This weekend, Venus squares Chiron for the third time in as many months. It is unusual for that particular aspect to repeat more than twice annually. Behind the unconventionally rapid series of squares is a Venus retrograde cycle oscillating in the core of Gemini, combined with Chiron’s apparent reversal through Pisces. In direct motion once again since June 27, Venus is now gradually accelerating into the same arc already twice traced, revisiting shadows of the recent past. With a concluding square to Chiron, Venus implies how those shadows may yet persist uncomfortably inside all of us, waiting for each of us to resolve them, providing an opportunity for growth.
Square aspects frequently correspond to tension created and felt within. The protocol for resolving inner tension can be summarized in three words: awareness, attitude and action. Serendipitously, the current series of Venus-Chiron squares symbolizes that process.
Venus entered the first shadow (or ‘echo’) phase of its Gemini retrograde cycle in direct motion on April 11, passing the point where it would eventually pivot into reverse. The very next day, Venus made the first of three successive squares to Chiron, symbolizing the first step in addressing inner tension: awareness. The echo phase that precedes any retrograde is an opportunity to become aware. The first step is corresponding appearance to reality. No planet actually changes direction. Retrograde movement just looks that way from our perspective, which appears to be fixed. In fact, we are in orbit around the Sun just like all the other planets.
Different sized orbits mean that planets will occasionally catch up with and pass one another on the solar system’s big track. When we are involved in such passages, the planet we are passing, or one which is passing us, appears to slow down and go backwards. In the case of Venus, its retrograde has corresponded to its passage between Earth and Sun, something which was plainly visible during its rare solar transit on June 5.
Awareness continues with an understanding of the symbolism associated with the Venus retrograde. Venus represents attraction without effort, and values intrinsically felt. Expressed through the airy, mutable field of Gemini, the characteristics of Venus connect with how we think, communicate and, sometimes, equivocate. Chiron in Pisces also connects disparate energies dynamically.
While Chiron is inseparable from focus and clarity, it is not single-minded. The state of consciousness associated with Chiron is that of a symphony conductor. It is simultaneous and equal awareness of both the whole and the parts, both the abstract and the perceptible, all at once in real time. Expressed through mutable, watery Pisces the consciousness of Chiron takes on depth, passion and, sometimes, a hypersensitive sense of certainty. When Venus moves to square such a powerful Chironic energy from Gemini, awareness can get tricky, which leads us to the subject of attitude.
Attitude is a loaded word. Many of us experience the phrase as something hurled at us in scorn, with an admonition to change it. It helps, therefore, to detach a bit and consider the definition of attitude in a more objective manner. One definition connects with the retrograde phenomenon because it involves objects in motion. That would be the attitude of a watercraft in relation to the water, or an aircraft in relation to the Earth.
In regards to aircraft and watercraft, the optimum attitude is that which delivers efficient motion without tragic consequences. As it pertains to a square aspect, the definition of attitude is very much the same. It means discarding the reactionary and misinformed assumption that squares are bad or something to fear. Objectively, squares happen when two or more objects are in the same part of different signs which share the same quality (cardinal, fixed or mutable) but comprise a less than ideal pairing of element. For the sequence of Venus-Chiron squares reaching completion this weekend, the elemental pairing is air and water.
In astrology, the pairing of air and water often suggests instability to those with a predisposition to associate squares with what happens to you. For those who see a square as an opportunity for growth, the inner tension generated by the mix of air and water represents what you do with what happens to you. It means taking control of the rudder and creating stability where none is conveniently given, creating confidence and strength in the bargain. Of course, taking the wheel in hand and creating the attitude of your motion through the world is a form of action.
In order to take action, you first have to know that you can. The best way to know with certainty that you can take action is to first take responsibility. Once again, responsibility is a loaded word. For many of us, unpleasant conditioning associates responsibility with blame, and nobody wants to be blamed. Discarding the unpleasant conditioning associated with responsibility is an act of self-empowerment.
When you get right down to it, the only thing you can control in this world is yourself. That’s how the action of taking responsibility empowers you. The more you accept as originating from within you, the more confidently you can address it and the stronger you can feel. Venus squaring Chiron for the third time in three months represents just such an opportunity.
