For those of you who are still in the “retrograde planets are scary” camp, I have some good news for you this week: this might be one of the more significant and beautiful, though maybe not always easy Venus retrograde periods in a long time.
But first, a question to ponder:
During the last year or so, have you been struggling with the decision on if certain relationships are worth keeping? If certain friendships have run their course?
If so, this is a week where you may be able to really get at the heart of some of these issues and face them head on. After a powerful full moon in Virgo last Friday which gave us clues to the specific relationships that we are assessing, the Venus energy becomes even stronger this week.
Venus is retrograde and Conjunct the Sun this Saturday the 22nd in a cycle Astrologers like to call “Cazimi”. This cycle happens every year with Mercury and Venus, sometimes multiple times, so it isn't rare per se. However, the retrograde period this year in Aries coincides with a feeling of boldness in making personal decisions in relationships. These decisions are based on the week-long introspection we have been gifted from the retrograde Venus cycle.
So if you do make a difficult decision to part ways with someone who you have known for a long time, it will be made from a place of love and full understanding that the relationship needed to conclude, and not from a place of fear or restriction. The term “letting go with love” is highlighted with the energy this week, especially toward the weekend.
I really like the energy early in the week too with this brand new Astrological cycle beginning again in Aries on Thursday and coinciding with the Venus/Sun conjunction and energetic sextile to Pluto. It is a great week to draw on your internal energies with an opportunity (sextile) to let go (Pluto) of connections that are no longer serving you (Venus).
If you do the social work (pun intended) Venus asks of you, it is a great opportunity to leave the week feeling much lighter and more yourself. This cycle is nudging you to make decisions about the energy you'll accept from others, but it is also challenging you in another way. It wants you to give silent thanks to those people who have made you the person that you are, especially if these people may no longer serve your journey. Can you let go with love? If so, you will feel much lighter and ready to make connections that are actually aligned with who you are becoming.
The length of a relationship or friendship is not what defines its success. Instead, ask yourself if that friendship or relationship made you a better version of who you are in some way. Even if it may be difficult to see. Even if saying goodbye is hard.
Oh, and on a lighter and completely unrelated note, make sure to do some damn cooking this week. The energy is good for making up new recipes and getting lucky with at least one. I’m not kidding.
Make some homemade cookies and I’ll see you all next week!
Words of Wisdom
Some relationships seem destined to fail, right?
While most of my friendships and partnerships have served me well in life, there are a couple of connections that I’ve had to actually gently release. I often wonder what would be different if I had not let those relationships go when they did. Would I have had the time and energy to pursue this business?
This is a powerful cycle to reflect on the balance between social obligation and authentic connection, and to reconnect with your creativity, whether through art, dance, being a kitchen witch, or other forms of self-expression. Instead of spending time with people who drain you, what would happen if you pursued a creative muse this week instead? Since Venus is retrograde, it doesn't even need to be anything brand new. What ideas are unfinished?
Most importantly, what new part of your life might emerge from the ashes of a connection that, had you chosen to pursue it today, would have only left you feeling restricted and shut down?
