40 Days and 40 Nights in the Wilderness with Venus

Venus, the planet, goes retrograde (backwards) less frequently than Mercury, about every 18 months, and lasts 40 days. Because it is less frequent, it is more difficult to understand and wreaks more havoc than a Mercury retrograde. Mercury affects communication. Venus affects possessions, relationships, womens issues and most of all values. Venus asks, What is it that you really value?

Many astrologers also believe that Venus affects the stock market. The next Venus retrograde period begins May 17, 2004. Also check back to October 10, 2002 to see what was happening in your life during the last Venus retrograde so you can draw some conclusions as to how you handle these transits.

A client wrote me during an earlier Venus Retrograde: I've been reading your eZines and wondering what the difficult time we are all having is. Then, I experienced it with a deep, fast plunge to the bottom complete with a few extra bumps to round out the full force of impact. Whew! I haven't been down here in awhile.

A student in my ongoing Tuesday night astrology class wanted to know, How can a dinky little inner planet like Venus cause so much trouble?

Well, these are very good questions.

The answer is partly imbedded in the relationship of the planet Venus to the esoteric properties of the Number 5. Lets take a closer look at this planet, Venus and the Number 5!

The physical planet of Venus (in the sky tonight) is a strange amalgam. Named after the Roman Goddess of Love, nonetheless, she is surrounded by such a noxious yellow atmosphere that life is impossible (permanent greenhouse effect). It doesnt surprise us, then, to know that the Roman goddess herself had several epithets. One of them was Venus of the Sewers. Venus also rules venereal disease.

The ancient Aztecs had a Venutian goddess who walked the earth as a man for the 40 days of the retrograde cycle. The warlike Aztecs declared war when Venus went retrograde.

These are some of our clues as to what lies beneath the surface of a Venus retrograde transit and why it can be so disruptive on a very personal level.

In transit, Venus goes retrograde five times over a period of eight years, coming back to the same sign in which she started at the end of five 584-day cycles (or eight years). This is Venus cycle to herself. She is working her way in stations back through the zodiac, 2 to 3 degrees earlier in each sign, each time.

The stations of Venus form a quintile (five-ish) pattern against the backdrop of the zodiac. A diagram of Venus stations across a horoscope actually makes an image like a pentagram.

The quintile aspect reminds us of the other quin in astrology -- the quincunx aspect (signs that are 5 houses before and after one another). As every astrologer worth her salt knows, the quincunx is the most difficult aspect of all to reconcile within an individuals chart (psyche). It is also very difficult to read in a chart other than saying there are irreconcilable differences. There are certainly good ways for the professional to interpret this aspect but that isn't within the scope of this article.

For a good grip on the qualities of the Number 5, take a look at the fives in the Tarot deck. The Fives are ruled by the Major Arcana V, The Hierophant, the Teacher of Hard Life Lessons.

One of the meanings expressed by the Hierophant is that apparently there are some things in life that can only be learned in the School of Hard Knocks. People with a #5 Birth Force learn through doing not by reading books or listening to lectures.

Five is also known mystically as the Number of Man. It represents the ability of man to understand things of an esoteric nature and is most familiarly represented in the drawing of Leonard DaVinci showing a male figure with arms and legs spread against a circular background. I remember seeing a very dramatic presentation of Marlowes Faust in San Diego where this figure was cast in stagelights across the floor of the Dr. Fausts study as the curtain opened and Our HeroEveryman/Faust began his mythical struggle with his own nature.

There is a good book written for professional astrologers about retrograde cycles, including Venus Retrograde, called Retrograde Planets by Erin Sullivan, published by Penguin Books in 1992 which explains the basic characteristics of Venus as she turns her back on us. The effects of this transit are among the most difficult to predict (and describe) perhaps because it is one of the very most unique and personal to each individual. This makes generalities very difficult.

Here are some examples of things that have happened to real clients of mine during Venus retrograde transits in the past.

Retrograde Venus through the 1st house:
widow moves out of 5,000 sq ft home to downsized residence and begins to realize that house and relationship were prisons and that she is well rid of both; elderly woman resolves long standing issue with IRS who removes lien on her house and frees up her CD.