Whatever first broke through the surface of your awareness for the first square on April 12 should still be fresh in your memory. Where your attitudes connected with emergent awareness during the second square on June 16 should be even easier to recall, providing you with some focus and clarity. This weekend will be the time to pull it all together. Detach and think objectively about all the feelings the previous two squares had in common, looking for the whole picture in the details your memory provides. Look also for the reality behind the symbolism astrology provides. If you can find what you are looking for, that should help you determine just what it is inside of you that you can accept as yours, subject to resolution and even healing at your own hand.
Where you are feeling intimacy blocked, look within for the origin. Whenever learning is stymied or commitment is not available, consider how your orientation may influence the situation. Whatever makes you feel powerless, seek a way to make it your own. Nobody’s perfect, but humans do not require perfection to progress. Even a little progress, achieved consciously, will function to make you stronger.
Offered In Service
Len is available for astrology readings. You can contact him at lenwallick [at] gmail [dot] com.
@bkoehler
About Ceres I him I had already mentioned for agriculture by 2011 with the increase of raw materials resulting from the decline in purchasing power
What I also noticed is the axis of opposition of Ceres and Demeter (which are in fact the same symbol goddesses of agriculture). In the same axis opposition of the torque King and Queen of the Jupiter/Zeus Olympus and Juno/Hera….
Ceres & Juno in Virgo & fish “agriculture in danger.”
26/05/2011
It is difficult to present a reflection on Juno without involving Ceres in opposition that will continue until mid-August in good part in Virgin & fish.
Drought can become a nuisance when it continues too long and the victims and I think particularly of the cattle who will miss grazing. To many farmers who will have to kill a part of their herd, for fault of not be able to buy food.
This opposition between Juno and Ceres to started in mid-April in parallel to the increase in raw materials and will follow its evolution in featuring of other annoyances that are not spared some farmers.
The Virgin fish is specific within the meaning of the sacrifice it imposes, resolution against the tests. It is also the axis of the small animals/Virgin and large animals/fish food land/Virgin and food prayer/fish, workers/Virgin and without jobs/fish….
As mentioned in a previous Post on Ceres/Demeter represents mythology the goddess of agriculture and Juno/Hera personifies the “marriage”, the cosmic alliance between man and the primordial nature. And in this case of astrological figure, I see a separation by a unable to feed/Ceres and partnership/Juno. And the global crisis that the financial difficulties can become a disincentive to counter the obstacles that arise.
In the dictionary of Mythology by Michael Grant & John Hazel collection Marabout p. 177, Hera/Juno is represented as the “Queen of heaven” to the goddess of agriculture/Ceres can be thought as an alleged sanction can do echo?
Of course in the past there were countless droughts and that there other certainly more terrible one that others, but can escape the myths which are part of the foundations of our ancestral civilization
A few dates of droughts that I found on the web, I have not found the same configuration with Ceres and Juno. Droughts that were dropped in Europe do not necessarily required to slaughter livestock. It is perhaps more profitable to cultivate cereals to deal with his herd of cattle, sheep….
Source : http://archives-lepost.huffingtonpost.fr/article/2011/05/26/2506890_ceres-junon-dans-l-axe-vierge-poisson-l-agriculture-en-danger.html
The example given is happening in France and why I truncated the rest of my article that spoke of slaughterhouses
After research I see that Ceres and Demeter was in opposition in October 2011
@Patty
Have the faith, peace love, I am with you do not lose hope for better days
My thought and prayers are with you and your land too, dear Patty. The UK was in the grip of a drought for a good part of the year – to the extent that they introduced a hosepipe ban. Now they are having a long wet summer. I hope and trust that the rain will release your part of the world from the drought soon.
aword, be – such beautiful comments.
Len, Be and Linda, thank you so much for the good thoughts, prayer and perspective! Drought, fire and injured animals can certainly focus our thoughts in one direction – toward the healing we so desperately need.
