Venus stations Retrograde

Venus Stations Retrograde

22nd PDT 18:33 / 23rd AEST

The day has arrived! After much astrological fanfare and forecasting, Venus stations retrograde, marking its descent into the underworld. Venus entered its pre-retrograde shadow on June 10/11. Reflect upon events which have transpired since then, especially where romance is concerned. What situations have illuminated a disconnect between your heart and head? Where have you given of yourself in anticipation of reciprocity, only to have expectations fall flat? Have certain relationships begun to sour, or will work be required if a union is to last?

Prior to its descent, Venus has been bright in the night sky in its evening star phase. But for the next six weeks, the love planet takes up the lantern of the psychopomp, guiding us through relational nether realms, before emerging, re-born, as a morning star. This katabasis forces a review of our desires in romance and resources. It marks a period of introspection and incubation, and more than anything now, self-love must be made the priority.

In the dark, we are uniquely with ourselves in ways which we generally lack access to with Venus visible. Try this exercise: imagine your ideal partner, your “type”. What qualities does this person have? Now, think about those who you have ACTUALLY partnered with. Do you recognize a disconnect between what you want and what you have accepted?

This isn’t about whether or not someone “checks all our boxes”. This is about admitting to ourselves that oftentimes what we are attracted to doesn’t align with our true needs or desires. Sometimes we stray from ourselves and forget our worth when the allure of prestige or magnetism (Leo buzzwords) takes the helm. Venusian glamour can be deceiving, and while Venus is in the underworld, we are less susceptible to its charms, and less liable to compromise our convictions for the sake of appearances.

Venus will be retrograde until September 3/4. Use this time to examine your relational needs and delineate your deal-breakers.

Written by Nyssa Grazda