Venus Retrograde in Capricorn - Acknowledge Your Ancestry

by Kathryn Andren

The planet Venus is the brightest object shining in the sky after the Sun and the Moon. If you look up and listen to her, you might notice she is speaking to you softly, or maybe radically raging for you to pay attention to what is important.

She is attractive and alluring. Venus is the Goddess of Love, as well as the planet of priorities. In a 584-day cycle, she reveals herself both as an evening star and a morning star. In early evenings, you will find her in the West just after sunset, when she then disappears, retracts, and retreats, seemingly hiding in the glow of the Sun. Venus reemerges in the morning sky, rising softly in the East.

The 40-41-day Venus Retrograde cycle serves as a symbolic reminder to reconsider and reevaluate all the matters of the heart. The period before, during, and after the Venus retrograde cycle marks a time to pay attention to your emotional life and process.

What does it mean when a planet goes retrograde?

A retrograde is simply an illusion. From our view on Earth, some planets appear to stand still in the sky, then apparently move backwards against the backdrop of stars. The illusion is the cycle of stopping, slowing down, and reversing before moving forward again. When a planet stations, about to go retrograde, astrologers say there is more power with this planet. Why? Like an acupuncture session that aligns the meridians of a body, imagine the planet energizing a particular region of the sky. When you look at your birth chart, the planet in transit touches or aligns a specific area of your life. Planets in retrograde serve as a symbol to reevaluate, revise, redo, retract, retreat, or resurrect.

When Mercury is retrograde, The Messenger gets a bad rap for transportation glitches and miscommunications. Since Mercury is the planet of speed, commerce, and communication, it serves as a symbol to slow down or reconnect. During a Venus retrograde, all elements of love and relating are open for reflection or review. A transit of Venus retrograde in the current sky story is symbolic to retreat and go deeper within.

The realm of relationship can be front and center during a Venus Retrograde cycle. The love planet amplifies:

• the highs and lows of loving
• love and anger
• harmony and dissonance
• relationship harmony or lack of it
• what is beautiful
• finding beauty within

The Venus retrograde cycle is approximately 40 days. Its cycle varies from 40 to 44 days every 18 - 19 months, or so. Forty is a magical number in various traditions. Consider how there are 40 days in a Venus retrograde cycle, and it takes 40 weeks for a child to grow in the womb. There are biblical stories of rain for 40 days and 40 nights, or of wandering for 40 years in the desert. In the mystical Kabbalah, 40 is the number of fruition and abundance.

In modern astrology, Venus represents the inner feminine, money matters, and what you innately value. Venus is the goddess of love, art and beauty. In a birth chart, the Venus position illuminates what we are attracted to in relationship. It also gives clues to our innate priorities and desires.

Venus Retrograde Cycle in Capricorn: December 19, 2021 – January 29, 2022

There are several phases of a retrograde cycle: the apparent retrograde motion, and shadow periods both before and after. December 19, 2021, to January 29, 2022, Venus is Retrograde, from 26 to 11 degrees of Capricorn. The first shadow period begins November 18, 2021, when Venus crosses 11 Capricorn. Then, the second retrograde shadow completes when Venus crosses 26 degrees Capricorn on February 16, 2022.

One of the most significant aspects of this Venus Retrograde is its conjunction with Pluto in Capricorn at 25 degrees at the beginning of the cycle on December 19. Pluto is considered a planet signifying power and disempowerment in modern astrology, so this conjunction signifies greater potency to the coming Venus cycle. As Venus retrograde aligns with Pluto, this is a powerful time to reflect on the heart and deeply redefine personal values in the realm of relationships.

Careful Capricorn and Honoring Ancestry

With Venus in the sign of Capricorn, this adds emphasis on creating healthy boundaries in your most intimate relationships.

• What are the guidelines and standards for your current relating? The zodiac sign of Capricorn also connects to family lineage, honor, and respect. Consider the relationship to your family of origin.
• What in your life requires remedy, rectification, or reconciliation?
• Are you a fool for love?

Look at your own chart for clues to see how this potent planet pattern energizes your life. First, find where 11 - 26 degrees Capricorn falls in your natal chart. Then note the house where Venus stations retrograde. This will show you what area of life is amplified moving into the new year.

Reflecting On Recent Venus Retrograde Cycles

Since the spirit of a retrograde cycle is reflection, here is a brief list of the recent Venus retrogrades. Can you recall who you were with, and what was important to you, then and now? The last Venus Retrograde in the sign of Capricorn was during December 21, 2013 - January 31, 2014. (Note: Station Rx at 28 Capricorn, D at 13 Capricorn, with Pluto at 11 degrees Capricorn. In 2021, the retrograde begins with Venus conjunct Pluto, and in 2014, the Venus retrograde ended conjunct Pluto.)

