Venus Retrograde in Capricorn: A Time for Second Chances

Here we go again.  Last week it was Mars in Libra and now we have Venus in Capricorn retrograde.  This is in addition to this week’s full moon and Uranus going direct on December 17^th.  With both of these planets being retrograde, especially with Mars in the partnership sign of Libra, of course this will be about relationships, but with Venus in the business sign of Capricorn it will entail taking love seriously like a business proposition.  Ironically, Venus was all set to go into the sign of Aquarius when it stationed retrograde at 29 degrees of Capricorn on December 21^st.  So there will be no Venus in Aquarius until March 5^th.  Am I as worried about Venus retrograde as I tend to be about Mars, Saturn or Mercury retrograde?  Surprisingly, no.  Why—well, as the old Maybelline slogan went, “Maybe she was born with it.” Yes, folks, I was born with Venus retrograde, so it is not a huge stretch out of my comfort zone.   My Venus retrograde is not in Capricorn, but in the detrimental sign of Scorpio. 

What does Venus retrograde feel like?  Well, I can tell you from personal experience that Venus retrograde internalizes hurts and experiences difficulty in finding fulfillment in relationships.  Generally it feels like there is a lack of love in life.  If you have Venus retrograde natally, you tend to have difficulty expressing love due to an inherent reserve, reticence and shyness.  You can literally feel unloved, unappreciated and disappointed if you are in a committed relationship.  Venus retrograde also has a tendency to delay marriage or the development of relationships.  Venus retrograde is literally a “late bloomer” in the relationship department of life.

Past relationships will figure prominently in this transit; don’t be surprised if ex-lovers show up during this Venus retrograde, but when Venus goes direct you may also remember why you broke up with them in the first place! This Venus retrograde transit will force us to face our past and either let it go or claim it once and for all.  It can be about second chances to commit to love.  But the trick is not to expect instant progress.  This can be an excellent time to learn whom you can really trust.  It can also be a good time to determine what you can tolerate in a relationship and understand the differences between you and your partner. Whatever you do, don’t get engaged or married during Venus retrograde because you will probably see the relationship in a completely different light when Venus goes direct.  It’s probably not a good idea to break up with anyone either, because you may be setting the stage for an on-again, off again type of relationship.  Things will be much clearer when Venus goes direct and when it enters the sign of Aquarius there will be an enhanced sense of perception and detachment.

Venus retrograde is also about revising approaches to financial matters.  Venus rules finances and values, so it is not a good time to purchase luxury items.  I don’t think that retailers want to hear that with Christmas approaching.  There could be more returns than usual this year.  Ironically, it is a good time to purchase antiques and second hand goods, so feel free to hit the antique shops and auctions.

As for me, I have some pretty interesting transits coming up with this Venus retrograde. Venus will be conjuncting my natal Chiron.  I am viewing it as an opportunity to release some blockages from old wounds and unresolved issues and trust in the healing process.  I can reprioritize my spiritual values and let the creative juices flow. Venus will also be opposing my natal Uranus, which could bring sudden changes in agreement and erratic actions on the part of others.  If I am craving excitement, I probably won’t be bored with this transit.  And since I have a natal Jupiter/Uranus conjunction, Venus will also be opposing Jupiter, so I am definitely going to be in the mood for pleasure.  I just have to be careful not to overindulge and go easy on the after-Christmas sales.

Christmas is just a few days away and I would like to remind you that I am offering a 20% discount on all of my services during the month of December.   An astrological reading is a thoughtful, unique gift and the insight it imparts can keep giving throughout the coming year.  Please review my Services Offered page and go to this link to learn more about this special offer.

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_719.html 

You will need to contact me directly by email at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205 to receive this special discount.

  

Merry Christmas!

Mars in Libra - Relationship Assessment Time

Mars entered the sign of Libra on December 7^th, the 72^nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor.  While we are not under direct attack (Mars was in the sign of Aries back in December 1941), we may be in for quite a different kind of siege until Mars enters the sign of Scorpio on July 26, 2014.  That’s right—we have Mars going retrograde on March 1^st at 28 degrees of Libra to thank for this extended transit.

What can we expect with Mars in Libra for eight months?  Well, first of all, Mars is considered to be in detriment in the sign of Libra, which means it is not in a good place.  Mars rules Aries and Scorpio and is much stronger in those signs.  Mars is very comfortable in fire signs because they are direct, but very uncomfortable in air signs.  I have my natal Mars in Aquarius, another air sign and I can attest to that discomfort.  I have frequently lamented that my Mars in Aquarius is the bane of my existence, squaring my Sun and Saturn in Scorpio.  But it also forms a grand trine in air with my Libra ascendant and Gemini moon, so it has its good points.

