ON FACING WHAT’S UGLY. ON HEALING WHAT HURTS.

Venus retrograde (Rx) cycles always involve a period of invisibility. A phase of ‘lying hidden.’ Before Venus becomes obliterated and concealed due to its approaching proximity to the sun, we last see it as an evening star in the western sky when it stations retrograde. Venus eventually emerges in the eastern sky as a morning star once it stations direct. Retrograde phases are about the planets’ relationship to the sun. 

Venus is retrograde from Dec. 19th, 2021 to Jan. 29th, 2022. Moving backwards from 26° to 11° in Capricorn.

This Venus Rx tacks on layers and layers of underworldly themes. Its usual solar phase journey into the ether and depths also merges with the modern planet of the literal underworld, Pluto. Venus first conjoined Pluto on Dec. 11th when it was still direct. It’ll link up again for the second time when it's retrograde on Dec. 25th. And finally, it’ll blend for the third time in Mar. 3rd, 2022, when it’s moving direct.

With Venus’ conjunction with Pluto's journey in mind, the first contact is usually the introduction of the issue, the second is the reassessment, and the third is the resolution. 

While there are many different ways to contemplate what this Venus Rx cycle means in the general and personal sense, an excellent way to start is to understand some of the planet’s primary significations. Venus is many things―desires, values, beauty, relationships―but one thing Venus does is temper and harmonize. Above all else, Venus moves towards balance. In Capricorn, Saturn’s realm, it deals with the tangible reality, of linear time. Saturn deals with restrictions and responsibilities. It’s about growing up. Venus in Capricorn understands that not all that glitters is gold and that everything dies eventually. It’s a harsh truth, but it’s reality. 

Pluto’s involvement in this journey exposes us to the ugly side of things that have to do with Venusian principles―again of desires, values, beauty, relationships. Pluto indicates the dynamics of fear. Of being afraid, of being the scary one, the toxic one, of being the victim and the aggressor, the canceller and the cancelled. Pluto makes small things bigger. All happening in Capricorn brings us back to what’s real. What’s really happening?

So in your personal lives, this Venus Rx is about confronting what is perhaps not apparent at first but is right in front of you. But due to many layers of dissonance (for whatever reason), it has been inconceivable to face. But face it, we must, and we shall. Perhaps saying grapple with your fears is too vague, but honestly, this is about coming to terms with what’s ugly. Retrograde periods inspire us to reevaluate. And this time, it’s about being honest about what kinds of power imbalances exist and how you need to restructure a particular area of your life. 

For your Rising Sign (to figure out your Rising sign, you must first have a precise birth time. Enter your birth date, location and time of birth into an astrology app like the CHANI App, Time Nomad or online at astro-seek.com and astro.com), this Venus Rx in Capricorn, you’re invited to review and recalibrate the ugly, unrealistic and ultimately, the painful sides about :

Aries - your overall life path

Taurus - your beliefs

Gemini - your grief

Cancer - your important relationships (of all kinds)

Leo - your responsibilities and obligations

Virgo - your desires

Libra - your home, family of origin and past

Scorpio - your daily life

Sagittarius - your material world

Capricorn - who you are

Aquarius - your innermost and challenging thoughts, feelings and experiences

Pisces - your sense of belonging 

You’re invited to restructure this part of your life. NGL, this Venus Rx feels lonely. I hope the depth of your loneliness becomes a guiding light for you as you submerge into a more profound understanding of what you truly desire, what truly gives you a sense of pleasure and joy. I hope your find a way to face, if not, heal what hurts.