Retrograde Venus through the 2nd house:
husband gets self and wife new cell phone numbers after five years with the old ones (?)

Retrograde Venus through the 3rd house:
walls close in on man as he realizes he might lose his wife, mistress and home, all in the same month!

Retrograde Venus through the 4th house:
Consultant breaks up with woman 15 years older, moves to another city to start over with a woman 15 years younger; heiress brother announces divorce, completely upsetting family power structure;
married boyfriend goes back to his wife with no explanation;
woman vacillates between declaring BK, selling house and selling heirloom family jewelry

Retrograde Venus through the 5th house:
middle aged woman comes to terms with death of mother and estrangement from brother, releasing her own intense creativity

Retrograde Venus through the 6th house:
obsessive love for a younger man triggers long repressed memories of tragic first love in manicurist; boyfriend who is in the Diplomatic Corps leaves for South America for a year, triggering deep depression and abandonment issues in young girlfriend

Retrograde Venus through the 7th house:
PhD candidate stops studies when his girlfriend is almost killed by a hit-and-run driver and hover for weeks between life and death

Retrograde Venus through the 8th house:
husband of college professor suddenly offered opportunity for work as interpreter with a government provider believed to be involved in undercover work in a foreign country if he will leave with two days notice and without knowledge of exactly where he is going

Retrograde Venus through the 9th house:
young housewife with 2 year old baby joins metaphysics class and finds terrific outlet for her social nature and brilliant mind

Retrograde Venus through the 10th house:
young man has Tarot card reading, discovers reasons behind many of the mysteries from his painful past

Retrograde Venus through the 11th house
gifted intuitive artist attends Jonathan Edwards demonstration and has experience afterwards that convinces her she is going completely mad

Retrograde Venus through the 12th house:
elderly woman seriously considers selling her home (which is free and clear) to get really free and clear!

As you can see, many of these events have to do with the areas of life which are ruled by Venus, possessions and desires.

Another mystical thing about Venus Retrograde is that the cycle lasts for 40 days. It is as if we all wander in the wilderness with our Christlike selves, and return with greater conviction about who we are and greater dedication to our selves and our purpose, some through the act of denying temptation.

During this cycle, the creative and the destructive are so closely interacting with one another it may be hard to tell the difference as ridiculous as this sounds. Feedback from trusted friends or a professional astrologer can help if you think you might be throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

During a retrograde cycle, you may have no idea which end is up. But by the end of the cycle, a New Order is revealed, and order forms out of chaos. Venus retrogrades are intensely introspective and even anti-social transits that bring forth great bursts of personal creativity when complete. This is the kind of creativity which produces an art, the palette of which is life itself.

Nancy R. Fenn is a professional astrologer in the San Diego area.

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Astrology Tattoo Is More Than a Mere Fashion

Astrology symbols have become very popular tattoo designs, such as a scorpion or a bull as body art. This is due to astrological symbols making great tattoo designs. There is also a quiet mysticism that surrounds these signs that makes them a popular choice for the younger population.

Besides the zodiac signs celestial bodies like the sun and the moon also make popular tattoo designs. Most of the astrology tattoos are done in bright colours that give them a life of their own. Astrology tattoo designs can be tattooed just about anywhere as body art, such as arm bands, lower-back, ankles, chest or shoulders.

Different astrological systems have different signs which represent different meanings. However, the preferred astrology tattoo designs are based on the Greek or Roman zodiac system. These include the twelve different signs namely Capricorn, Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio and Sagittarius.

Each of the astrological signs depicts an animal, character or object associated with it. Here are the traditional symbols associated with each sign of the Zodiac:

Capricorn (December 23 to January 20) is depicted by a Goat.

