by Arielle | Jan 2, 2020 | About Venus, First Friday Venus
This is one of the years when Venus will go retrograde, meaning she will slow down her normal pace. Every other year we experience this condition. This year’s sign of retrograde is Gemini. When we observe the Venus pattern for the entire year, we see she begins the year in Aquarius and ends the year in Sagittarius. We will not see her in Capricorn at all for 2020. But look no further than Gemini, to find her in major rewind mode for four months this year, from April to August.
Here is where to find Venus for 2020:
| January 13 |
Pisces |
| February 7 |
Aries |
| March 4 |
Taurus |
| April 3 |
Gemini |
| August 7 |
Cancer |
| September 6 |
Leo |
| October 2 |
Virgo |
| October 27 |
Libra |
| November 21 |
Scorpio |
For the four months that Venus spends in Gemini this year, she will be retrograde for 42 days, from May 13 to June 24, tracing the degree areas of 22 to 5 Gemini. If you have planets residing in that space, you will be feeling the shifts and reconsiderations that a Venus retrograde might bring. As the North Node of the Moon will also enter Gemini in May, we will have some life-changing decisions take place. The initial impulse will likely occur in May-June but the actual, physical results of that decision may not take solid form until later in the year, around mid-October, when the transiting lunar nodes activate the Venus retrograde degree.
The Venus Star has last been in Gemini in June 2016, June 2012 and June 2008. Think back to those times and see how and why your world may have changed for the better (or not). Where are you now with the decisions you made then? What pieces of the Gemini puzzle are you re-assembling or completely letting go of at this time (June 2020)?
As Venus retrogrades in any sign, we always think of who she is answering to. In this case it will be Mercury. So we will definitely want to check Mercury’s progress through the year as well. Mercury’s three retrograde periods for 2020 will occur in the element of water, making a plea that the expression of our thoughts pass first through feelings, then through the mind. Thus, heart-felt communication is recommended, with a consideration for delivering it in a compassionate way. It’s time for truth-telling, even if it means bursting some of ours or others’ bubbles of illusion. Yes, truth telling will occur and with the Scorpio Moon for this period, we can imagine being confronted with something out of the past that will elicit a major response. One of nostalgia or one of remorse or one of utter surprise. Best not to over-react to it initially, but engage with It and pay close attention to the dream mind, who will utter startling truths while we are asleep, if we are not quite seeing them while we are awake. Mercury is the dream messenger and in retrograde and water, doubly so.
The Scorpio/Gemini combination comes at a time when, in the US presidential contest, the media (ruled by Gemini) will be filling our heads with sound bites of information, stories that are tweeted and re-tweeted (Gemini is such a tweeter!) much of it coming from secret places, to attempt to manipulate the public mind one way or another. Of course that’s a common practice in the political arena, especially during major election years. But buyer beware—what is it they are selling us and whom do they serve? I think of Parcival here, in his quest for the Grail – are we asking the right questions and more importantly, are the candidates asking the right questions.
THE VENUS STAR POINT GEMINI MS — 2020
Chart from Astro Gold v 6
The Sabian Symbol for this degree (14 Gemini) is: Two men at widely varying distances are in communication with one another by means of telepathy. This is an interesting degree for Gemini, the sign of communication. We don’t often think of telepathic communication with this sign as it is more related to the mutable sign of Pisces. But here in this chart for the moment of the VSP in Gemini, we have squares to both Mars and Neptune in Pisces, activating an energy that could definitely be tied to telepathic communication. How about, then, a new exercise to practice this year – increasing our ability to communicate telepathically? It is not so uncommon to experience something manifest right before our eyes when we were just speaking or thinking about it a few moments or days earlier. Most of us think this is extraordinary. Well, in a way it is. But why should it be? Why shouldn’t we always realize that our thoughts are energetic objects seeking to land somewhere and be picked up and answered, instantly.
So in this Gemini retro cycle, think of ways we can send positive thoughts to one another. Thoughts to people we don’t even know – halfway around the world – such as the symbolic degree in question shows.
The retrograde of a planet through a sign indicates spiraling the energy around in a new direction. Not necessarily backwards, but in some other way it is time to shift into another gear. If the ancient Venus 40-day period of retrograde was tied to withholding of something or disciplining ourselves to handle it in a completely different way then the period between May & June suggests that.
