::NCGR NYC - Articles - Transiting Venus Retrograde

Transitting Venus Retrograde

By Ronnie Gale Dreyer

On December 24, 2005 at 4:37 AM EST, Venus will station at 1ºº Aquarius 28' and begin its retrograde cycle, until it stations direct on February 3, 2006 at 4:19 AM EST at 16ºº Capricorn 01'. Venus retrogrades approximately every 19 months, and the last time it occurred was between May 18-June 30, 2004 when it stationed retrograde at 26ºº Gemini and went direct at 9ºº Gemini.

The phenomenon called retrogradation takes place when a planet reduces the speed by which it travels and, as a result, "appears" to move backwards for a fixed amount of time, causing it to linger longer than usual in a portion of the zodiac. Each planet retrogrades at varying intervals for different lengths of time, and when a planet retrogrades, it is at its closest point to the Earth in the planet's orbit around the Sun. That is why Vedic astrologers considered retrograde planets to be strongly placed in both the horoscope and on a mundane level. This does not mean however that they are auspicious, just that whatever quality and aspect the planet makes in your chart, will be amplified due to the proximity to the earth.

The inferior planets, Mercury and Venus, will form an inferior conjunction to the Sun during the time they are retrograde. Mars through Pluto will form an opposition to the Sun, at the moment they are closest to the earth in their retrograde cycle. (We have just seen this in the case of retrograde Mars, which, while in Taurus, formed an opposition to the Sun in Scorpio at its closest point to earth.)

In the weeks prior to Venus's retrograde station on December 24, the resplendent, white planet can be seen in its brightest manifestation as an Evening Star in the night sky after the Sun has set. Midway through the retrograde cycle, or about 21-22 days later, Venus passes directly between the Sun and the Earth, forming an inferior conjunction with the Sun. The next inferior conjunction will take place on January 13, 2006, at 6:58 PM EST, at 23ºº Capricorn 40'. Known to the ancients as "combustion," this exact juxtaposition causes the Sun's bright rays to block Venus from view for about 3-5 days. Once Venus emerges from the conjunction, and moves away from the Earth, it can be seen once again, but as a Morning Star, in the pre-dawn hours before the Sun rises.

Approximately nine months later, when Venus is farthest from the Earth, and the Sun lies directly between them, the Sun and Venus will form their superior conjunction, with Venus blocked from view for about 2-3 months, even after it has long passed its combustion point. This conjunction marks the next transition in the cycle when Venus once again emerges as an Evening Star, until it nears the earth and the Retrograde Cycle begins once again. The next superior conjunction takes place on October 27, 2006 at 1:50 PM EDT, at 4ºº Scorpio 10'.

The last time that Venus (or any planet) sets in the sky before it "disappears" from view is called its heliacal setting, and the first time it appears in the sky after combustion is called its "heliacal rising." Most ancient cultures, notably the Mesopotamians and Mesoamericans, kept a careful watch when retrograde Venus made its first heliacal rising after inferior conjunction. The way that Venus suddenly reemerges as the Morning Star days after its "disappearance" and before sunrise was not considered a good omen. The Sumerians in particular looked at Venus in its different manifestations of Morning Star and Evening Star. They thought the Morning Star's appearance in the Eastern sky roused the soldiers to war, while the Evening Star's arrival in the Western sky induced passionate lovemaking followed by restful sleep. As a result, the aggressive morning star and the soothing evening star exemplified the two faces of the Sumerian Inanna (Babylonian Ishtar) as the wrathful Goddess of War and the tranquil Goddess of Love and Fertility. These qualities can be attributed to the Retrograde Venus Cycle, since that is when Venus changes from an Evening to Morning Star.

Upcoming Venus Retrograde

Moving at its usual speed, Venus takes about a month to travel through a sign. When it slows up and retrogrades, it takes 3-4 months to make that journey. This year Venus first entered Capricorn on November 5, 2005, and entered Aquarius on December 23, 2005. From January 1-March 5, 2006, Venus will move through Capricorn, first retrograde and then finally direct on February 3, 2006, when it gradually regains its momentum and usual speed. It will enter Aquarius again on March 5, 2006 where it will stay until April 5, when it enters Pisces and once again moves at its steady pace. Whew!!!

