I’m the kind of astrologer who doesn’t think she knows it all. Consequently, I read the opinions of other astrologers, those I admire, and those I don’t know at all. They all have written about the upcoming Venus Retrograde in Scorpio. I’m not sure I disagree with them, but I don’t think that they have captured the essence of Venus either.
I’ve said it often, in a mantra form, “Venus is what we want, and Mars is how we go about getting it.” The reason I say this is Mars is action, that part is simple. Mars really is simple. He goes after what he wants in some fashion or another. But, how does Mars know what he wants, or desires? Venus! Venus determines what we value and desire. Mars is mistaken often for the planet of desire, and it can be very passionate in his pursuit of what Venus wants. But Venus is the planet that determines what we value and what we desire, and what Mars will exert energy to obtain.
Most astrologers are predicting an upheaval in romantic and intimate relationships, at least at the beginning of the upcoming retrograde, while Venus is Retro in Scorpio. That might happen, especially if the relationships are not on good footing to begin with, but, that’s not the main focus of a Venus Retrograde. It is a symptom of a Venus Retro, but questioning the value of a partner, or our value to that partner isn’t the only relationship that might come into focus over the upcoming Retrograde. It might be a friendship that is questioned, or a job, or a hobby, or the bar we go to after work. It could be anything, not just relationships with intimate partners. It will be what the individual values most at this point in life. How do I know this, because Scorpio is the sign of extremes, and while Retro in this sign, the values questioned or challenged will be the most important to the individual.
Venus retrograde is a time when what we value, and what we desire will be shaken up. We’ll re-evaluate what we want. While Mars retrograde was a shakeup in how we went about getting what we wanted, and all the obstacles inherent in a Mars retrograde, Venus will throw our values into question, and how we think we are valued and appreciated by others.
Anything we desire is a product of Venus, and therefore Venus represents how we come to place value on people, places, and things. What we desire, we value most, and what we do not value generates little to no desire. Venus represents one’s archetypal form of individuality, in so much as individuality is defined by one’s inner values.
Technically this Retro phase is a time of deep reflection upon what the individual desires. Once every year or so, a Retrograde Venus lets us take stock of where our desires and our values [judgements] are taking us. It is a time to give up those things that we no longer value, but keep out of habit. It can be as simple as cleaning out the attic, but some sort of “cleaning” usually occurs. It can be physical, mental, or spiritual, but subtle changes will occur to redirect our energies towards what we want in life.
Venus will go retrograde on 10/6/18 in the sign of Scorpio.
Venus will transit into the sign of Libra on 11/1/18 and remain retrograde and in Libra until 11/16/18.
Venus will re-enter Scorpio 12/3/18
Venus will remain in its retrograde shadow until 12/17/18
The retrograde cycle is technically from 10/6-12/3, although not everyone is affected by the cycle after a planet goes direct. Some of you may be able to attest that you feel retrogrades sooner, while others will attest to feeling it longer. This phenomena is individual chart related.
