Don’t miss today’s edition of Planet Waves FM, covering Venus direct and everyone’s favorite topic — civics.
A Course in Miracles is organized into 365 lessons. When you get to lesson 51, there’s a 20-day review phase, which goes over the material covered in the first 50 days. I think everyone arrives at that first review phase and thinks: what a great idea!
That’s one way to think of a retrograde planet — a time to reconsider, reflect and reinforce learning. And if that’s true, 2012 has begun not with a surge forward but with a long look back. Jan. 23, Mars went retrograde in Virgo. That was followed on March 12 by Mercury turning retrograde in Aries. Just as Mercury went direct on April 4, Venus entered Gemini. The Mars went direct and on May 15, Venus turned retrograde in Gemini. It stations direct today.
This is another way of saying that starting Jan. 23, there’s been one retrograde after the next, either of Mercury itself or an inner planet in a Mercury-ruled sign (Gemini or Virgo). One way to think of this is the world’s longest virtual Mercury retrograde.
Have you been noticing more-than-normal tech glitches? Has your phone been spazzing out? Did your software decide to revert to a copy of an emailed document that’s three versions back? Does your browser keep impersonating Rodin’s “The Thinker” every time you refresh a webpage? Did Rodin sculpt a little-known piece called “Job Search” and dedicate it to you?
It’s definitely called for patience to go through these retrogrades, though one by one they’re working themselves out. Starting tomorrow we get a brief phase — a bit over two weeks — of all the inner planets being direct; Mercury goes retrograde in Leo on July 14 and direct August 8. This presents a brief opening, though it’s still necessary to be mindful, to be patient and to review.
We spend a lot of time plunging forward here in Western Civ. Rarely do we look back; if we do anything involving the past, it tends to be to get stuck there. Think of this as a long time to look back and get unstuck.
Venus stationing direct in Gemini, for its part, may have the feeling of emotional ambivalence. Yet it arrives at a provocative moment. There are three other points in Gemini (the South Node, Jupiter, Ceres), along with Vesta and the lunar apogee close by in Taurus — emphasizing the complex nature of any decision you’re making.
Just as Venus stations, the Moon and Sun are creating a grand cross with Uranus and Pluto, emphasizing the revolutionary nature of the moment. Pallas Athene is right there — calling for the conscious use of strategy. Yet we’re not getting a revolution that we can plunge into or pour out into the streets over. Indeed we need less to revolve and more to evolve — conscious thought, a sense of presence on the planet, and the morphing of personal development with cultural change.
I recognize how hard it can be to feel any personal involvement in this galactic-scale wonder, if your whole mind is not already consumed with cosmic passion. You might just be frustrated that things are taking so long. I suggest a few things.
For one, feel the changes you’re going through; account for what you’re learning. I also recommend not waiting for “the one” opportunity. Rather, consider who you are, what you want and where you are in life, and what that might mean in the context of where the world is now. Open yourself up to the possibilities. Don’t listen to your mother — unless she’s truly adventurous. It’s not a good idea to force yourself into any situation, especially if you don’t want to be there. Ramp up your awareness level and your creativity and let those lead you forward.
There may indeed be a delicate fit between you and your place in the world, but it’s about time that we made this kind of decision with care and thought rather than rushing. Every one of the aspects or events I’ve described, and a good few that I haven’t mentioned, are calling for actual clarity and honesty with yourself.
If you perceive a delay, where can you make improvements on the mental or spiritual levels? What can you do to work out any ambivalence you feel? Can you focus on what you want — and what’s your threshold for knowing? Apropos of Venus, do you have any plans that don’t fit your values, and as for the ones that do, do you really believe in them?
Part of the message of all this planetary movement is coming into a place of fidelity with ourselves; of having our goals match what’s meaningful to us and having our words match our true ideas and intentions. Fidelity is about faith; in this case, faith in you. In these very hours, the planets shift their alignments. Tune in with true sensitivity — something is about to change.
‘our other cat placed her whole body full-on in front of the door of the carrier’. That’s so touching, aword. Cats are just so amazing. I know well the pain of losing a beloved cat. Lots of love and hugs to you.
Thank you, Be. Thank you so very much. Your words have given my heart and soul much to embrace and ponder. She was with us for the past ten years, a rescue cat who was never really healthy, yet was very special and very loved.
Interesting you mention this – as I get deeper into my current writing project I research/channel more and more about Ceres and Eleusinian rites, Persephone and Hades.
But that row I seem to need to hoe (in my writing) probably has nothing whatsoever to do with transiting Ceres on natal Persephone or transiting Pluto on natal Mars opposing natal Ceres or transiting Persephone opposing natal Merc while transiting Merc opposes natal Venus? Ah and look, Hades has followed the Sun into Cancer and exact opposes my natal Narcissus! ouch! (lol; my astrology is still more an exercise in noting placements and movement, but bit by bit I learn.)