Patty,
So glad to hear you are at least safe. It is heartbreaking to hear about how this drought as well as the fires and record-breaking heat has been hurting people, animals and plant life. I’ve had this feeling that Ceres will be able to offer some explanation eventually because at the Summer Solstice on June 20, the midpoint(s) for Ceres and Jupiter was the same as the midpoint(s) for Saturn and Pluto, which was 0 Gemini (Sagittarius). This was the degree of the Solar eclipse on May 20th also. Neptune squaring this point seems to have some bearing too; as if a sacrifice is being made.
As the south node is also approaching 0 Gemini (exact around August 18th) I guess we will see much of the same all summer in the U.S. Something tells me that it is part of the necessary awareness we Americans need to reach in order to raise our (mass) consciousness. Part of the coming together – we are all one lesson. Or as you put it “We are involved whether we want to be or not, all at once and at the same time!” In the meantime, be your strong self for those around you and remember that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
be
Patty,
When I think of you/read you here at PW, I often recall my maternal grandfather (for whom I had great affection and respect and a bit of wild-child awe). In addition – although seemingly out of context – I find myself recalling the only prayer-over-meals he ever used. Head bowed deeply into his large hands, he would seem to be speaking only with God, but I could hear every word clearly each time, each meal (with that accent that is unique to the Ohio River Valley):
“Heavenly Father, as we gather ’round this table about to partake of our daily bread, we bow our heads in prayer and humble gratitude for this substance, and for thy blessings constantly showered upon us, and for thine infinite loving care. Amen.”
When you speak here (over these years) you speak to me of heavenly gifts of sustenance, of substance and certainly of blessings.
May God be with you now and always, and may the “reason” for this drought reveal itself to you and all of us as we grow into this our new age – all at once, and all together.
With love,
Linda
We’ve had our square all right – this afternoon a huge field fire with several trucks called, a live power line on the ground and destroyed light pole. This does have the feeling of community, with so many firey outbreaks around the country and everyone asking the same questions. We are involved whether we want to be or not, all at once and at the same time!
I preferred evoked surprise with the Pandora asteroid that the wound with Venus and Chiron that i have completely forgotten
I am more in the energy of Pandora is in conjunction has my Venus in Balance to Chiron, who also turns into a healer.
I have Chiron in a staggered angle with my natal Venus and get out of a temporary YOD with mercury and Chiron.
I listened to a series of Videos on quantum physics with Jacqueline Bousquet biologist Endocrinology, biophysics, Physiology, immunology, International certificate of human ecology, human toxicology and Culture of cells (human), CNRS (1962-1997) Honorary researcher, collaborator of Pr Emile Pinel for the study and the highlighting of informational biology ect fields…. Which support with the discovery of the particle news. I don’t know if you were informed in the United States?
Since Tuesday I am to the angels on the mental plane, es – this sufficient to change the vibrational level in terms of consciousness. Must not dream and i had an excellent teacher that my filled with a light of love, keep it as long as possible….
Thank you Len , bon week-end to you 🙂
thank you, Len..
wonderful post, glittering with gems (like: “The protocol for resolving inner tension can be summarized in three words: awareness, attitude and action.”)
posted them on FB. tried to search-n-find you on FB. a No-go!
🙂
but thanks also… bcoz, what you have written, is something i was going thru (experiencing) today…
just this morning this thought formed and popped-up in my mind (i was going thru my usual auto-processing of my experiences):
“it is difficult to BE responsible, when you FEEL RESPONSIBLE.”
which brought in these clarity in thought:
‘taking responsibility’ is, taking charge of a situation.
‘being responsible’ is, taking charge of our RESPONSE to a situation.
and then, 12 hours latter, i find you explain that so more eloquently in detail.
thank you.
Michele,
I think Mystes’ message is for you…
Paola,
One of the key indicators of ‘taking birth’ is that the notion of being compelledto do anything seems at worst, irritating; at best, ridiculous. Or impossible.
Most people feel (and in fact are) compelled to incarnate here. Some are not. When you aren’t, there is no ‘idea’ of taking birth, you simply experience an ongoing, background presence of inviolable freedom, no matter what the outer appearance.
I would say about 1:200 (humans) take birth here. Pretty high ratio, actually. The rest are refugees or convicts. Go within for the rest of the story.
***
**
*
paola: Thank you the generous moniker. Will do my best to serve it well.