Aquarius (January 21 to February 19) by the Water Carrier

Pisces (February 20 to March 20) by the Fish

Aries (March 21 to April 20) by a Ram

Taurus (April 21 to May 21) by a Bull

Gemini (May 22 to June 21) by the Wolf

Cancer (June 22 to July 22) by the Crab

Leo (July 23 to August 22) by the Lion

Virgo (August 23 to September 23) by a Woman

Libra (September 24 to October 23) by Pair of Scales

Scorpio (October 24 to November 22) by the Scorpion

Sagittarius (November 23 to December 22) by the Centaur Archer

Other widely practiced arts include those devised by the Native American, incorporating the medicine wheel as an important part of their astrological system, and the Chinese that depicts animal names and traits to people born in a certain year.

All the astrology tattoo designs are characterized by certain qualities that make them unique. For instance, they are especially meaningful if they happen to be your sun sign, tattooing the sun sign that you were born under can be a simple way of reflecting your unique personality, goals and interests.

Today, the astrology tattoo designs can be seen on a wide selection of people from all nationalities and age. Earlier, the tattoos were limited to sailors and maybe artists. Now days, all tattoos are flaunted with great pride.

Darren Lintern publishes articles, guides and reports, on many topics for Kerrash.com

For all your Tattoo needs and concerns, visit our Tattoo Information Guide

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What Is The Purpose Of The Zodiac Sign

The signs of the Zodiac can give us great insights into our day to day lives, as well as the many talents and special qualities we possess. You can discover a great deal of relevant information about yourself through reading about your Zodiac sign. In this article, we'll tell you how you can use the information provided by your sign in order to improve your life.The term zodiac denotes an annual cycle of twelve stations along the path of the sun. Astrologists use astronomical observations of the movements in the night sky for divinatory purposes. Each star sign has a different meaning, and your astrological chart is made up of the sun signs and their attributes, and the placement of the planets in the house of your unique chart.You are more than just your Sun Sign which is the one you were born under. If you were born within a day or two of when the Sun changed signs, then you were born "near the cusp." Your Sun Sign could be either sign, since the date changes slightly from year to year. If you were born within 2 days of the sign change dates, you may have to consult an astrologer to find out your true Sun Sign.Each zodiac sign reflects a different side of your personal experiences and personality, even though some of them are more emphasized than others. Based on the date of birth, place of birth and time of birth, an astrologist can give you a very accurate portrait of your character, as well as tell you many things about your past and future, gifts and difficulties. People from all cultures believe that astrology is one of the very best tools that there is for understanding an individual's potential, strengths and weaknesses.Each of the Zodiac signs are also designated into elements. How these elements relate to one another is especially important when using astrology to determine a love match.

Astrologists believe that each person is compatible or incompatible with other people based on their birth dates. To define this compatibility, your element group is compared to the other element groups in the zodiac chart.Those born under the Zodiac signs Aries, Leo or Sagittarius belong to the element of fire which represents enthusiasm and strong will. The earth element includes Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn which represents practical and material concerns.Gemini, Libra and Aquarius come from the air element and represents abstract thought. The water element includes Cancer, Scorpio and Pieces and represents feelings, emotions and empathy.Your Zodiac sign can provide information that can help you lead a happier life by bringing to your attention your strengths and weaknesses. If your sign makes you predisposed to jealousy, you can work on being more trusting.If you're born to be a leader, you can focus on getting ahead professionally. Many people begin their day by consulting their horoscope to see what the day will bring. That proves that the power of the Zodiac is still very much alive.

By Mike Selvon

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There is More to the Zodiac Signs That Meets the Eye

The zodiac signs say a lot. Originally they were used for navigation purposes. However today, there is a belief in astrology that says that the zodiac sign of your birth can foretell how your daily events will go and whether or not there is some compatibility in your love life. You may have a good day or a bad day all based on what the stars have forecasted for you.Zodiac sign compatibility seems to loom the most in people's minds. They check their zodiac sign against that of their partners. They read their daily horoscope and tend to believe that it is true. Some people are religiously devoted to astrology and how it affects their every day lives. Some people base their relationships on the zodiac to tell them if they are compatible.Compatible zodiac signs are probably the most used for some people in determining their astrology love compatibility with another person. Is this merely hocus pocus or is there something that relates to when you were born, which in turn dictates how you will behave and what will happen to you?The first known celestial coordinates come to mankind from the stars. The zodiac signs were used to determine one's place in the universe and were navigational guides in the darkened sky.The ecliptic, or the cycle of the twelve stations along the sun's path, through the heavens was a valuable tool. Later, the science of astronomy became less interested in the prediction of one's day and love life, and more upon the science of the stars.There is more to the zodiac sign than what is used primarily today by Western cultures. Many other cultures have their own versions of the zodiac. Take for example the Chinese zodiac sign, which is not only used to identify a birth month but also the birth year and works on a twelve year cycle.

