Venus Retrograde

Venus turns retrograde for roughly a six week period every 18 months. This year, the retrograde period of the Planet of Love will occur on March 6, 2009 in Aries, where she will appear to be spinning backwards until going direct in Pisces on April 18, 2009.

When it comes to retrograde energy, Mercury seems to have all the fame and acclaim – and not in a good way. Well, there’s no need to freak out now that it’s Venus’s turn, because most of us have unknowingly survived Venus’s Retrograde many times before.

The spin on Venus
Venus, our closest planetary neighbor, is credited with governing our personal perceptions of love and beauty. She is the ruler of Libra, the sign of marriage and partnerships, and Taurus, a sign well known for being concerned with appearances and material accomplishments. Her placement at our time of birth highlights our likes and dislikes, influences our creative side, and can indicate our ability to attract material and emotional blessings.

Venus Retrograde
When Venus is in retrograde motion the lessons we learn tend to shape our lives. During a Venus Retrograde, many people may feel that it is harder to give or receive affection, because Venus encourages soul-searching and reflection. Old friends or lovers are more likely to reappear, and it may feel as if other things from our past have come back. Venus likes to show us how far we’ve come, but she also wants us to understand what it has taken to get here. Not all that we discover will be as gently delivered as when Venus is Direct, but even the kindest, most loving mother is allowed to have a bad day.

Under the Aries influence
Aries will be the primary influence of this Venus Retrograde, as Venus is in Aries from March 6 – April 11. In the heat of this fiery sign, relationships formed now are likely to burn passionately and bright, but as for how long they will last – there’s no guarantee. The flippant side of Aries is likely to appear, so try and keep a cool head, not say everything you think and Venus is likely to guide you to the core issues if you have problems with those near and dear.

Taming the flames in Pisces
Even after Venus enters Pisces on April 12, the Aries influence is likely to be felt, tempered a bit with the Pisces watery flow for the final few days. The Piscean influence brings with it a healing trend, encouraging solutions to problems and washing away the tensions and doubts Aries brought in. On April 18 when Venus goes Direct, don’t be surprised if you have a new outlook on life.

Top 3 challenges
Venus Retrogrades tend to affect the Cardinal Signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, and Capricorn) the hardest, but no one is immune. So read on the see how it will unfold…

1. Relationships formed or resumed now run the risk of being short lived, but problems in existing relationships are more likely to be identified and positively resolved.

2. It isn’t the best time to indulge in luxury purchases or investing in things of beauty, but donations of time and money to charitable considerations is encouraged. Be cautious not to over-extend yourself, though!

3. Many personal issues are likely to rise to the surface. You may discover that your values are changing or have changed, and introspective periods are likely.

So, while Venus is in Retrograde, remember that there are times when what you think should override what you feel. This is a time for all of us to become more in-tune with ourselves and the lives we have created. This isn’t a time for pity or regret, but lessons and circumstances that clarify to ourselves how we give and receive love.

The Venus Retrograde gift
Cleansed by the Fire of Aries and reborn in the Waters of Pisces, the gift of Venus in Retrograde ultimately is a gift of love. It isn’t always easy to realign our values, but that doesn’t make it any less necessary. When we learn to love ourselves above all others we also learn how to heal our hurts and overcome our insecurities, shedding a layer of contrived ego and coming one step closer to that which is meaningful and real. When Venus is involved, love is always the bottom line.