Venus spends longer in its own sign, Taurus in 2020, due to its retrograde transit from May 13 to Jun 25. Venus transits Taurus for over 4 months, as a result, from Mar 28 to Jul 31. While Venus in Taurus allows us to tap into the simple pleasures in life, including the simple pleasure of good food, its retrograde period offers the opportunity to reflect on and re-evaluate the things we hold dear.
Venus is retrograde for approximately 40 days every couple of years or so. This reminds us of the last temptation of Christ, his 40 days and nights spent in the desert and his encounter with Lucifer. Lucifer is the Latin name for the planet Venus! One way we re-evaluate things is by being tempted, of course. And we may need to be tempted, so we know what is valuable to us. What each of us values can be observed in an individual's unique experience of the planet Venus, as well as the signs, Taurus and Libra, and what they rule in our horoscope, based on these signs' house position.
Venus is currently in its evening garb, as the 'evening star', but it is about to put on a different dress, as it transitions into the 'morning star', reappearing in the early morning skies in late June, re-emerging in the bright light of Day.
Venus is retrograde for approximately 40 days every couple of years or so. This reminds us of the last temptation of Christ, his 40 days and nights spent in the desert and his encounter with Lucifer. Lucifer is the Latin name for the planet Venus! One way we re-evaluate things is by being tempted, of course. And we may need to be tempted, so we know what is valuable to us. What each of us values can be observed in an individual's unique experience of the planet Venus, as well as the signs, Taurus and Libra, and what they rule in our horoscope, based on these signs' house position.
Venus is currently in its evening garb, as the 'evening star', but it is about to put on a different dress, as it transitions into the 'morning star', reappearing in the early morning skies in late June, re-emerging in the bright light of Day.
Venus represents art, beauty, comforts, entertainment, enjoyment, pleasures, relationships, sensuality and sexuality, while the sign Taurus represents our values and valuables, instilled in us by our family. Wealth, family and values all come under the sign Taurus, the natural second sign of the zodiac, as each of these things are intricately connected. Our family instils in us a sense of what to value, of course, while they also (ideally) value us, feed and clothe us. They teach us how to relate to others (not consciously, usually), and set up our experience of relationships throughout our lives.
This is expressed in our romantic relationships and our relationship to money. We use money as exchange for what we deem to be valuable, while there are many non-physical things we buy with our money, too. But as the saying goes, 'the best things in life are free'. Any planets influencing the 2nd sign of your own horoscope will give you more insights into your own connection to value and your family.
Certain planets do well, here, including Venus itself, of course, as well as Jupiter, the two greatest benevolent planets. Benevolent planets generally increase value, and one's bank account. Valuing oneself plays a big part in how much money we can earn, as well as how much we value it. Planets such as Rahu, show more unpredictable results, while Ketu is more often predictably challenging in this area. Saturn and Mars challenge here, regardless, showing a struggle within family, values and relationships, but it doesn't mean someone doesn't have money, only that they may have to work harder for it - perhaps even valuing it more as a result.
Venus is happy in its own sign, Taurus, reflected in a time for love and comfort, bringing a nicer feel to 2020, despite the many challenges. Being happy despite any difficulty is one of Venus' greatest gifts. Venus is the saving grace in a year that would otherwise have been unbearable.
We look to Venus, the 'bright star' for guidance, too. After the Sun and Moon, it is the brightest thing in the sky. We are guided by things that give us pleasure, of course, and use these as a signpost to avoid things that would bring pain.
As Venus disappears from view for a while, we must look within for that same guidance. Combust planets hamper the external things, while strengthening the internal.
Venus transits the Pleiades (Krittika) April 3 by Alan Dyer
Venus as Evening or Morning Star
Venus has a few different guises because of its transition from evening to morning star. When Venus is ahead of the Sun in the zodiac, it is seen in the evening skies after sunset, as it is for the beginning of 2020. Then, Venus goes through a sort of metamorphosis, as it disappears from view for a while, getting too close to the Sun to be visible. This is Venus in combustion, which occurs from the end of May until the end of June.
It will remain brightly visible on the western horizon as the 'evening star' until May 24, before it disappears from view for the following few weeks, burnt up in the glare of the Sun, ahead of the Sun in the zodiac, reappearing in our morning skies before sunrise on the eastern horizon from Jun 13. After Venus meets with the Sun by exact degree on Jun 3, it will then slip behind the Sun in the zodiac.