Each year is represented by an animal, such as a rooster, dragon and tiger. The zodiac sign in Indian culture, along with the Chinese zodiac sign, relies heavily on a different set of constellations due to how the earth's rotation and the sun's rotation have changed over the years.Humanity turns to the stars at night to watch the constellations, yet it was not that long ago when the constellations were used as navigational guides around the world. Astrology and astronomy worked together to map out the heavens but somewhere along the line astrology split from astronomy and became based more in mysticism than in actual science. The zodiac signs have become a way of foretelling the future for some followers. Whether or not it is true is entirely based on your point of view.
By Mike Selvon

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The True Meaning of Horoscopes

Most people think a horoscope is the little four-line piece of advice based on your birthday that you find in the newspaper. OK, that's one definition, and a dreadful example of what the craft of astrology can do. But a horoscope is also what astrologers call "the chart" and if you have ever had a natal reading, you probably received this strange circular picture with funny signs and symbols, none of which made any sense to you, but, for the price of your reading, this was one of the goodies.A horoscope, that circular picture, is really a map of the sky, an astrological map of the heavens keyed to the time and place of a specific birth. It is a map that appears typically as a two dimensional chart. It shows the position of the Sun, the Moon, and planet's at the precise moment of a birth. The format of the map can differ from country to country as well as from culture to culture. But whatever forms the horoscope takes, one thing is common to all horoscopes, and that is that it is based on place, date, and time of birth.The earth moves from west to east, so the Sun appears to move from east to west. This 360 degree circle of the zodiac is divided into 12 parts, each 30 degrees apart and called the zodiac signs. This is exactly like the twelve numerals on the face of a clock except that everything is backwards from everything you normally know about reading a map.East is to the left, West is to the right, North is to the bottom, and South is to the top. The Rising sign the sign rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth is at "the 9 o'clock position."

The 12 zodiac signs are Aquarius, Aries, Cancer, Capricorn, Gemini, Leo, Libra, Pisces, Sagittarius, Scorpio, Taurus and Virgo.Each sign has special characteristics that distinguish and mark itself from others. In setting up this astrological map for the birth of a native we divide the circle into twelve sections.Each of these areas is called houses. Each house defines a specific area. The first house concerns the native's personal identity. The second house deals with the natives earning power or source of supply. The third house concerns the native's thoughts or sense of communication.The horoscope map, in addition to house areas and spatial designators called signs, also contains a third symbol, the planets, including the Sun and Moon. While the houses of the horoscope identify areas of experience and the signs set the stage under which these areas of experience will operate, the planets act as the focus of attention or symbols of force bringing the other two elements together.A correct interpretation of all these sky bodies exposes much about the native. They could be thought of as weather conditions in the sky at the moment of a native's birth.


By Andy Gibson

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The Meaning of the Planets in the Zodiac

The Sun is the main focus in astrology and is the answer we give when someone else asks "What's your sign?" It represents the true will and nature of a person, who you are and can become during your lifetime. These characteristic are conscious, meaning you most likely will be aware that you have them. They are also apparent to others.The Moon as nearly equals the importance of the sun but it rules over the emotional side of life. Responses and reactions that were embedded through learning, memory and teaching reside here. This side of your personality might not be as obvious to you since it is subconscious.The planet Mercury rules over thoughts and how they are projected. Communication and learning are also influenced by this sign. It demonstrates how you travel through the world and react to what is around you.The planet Venus rules over interpersonal relationships and how the self reacts to these situations. Love, sexuality, attraction and marriage are all influenced by this sign. Appropriate since the mythological goddess of love is Venus herself. Perception of love and beauty is housed here. The sign of Venus is often the same as the Sun sign since the two can never be more than forty five degrees from each other. If they do correlate, there will be a balance in this house. If they don't, there might be some internal conflict.