• July 2015, 3 Leo to 14 Leo: 7/7/15 – 9/6/15
• March 2017, 13 Aries to 3 Taurus: 3/4/17 – 4/15/17
• October 2018, 10 Scorpio to 25 Libra: 10/5/18 – 11/16/18
• May 2020, 21 Gemini to 5 Gemini: 5/13/2020 – 6/25/2020

Look to your own chart and see what houses or areas of life are activated by both Taurus and Libra. Venus is the planetary ruler for the zodiac signs Taurus and Libra. This signification may give further clues how a Venus retrograde stimulates you and your birth chart. Taurus is an earth sign — cozy and comfortable, and relates to money matters, the practical plans of life, and true values. Dive deeply into your desires and enjoy life’s little pleasures. Notice what happens in your body when all the senses are stimulated; a tantalizing touch, a mouth-watering meal, or when you simply stop and smell the roses. Libra is an air sign related to intellect, reason, arts and culture. It reflects the desire for relationship harmony and equality in partnership. Venus retrograde is generally an inward time, where reflection rather than reaction is required.

Supportive Suggestions for Venus Retrograde in Capricorn:

• Honor your ancestry and pay respects to tradition
• Reassess priorities and be honest about your values
• Reevaluate finances, money matters, and access to resources
• Reflect on your self esteem • Honor your sense of self worth
• Reconsider what you learned from former love relationships
• Take a step back before beginning a new relationship
• Reinvent yourself Venus retrograde timing is an opportunity to explore your inner world. Take some time out just for you. Consciously create time and space in your schedule this holiday season to relax, reflect, and enjoy yourself!

Here are potential contemplation questions for the coming Venus retrograde cycle.

Contemplation Questions:

• Who am I attracted to and why? What is most important to me? Do I use my power of attraction wisely?
• Does following my desire bring me pleasure or pain? What do I find alluring? Who do I truly value and cherish?
• How can I deepen my love for self and others? How can I be more open and receptive? How can I create inner harmony and peace within?

Venus Through the Zodiac and Corresponding Houses

Venus in Aries or in 1st House: Let’s play. I love to create. I am the part of you who loves to initiate. I value enthusiasm and assertive action.

Venus in Taurus or in 2nd House: Let’s slow down. Comfort me, feed me, love me. I love to receive. I am the part of you who appreciates all the senses, touching, smelling, tasting, and seeing beauty. I value safety.

Venus in Gemini or in 3rd House: Let’s talk! I am the part of you who loves to engage in brilliant conversation. Share with me. I appreciate multiple ideas and enjoy different cultures. I value variety.

Venus in Cancer or in 4th House: Let’s cozy up at home. I love my family and community. I am the part of you who appreciates connection and caring. I value privacy.

Venus in Leo or in 5th House: Let’s shine. I want to know I am important to you. I am the part of you who enjoys being the center of attention. I value heartfelt expression.

Venus in Virgo or in 6th House: Let’s serve others. I am the part of you who loves order, cleanliness, and focused attention to detail. I value routine.

Venus in Libra or in 7th House: Let’s do it together. I am the part of you who loves being the peacemaker. I love balance, beauty, arts, music and harmony. I value partnership.

Venus in Scorpio or in the 8th House: Let’s go deep. I am the part of you who loves magic and mystery. I value intensely experiencing life force energy!

Venus in Sagittarius or 9th House: Let’s travel. I am the part of you who enjoys adventuring, teaching and being the philosopher. I love adventure, being on a spiritual quest, and exploring new worlds. I value the truth.

Venus in Capricorn or the 10th House: Let’s build something together. I am the part of you who appreciates responsibility. I respect rules and regulation. I am the matriarch and the patriarch. I value tradition.

Venus in Aquarius and the 11th House: Let’s start a revolution. I am the part of you who is a visionary. I love humanity. I am emotionally detached to see the big picture. I value freedom.

Venus in Pisces and the 12th House: Let’s feel the mystical love union. I feel. I am the part of you who enjoys being the poet, musician, and dreamer. I value compassion.

Published in: The Career Astrologer, December 2021.

Author:
Kathryn Andren is a consulting astrologer, artist, and writer offering private consultations and classes. Dedicated to healing service since 1997, she integrates art, astrology, and energy healing in her professional practice in the Hudson Valley, NY. Her holistic approach is inspired by a deep connection to land, sea and sky. She holds a BA in Psychology and gracefully integrates over 20 years of professional experience with intuitive wisdom. To consult with Kathryn, email consultwithkathryn@gmail.com or phone 808-896-3982. Download your free eBook, A Journey Through the Zodiac, available now at www.theloveastrologer.com

Images:
Venus evening star: Image by Lars_Nissen from Pixabay
Venus, Fresco Pompeii: unknown ancient Rome artist, photo of Stephen Haynes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

© 2021 - Kathryn Andren - The Career Astrologer

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