CaraSusanetta,
Oraclen?
(couldn’t resist)
“Where you are feeling intimacy blocked, look within for the origin. Whenever learning is stymied or commitment is not available, consider how your orientation may influence the situation. Whatever makes you feel powerless, seek a way to make it your own. Nobody’s perfect, but humans do not require perfection to progress. Even a little progress, achieved consciously, will function to make you stronger.” Totally on target, Len, even though it’s harder to make an Oracle reference using your name 😉 Blessings and thanks!
Grace: My heart (and hugs) go out to you as well. Not wanting to talk about anything at anytime is okay. There is a season for contemplation just as there is for communication. Venus will be out of its shadow phase as July ends and August begins.
Huffy: Thank you for supporting Grace.
gwind: You are most welcome (and thank you for offering michele a further reference).
Patty: Thank you for your question. Been watching the weather in your parts with concern. Never been one for predictive astrology, unless intuition strongly compels. Also, weather is more local than mundane astrology may often suit. Starting with facts, more than 50% of the continental US is defined as being in drought right now, as i understand it. As i understand it, the cause is the so-called “jet stream” (a river-like current in the upper atmosphere) being blocked and diverted by high pressure areas that are not moving, sort of like water in a river flowing around an island or sand bar. While tropical (or “western”) astrology is based on the relationship of the Sun to the surface of the Earth (hence the “Tropic of Cancer”, and “Tropic of Capricorn” latitudes corresponding to the Sun’s position during the solstices), it is more specific forms of tropical astrology that address the differences between one location and another. The form of astrology that uses latitude (or declinations) has some interesting things to note. For a long time now, Uranus has been oriented to Earth’s surface so that it can be said to be within a few degrees of “over” the Eauator (like the Sun is during an Equinox). Relatively recently, Mars has moved into the same vicinity, but “on” the other side of the equator, just a few degrees away. Chiron and Juno have also been “in” the equatorial vicinity for some time. When you consider the roles Uranus (in continuous square to Pluto), Mars (newly ingressed to Libra, applying to oppose Uranus at the next New Moon), Chiron (in Pisces for the first time since Uranus and Pluto were conjoined) and Juno (on a long retrograde back into Scorpio) are playing in tropical (longitudinal astrology), one might surmise that this current weather fluctuation is the beginning of a long-term that is part of a bigger, global pattern that will ultimately connect all of humanity in near-equality as part of system that we can only see for its parts right now. That does not mean the drought will continue indefinitely. It does appear to mean that it is part of a whole that is in the process of defining itself, including each and all of us in the process, all at the same time.
On April 12, we had a hard freeze that devastated the fruit crops in the mid-west. The Michigan and Northern Indiana apple and cherry crop loss is 100 percent, and in my area the apple loss is 50%, but the birds are taking the rest because of not being able to find anything to eat or drink. We are in the grips of a devastating drought. It looks like September here, with the corn already brown and withered without ear development. On June 16, I wrote in my calendar that there were no customers at the market, and I was throwing up. I’ve had this growing sense of anxiety ever since the weather warmed too early in February. Everyone here is afraid of having their wells go dry, so they have stopped watering. So, Len, is there any relief in sight; or is this pattern of air/water squares going to continue? The farmers almanac was completely off the mark this year. They forecast a cool and wet summer, but I read that the weather pattern changed suddenly and unexpectedly this past winter.
Michele, I highly recommend Michael Newton’s work on life between lives; what we do, what we see, the “work” in between before we choose to incarnate. That is what comes to mind when I hear you say, “choosing to be born.” Lots of info out there to if you look up the Akashic Records. Edgar Cayce…
Len, I haven’t stopped by your postings in awhile. Great step by step advice. Very helpful. Thank you.
My heart goes out to you, and that beautiful part of the world, dear Grace.
My chiron in pisces is in my 12th house, and my venus in gemini is over my third. I know this presupposes a good time to talk about “it”, but, what if I don’t want to?
Could this be because of my natal moon conjunct natal mars opposite the moon tonight?
Cuz really dudes, I just don’t want to talk about “it” anymore, you dig?
