Astrologically Speaking

June 2004 Notes

June What does Venus in Gemini mean for the Signs

Tuning into the celestial energies, the divine feminine wisdom, which is breaking through after an absence of over a century.

In the News:

The two Koreas, North and South, are opening two arteries across their shared border in an effort to work toward mutual cooperation. Such strong Venus concepts with the Gemini undertones.

The World Bank temporarily lost track of millions of financial transactions. The Royal Bank assured their customers that the situation was temporary, and it took about seven days to rectify the records.

Venus is retrograde in Gemini May 17 through June 29. We last saw her in the evening sky on June 2, the night of the full Moon in Sagittarius. Normally Venus stays invisible for about twelve days, and she once again emerges from hiding as a Morning Star on June 15. This year we have the big Venus event, which happens at intervals of 121.5 years. The last occultation in Sagittarius took place in December 1882. The previous one in Gemini was in June of 1768. These always happens in pairs - so the last Gemini pair occurred in 1761 and 1768. The pair for 1882 was eight years earlier in 1874. The next one is in 2012, and then we wait another 121.5 years.

Astronomers are calling this a transit, because Venus crosses the disk of the Sun. Astrologers are calling it akin to an eclipse, as it begins a new cycle of Venus similar to a New Moon. I am calling an occultation as when a planet crosses the disk of the Sun, it occults the Sun in full or part. The world occult simply means to hide. Naturally, Venus won't hide the Sun as she is too small in size. However, interestingly enough this is a rare occasion because Venus will be visible during a time she is typically in hiding!

Venus is in full view, for those of us who are in a position to observe it. I think of it as quickening, showing signs of life. Venus is closest to Earth and between the Earth and the Sun. Like the Moon Venus has phases and we always see the same side when she comes closest to Earth. It is a new beginning but what will only become clear as the summer progresses. However, in light of the past few weeks when we have been challenged with vexing issues, it is nice to know that we will get those glimpses of insight and be able to see that beautiful light at the end of the tunnel. Venus' journey through the underworld is told in myth, fairytales and legends. She symbolically lets go of the material possessions in order to be able to return better and stronger than ever. The stories themselves are rather more complicated, than this simplistic explanation. Each Venus cycle has thirteen stations and conjuctions within the same sign and these repeat at 8-year interval of one another. Mathematically we arrive at 13x8=104, in fairytales the princess was asleep for a hundred years. Reading fairytales such as the Sleeping Beauty and its variations of Briar Rose and others older yet, we do seem to find a version of Venus' journey. If we look at this 100 period in folklore and the eternal sleep, I think we can symbolically see an awakening of the feminine taking place. Perhaps the portal is open and divine feminine wisdom is trying to break through, isn't that what Venus ultimately represents. The symbol of the circle resting on the cross of matter is said to be about bringing the divine to our earthly experience. Should that be the case, perhaps we need to take a few moments to tune into this celestial channel.

Venus has been in Gemini since April 4, 2004 and will continue to travel through this zodiacal sign through August 7, 2004. The retrograde station took place on May 17 at 26°08' representing the moment when matters related to Venus moved into the realm of the subconscious, hidden and intimately personal. This is talked about as the journey into the underworld. I like to illustrate this retrograde phenomena with mirrors. As the Venus event this year is rare, we might be talking smoke and mirrors.

The one prop I have for illustrating this retrograde phenomena is a barber's mirror where one side shows the reflection in normal proportions and the other magnifies. When Venus is moving in her normal motion the world reflected is in normal proportion. However, when we have the Venus retrograde period we look at life through that magnifying reflective surface. I take this prop to talks I give on Venus and while I am making my opening comments, I watch the mirror being passed around by audience, and witness the flinches as people gaze into the magnifying mirror. Try it for yourself. After everyone has had an opportunity to look at themselves on both sides of the mirror, I make a simple comment about how everyone appeared to flinch with the magnified image of their faces. The first thing we notice is a flaw, and start thinking about how to fix or rectify that. We don't like looking at our face or body with that kind of magnification.

Let's talk about mirrors some more. We all talk about others being a reflection of us and how others reflect our life and image back to us. We do not recognize traits we don't have, only those we own good, bad or indifferent. Think back to when you were first a couple, and how you stood in front of the mirror thinking that you make a perfect couple. Venus is about love and relationships, and during the retrograde cycle it is as if we stare into that magnifying mirror to notice any flaws, real or blown out of proportion. If everything is in accordance with our values and priorities, we note nothing wrong, but if not, then we need to take a good honest look at what is happening in our relationship.

Let's learn from the headlines. If North and South Korea can reconcile their differences it sounds very promising that we can too. During these times relationship issues come to the forefront. Naturally, only when your planets align with the planets out there. Anything that is not solid within that relationships is the issue under scrutiny. With Gemini we are of course talking about keeping those communication lines wide open. Sharing ideas, thoughts and seeking out answers together. Venus is a benefic planet, and even when she might be in bitch-mode, she isn't all sugar and spice, she does promote reconciliation. This time around remember, she gives us a visitation when we don't expect it. Screaming, perhaps taking poetic license here, I am still here don't ignore the values I represent. Don't ignore your value system, it may need adjusting, but only you can do that. What is it you truly desire and can you count your blessings? Isn't ‘Blessed Be' a Venusian greeting. Mercury is also in Gemini making it perhaps easier to talk it out. It is not about leaving rather about making better and nicer for everyone. Venus does represent how we cooperate with others, are we willing to compromise?

Pluto is at the opposite end in Sagittarius lending intensity to all our interactions. What could have been a breezy encounter turns into more of a life and death situation. The question on a personal level is whether we still appreciate and value what we have.

The World Bank found the transactions, and the money was placed in the appropriate accounts, it was never lost. The Banks even open their doors on Sunday to help customers; talk about cooperation. Money has been very topical of late, and we only talk about what we don't have. (Remember that when somebody talks ad nauseam about their sex lives). Money flows tend to slow down, diminish or get put temporarily on hold. We misplace our credit card, or the paper that entitles us to payment. This time frame is often good for uncovering new ways to generate a lively hood. And for finding lost money, possessions and items that belong to us.

I wrote a Venus horoscope in the April Notes, but let's take a quick review at typical issues out there this month.

Gemini represents communication, neighbours, siblings, travel, information and schooling. Is it just words you use or are you communicating from the heart? Actions speak louder than words, and our bodies speak a language all of their own. Try saying I love you when you are raging mad at someone. The words come out hollow.

This could be also a time to reconsider going back to school, gaining a certificate or a degree in something you have always wanted to learn. It is about going after our heart's desire.

We often get to experience many of these issues through our car and other piece of equipment that has wiring. Perhaps you have found yourself without a vehicle, having to rely on others to get you from A to B. This period can bring home the message of having to learn to communicate better, not just with our words but by meaning what we say. It is so easy to get into arguments now over clashing values. Cooperation is the lesson.

You might get your car (or other possession) back from the shop with a bill smaller than you dreaded, and that altercation with, let's say the, neighbour, might result in a friendship from here on out.

We don't talk anymore... Most statements we make no matter how innocuous the words we choose are based on or reflect our values and feelings. Nice hair cut, can be delivered with tones that make it sarcastic sometimes without our intent. People can be particularly sensitive to words now, it really isn't about what we say rather what is heard by our audience. So it can become doubly important now to show our feelings with actions that are in harmony with the words, or to modify the words.

During Venus retrograde periods people can become particularly needy of praise, compliments and want to feel appreciated. So, in short, show that you care.

Astrologically Speaking

June 2004 Notes

In the News:

Read more about Venus:

Margin Notes