings really are.

    Reply
  4. narda says

    Dec 16, 2013 at 11:23 pm

    Hi Dana, I always find your posts inspiring, but with venus in Capricorn- in the 12 house- I find this one, with venus going retrograde on the solstice, prompting more curiosity. Does this aspect just make things more intense and removed than usual?

    Reply

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m  Conjunction:  Like peas in a pod, planets in conjunction tend to come from the same place. They act together, but it’s also hard to tell them apart. This aspect can increase talent, focus, and intensity (“two are better than one”). Or one planet can disappear as the other dominates. Their connection feels so natural, it’s easy to think everyone blends these planetary energies just as you do—but mostly, they don’t!.

p  Sextile:  Planets in sextile are compatible, though without any fireworks. This aspect doesn’t demand your attention. It quietly presents an opportunity. You can join these archetypal forces. Donna Cunningham has called this the “Oh, that!” aspect, because that’s generally what her clients say when she describes their benefits.  To get the most from sextiles you need to actively work them.

q  Square:  Squares are wild and wonderful—but difficult too. The power struggle between these planets was likely defined in your youth, when they were impossibly challenging. People are usually aware of their squares. They force the issues that make you to grow. And that’s their gift. They ensure you learn your lessons. When you rise to the occasion, they bless you with energy, action, and success.

r  Trine:  Michael Munkasey has dubbed this the “goddess aspect” because it’s so lovely. Identifying talents you may have perfected in a previous life, trines can bring you joy. There’s a nice flow of energy between planets in trine. They support and reinforce each another. But without any struggle, you might take them for granted—neither using nor developing their gifts. An unattended trine can sometimes trick you into negative behaviors.

t  Inconjunct/Quincunx:  Your quincunx planets are innately incompatible. Bringing them into harmonious expression requires constant adjustments. This can be stressful, also motivating. You’ve got to keep changing your process, opinions or attitude—which promotes highly creative solutions.

u  Opposition:  They say opposites attract—and planets in opposition are never far from each other, though they’re constantly bickering. You may be triggered into awareness of this aspect by other people who seem to resist or undermine you.  An opposition can make you feel uncertain, insecure, or discontent, until you can accept and see yourself in both energies. Typically people find it easier to identify with one side and project the other onto unsuspecting others in the outer world.

First House: Personality, physical body, beginnings. Includes the Ascendant and rules physical appearance, the image you project to others, your general outlook on life, how you start things; may describe your role in your family system, often guides your first impression of immediate environment.

Second House: Money and personal finances, sense of self-worth and basic values, personal possessions, talents.

Third House: Communication, thoughts, language skills like writing and speaking, early schooling, siblings and neighbors, short trips, coming and going around town.

Fourth House: Your home, psychological foundations and roots, family, parents, domestic life, instinctive behavior, ancestry, your connection with the past, sense of security, domestic life, real estate. conditions at the end of life.

Fifth House: Children, creativity, romance; pleasure, entertainment, self-expression; all forms of “play”, speculation, gambling, and attitude towards taking risks; hobbies, attitude towards romance, lovers as opposed to partners, attitude towards having fun.

Sixth House: Work and job (as opposed to career), daily life, attitude towards service and coworkers, helpfulness, pets, attitude towards routine and organization, how you refine and perfect your skills.

Seventh House: Partnerships, one-to-one relationships, marriage, the first marriage, the “significant other”, business partnerships, competitors, open enemies, lawyers, mediators, counselors, contracts, negotiations, agreements. clients/the public.

Eighth House: Transformations and crisis, your ability to meet and rebound from crisis and change, sexuality; sex, death and rebirth, rituals and personal growth, your partner’s resources, addictions, psychology, other people’s money, taxes, divorce/alimony, inheritance.

Ninth House: Attitude toward expanding horizons, religious beliefs and personal philosophy, higher education, long-distance travel, morals, foreign languages and cultures, personal truths, publishing, commerce, advertising, your sense of adventure.