The main theme of this transit may play out in lots of passive-aggressive behavior and manipulation. Relationship assessment will definitely be in order.  Mars in Libra is also all about outraged ego and wounded pride; it shows Mars at its absolute worst.  Libra does symbolize relationship harmony, but passive aggressive behavior tends to be rampant when Mars is in Libra.  Perhaps the greatest lesson we can learn from this Mars in Libra transit is to cultivate our shadow awareness.  If we find ourselves becoming upset or angry by someone else’s actions it can indicate that we are reacting to our own unexpressed anger or repressed aggression.  We need to be mindful of what pushes our buttons. Another productive way of utilizing this energy is finding a crusade to fight for justice (the symbol for Libra is the scales of justice) or to do something creative.  Former President Bill Clinton has Mars in 6 degrees of Libra conjunct his Libra ascendant at 5 degrees.  He is probably already feeling the effects of this transit. Mars in Libra can be socially active and a clever strategist while drawn to romance and complicated relationships. 

Mars in Libra is currently in my 12^th house until January 10,^,, 2014 and this is not a fun transit. It can literally make you feel paranoid and that you have secret enemies out there.   It is at times emotionally upsetting and I am finding that I need to confront myself about self-defeating behaviors that I have.  On the plus side, with Libra rising I am not naturally a confrontational person, so it is far easier for me to confront myself than others.  But it is still difficult to put my ego aside.  While Mars will enter my 1^st house in January, due to the retrograde, it will wind up back in my 12^th house in mid-April through late June 2014.  Mars resumes direct motion on May 9, 2014 at 9 degrees of Libra.

I am trying to focus on the positive side of the Mars transit to my ascendant, which will occur on January 10^th, April 15^th and June 23^rd of 2014.  This will be more energizing and I should feel more ready to take action and promote my personal agenda.  I anticipate feeling more competitive, able to focus more easily and finding it easier to be more direct and intense in my approach to others.  I just need to be careful because Mars on the ascendant can also be accident prone.

Transiting Mars in Libra will also be conjunct my natal Neptune in Libra on February 10^th and July 17^th and that is a whole other kettle of fish.  This one could cancel out the energizing effects of Mars on my ascendant if I am not careful because Mars conjuncting Neptune usually indicates lowered physical energy and the danger of being deceived by others.  But creative endeavors can be a source of redemption because Neptune is about spirituality and creativity.

But I think that this extended stay of Mars in Libra will be a wild ride, especially over the holidays.  Mars will be in direct opposition to Uranus in 9 degrees of Aries on Christmas day. This can lead to impatience, explosive tempers, and impulsive behavior.  What fun!  And on December 29^th, Mars in Libra will be squaring Pluto in 11 degrees of Capricorn.  How will this play out?  Power struggles, control issues and compulsive behaviors will be the order of the day.  So there can definitely be some relationship assessment going on as we end 2013.

As we prepare for the holidays, I would like to remind you that I am offering a 20% discount on all of my services during the month of December.   An astrological reading is a thoughtful, unique gift and the insight it imparts can keep giving throughout the coming year.  Please review my Services Offered page and go to this link to learn more about this special offer.

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_719.html 

You will need to contact me directly by email at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205 to receive this special discount.

 

New Moon in Sagittarius

We had a new moon in 11 degrees of Sagittarius on Monday, December 2^nd and I had been eagerly anticipating it.  Sagittarius is well-known for its qualities of optimism, honesty, sense of humor and search for knowledge and wisdom.  I was looking forward to seeing the bigger picture after weeks of all that heavy Scorpio energy, courtesy of the north node of the moon, Saturn, and Mercury in Scorpio.  And let’s not forget that solar eclipse on November 3^rd.    I was also hoping that it would amplify my sense of humor. 

But the day just did not pan out that way.  It simply was not a feel-good day for me.   I discovered that I needed a new prescription for my eyeglasses at my routine eye exam, which was an unanticipated expense.  I had sensed the possibility of that because it has been getting more difficult to read but obviously on some level I was in denial.   Thank you, moon square Neptune!  The result was that I needed a stronger reading prescription. And I was told that I still had to come back in six months to monitor my risk for glaucoma.   In order to see the bigger picture, I would need to shell out more money.  I failed to see the humor in that one.  OK, I have to admit that this new moon was in my 2^nd house opposing my natal moon in the 8^th house of shared resources.  It appeared that the only thing being expanded was my expenses, not my income! I was definitely feeling the effects of that new moon squaring Mars in Virgo by being upset about finances.  The fact that this new moon also squared both Neptune and Chiron in Pisces triggered my victim mode even more by opening up old wounds and insecurities regarding my health and finances.

The next day I received an email that I would need to attend a hearing to resolve a financial legal matter that I had been dealing with privately for the past three months.  It was scheduled for December 19^th, which would be two days after the full moon in Gemini in my 9^th house.  As an astrologer, I should have been better prepared for the anything can happen energy of a Sagittarius new moon.  But more importantly, I was nearing a resolution in a matter pertaining to my finances and that was the purpose of this new moon’s influence on my chart. Ironically, I had to reschedule a doctor’s appointment for my annual physical that conflicted with the hearing.

But I did have a couple of a-ha moments.  Michael Lutin made me laugh again when I read his site on December 5^th urging us to stay in the light of the new moon in Sag and resist the urge to fall into deep pessimism, which is pretty much my natural state of mind as a Scorpio.  I swear that my moon in Gemini keeps me laughing and alive during the worst of times. His site even featured a photo of Gene Kelly from the movie Singin’ in the Rain.  As Michael so aptly stated, in true Sagittarian fashion, you can remain focused, face the music, and still dance in the rain.

