The above headline is simple, but is the essence of what any Venus retrograde is all about. We are now in the midst of this cycle and are experiencing it fully, so we have an opportunity to understand what this cycle is apt to mean for us. We will get even more information at the New Moon on March 26, but let’s look and see what’s happening so far.
Economics — Before Venus went retrograde the U.S. and most of the international stock markets were dropping like a stone. Suddenly, Venus turns retrograde and we see a rather dramatic turn in the opposite direction. Specifically, on March 6, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 6469, its lowest price in 12 years. Only 10 days later, as of the writing of this article, the same index is at 7350, a nearly 10% increase. It seems that the Obama Administration is successfully making the needed changes to regain confidence in the financial system. Venus retrograde is usually an indicator of sharp reversals and this time is no exception.
It is, in my opinion, significant that right now there are four planets in Pisces, the sign of imagination where we see what we want to see and interpret through a lens that can distort things. There are other forces emerging that will actually intensify this optimism for the next 10 months, but I won’t go into that yet. Let’s just say that there is every likelihood that things are seemingly better than they really are. Having said this, however, it doesn’t mean that the government is not looking very hard at what it needs to do to stabilize a basically insolvent financial system. We know they are reviewing policies at every level, especially the role of the central banks as well as the largest financial institutions. There has been a large public outcry at the announcement of large bonuses paid by AIG, using taxpayer money to do it. The issue of fairness is highlighted now and Obama has today spoken harshly about these bonuses as well as many others in the government.
Also, China, our largest funder of the U.S. debt is openly warning that the dollar must not drop. Were it to do so, China would find itself on the losing end of their investments and would put great pressure on the U.S. to do something to fix it or it would pull out its money. We are in truly unknown territory. No one really knows how to navigate through all this, making the recent stock market increases even more suspect.
Relationships — the Venus retrograde period often brings people back into our lives so we can review that relationship. This can mean going into areas that we weren’t able to look at previously, so that some sort of resolution can take place. Another way we can use this period in a helpful way is to examine relationships that we haven’t resolved for ourselves, where we are stuck and are having difficulties letting go, etc. Sometime relationships break up at this time, but even when they don’t we are apt to find ourselves looking closely at what we want and need. Venus is in Aries during most of the retrograde, so it is about our discerning what we, at core, are wanting in our lives to support our own growth and development. It’s not that we cannot be in relationship, but it is about needing to take time to assess the nature of the ones we do have or may want to have. While new relationships can begin now, there are steps to be made and issues to face before one can know whether the new possible relationship has a real chance or not. This is not the time to finalize anything about a new relationship, but a great time to explore, communicate, and determine what we are feeling.
Personal Finance — Venus retrograde is asking us to assess the condition of our personal finances and to honestly face where we are with regard to this area of our life. If you have a financial advisor, this is a good time to take a close look at one’s portfolio to see what adjustments you would like to consider as we have entered a new financial environment. Also, we may be having to face some very real issues in our work life that are simple but demand our attention. If we are in sales, are we getting paid fairly and on time, is the product we are involved with the one we truly feel is worth our investment in time, etc., are just examples of questions we may be asking.
These are some of the areas that we are having to look at closely, but the main point is that these are likely to be highly charged right now. They will have an intense feeling about them that demands that we pay attention. The intensity is still growing and will continue their present phase until the New Moon when a new shift will be in order.
I want to thank those of you who have been writing about your personal stories of this period and want to continue to encourage others to do the same.
ANNOUNCEMENT
I know the economy is difficult so I am continuing the reduced price of $110 for a 60- 80 minute consultation. I welcome people who have never had an astrological consultation to give it a try as well as those of you who have.
If you haven’t already, please check out the website for Sher School of Wisdom at www.sherschoolofwisdom.org.
Best to All,
Jim Sher
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