The evening star Venus has a more alluring and congenial quality, adding to the sense of pleasure, and experiences that are ideally experienced in the evening time, when dimly lit rooms offer a more seductive feel. This is ideally when we are with loved ones, enjoying each others company. When Venus reappears in the early morning skies, it is less alluring and more illuminating, highlighting any imperfections that can easily hide in the evening shadows. Venus is more exposed, shall we say, kind of like in Botecelli's painting (pictured).
Look to Venus in your own chart to see where Venus is placed. Is it placed ahead of the Sun (evening star) or behind the Sun (morning star) in zodiacal order? For example, Venus in Sagittarius with the Sun in Scorpio is the evening star, whereas Venus in Pisces with the Sun in Aries is the morning star. Venus cannot be more than two signs away from the Sun.
The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli
As Venus re-emerges in the early morning skies in June, it has gone through a change, and our values and relationships must do the same. It's kind of like exposing all our evening enjoyments and indulgences to the Daylight, as these things are brought into the glare of the Sun, making things seem more obvious, what is obviously in need of purification. Look to what Venus rules in your horoscope by house position to ascertain this.
This may challenge us to face certain truths. If there are things which we have neglected to see in our relationships, or our bank balance, Venus as the bright morning star will expose them.
As Venus brings these things into the early morning hours, we may include Venusian activities at this time of day, indulging our sweet tooth for breakfast, for example. But the purification of Venus in Taurus will also point out that overindulgences are inappropriate, at any time of day!
The most obvious example I can think of in relation to our current situation is that of luxury items, which relates to Taurus, and whether or not we should be spending on them. This will become more of an issue throughout Venus' retrograde in May and June.
The Last Temptation
As Venus begins its retrograde phase on May 13, it asks us to travel deep within to reassess our relationship to luxuries. The retrograde begins in the lunar mansion, Mṛgaśīrṣā, a sign that is itself associated with overindulgence.
It then moves back to the lunar mansion, Rohiṇī, by May 25, staying here until Jul 23, before returning to Mṛgaśīrṣā. Rohiṇī is symbolized by a cart, the equivalent modern-day expression being the car; one of the most common luxury items in our modern age; an item which give us a great deal of comfort. Venus' retrograde in this sign will likely point to a need to review the motor industry, I imagine. I recently read a news report that 'Tesla boss Elon Musk wiped $14bn (£11bn) off the carmaker's value after tweeting its share price was too high'! This is example of needing to careful around luxury items while Venus is, not only retrograde but preparing to retrograde - in its shadow phase; moving through the section of the zodiac it will return to.
Venus must move over the same ground twice more - once more in reverse and then one last time after it stations direct.
Take your time with making any important decisions, about your money or your honey!
Money
Unlike the last Venus retrograde in 2018, which occured in sidereal Libra, and its focus on relations, both internationally and personally, the Taurus retrograde will get us to focus more on the economy and our spending. This may be through the need for more bailouts, for example, or the reassessment of those previously assessed as being worthy of help. It may mean a change in how we spend, with the need to order more goods online, to keep the economy going.
While we are reviewing and renewing our relationship to our bank balance, the price of things, especially luxury items are in flux, so it is not necessarily advisable to buy any expensive goods or to make any important transactions during Venus retrograde; that is, unless you are in a position to play the markets and make the use of these fluctuations. People always make use of economic downturns; sometimes, unscrupulously so. This is also reflected in the concurrent Jupiter retrograde alongside Pluto in Capricorn.
Markets are likely to go through many fluctuations this year, as a result, before it 'bottoms out' by the end of an exhausting economic year.
If you are buying something on the cheap, you may be lucky enough to know the real value of it, and get it at a steal, but you may also be unaware of its true value (as the seller may not know or keep it from you) and you end up spending more on something than it is worth. Likewise, you may wish to sell something, but must think long and hard about this if the markets are going through such ups and downs, especially if it is a luxury item.
If you would like to buy or sell expensive items, or real estate, please keep your wits about you and accept the outcome if you make the decision to do so.
Unlike the last Venus retrograde in 2018, which occured in sidereal Libra, and its focus on relations, both internationally and personally, the Taurus retrograde will get us to focus more on the economy and our spending. This may be through the need for more bailouts, for example, or the reassessment of those previously assessed as being worthy of help. It may mean a change in how we spend, with the need to order more goods online, to keep the economy going.