Tenth House: Career and profession, your contribution to society, social status, public reputation, material success, how you carve out a public identity for yourself; attitude toward authority figures, parents, caregivers, bosses, governments, attitude towards responsibility, desire for achievement.

Eleventh House: Friends, groups, organizations; hopes, wishes, aspirations, personal goals; your philanthropic attitude, concern for the collective, humanity; like tenth, can bring recognition and honors for fulfilling hopes and dreams.

Twelfth House: What’s hidden beneath the surface, karmic dustbin, limiting childhood/past-life messages, self-undoing, hidden enemies, hidden weaknesses, dreams, secret affairs, lost items, hospitals and prisons, hidden strengths, spiritual studies and soul growth.

A  Sun: Our vitality and magnetism; self-identity, ego.
Roles: The Self, the Hero, the Performer, the King.

B  Moon: Intuition, emotion, nurture.
Roles: The Mother, the High Priestess, the Child.

C  Mercury: Mind; physical dexterity and mental agility.
Roles: The Thinker, the Communicator, the Student, the Trickster, the Merchant, the Thief.

D  Venus: Our capacity for pleasure, receptivity, creativity, and social connection. Also indicates our relationships, self esteem, and financial abundance.
Roles: The Lover, the Seductress, the Artist.

E  Mars: Desire, initiative, anger.
Roles: The Protector, the Athlete, the Warrior.

F  Jupiter: Luck, opportunity, expansion, higher learning, religion.
Roles: The Scholar, the Gypsy, the Traveler, the Monk, the Professor.

G  Saturn: Hard work, commitment, focus, inadequacy, leadership, suffering, loss.
Roles: The Task Master, the Grim Reaper, the Wise Old Man, the Builder, the Cynic, the Boss.

H  Uranus: Change, breakthroughs, upsets, discoveries.
Roles: The Revolutionary, the Humanitarian, the Visionary, the Snob.

I  Neptune: Imagination, spirituality, idealism, addictions, deception, compassion.
Roles: The Artist, the Romantic, the Guru, the Addict, the Martyr, the Victim.

J  Pluto: Transformation, power, psychological dynamics, helplessness.
Roles: The Terrorist, the Detective, the Psychotherapist, the Dictator, shady people.

a  Aries: Pioneering, competitive, selfish, impatient, courageous, reckless, independent, dynamic, domineering, “Me first!”

b  Taurus: Patient, stable, lazy, dependable, practical, sensual, stubborn, artistic, possessive, greedy, gentle, loyal.

c  Gemini: Intelligent, curious, adaptable, quick-witted, restless, clever, scatterbrained, lacking follow-through.

d  Cancer: Nourishing, intuitive, protective, moody, sensitive, maternal, domestic, childish, cautious, creative.

e  Leo: Proud, dignified, vain, expressive, romantic, generous, childish, overbearing, self-assured, creative.

f  Virgo: Perfection-seeking, practical, methodical, petty, critical, studious, discriminating, cautious, never satisfied.

g  Libra: Charming, sociable, peace-loving, refined, diplomatic, artistic, indecisive, apathetic, easily deterred.

h  Scorpio: Passionate, secretive, penetrating, resourceful, suspicious, manipulative, jealous, sarcastic, intolerant, determined, aware.

i  Sagittarius: Freedom-loving, philosophical, optimistic, enthusiastic, careless, impatient, talkative, a know-it-all, broadminded, athletic, honest.

j  Capricorn: Serious, responsible, practical, hardworking, stubborn, brooding, inhibited, status-conscious, domineering, unforgiving.

k  Aquarius: Progressive, individualistic, unpredictable, cold, intellectual, artistic, eccentric, shy, impersonal, scientific.

l  Pisces: Compassionate, intuitive, ungrounded, romantic, impractical, self-sacrificing, seductive, musical, artistic.