Instead of forcing our thoughts and words outward, how about we practice better listening? The more listening we practice, the more we hear and learn. And the more sounds of silence we embrace, the more the higher mind comes in to give us the answer that we were groping for. So if you’re inclined to go into a silent retreat for the Venus retrograde period, it might be just the place where the answer will come! That may be the extreme way to handle it. Another way would just be to suspend our very quick responses to situations and people before we’ve really given them a chance to land. Taking pauses through the day to have a deep breath or two can assist this process.
With Mars in Pisces in an exact square to the Sun Venus of this year’s VSP, we may find ourselves fighting for peace and solitude. Squares between Pisces and Gemini, in general, can bring high anxiety and worry, There can be a high degree of argumentative energy in the home or workplace that we feel helpless to avert. All the more reason for practices that put us at peace. Deep breathing, as indicated above, (Gemini governs the lungs and breathing apparatus – AIR!) and intentionally putting our minds at peace can be the remedy. The square between Pisces and Gemini is between water and air. We will also observe how the elements are behaving during this time. (Check the weather before you set out on a long-distance voyage.)
There are some significant world leaders who have key planets in Gemini, such as Donald Trump (Gemini Sun), Mike Pence (Gemini Sun), Boris Johnson (Gemini Sun & Gemini VSP), Jacinda Ardern (Gemini VSP), Xi Jinping (Gemini Sun). Let’s observe what the fates have in store for them during the Venus retrograde period this year!
If Venus in retrograde means what I believe Venus in retrograde is meant to indicate—some Venusian aspect of our life will go into retreat. Remember that re-trograde is almost always associated with words that begin with re. Re-evaluate, re-invest, re-think, re-tool, re-structure, re-finance, re-make, re-turn, re-birth, re-alize, re-claim, re-member, re-align, re-vise, re-invent, re-adjust. You get the picture. Venus is about our value system, so we are most likely making some serious financial decisions about property or holdings during this time, as will the markets most likely indicate.
January 2020
Dear Readers,
We have come full circle now, through 2019, with our monthly Venus First Friday blogs and podcasts. We will be suspending the monthly updates for now, but look for the occasional newsletter or podcast when there is something significant to report.
We want to take this opportunity to thank all of the subscribers to this blog and podcast, who regularly follow us and seek to understand more about the movements of Venus and the Venus Star Point.
Happy 2020 to all – and – remember to travel with VENUS!
And I urge you to tune into our New Year’s webinar online. I’m pleased to be part of an incredible astrological forecasting event for 2020 and the 2020s, with some leading astrologers of our time. This will take place the weekend of January 4-5. My topic is “2020 and the 2020s Starring the Element of AIR”. You don’t need to be there while it’s broadcasting live. Once you purchase your ticket, you will receive a link to watch the presenters at a later time. Here is the link: https://cosmicintelligenceagency.com/symposium2020part1/
Sunset at Venus Beach
Petra tou Romeio, Cyprus © 2019
BOOK NEWS
Mythic Astrology is now available in reprinted editions. Check them out!
MYTHIC ASTROLOGY APPLIED: Healing With the Planets
https://www.echopointbooks.com/religion-spirituality/mythic-astrology-applied
MYTHIC ASTROLOGY: Internalizing the Planetary Powers
https://www.echopointbooks.com/religion-spirituality/mythic-astrology
The second printing of VENUS STAR RISING: A New Cosmology for the 21st Century is now available on Amazon!
EVENTS—EVENTS—EVENTS
February 23, 2020 — 12-4 pm – An Overview of 2020 with Arielle Guttman & Alexandra Karacostas – Santa Fe, New Mexico. email for event details: arielle@sophiavenus.com.
April-May—Healing Sanctuaries of Greece-Ancient & Modern – April 26 to May 10, 2020. We have added some exciting features to this tour, including a visit to the island of Kos, the site of Hippocrates, Father of Modern Medicine. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT has been extended to December 12, 2019! Check out the flyer here.
by Arielle | Jan 2, 2020 | About Venus, First Friday Venus
Tune into us the first Friday of each month for an up close and personal look at our favorite planet to love — Venus, the one who is associated with love. Arielle Guttman, the author of Venus Star Rising (print) and The Venus Star Point (ebook) is interviewed by Catherine Boyer, for this timely discussion each month about the whereabouts of Venus.
by Arielle | Dec 6, 2019 | About Venus, First Friday Venus, General Astrology
This is our 10th Blog/Podcast concerning Venus on First Friday Venus
A rock-solid symbol for Capricorn literally is rocks! The mountains, but also mountain and rock climbing. For our Venus in Capricorn edition, coming from the country of Cyprus, the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite – I present to you “Petra Tou Romeio” the Venus Rock. This is the legendary birthplace of Aphrodite, the place where she rose from the oceanic waves. There is a palpable feeling of Venusian energy at this beach, still today. These two images are the before and after. Before she lost her top-piece and what she looks like now. Can we say she lost her head to love? Perhaps.
