

For the longest time I have stayed mostly silent on retrograde planets since there is already so much fanfare every time Mercury, Venus, or Mars goes retrograde. Now I want to explain what is lacking in the more common descriptions of the significance of Venus retrograde.

Venus is not one of the stronger planetary influences. Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury are all stronger in their general influences then Venus, then Jupiter. It varies according to your own soul path and how you have developed, but a well developed Venus has influence through a soft touch, diplomacy, artful approach, aesthetic appeal, and graciousness. Poorly developed expressions of Venus’s are vanity, self-indulgence, overly sensual focus, superficial beauty obsession, flattery of others, saccharine sweetness, etc.

When Venus goes retrograde as it did October 5th, it sets up an opportunity for making adjustments and changes from the inside in how we love to put into play more real esteem of ourselves, acceptance of others, greater use of the soft touch and artful approach; revisiting issues in established relationships to improve them, renewing affections, turning the awareness of affection and love back to the inside job it always is.

Retrograde planets have a stronger influence than usual. They turn attention back within and can help us feel out unresolved desires or needs.

There is no reason to dread retrogrades or anticipate misfortune. They can help us tremendously if we are ready.

I moved 2200 miles cross-country during Mercury-Rx (in spite of the fact another astrologer tried to talk me out of it unsolicited) and two months later began my only real relationship during Venus-Rx. I married that woman two years later and we are still living here in Oregon. So my experience by itself has turned the fear-based paralysis during planetary retrogrades on its head.

The problems can come when we don’t face our real unfinished business and then blame it on circumstances, ‘fate’, or another person when things seem to go wrong.

Venus-Rx is a good time to revisit unfinished business in love, to forgive someone you’ve been holding a grudge against — or to just let go.

It can be a good time to reconnect with someone from your past (even from past lives as I did with my wife). However, the opportunity to do so is not a mandate or ‘fate.’ It is just a window of opportunity. Use it wisely. These things will only happen with someone else if you are truly ready, not if you are using it as a distraction from any of that unfinished interior love business.

The people most likely to have good experiences during Venus-Rx periods are those with a strong Venus in the birth chart, and who are not carrying relational baggage.

The most beneficial Venus-Rx periods are those in which another planet reinforces the aspect(s) Venus makes to your birth chart or another planet that facilitates the benefits. It can also coincide with stressful aspects to your birth chart, testing a relationship, even urging a change that won’t feel good at first even if it is true to who you really are.

Are you relating according to our personal inner values? Is your notion of love defined more by secure attachment than by real acceptance of yourself and others?

It is easy for our attention to get misdirected onto objects of admiration or beauty. But what matters most to you? Should we let the images of celebrities on air brushed magazine covers and ads suggest anything at all about our own worth or beauty or that of our loved ones?

Venus-Rx periods can help us regain the inner feelings of love, affection, and our own personal values. However, we will get in touch more with where we’re really at. It takes more than Venus-Rx to end a relationship that needs a bit of work or adjustment.