While we are reviewing and renewing our relationship to our bank balance, the price of things, especially luxury items are in flux, so it is not necessarily advisable to buy any expensive goods or to make any important transactions during Venus retrograde; that is, unless you are in a position to play the markets and make the use of these fluctuations. People always make use of economic downturns; sometimes, unscrupulously so. This is also reflected in the concurrent Jupiter retrograde alongside Pluto in Capricorn.
Markets are likely to go through many fluctuations this year, as a result, before it 'bottoms out' by the end of an exhausting economic year.
If you are buying something on the cheap, you may be lucky enough to know the real value of it, and get it at a steal, but you may also be unaware of its true value (as the seller may not know or keep it from you) and you end up spending more on something than it is worth. Likewise, you may wish to sell something, but must think long and hard about this if the markets are going through such ups and downs, especially if it is a luxury item.
If you would like to buy or sell expensive items, or real estate, please keep your wits about you and accept the outcome if you make the decision to do so.
Relationships
As Venus changes from evening star to morning star our relationships go through a sort of metamorphosis, too. We look back to previous relationships to see if old patterns can be reworked. If anything needs resolution it can be brought into the open with a current, or potential, partner.
It is not, however, advisable to marry or make any important decisions about long term relationships during a Venus retrograde period. When things are in flux you may not be completely focused on the present relationship as you dwell upon past loves and probable hurts.
Temptations are always possible when Venus is retrograde. You may be revisited by an old love affair, or simply dwell on such, bringing them back into your life through your imagination. There is nothing wrong with this, of course. However, we don't always pay attention to the here and now and the person we are in a relationship with during a Venus retrograde period. And we don't always appreciate, or feel appreciated, while Venus is retrograde.
While it may be wise to take wise counsel before making any decisions about relationships or expensive purchases, it may also be hard to find wise counsel. Venus is retrograde for everybody!
Scrutinizing relationships more intensely is especially relevant for the signs Aries and Scorpio, either rising or Moon signs, as Venus rules their 7th house of relationships. This may or may not play out in your external environment, but the point is you may not be fully engaged (pardon the pun) with the task at hand, and the person with whom you share your life. Another reason marriage is not advised, is that the marriage will forever have a retrograde Venus in its beginnings, and expressing love to your partner may hit setbacks as the years pass. We must constantly give and express love to a beloved for it to flourish, as if watering a delicate flower. Holding back, as is the tendency for Venus retrograde, is not helpful in this case.
It is better to use this time to dwell on what is important to you both in a relationship and to perform a marriage ceremony after Venus has resumed direct motion - or to at least plan a private ceremony for you both once Venus has resumed its direct motion. You will both be clearer about what you want from the relationship at that time.
Don't forget your partner, romantic or not, is also going through a reassessment and needs more time to think about their own values. Remind yourself of the value of self-reflection, balanced with a need for validation.
As Venus changes from evening star to morning star our relationships go through a sort of metamorphosis, too. We look back to previous relationships to see if old patterns can be reworked. If anything needs resolution it can be brought into the open with a current, or potential, partner.
It is not, however, advisable to marry or make any important decisions about long term relationships during a Venus retrograde period. When things are in flux you may not be completely focused on the present relationship as you dwell upon past loves and probable hurts.
Temptations are always possible when Venus is retrograde. You may be revisited by an old love affair, or simply dwell on such, bringing them back into your life through your imagination. There is nothing wrong with this, of course. However, we don't always pay attention to the here and now and the person we are in a relationship with during a Venus retrograde period. And we don't always appreciate, or feel appreciated, while Venus is retrograde.
While it may be wise to take wise counsel before making any decisions about relationships or expensive purchases, it may also be hard to find wise counsel. Venus is retrograde for everybody!
Scrutinizing relationships more intensely is especially relevant for the signs Aries and Scorpio, either rising or Moon signs, as Venus rules their 7th house of relationships. This may or may not play out in your external environment, but the point is you may not be fully engaged (pardon the pun) with the task at hand, and the person with whom you share your life. Another reason marriage is not advised, is that the marriage will forever have a retrograde Venus in its beginnings, and expressing love to your partner may hit setbacks as the years pass. We must constantly give and express love to a beloved for it to flourish, as if watering a delicate flower. Holding back, as is the tendency for Venus retrograde, is not helpful in this case.