We have come full cycle now with her. If you have been following these blogs, we began the First Friday Venus last February when she was in Capricorn. She’s now back in Capricorn for a second time in 2019. This is due to her speeding up. In the year(s) when she is retrograde (2018, 2020, etc.) her pace is slower, she trails behind the Sun. In the alternate years (2019, 2021, etc.) she picks up speed, passes the Sun, and gets there more quickly. In her faster years she will repeat certain signs twice in a calendar year. Think about your own progress in those years. Have you felt that 2019, especially since August when she passed the Sun, things are moving at a faster pace for you? And in 2018 were things dragging along?
Examples we used were celebrities like Frank Sinatra (that classic look and sound).
We also talked about the elders and Venus interest in respect, integrity and traditions when in Capricorn. Venus in Capricorn individuals are quite serious about their careers and they are usually rewarded for the due diligence they put in to perfecting their skills in terms of experience. Yes, they put in the time~and the sign that’s ruled by Saturn~ rewards us for the time and effort we put in to any worthy enterprise.
Capricorn and Venus are also tested in love and devotional manners. Venus in Capricorn can feel as if she’s not getting enough and questions her own self worth in that arena. The more developed this Venus is, the more she understands that it’s not about receiving at a personal level. She receives a lifetime of opportunities with leadership, power and being in the limelight but humbly submits her gifts by dancing carefully with the idea of fame, avoiding self-aggrandizement and fanfare.
For you who are Capricorn Sun, Moon or ASC, this is your shining time of year when Venus graces your sign. It occurred earlier this year from Feb 3rd to March 1st and now again from November 25th to December 19th. Think back to February of this year and reflect upon how Venus brought her precious gifts your way. Perhaps you were doing something to enhance your business plan or invest in your future. Now is the time to go to the next step, reviewing what has worked and what needs to be left behind.
Capricorn is the sign of business, government and the law, the CEO, the political process, etc. Earlier this year when we last had Venus in Cap we were speaking about the most recent government shut-down. This time with Venus in Cap we are thick into presidential impeachment hearings. We might conclude that Venus has a lot to do with the job and how it is performed.
There are also budget concerns in this position. In Capricorn, Venus is practicing the path of balancing the budget. Venus is the desire principle. She WANTS stuff. But what she NEEDS, rather than what she wants, is the issue here. If want and need come together, as they certainly can in Cap, that’s the right step to take. For instance, investing in something long-lasting and practical would be the ticket for Venus in Capricorn. Perhaps it’s a seminar that involves getting certified and coming out with credentials. Perhaps it’s enrolling in a new program that will ultimately lead to a better job with more benefits. Perhaps it’s a piece of property that will grow in value over the years. Think about what value it will have in 8 years time, in 16 years time, in 24 years time, etc.
Capricorn is about age, wisdom and maturity. You may not be old but you can act mature and responsible. It has to do with (grand)-parenting. Sharing the wisdom with youngsters, if you’re an elder. Look to your elders for wisdom if you’re the younger.
Do the right thing. Work priorities may be pretty overwhelming with all the present Cap energy. The energies of Capricorn usually involve climbing a mountain of some sort. You may not reach the peak immediately or even as soon as you thought you would. But persistence and diligence pays off. You will eventually get there. Let your loved ones know how much you appreciate what they do!