Whereas Venus's usual transit over a degree lasts 1-2 days at best, this season's retrograde Venus will impact the area between 16ºº Capricorn (where it stations direct), and 1ºº Aquarius (where it stations retrograde), three times--when Venus goes 1) direct, 2) retrograde and 3) direct again. This means that even though Venus is retrograde from December 24, 2005-February 4, 2006, its effects will actually be felt from November 23, 2005, when Venus first crosses 16ºº Capricorn, until March 7, 2006 when it crosses 1ºº Aquarius for the final time. If you have a personal point or planet in between 16ºº Capricorn and 1ºº Aquarius, it would be a good idea to look at this as a lengthy transit rather than just a loving hit of Venus. It may not be as loving as you think, and if you do not take care, then you will miscalculate.

What does all this mean on both a general level, and in terms of your chart? In the first place, Venus Retrograde periods are times when the planet's harmonious, pleasurable, and prosperous influence may be reversed, often leading to indulgence, wasted opportunities, or an inability to give and receive love. There may be argumentation, chaos and even violence in the world at large. Venus Retrograde's slower pace cautions against acting impulsively where matters of the heart and bank account are concerned. If it can be avoided, don't get married, plan a honeymoon, ask for a raise, or expect a promotion between December 24, 2005-February 4, 2006. Since most companies give you bonuses before the 24th, you may get what is due. On the other hand, the results of the year-end sales and accounting might not yield the result retailers and corporations might like. Expect a lot of reorganizing, and unfortunately more downsizing in January. If you manage to escape the month of January unscathed, you will surely be able to breathe a sigh of relief after Venus goes direct.

If you are involved in any mediation, lawsuits, or job negotiations, wait until Venus goes direct to do the legwork, and wait another week or two until Venus regains its speed, to pursue them fully. What makes Venus' retrograde periods productive are the time and space they offer for reflecting and turning inward, and if you are in the process of making life-changing transitions in any of the above areas, take time to consider your options carefully and cautiously.

If you have a planet or personal point between 16ºº Capricorn - 1ºº Aquarius, or in aspect to those degrees, take note of the three times Venus passes, as it might show you what area of your life will have potential for happiness, but for which you will have to wait just a little longer. This transit should teach patience and cooperation, since that is what the Evening Star represents, and that is Venus's phase the first time it passes a point or planet within those degrees. The second time will be when Venus is retrograde, and the final time will be when Venus is a direct Morning Star. The final passage should give you the ability to pursue what you are after, rather than waiting for something to happen. In essence, the retrograde transit of Venus wants to indulge and seek pleasure, but the test comes when you must develop patience and restraint in order for that desire to be productive, rather than just singularly excessive or even destructive.

In addition to analyzing the places in the chart Venus aspects, it is always helpful to view the houses that Venus travels through during its retrograde period. Take a look at the houses that encompass 16ºº Capricorn through 1ºº Aquarius (it might be one or two), and think about how the areas of life represented by those houses may be stalled during Venus's retrograde period. They will then pick up the week after the inferior conjunction, and will speed up enormously once Venus moves direct.

Remember that if you were born with natal Venus retrograde, the year Venus goes direct by secondary progression impacts your life by reversing the patterns previously set up by natal Venus. If, for instance, there was low self-esteem, introversion, or a unique creativity that may not have found an outlet due to a natal retrograde Venus, you will probably enter a period of elevated self-confidence and the desire to form relationships once Venus goes direct by progression.

By the same token, if Venus retrogrades by secondary progression during one's lifetime, there will be a definite transformation of your attitude towards, and image of yourself, your relationships, and the area represented by the house Venus occupies and rules. There may even be setbacks and obstacles not previously encountered or a period when you are forced to reexamine your goals and self-definition. Your lifestyle and attitudes will definitely change, but the change might be for the better.

To sum up, don't neglect the importance of Venus retrograde periods. They are far more substantial than you might think.

*Note: If you use Vedic astrology, subtract 23ºº 51' from the above tropical positions. Venus will enter sidereal Sagittarius on October 30, 2005, and sidereal Capricorn on December 3, 2005. Venus stations retrograde at sidereal 7ºº Capricorn 37', has its inferior conjunction at sidereal 29ºº Sagittarius 49', and stations direct at sidereal 22ºº Sagittarius 11'. Any planet or point between sidereal 22 Sagittarius - 7 Capricorn will be affected.

Ronnie Gale Dreyer is an internationally known astrological consultant, lecturer and teacher based in New York City. She is the author of Healing Signs, Vedic Astrology, Venus (from which some of the material in this article was taken), and a contributor to Under One Sky and Astrology for Women. She is the editor of NCGR's memberletter and teaches ongoing Vedic astrology classes and workshops at all levels. Ronnie can be reached for consultations and inquiries at 212-799-9187, or <a href="mailto:ronnie@ronniedreyer.com. Her complete schedule is listed at www.ronniedreyer.com

December 19, 2005