Indeed, perhaps Midnight the cat will help me from beyond with this Ceres story/script – or something else I have yet to see.
xo
yeah, it has been this almost tug of war since January. I genuinely feel the back and forth, or this stopping all together feeling is proving it’s point in painfully insistent ways. Forcing a re-examination of many core internal structures. But it has def loosened up. With Venus going direct AND Saturn in Venus ruled Libra – well it has a gear shift feel to it. The direction for me may not necessarily involve a world shift or me leading up an “Occupy the Music Dept” at my university, but I’ve noticed small ways in how I interact with people that perhaps, through my own efforts in my own life, have been an incredibly small example that has proved that changes do bring positive results. I mean, I’m waay more sexy than I was last year. …..I think anyway. 😉
simply: spot on for me so thank you, eric, truly and deeply.
more so because i have thinking i was the only one noticing the retrograde streak.
aword,
My deepest sympathy for you and your remaining kitty. It seems just a short while ago I went through a period of just under two years during which I lost my first “sister” kitty, and then less than 9 months later her real sister, and then just under 15 months later my 3rd and last “baby” kitty. That last loss was 2 1/2 years ago and as I look back now, it starts to make sense. I realize now I was in a long process of becoming detached from the “life supports” that gave me what I thought was verification of a useful life.
Those life supports were people. . family and friends, and companies and my positions in them, and my critters, as Eric would say. This last part of the cycle happened as Pluto was on my midheaven (both the 1st sister, and then I lost the 2nd sister at the time Pluto had gone retrograde then stationed direct) and after much soul-searching and reading I realized that it was my time to clear away all that I thought I was to make space for who I was to become. Perhaps it is something like that for you too, if not for all of us when we lose what we have loved so dearly.
We aren’t supposed to get all happy again like before but we are supposed to find a new kind of joy. A kind of new birth is how it feels. You gain wisdom as you gain new perspective which comes with “time”. I’ve wondered if it is something akin to what Ceres taught in the Eleusinian rites.
Most likely the Universe has a plan for you too that requires the heartbreak of losing this member of your family. You will only come to know that when your heart has begun to heal. Then you will see how your furry friend has helped you start down your new path, and only then does it begin to make sense.. . why we have to grieve our losses in order to grow beyond where we were. Little by little you will mend. You will also notice new things entering your consciousness which will coax you into exploring. Follow that inkling and see what it leads to. It could open up a whole new world. Don’t forget we all love you Linda.
be
P. Sophia, thank you for your kindness.
A side-story; as I was placing sick kitty into carrier for the ride, our other cat placed her whole body full-on in front of the door of the carrier – I had to physically move her aside in order to put sick-kitty inside. She is the younger, and was not going to allow her older ‘sibling’ to leave without protest! But since I came home (without her) a sense of peace and understanding seems to prevail although this morning she seemed sad over her breakfast, her friend not there to share it. Ah, who knows the souls of cats?!
aword, sorry to hear about your loss. Sending thoughts of healing for you and your kitty, “spirit friend”.
In reading your reflection on Venus, I was wondering if in a retrograde Venus signed contact could be improved in its direct phase…. I know that as retrograde Mercury it is not good to sign contracts, but under Venus retrograde, I’ve never tested it and do not know its effect
Eric!
Fidelity. And the emotional workings of acceptance ( I read within myself). Patience during these influences is the evolution from within for me and helps expidite through learning in unison from you and many of this community.
I am sending love and appreciation for this your offering today and for yesterday’s arcticle as well. As Huffy said, “you are just like a wise friend” your insight and sharing pulling, guiding us from within. i feel privelidged and blessed to come here.
I had a dream Tuesday night. I was visiting/working with a organization called “Vonnage”. Yep, looked up for other meanings, but global connections was the overall theme. Upon arrival I was to pick a tattoo from a selection and i knew mine (and several others) I to chose was the big world globe. It was to be engraved on my upper left thigh.
Kelly, be, thank you for your posts… same here. “something has awakened.. an inner joy about my place in the world.” Feeling the magic and excitment of this aspect, hell yes! Never felt my heart so open in such a way, In fact so much good energy within other day made me look up Heart Chakra placement and/or feeling for reference and it applies.
Bumpy ride. Yeah. Ah well, there’s nothing like someone trying to knock you over to cultivate a solid root. Ack, the cranky spoiled narcissistic resentfully passive aggressively pissed off suburban american kid is still in there? As though floating just above my head and amorphous enough to cast no visible shadow, he’s always throwing things in front of me that look like they’re coming from someone else. Occasionally an astute companion notices the fiendish behavior of the ghost boy hiding in my blind spots and lets me know. If my DefendAgainstTheStepDad glitches cool fast enough I sometimes notice him. I guess he’s my twin. Learning to love him is learning to be more patient with people like him, learning to be more patient with the glitches in others that remind me of him. Cultivating a relaxed well rooted adult personality doesn’t dissolve him, but provides the companion that went missing when he got welded to my aura by the trauma of loss: the Tai Ji master is his new stepdad. He has a hard time, but the Tai Ji master is patient enough to wait for him to come around. The inner twin isn’t something I dissolve as a qi blockage, but a set of memories that add up to a child-like twin in my heart. I have to be the parent I lost when I needed him most.