I also started thinking about the concept of planets in mutual reception.  While Saturn and Pluto are not known for being astrological “lightweights” (structure and transformation) , they are considered to be in “mutual reception” these days because Saturn rules the sign of Capricorn, where Pluto will be residing until 2023 and Pluto rules Scorpio, where Saturn will be for roughly another year before it enters Sagittarius on Christmas Eve of 2014.  Basically, mutual reception means that the two planets that are in each other’s signs of rulership will have their energies strengthened and provide assistance to each other.  

I thought back to my first Saturn Return when Pluto was in Libra and that was not the case.  While I cannot honestly say that I enjoyed my second Saturn Return this past year, I will confess that my first Saturn Return was far more difficult.  Until my early 50’s, I referred to my first Saturn Return as the worst year of my adult life.  So I realized that this week’s new moon in Sagittarius was in mutual reception with Jupiter in Cancer.  The moon rules Cancer and Jupiter rules Sagittarius, so it looks like hope can spring eternal! And Saturn in Scorpio is trining Jupiter in Cancer, which is a good thing because restriction and expansion don’t play well together if they are making harsh aspects. It’s like having the icing on the cake with Saturn trining Jupiter and Saturn in mutual reception with Pluto.  I didn’t miss out on that optimistic Sagittarian new moon energy after all.

As I prepare for the holidays—I even bought some Christmas cards this week on sale, I would like to remind you that I am offering a 20% discount on all of my services during the month of December.   An astrological reading is a thoughtful, unique gift and the insight it imparts can keep giving throughout the coming year.  Please review my Services Offered page and go to this link to learn more about this special offer.

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_719.html 

You will need to contact me directly by email at lindasim54@gmail.com or call me at 617-304-2205 to receive this special discount.

Jolly Jupiter and the Holidays

Jupiter may have turned retrograde at 20 degrees of Cancer on November 7, 2013, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t living up to its full potential in terms of expansion and growth. In fact, Jupiter retrograde is a great time to review issues around expansion and abundance, as well as your values.  Reconsideration, reflection and finishing what has been left undone are the most productive ways to harness the period of Jupiter retrograde.  Life tends to slow down somewhat to give us perspective.

I like to think of Jupiter as Santa Claus, because it loves to indulge and expand. Many astrologers refer to Jupiter as the “Great Benefic.”  I also have Jupiter in the sign of Cancer, which is said to be exalted.  A few months ago I noticed that I was born when Jupiter was stationary retrograde—it was just getting ready to go retrograde.  So I can only presume that Jupiter’s retrograde period, which lasts until March 6, 2014 when Jupiter goes direct at 10 degrees of Cancer, will be an important time for me.  It will be revisiting my 9^th house and conjuncting my south node again, so undoubtedly I will be involved in more reassessment to let go of some part of my past that is preventing me from moving forward.

Jupiter may not have been perfectly aligned with Mars on November 28^th, Thanksgiving Day for the dawning of a new age, but it was opposing Venus in Capricorn and that certainly lent to the merriment and celebratory atmosphere around the holiday table.  When Jupiter and Venus get together, they like to party and have a good time.  Oppositions are usually interpreted as tough aspects, but with these two planets they just want to have fun and it doesn’t matter how they are aligned. Sometimes that can be too much of a good thing, though.  How many people overindulged on Thanksgiving?  A Jupiter/Venus opposition on Thanksgiving practically gives people carte blanche to do so.  Wine flows freely at the table and people tend to have extra helpings of all that delicious food. Jupiter in Cancer was also trining Mercury in Scorpio (which just left its shadow retrograde period on November 27^th, clearing the decks for communication to move forward), so there was also plenty of talk going on. 

But the moon in Libra on Thanksgiving was squaring both Jupiter and Venus, which only served to reinforce the theme of overindulgence that might have led to less satisfaction.  Jupiter tends to want more, but perhaps the trick to flowing with Jupiter retrograde is to seek out what is real as opposed to just seeking out more in an effort to overcompensate for feelings of lack.  After all, the sun is always in Sagittarius during Thanksgiving, and Sagittarius seeks the truth.  But not only were we celebrating Thanksgiving on November 28^th, many people were also celebrating Hanukkah. It came to be known as Thanksgivuka.  So Jupiter was really working overtime that day.  Hanukkah and Thanksgiving have not occurred on the same day for 125 years and it will be another 70,000 years before it happens again.  I hope everyone who partook of the joint celebration enjoyed it.

 

In the meantime, I am getting in the holiday spirit myself and taking full advantage of transiting Jupiter trining my sun and playing Santa Claus.  I am offering a 20% discount on all of my services during the month of December.  Transiting Mercury is also conjunct my Venus now, so I am taking the opportunity to extend this offer of my astrological knowledge with you during this holiday season.  An astrological reading is a thoughtful, unique gift and the insight it imparts can keep giving throughout the coming year.   Please review my Services Offered page and go to this link to learn more about this special offer.

http://phoenixscorpio.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_719.html