I hope everyone had an awesome 4th. I live in Fort Collins, CO, so no fireworks for us, although our idiot neighbors set off a few before they got ticketed. How many more lives have to be lost in these fires for them to get the picture? Sheesh!
Grace
Thanks for the compassionate embrace, Len… And also big thanks to paola and huffy… That should get me started. xm
Michele: someone else who’s very good on this stuff is Carolyn Myss, who says “I came to believe that we very much make contracts before we incarnate”. I’m afraid I can’t suggest any particular book or recording, but it’s the basis of much of her work, so you could have a good old look on the Internet.
Thanks for the lovely hug, Len!
aword: Thank you. The elements have made periodic appearances since my first blogs. Will work to work them more.
xtica: You are most welcome. Know what you mean. The latest eclipse cycle did something to memories before and after May 20. Please listen to the Soundgarden song “Black Hole Sun” to see what i mean.
Huffy: Here’s a big hug for you and your kind words as well as your synchronicity.
michele: Thank you with a compassionate embrace as well. As to your question. Good question. Worthy question. If anybody ever came up with an answer that worked for everybody, however, unanticipated consequences might very well ensue. You might call it a Uranus thing.
paola: Thank you for referring us to a profound thinker.
be: You are the greatest. As Father Chiron said (in my imagination) “There’s no such thing as a bad attitude, only alternative attitudes.”
Carrie: Thank you. “yes, i will” is the difference between Achilles being temporary and Ulysses being immortal.
Love to all!
Yes, thank you Len. I can feel the pulse of Me shifting, although it is so small – and at the same time – so large that I cannot see it (yet).
I particularly appreciate your bringing the elements into your discussion/s lately (or I just wasn’t tuned in in the past). Studying my many natal squares (and oppositions) from this perspective of pairing (air/water) brings me to more possible solutions, rather than unanswerable questions.
Thank you.
“…awareness, attitude and action…” and “Whatever makes you feel powerless, seek a way to make it your own.”
Thanks, Len. So perfect and on time as always. And yes, I will.
Well, it took a while, but I think I’ve figured out what might have been triggered by the first and second Venus-Chiron squares Len. In both cases I was preparing for my routine, day-to-day schedule to be shattered. In April it was visiting family and I was moving furniture and taking care of chores that might otherwise have just stacked up. In June it was the onslaught of a debilitating heat wave that was about to cramp my style. In both cases I was figuring out how to retain a maximum of “comfort” during the break in routine, with a minimum of expended energy during the break in routine. Figuring out what I would need “just in case” . . a bit of a defensive posture perhaps, but it was based on previous experience. Sort of like the emergency kit in case the power goes out. So this 3rd square between Venus and Chiron could be a continuation of that 2nd square, or. . . maybe company is coming this weekend. Oh no.
Well, I can see how Venus (and my Taurus south node) would want to maintain the comfort level during those periods of time, and I suppose Chiron in Pisces (12th house) did have to sacrifice some reading and research time in order to make it happen. Hopefully, this will qualify as taking control of the rudder. Hopefully I’ve lived long enuf to get past my bad attitude about squares. Hopefully, this last one is just a routine check on my preparedness. Thanks Len!
be
Michele,
the first who comes to my mind is Rudolf Steiner. But there must be many others, before, I think.
Question for erudite PW readers, as google is leading me to the weirdest business and is uber-frustrating… It’s something that has been on my mind and this piece of loveliness by Len made the question ever more LOUD…
Where does the concept of choosing to be born come from? I’m looking for books… But thoughts will do, also…
Thanks in advance… xm
Thank you so much dear Len – this is what I so needed to read right now. I have natal Venus in Gemini and Chiron in Pisces – and have been feeling it very acutely these days, has brought up a lot of sadness and vulnerability, and that age old fear of rejection. At the same time, think that I’m finally starting to become an adult, and growing up is usually pretty painful.”The protocol for resolving inner tension can be summarized in three words: awareness, attitude and action” – Yes. xx
this is a lovely piece as always len, i love your use in language.
now if i can only remember as far back as the first venus sq chiron —
april seems like light years away, heck last week seems like 100 yrs ago!
is this the collapsing of times? peace to all