Highlighted dates below are special Venus days: on the 3rd with the Nodes, on the 11th with both Saturn and the current Capricorn VSP, on the 13th with Pluto. Then, on the 20th, just in time for the Solstice, Venus enters Aquarius. There, she will still be under the auspices of Saturn, but with the added energy of rebellious Uranus. There, she pulls off the Saturnian shackles of earth-borne responsibilities, freeing herself to journey to a place of freedom surrounded by cosmic energy.
| Ven |
Opp |
Nod |
Dec 3 2019 |
| Ven |
Sxt |
Mar |
Dec 3 2019 |
| Ven |
Sqr |
Jun |
Dec 4 2019 |
| Ven |
Tri |
Ves |
Dec 7 2019 |
| Ven |
Sxt |
Nep |
Dec 8 2019 |
| Ven |
Cnj |
Sat |
Dec 11 2019 |
| Ven |
Cnj |
Plu |
Dec 13 2019 |
| Ven |
Cnj |
Aqu |
Dec 20 2019 |
| Ven |
Sxt |
Chi |
Dec 21 2019 |
| Ven |
Sqr |
Ura |
Dec 22 2019 |
| Ven |
Qnx |
Nod |
Dec 27 2019 |
| Ven |
Sqr |
Ves |
Dec 30 2019 |
Venus also conjuncts the VSP this month—on December 11th, the same day she joins with Saturn. This is really about very BIG long-term commitments. Are you ready?
BOOK NEWS
Mythic Astrology is now available in reprinted editions. Check them out!
MYTHIC ASTROLOGY APPLIED: Healing With the Planets
https://www.echopointbooks.com/religion-spirituality/mythic-astrology-applied
MYTHIC ASTROLOGY: Internalizing the Planetary Powers
https://www.echopointbooks.com/religion-spirituality/mythic-astrology
The second printing of VENUS STAR RISING: A New Cosmology for the 21st Century is now available on Amazon!
EVENTS—EVENTS—EVENTS
February 23, 2020 — 12-4 pm – An Overview of 2020 with Arielle Guttman & Alexandra Karacostas – Santa Fe, New Mexico. email for event details: arielle@sophiavenus.com .
March – TBA – Los Angeles, CA
April-May—Healing Sanctuaries of Greece-Ancient & Modern – April 26 to May 10, 2020. We have added some exciting features to this tour, including a visit to the island of Kos, the site of Hippocrates, Father of Modern Medicine. EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT has been extended to December 12, 2019! Check out the flyer here.
by Arielle | Dec 6, 2019 | About Venus, First Friday Venus, General Astrology
Tune into us the first Friday of each month for an up close and personal look at our favorite planet to love — Venus, the one who is associated with love. Arielle Guttman, the author of Venus Star Rising (print) and The Venus Star Point (ebook) is interviewed by Catherine Boyer, for this timely discussion each month about the whereabouts of Venus.
by Arielle | Nov 1, 2019 | About Venus, First Friday Venus, General Astrology, Ophiuchus
Tune into us the first Friday of each month for an up close and personal look at our favorite planet to love — Venus, the one who is associated with love. Arielle Guttman, the author of Venus Star Rising (print) and The Venus Star Point (ebook) is interviewed by Catherine Boyer, for this timely discussion each month about the whereabouts of Venus.
by Arielle | Nov 1, 2019 | About Venus, astrology forecast, First Friday Venus, General Astrology
Tracking the progress of Venus in the sky and in our lives
What sayeth Venus for November?
She begins the month in Sagittarius and goes through the entire sign in 26 days, when she then rounds the corner into Capricorn. And I do mean round the corner, as the cusp between Sagittarius and Capricorn is an important ¼ turn around the wheel of the ecliptic, marking the Solstice points on the globe. This is where planets speak to the world a place where their message becomes imprinted on the collective.
Just before she reaches that critical point she ends her swift journey through Sagittarius partnering up with Jupiter, the guardian planet of the Archer. The Venus-Jupiter conjoining, the second one of this year(!) takes place on the 24th, when spirits should be high, people will be high and travel will increase, coming just before the Thanksgiving period in the US and the preparations for holiday travel later on.
Venus and Jupiter can be a glorious conjoining – if Jupiter in Sag says “bring it on, the more the merrier” and Venus says “let’s enjoy it” – this can lead to all kinds of excessive behavior and indulgences. For this month, that’s the flow of the stream—so enjoy it. By the time Venus heads into Capricorn she can deal with reeling in the budget, the diet and getting back to a more disciplined routine.
