We’re looking in at each other and we don’t know what to do.
— Pete Townshend
Venus, holding forth in Pisces, opposes Mars, retrograde in Virgo, on Wednesday, the first day of February. You don’t need to be an expert with astrology to grasp the symbolism of that scenario. Pause to consider what you already know. You know that opposition is like being face-to-face. When you are facing another, it is either very comforting or very confrontational; you know that too. Unless for some reason you enjoy discomfort, the objective of working with Venus opposed to Mars becomes clear. It means doing your part to reduce conflict and contribute to consolation, both for yourself and for the other looking in at you. You may have started already.
Monday last, we proposed that you note a few things down and put them in an envelope until the end of the week. If you followed up over the weekend by opening discussion after opening the envelope, you have laid the foundation for comfort. That’s because the tension of opposition is first addressed by talking about it. It takes two people who are receptive to communication, and willing to act on it, to make a creative and gratifying conversation possible. The archetypes of Venus and Mars fill those requirements.
Venus corresponds to how the receptive and attractive work in your life. Mars, on the other hand, symbolizes the active and creative. When face-to-face with each other, as Venus and Mars will be on Wednesday, the conditions of communication are optimized. Once conversation has commenced, however, there is the question of its quality and content. That is where the respective signs come in.
Earlier this month, Eric described the opposition of Virgo and Pisces as “the axis of practical imagination,” with earthy Virgo as the more pragmatic field, and watery Pisces as the reservoir of creative conjecture. Since Venus moving forward in Pisces is as comfortable as a native in its natural element, the conceptual component of conversation would seem to be readily available. Mars, however, is in a marginal position.
At its best, Mars in mutable Virgo is the image of sublimation. The red planet prefers to express itself by taking the initiative or holding a position, but the outfit provided by Virgo is suitable for neither expression. Instead, the influence of Virgo directs the Martian energy towards its innovative and adaptable potentials. The can-do component of Mars makes such a re-tasking eminently possible, but pile on a retrograde and things get dodgy.
Retrograde does things to a planet, even though it’s just a matter of perspective. Perception, after all, does tend to influence behavior, and apparent backwards motion tempts Mars towards a dysfunctional expression of cutting off, cutting in or cutting out. That proclivity, when confronted with the full-throttle creativity of Venus in Pisces, can result in counter-productive communications. On the other hand, simply being aware of those sharp edges can help us direct them another way, toward something more productive — but that takes discernment. Fortunately, we have help with that today.
As discussed in this space last Thursday, resolving the internal tension of today’s square between Mercury in Aquarius and Moon at apogee in Taurus can help us to recognize that which does not belong together while distinguishing components that merit merger. That applied exercise of both cleaving to and from prepares us to wield Mars more like a tool and less like a weapon, contributing to a comfortable and comforting conversation. If cutting there need be, let it at least be measured and directed toward an intent that is consistent with the constructive and careful nature of Virgo.
The measure of Venus opposing Mars on Wednesday will thus be in its outcome. We can get the best result by recognizing that some form of aggression will come up through each of us. If you can distinguish that which is yours, you can use it. If you can discern that which is not yours, you can refuse to be used by it. Should the flourishing imagination flowing from Venus in Pisces provoke you with its imperfections, meet it with with incisive compassion rather than sharp judgement. See yourself as a tailor and do your part to cut a pattern of reality to fit an imperfect world. Should your own inspirations be punctured, do not abandon them or consider yourself injured. Rather, take into account the unseen injury surely hiding behind the attack. Show yourself as one who has the comfort the aggressor is seeking, and keep the conversation going by offering to share it. Give what you want and everybody involved will receive what they need.
Offered In Service
“The only thing I can think to tell you is that this transiting opposition of Venus and Mars started out as a conjunction last May, in Taurus. For all of us, this is the half-way point in that cycle, so whatever began in the 2nd half of May at around 8 or 9 Taurus (Jupiter was still in late Aries) will be on full display on Wednesday, and it will influence you personally for the next year.”
thanks for the heads up, be! and glad i keep a journal (however sporadically). an entry from may 25 seems to speak to my present well; i hope i can work toward some resolution to the issues at hand so that i’m not dragging it out for the next year.
Happy almost Birthday, Fe!
Happy almost, Brendan!
Yahoo!
As for me, I spent Sunday at the Griffith Park Observatory; perhaps a good way to add perspective to Len’s perspective.
….and it does sort of feel like there’s a bright new shiny new year blooming inside, doesn’t it?
xo
Len
The ebb and flow of your sound Promethean advice conjures up an image for me, of being inside a cave with hanging stalactites – the stuff fantasy caves are made up of. Guiding me through is a torch of indistinguishable fire. Thank you
Thank you Len, thank you Carrie.
Indeed, many things to be done, many steps to climb before the 11th, but hey, been there, done that.
This year just feels very different at its core, as if there is a shiny new person and new world inside.
WHEEEE!
Happy early birthday Fe and Brendan!
Ah Len, thanks for this. Mars is in my 1st house going backwards and ever since it turned, I have felt this desire to just stay home and not deal with the extra effort of making time for people (friends). It isn’t that I don’t want to see them, it is that I suddenly lack the energy much for trying to schedule times and places.
