Eric Francis

Planet Waves began in 1998 as the home of the Eric Francis horoscope, a prominent feature in our premium service. Going far beyond what most Sun-sign astrologers even dream is possible, Eric brings in-depth interpretations to his work. He is a pioneer in the newly-discovered planets, including Chiron and the centaurs, and is able to translate their movements into accessible human terms, offering ideas for life, love and work. Discover a whole new world of literary journalism in Planet Waves. We offer free trial subscriptions, discounts for students and seniors, and gift subscriptions for veterans and those on active military duty.

Venus stations direct: the worldly angle

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!

Chart for Venus stationing direct. The Gemini group (along with two points in Taurus) is at the top of the chart. The Sun is to the left and Uranus and Pallas to the right; the Sun is now aligning with the Uranus-Pluto square. Pallas is involved directly, emphasizing strategy.
Chart for Venus stationing direct. The Gemini group (along with two points in Taurus) is at the top of the chart. The Sun is to the left and Uranus and Pallas to the right; the Sun is now aligning with the Uranus-Pluto square. Pallas is involved directly, emphasizing strategy.

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?

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