Thank you Eric for this precious article.
It truly reflects a lot, like a mirror.
(But, now, I don’t know what’s appropriate to say anymore… I guess that if 200 people wrote to say ‘thank you’ that would be quite unuseful too… so I’ll send my thanks in other ways from now on.
I have to say that I agree with some defining of the commentarium ways, but at the same time this ‘lack of definition’ and ‘sometimes off topicness’ and dialogue with commenters that has been present lately has helped me in feeling more courage to comment.)
Ok, thank you.
Kelly, my past 5 days have been amazing, too! I’d been expecting more “harrow time” over the weekend, with my Sun at Libra 8 and my Pallas at Cancer 8. But I had the most wonderful weekend with friends and family, and this is continuing up to the moment. My Aquarius sweetie and I *finally* got the green light from Spirit this week to make the household move we’ve been plotting since January… we have a new grandchild due at Lughnasadh (his first biological-grand, and my first step-grand [I have no children myself])… and sweetie and I are handfasting next month while Mercury is direct. This grand cross time has actually been the lightest and most productive time I’ve had all year. Om shanti. We truly are shaping a whole new world, starting with ourselves.
Be, yes, Memoria is at 11 Cancer today.
My personal Memoria is being transited by Mars. And Personal Mars a part of the Çross as it is being transited by Pluto in Capricorn. All “nutritious” aspects !
Yesterday – end of Venus Rx – is when a friend was finally and in-the-moment available to drive me to the pound to have my poor sick cat euthanized. She has been ready – and patiently waiting – to depart this life since Venus first went retro. Yesterday then, was an appropriate moment for her “healing” and change of kitty-form to take place.
As always, thanks for your add-ons, Be!
. . . ooops hit the wrong button.
Anyway, like I was saying, I’m pretty sure Memoria is in Cancer and part of that reminder cycle the Moon made this early morning with her square to the Sun and Uranus and opposition to Pluto. That would help us in the review process, remembering what’s been initiated (cardinal) since January and what still hasn’t gotten off the ground yet. It also supplied the “feeling” part of the equation to blend in with all the thinking (Mercury, etc.) and transitioning.
If I may I would like to add one little note for Americans to think about at this time, since patience is vital to managing these changes. Saturn – the epitome of patience – in Libra has no “major” anchors or aspects at this time except for his sextile to Juno. She’s about relationship and he’s in the sign of relationship, and furthermore, not only is he opposite Eris, he’s also opposite the U.S. progressed (Sibly) Venus at 22+ Aries. This means there is a lot to consider about balance and relationship (and transformation!), and as well, about thinking (air) and feeling, and about moving forward vs. stagnation.
There is a great tendency in humanity (and cats) that really resists change and yet it seems that the Universe is doing it’s best to inch us forward in relatively small increments. The jolts we experience are surely meant to help us morph our personal development with the cultural changes by weakening our defenses (temporarily) against it. Would seem to be wise to not rail against the glitches (for me that would be the loss of Serennu!) and obstacles, but to utilize the flex provided by the planets in Gemini, Pisces and even Mars in Virgo for the next few days. The ride will indeed be bumpy so best to bring a cushion.
be
Isn’t it exciting though? Going through the “steps”? I’m thinking it is a blessing that There is so much happening in the transition signs; Gemini and Pisces, keeping us flexible. Most of us were probably asleep when the Moon reinacted the Cardinal Cross. . that probably included Memoria, although without Tracy’s listings of the minor planets I’m
Eric, thank you for the timely reminder (yet again; like an Rx review:) to know my own values and hold my awareness of them – as the world shifts around me, I find I can love others oh so much more easily when I do this for myself first.
I enjoy your typo, “Every one of the aspects or events that I’ve described, and a food few that I haven’t mentioned, are calling for actual clarity and honesty with yourself.” I like that there is nourishment in the good few other aspects as well!
I have been seeing myself in my dreams lately, as though looking into a mirror. I find it apropos to the astrology to which you speak, and cathartic, centering, grounding in these times – another message to look inside self first, then walk forward into others.
Thanks again for all you give.
xo
I will remember: something is about to change. …. thank you 🙂
And I adore this! “Did Rodin sculpt a little-known piece called “Job Search” and dedicate it to you?” Thanks again, for lightening a rather dark moment with your humour and understanding.
I can’t thank you enough for this, dear Eric. It is so what I needed to read right now, today. It’s like being given advice by a very dear and wise friend, who knows exactly where it hurts. Thank you. xxx
“Open yourself up to the possibilities. Don’t listen to your mother — unless she’s truly adventurous. It’s not a good idea to force yourself into any situation, especially if you don’t want to be there. Ramp up your awareness level and your creativity and let those lead you forward’
Yesterday, and particularly the last 5 days, have been pure magic..being a mid-sixties child with conjunction of Pluto and Uranus less than 1 1/2 degrees apart, something has awakened.. an inner joy about my place in the world.
It’s so easy to spread myself thin because the upsurge of emotions are dangerously intense.
PW: it is such a special gift to have this accessible ‘guidance’ every day. Thxxx