Aphrodite in Hiding: Venus Retrograde

Venus, the planet of value and attraction, will ‘station’ for a short time and then begin moving in ‘retrograde motion’ on Friday, October 5th, 2018 at 1:05 pm (Mountain Time). Venus has been appearing to move forward through the zodiac for approximately the past 18 months. It will now deviate from its usual movement and appear to pause and travel backwards for about 40 days along the path it has recently covered.

Venus is a personal planet, meaning it takes on a greater immediate presence and has a more intimate influence upon the internal bearings of an individual. She is the fundamental archetype of things such as love, resources, patience, beauty and understanding. From a worldly perspective she rules diplomacy between nations and states, issues concerning women, ethics and equality, as well as agriculture and other valuable resources. In the life of the individual she represents relationships, physical satisfaction and financial security, receptivity, and one’s level of sensuality.

A planet in retrograde motion exhibits its characteristics in different manner than it would when moving forward. It’s expressions can become weaker or subtle and tend to be dealt with by the individual on an internal level, giving the planet a more ethereal sort of influence. Things are rethought, revised and restructured during these events. When Venus enters into retrograde, the concepts that she embodies take on the characteristics of retrograding as well.

This means that things such as the ability to perceive and determine value, or the capacity for people to relate to one another, is hindered in some way. Beauty is given less merit and the normally appetizing fruits of love can turn sour during this short but important astrological phenomenon. Economic and political balances can deteriorate into defensive positionings or grudge matches where neither party wishes to compromise their security or moral integrity. The stature given to that of a feminine nature, including the social status of females themselves, could be noticeably affected. Bonds of all types, especially those that involve contractual obligations, could be tested or dissolve altogether.

We should also look at the other factors of the day’s chart in order to add some more detail and increase our understanding of how this should manifest. This time Venus is retrograding through the sign of Scorpio and slightly entering back into Libra, one of the two zodiac signs it is associated with. Scorpio represents the intangible, desires and feelings, death and all that is shrouded in mystery. Libra has affinity with marriage, contracts and business, known enemies, and legal contests.

While in Scorpio, Venus is generally stripped of her patient presence and sense of sensitivity. She does not favor being in this sign, and when retrograde is applied, her steadfast determination and alluring attitude begin to be used as a defensive mechanisms. Practical reasoning is more easily overshadowed by emotions and obsessions. Desire and satisfaction are naturally opposing forces.

When Venus is through with her retrograde period and begins to move in direct motion again, she will be in her own empowering sign of Libra. This increases the potential that whatever was reviewed or redesigned during retrograde will have strong and apparent results, for better or for worse. Equilibrium in relations being restored, contracts rewritten, or market values balancing out are possible benefits that can be experienced.

On a personal level, it will affect some more than others, and some might not notice a thing. It all depends on the planetary placements and overall orientation of one’s own birth chart. If you would like to know more specifically how this will affect you, use our AstroCloud section to to generate your birth chart and embark on your journey into astrological understanding today.

Those individuals who are more intensely affected can expect to experience less empathy in relationships over and could even decide to stop associating with someone. The values one stands upon to establish a sense of integrity can be transmuted and rebirthed into a new form. Financial shifts and even struggle are common and loss of property can occur in more extreme situations. But, positive returns on investments can also be had for those who have seeds planted. Since we less of it, patience truly proves to be a virtue over the course of a Venus retrograde. Strive to remain competent, compassionate, and remember your rhythm.