Sagittarius represents the higher mind, foreign countries, and long distance journeys. It is depicted by the centaur aiming his arrow straight for the Galactic Center, which by the way, is where the Jupiter/Venus conjunction occurs. There’s a message there, about aiming the arrow to a place beyond what the mind can even fathom, focusing on your mark and letting the cosmos handle the rest. (see our example chart below)
What does Venus love and enjoy in Sagittarius? Most likely dreaming about when she’s going overseas or embarking on her next adventure of learning and understanding. We can be planning our next trip or welcoming people from afar to our holiday tables in this Sagittarius season that represents, first, giving thanks, second celebrating the return of the light, and third coming into the new year. With the celebrations also come charitable acts, focused on the people, animal or plant life on the earth who may not be doing so well and who could use a hand.
The image of shooting beyond the farthest reaching shore on earth and actually aiming for the stars with that bow and arrow is no better exemplified than by our feature celebrity of the month with Venus in Sagittarius–David Bowie. Bowie (an adopted name but one that includes the word “bow” as in “bow & arrow”) not only shot to the stars, but more likely came from the stars. With projects like “Space Oddity”, Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars, Starman and the cult-classic The Man Who Fell to Earth, it is more likely that he was portraying his true self, not merely a persona.
Chart from Astro Gold 6.2
Here, in David Bowie’s natal map, we find a pairing of Venus and Jupiter, with the VSP sandwiched in between the two at 25 Scorpio. Thus, the VSP picks up the energies of both Venus and Jupiter and combines them into a dramatic statement of a charismatic, abundantly talented individual with a magnet that attracts wealth and fame. VSP in Scorpio is comfortable wearing a mask as he adopted the role of Ziggy Stardust. Strengthening the case of the ET, Aquarius rising didn’t hurt.
Vase Painting of Zeus and Aphrodite
However the Sabian Symbol for the conjunction this month between Venus and Jupiter, on the 24th occurs at the 29th degree of Sag, and is a bit antithetical. It is: A fat boy mowing a suburban lawn. It actually combines the energies of Jupiter and Saturn. At the end of Sagittarius, here we find a fat boy on an upscale property, one who has seemingly over-indulged. Even his lawn is suffering from a case of Jupiterian over-growth. Now, heading into Capricorn (Saturn’s sign) it’s time to trim. Venus-Saturn people take note: the benefit of this pairing offers up an opportunity, or several during one’s lifetime, of weeding the garden, giving it a chance to breathe and an opportunity for new growth.
Venus Aspects for November:
November 1—Venus enters Sagittarius—swimming up from below the surface and reaching to the stars
November 3—Venus trine Chiron—compassion for ourselves and others; be kind today—it goes a long way
November 5—Venus quincunx Uranus—plans change—go with the flow
November 9—Venus quincunx N Node—surprise meeting with fate
November 14—Venus square Neptune—sounds too good to be true; is it?
November 16—Venus quincunx Vesta—focus on what’s of value and meaningful
November 24—Venus conjunct Jupiter—the Big One—celebrate, entertain and enjoy
November 26—Venus enters Capricorn—the sign of the solstice, costume change
November 27—Venus square Chiron—protect yours (and others) feelings
November 28—Venus trine Uranus—a group gathering of festivity and enlightened ma
November 29—Venus square Black Moon—feelings surface that were submerged
November 30—Venus conjunct Ceres—a cornucopia of thanks to the harvest goddess
My heart goes out to California who is suffering from the disastrous effects of the fires and power outages. Be safe, be well.
BOOK NEWS
Mythic Astrology is now available in reprinted editions. Check them out!
MYTHIC ASTROLOGY APPLIED: Healing With the Planets
https://www.echopointbooks.com/religion-spirituality/mythic-astrology-applied
MYTHIC ASTROLOGY: Internalizing the Planetary Powers
https://www.echopointbooks.com/religion-spirituality/mythic-astrology
The second printing of VENUS STAR RISING: A New Cosmology for the 21st Century is now available on Amazon!
EVENTS—EVENTS—EVENTS
November 24—Istanbul, Turkey at https://astrolojiokulu.com/en/duyurular/
February – TBA – Santa Fe, New Mexico
March – TBA – Los Angeles, CA
April-May—Healing Sanctuaries of Greece-Ancient & Modern – April 26 to May 10, 2020. We have added some exciting features to this tour, including a visit to the island of Kos, the site of Hippocrates, Father of Modern Medicine. Early Bird discount until November 24, 2019! Check out the flyer here.