It is better to use this time to dwell on what is important to you both in a relationship and to perform a marriage ceremony after Venus has resumed direct motion - or to at least plan a private ceremony for you both once Venus has resumed its direct motion. You will both be clearer about what you want from the relationship at that time.
Don't forget your partner, romantic or not, is also going through a reassessment and needs more time to think about their own values. Remind yourself of the value of self-reflection, balanced with a need for validation.
Values and Self-Worth
One thing which is guaranteed when we experience any financial ups and downs, or go through reversals in relationships, is that we begin to question what is of real value, beyond pieces of paper or digits on a screen we use to exchange goods. Do we place more value on pieces of paper which allow us to trade, or on the very tangible things in our lives which give us a sense of comfort and stability? What about other people?!
What do you value most? Things? Relationships? Success? Happiness?
New initiatives are springing up at the grass roots level all the time. Communities are taking matters into their own hands and initiating new forms of business and trade - out of pure necessity. By trading pieces of paper for security we end of up placing more value on them, as opposed to the things we acquire. When finances dwindle what are we left holding?
Perhaps it is time to remove the illusions we have around we own financial situation, the global economy, and think outside the box.
It is also likely that we will feel less valued during this period, as prices are put on our heads, while assessing those who are deemed to be more in need than others.
During a crisis, it is always the case that the inequalities are shown for what they are, we see the 'haves and the have-nots' more clearly. Historically, crisis has led to revolutions, as a result of the imbalance.
One thing which is guaranteed when we experience any financial ups and downs, or go through reversals in relationships, is that we begin to question what is of real value, beyond pieces of paper or digits on a screen we use to exchange goods. Do we place more value on pieces of paper which allow us to trade, or on the very tangible things in our lives which give us a sense of comfort and stability? What about other people?!
What do you value most? Things? Relationships? Success? Happiness?
New initiatives are springing up at the grass roots level all the time. Communities are taking matters into their own hands and initiating new forms of business and trade - out of pure necessity. By trading pieces of paper for security we end of up placing more value on them, as opposed to the things we acquire. When finances dwindle what are we left holding?
Perhaps it is time to remove the illusions we have around we own financial situation, the global economy, and think outside the box.
It is also likely that we will feel less valued during this period, as prices are put on our heads, while assessing those who are deemed to be more in need than others.
During a crisis, it is always the case that the inequalities are shown for what they are, we see the 'haves and the have-nots' more clearly. Historically, crisis has led to revolutions, as a result of the imbalance.
Return of the Light
Venus reappears in our early morning skies in late June, 2020. However, this is a tricky part of the retrograde phase. When Venus finally makes an appearance in its morning guise, it is still moving backwards from our perspective until Jun 25, making the necessary readjustments seem even more obvious at this critical point. Caution is advised until it resumes its direct motion. Even then, it is advisable to be cautious until Venus has cleared its shadow phase, the point at which it began to backtrack. This will not occur by Jul 30.
At this stage, the drama has unfolded as it must, and we should be more clear about what and who is important to us moving forward, as well as it being a bit more clear about the financial situation.
Some financial restructuring may have been needed and re-negotiations may have been in order in our relationships, but it should be clear where our loyalties now lie - who we want to get into bed with, as it were, financially or otherwise.
Venus Retrograde Key Dates 2020
Apr 10: Enters its shadow phase
May 13: Stations retrograde
May 29 - Jun 17: Combustion
Jun 25: Stations direct
Jul 30: Leaves shadow phase
OM TAT SAT
Venus reappears in our early morning skies in late June, 2020. However, this is a tricky part of the retrograde phase. When Venus finally makes an appearance in its morning guise, it is still moving backwards from our perspective until Jun 25, making the necessary readjustments seem even more obvious at this critical point. Caution is advised until it resumes its direct motion. Even then, it is advisable to be cautious until Venus has cleared its shadow phase, the point at which it began to backtrack. This will not occur by Jul 30.
At this stage, the drama has unfolded as it must, and we should be more clear about what and who is important to us moving forward, as well as it being a bit more clear about the financial situation.
Some financial restructuring may have been needed and re-negotiations may have been in order in our relationships, but it should be clear where our loyalties now lie - who we want to get into bed with, as it were, financially or otherwise.
Venus Retrograde Key Dates 2020
Apr 10: Enters its shadow phase
May 13: Stations retrograde
May 29 - Jun 17: Combustion
Jun 25: Stations direct
Jul 30: Leaves shadow phase
OM TAT SAT
