WANT TO KNOW WHAT LOVE IS?
(with help from Foreigner)
May 21, 2004 — The NEW MOON in TAURUS begins a lunar cycle ruled by Venus. This new month opens the door for the goddess of love and beauty. Appreciate those you love, consider what you value the most, think beautiful thoughts, imagine true happiness. Thoughts invite experience. Possibilities abound.
May 17: VENUS PAUSES TO CONSIDER, momentarily suspended at 26 degrees of Gemini, opposite the portal to the Galactic Center. She will translate messages from the heart of the galaxy through those who listen with Love. Venus has reversed her course, how heading back toward the Sun. We begin a retrograde cycle that plays out into early August, a communion within our hearts.
"Gotta take a little time
A little time to think things over
I better read between the lines
In case I need it when I'm older"
MAY 17 AUGUST 2-3
This Venus cycle is extraordinary and world-enriching, with its centerpoint moment on June 8 when the disk of Venus crosses the Sun for the first time since 1882. Venus will shine out through the rays of the Sun. The Three Graces personify these life-giving rays, dancing like the flickering sunlight. Flowers blossom in their wake, fruits ripen. Thalia is She Who Brings Flowers, Aglaia is the Brilliant, Euphrosyne is She Who Rejoices the Heart. The Graces remind us of the graciousness of life, even in a world constantly pushing terror in our faces. Pause a moment, often, to stop and smell the flowers. You may decorate yourselves and your homes with their loveliness.
"This mountain I must climb
Feels like a world upon my shoulders
Through the clouds I see love shine
It keeps me warm as life grows colder"
VENUS and PLUTO
As much as Venus in Gemini is like a butterfly that flits from flower to flower sampling various sun-rich pollens, this retrograde evokes the dark side as well. When Venus-Aphrodite made her appearance, it was said, the heavens are assuaged and pour forth torrents of light; the waves of the sea smile on her. But what about her disappearance, when she sinks beneath the horizon?
"In my life there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
I can't stop now, I've traveled too far
To change this lonely life."
It's not all roses and romance when the goddess of love descends to the underworld. With Pluto opposite Venus during the bulk of this retrograde cycle, this descent is very deep. Venus can have a rather nasty side, especially when prodded by Pluto. The arrows of Eros evoke frenzied passion that can be dangerous. Venus is very aware of the many facets and faces of love, from lustful passion with its possessiveness and jealousies to the mutual respect and caring of spouse and family to sensitive compassion, charity, gratitude and friendship of the soul. Strong, hidden feelings are stirred, for better or worse. Aligning with the powerful, creative life force may require letting go of old thought patterns, attitudes, biases, judgements. May the Truth be known!
"I want to know what love is
I want you to show me
I want to feel what love is
I know you can show me"
BLACK MOON LILITH
The Black Moon Lilith is standing by Venus, whispering seductive mysteries that lure the soul into ego-crushing territory. Like Kali, the goddess of death and renewal, she brandishes her sword of truth. She strips away what prevents your deeper soul satisfaction. Some relationships won¹t make it through this cycle. New relationships can be compelling and transformative. It takes more courage that one knows to get married during this retrograde. Soul-mate relationships tend to expose unconsciousness expectations, sailing beyond familiar shores into adventurous oceans of the heart. Aiming toward the heart of the galaxy, the cosmic connection.
"I'm gonna take a little time
A little time to look around me
I've got nowhere left to hide
It looks like love has finally found me."
If You Were Born with:
SUN IN GEMINI
Venus circles your Sun sign and you are strongly affected by this cycle. This extends to mid-to late Geminis, born May 24-June 12. Peak days are June 8 (the day of the Venus occultation) and June 16-17, with your Sun at the Venus stopping point. Look back to May-June of 1996 when Venus was last retrograde in Gemini. What was happening in your life then?
URANUS IN GEMINI
Some born in 1947, '48 and early '49 will have Venus on natal Uranus. Are you one of Venus's messengers of the higher mind this summer? Social interaction and networking are valuable to you and others.
JUPITER IN GEMINI
People born with Jupiter in late Gemini are priests and priestesses of this Venus cycle. Generally open-minded and multi-talented, these people tend to be expansive thinkers, communicators, teachers or salespeople. They are networking, seeking opportunities, exploring options. These people, young or old, will be come out with all sorts of interesting gems. This group includes people born especially in the following peak months, though those born several months earlier may also contribute:
MAY-JUNE 2001 – These young ones also have Chiron opposite Jupiter, close to the galactic center point. They are really tuning in. Though probably talkative, encourage them to tell you what they are thinking.
JUNE-JULY 1989 – This group has the rare alignment of Saturn, Uranus and Neptune in Capricorn. Perhaps they can write out some of their insights. They are so ready for new experiences.
JULY-AUGUST 1977 July people have Venus in Gemini and August people have Mars in Gemini, so this cycle is particularly emotional.
JULY into SEPTEMBER 1965 Born in the height of the '60s, with Uranus-Pluto in Virgo, these people are experiencing a huge consciousness shift now.
AUGUST into OCTOBER 1953 Just completing their Chiron, there is a whole new dimension of experience being shaped by this group. They may be politically active or otherwise feel a responsibility to be involved with shifting into a new reality.
AUGUST 1941-early JUNE 1942 – Jupiter went retrograde, so this is an extended group, ready to put the Word out. These people can make a big difference through this Venus experience.
MAY-JUNE 1931 – These elders have a wealth of experience to talk about, and they do need to talk and be listened to during this time. Many offer fresh, open-minded points of view. There are many power people in this group that are re-evaluating life styles, values, etc., and/or encouraging others to do so.
JUNE into JULY 1918 – Witnesses to almost a century of history, these elders may share words of wisdom that stimulate new ways of thinking about things. Ask them.
Of course, we are all having a special experience with the Venus cycle. These are just some groups that are generally connected through a slower-moving planetary placement.
Chart Specials through June:
YOUR MESSAGE FROM VENUS: In honor of Venus retrograde, I'm offering a chart reading focused on the affect of the Venus cycles in your chart. In some area, you are re-evaluating life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Our discussion may draw on asteroids and Black Moon Lilith for further insights from the cosmic feminine. One hour: $108.
COUPLES ASTROLOGY
Venus retrograde cycles are a time to re-evaluate relationship. An astrological perspective can be helpful. Honoring the integrity of each person, we explore the meaning of the bond between them — emotional needs and dynamics, communication, underlying expectations, lessons to be learned alone and together, the potential for shared growth over time. 90 min. $175.
Notes: I'm starting to plan my summer-fall travels. So far:
Vermont – July 23August 12
New York State -August 12-27 Albany, Phoenicia, Poughkeepsie, New York City Texas – September 6-23 Austin, Houston, Dallas
Colorado, Arizona – late September<
br>England – October 12-26
Editor's note: Astrologer Kelley Hunter lives on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, where she leads stargazing nights. She is astrologer-in-residence for the Self Centre at Caneel Bay Resort and for the Omega Institute winter programs in the Caribbean. Hunter recently earned her doctoral degree in an interdisciplinary combination of philosophy, cosmology and myth. For an astrological consultation or to be on her e-mail list for monthly articles, write kellhunter@earthlink.net. Explore her Web site here
Publisher's note : Like the St. Croix Source now? Find out how you can love us twice as much — and show your support for the islands' free and independent news voice … click here.