The planet Mars is representative of physical, mental, practical and emotional energies. These four energies can manifest themselves in a variety of ways. Physical energy drives work habits, athletic ability and stamina in life. Mental energies dictate thought, communication and pursuit of ambitions. Practical energies are what get you through every day life- responsibilities, duties and the like. Emotional energies are behind feelings, sexual desire and creative energy. What sign this planet is in decides which type of energy is going to be expressed the most. Aries, Sagittarius and Leo relate to physical energy while Virgo, Taurus and Capricorn relate to practical energy. Aquarius, Libra and Gemini relate to mental energy and Scorpio, Cancer and Pisces to emotional energy.The planet Jupiter remains in the same sign for about a year and it is normal for people born within the same year to have identical Jupiter signs. Jupiter relates to methods and capacity of understanding and knowledge. Philosophical, societal and religious views can be influenced by this planet.Saturn stays within the same sign for about two and a half years. This planet relates to success and the means used to attain it. Fame, honor and respect are related characteristics. Like with Jupiter, those born within that time period of each other will have the same Saturn sign.The "outer planets" cover an even longer time span. Uranus spends seven years in each sign. It influences the way that those born during this timeframe exert their independence or desire to be free. Neptune spends fourteen years in each sign and doesn't make much of a mark on personalities, only giving some extra depth to the imaginations and intuitions of the generation born in that sign. Pluto is no longer considered a planet and astrologers are moving away from including the already unimportant planet.

By Victor Epand

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The Meaning Behind Astrology Symbols

Astrology symbols are not the discovery of the century. People knew about the astrology symbols for many years. For many years astrology symbols have been used to stand for the different signs of the zodiac. Once you have learned the meaning behind astrology symbols you realize that they are easy to remember and to recognize. The astrology symbols represent certain zodiac signs so that zodiac signs can be distinguished from one another.Aquarius is believed to be the most discernable astrology symbol. This astrology symbol is always presented with figures, which resemble water. Someone can relate the waves on the astrology sign’s image with an aquarium but not with water. However, the Aquarius astrology sign is probably the easiest to remember.Other easy to remember astrology signs are Taurus and Aries. The Taurus astrology sign image represents a bull. Its name can be easily remembered because the Spanish word for bull is the same. A sphere with two bull-like horns is usually the picture of the Taurus astrology sign. On the other hand, the Aries astrology sign is associated with a goat and its image shows horns on a goat’s head.In the zodiac, there are two twin astrology symbols. That is why Pisces and Gemini are often mixed up. Sometimes their images are quite alike. The figure of the astrology sign Pisces is usually presented with two fish. The image of the Pisces astrology sign is always a pair of fish. The Gemini astrology sign, for its part, is presented with an image that resembles the Roman numeral II.

One of the most clearly recognized visual images of the astrology symbols is the one that represents the Leo astrology sign. A lion’s mane or simply a lion is the astrology symbol of the Leo.Virgo and Scorpio are also quite similar astrology symbols. These two astrology symbols both resemble the letter M. These remarkably different astrology symbols are represented by icons, which look quite alike. The difference between the images is that the Scorpio astrology symbol has a “tail” that sticks out to the point of an arrow outwards. Virgo’s “tail” stands inward and has no arrow at its tip.Cancer and Sagittarius are two astrology symbols, which are easy to be distinguished. While the Cancer sign is quite feminine, the Sagittarian sign is masculine. The Cancer’s astrology symbol consists of two circles that intersect each other. The Sagittarius astrology symbol is represented only by an arrow that points up and right.Capricorn is probably the most strange astrology symbol. I am not sure why but its astrology symbol represents a goatfish. A goatfish is not the most pleasant picture that is possible but I think the image it not so bad. It looks like the letters VS.The last astrology symbol, which is left, is Libra. This astrology symbol looks alike the scales of justice that we see in the courthouses. They are usually associated with balance.These astrology symbols live for many generations and they will probably wait for many others to come.

By Morgan Hamilton

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