Instead I am feeling this desire to curl up, introspect, sip tea, and write. Not for publishing but just to write. I have also been feeling like getting out my pastels and doing art for the first time in YEARS. Last time I did them was before the kids came along (almost 20 years ago).
I also have noticed that many FB friends have suddenly either stopped posting much or stopped responding to me and each other. Maybe they also feel this hibernate/withdraw feeling.
The days are feeling slow but time is flying way too fast for my taste.
I feel like I need to just run in the trees yet I am too pooped to do that so I run with my mind and imagination instead.
That Monday list? I only just took it out today and read it. There was not time to “discuss” it with anyone this weekend. I was just too tired after a week of intensive parenting and teaching (I homeschool my son).
So I am listening to Sunday Morning Coffee parts I and II and chilling.
My youngest daughter has her birthday the 18th of February (she turns 17) and I turn 52 on Feb 22nd. Then my son turns 10 on March 11th so the next two months will be busy.
Brendan,
May your birthday likewise be an occasion for joy. These last few steps to the solar return always seem a bit steep to me but it appears as though you are in stride. Good show,
Happy birthday, Fe! It sounds like you will be in fine form Wednesday. May the day be fair and full of laughter and joy.
My own isn’t looking too shabby either. 🙂
Len:
Thank you — as always, sage, and much appreciated.
Be:
My natal Saturn is in Scorpio, so yes, partnership could very well loom….
Wow Fe, Len has really scoped out your solar return and it sounds like a pretty good year. . .solar and lunar return? You, my friend, are in sync. The only thing I can think to tell you is that this transiting opposition of Venus and Mars started out as a conjunction last May, in Taurus. For all of us, this is the half-way point in that cycle, so whatever began in the 2nd half of May at around 8 or 9 Taurus (Jupiter was still in late Aries) will be on full display on Wednesday, and it will influence you personally for the next year. Your Saturn will play arbitrator (does it stand the test of time? Is it still useful?) to any decisions that need to be made. If your Saturn is in Scorpio it might involve a partnership decision. If he is in Cancer it would be more of a family matter.
All I can say beyond that is Happy Birthday, and doesn’t time fly when you are having fun? Only a year ago we were all pumped up over the overthrow of Mubarak. Seems more like 3 years ago, doesn’t it?
Don’t worry about the doc Len; I’ll be nice.
be
be:
Thank you for your wonderful comment. Take it easy on the young doctor now. With Mars retro in his first solar house, he can’t help it if he is out-classed.
Fe:
First of all, Happy Birthday.
Thank you for taking a chance on me. First thing you will want to know is about the Moon. At the time of the Venus-Mars opposition, the Moon will be at 2+ Gemini, conjunct your natal Moon. So, Wednesday will be not only a solar return but also a lunar return on the same day. In other words solar and lunar cycles are starting over on the same dat at almost exactly the same time. Therefore, the chart for the Venus-Mars opposition is very special for you, setting the theme for the entire month. The force of both yin and yang will be with you.
Bingo. Jackpot. Tell your friends to wear eye protection and a high SPF, you will be bright and powerful. The only caution is that your emotions will be on Spinal Tap’s “11” setting. Good thing Venus will be trine your Saturn.
Transiting Venus in a water trine to natal Saturn will help you keep enough freeboard so that you don’t get too swamped emotionally. Think of it as a yare yawl with a deep weighted feel keel. So, good, good, good. Feel the wind in your hair. Similarly, Transiting Mars sextile your natal Saturn tames and stabilizes the energy of Mars so long (and this is a serious caveat) so long as you are grudge free. If you are holding a grudge, find a way to de-fuse it before Wednesday.
How does that work for you?
Ok astrologeristas:
My solar return on Feb 1, Venus will trine my natal Saturn and Mars will sextile it. Prognostications? Omens? Weather watch?
Wow! Len, thanks for those amazing insights! For so long, I’ve thought of Venus opposite Mars as the call to use the creative force of sexual energy, but in the lead up to this mutuable and interesting pairing, given my recent experiences, I see exactly what you mean by:
Should the flourishing imagination flowing from Venus in Pisces provoke you with its imperfections, meet it with incisive compassion rather than sharp judgement. See yourself as a tailor and do your part to cut a pattern of reality to fit an imperfect world. Should your own inspirations be punctured, do not abandon them or consider yourself injured. Rather, take into account the unseen injury surely hiding behind the attack. Show yourself as one who has the comfort the aggressor is seeking, and keep the conversation going by offering to share it. Give what you want and everybody involved will receive what they need.
Thank you!
I hope so Len. I have a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday. He’s a darling man, but almost half my age and since I was the former secretary to his boss too, he sometimes has to abandon his role of supreme authority. Not that I would expect that, but he IS a Virgo and even with a Sun conjunct Pluto he never gets very aggressive . with me anyway.
On Wednesday I will be asking him about the recent study showing that statins increase the risk of diabetes in “older” women. This disturbs me. However, since you have given me a different perspective, or lets say, broadened my perspective, I will approach it from the stance of a relatively uninformed patient to an all-knowing doctor. There will be no comical repartee on the correct pronunciation of Uranus this time. (His mother is an astrologer) Maybe we can just joke around about Newt (on my list). I appreciate your clarifying Wednesday’s astrology, as I almost called to reschedule the appointment. Much obliged!
be