If you’re feeling a little distant lately or sensing this from others, it could possibly be due to Venus moving closer into retrograde, which will happen on the 13th May 2020. This is especially so for people with strong Venusian qualities in their chart, for Librans and Taureans (the signs ruled by Venus) as well as Geminis (where Venus is currently retrograding) and those with Venus ruling one of their timelord systems.

In our personal lives, Venus retrograde periods may play out as an urge to turn inwards to pause and reflect on our purpose as we yearn for greater meaning in whatever we desire, love, value and create. We may turn away from relationships and crave some time alone to reflect on our lives.

Venus cycles – From Scorpio to Gemini

To ancient cultures like the Sumerians and Mayans, the the Venus-Sun cycle was paramount to their whole way of life, influencing agriculture, civil decisions, wars and the like. They told the story of Inanna, Queen of Heaven, to explain the physical movements of the planets related to the Venus cycle, as well as the significance and purpose of this cycle for all of life. You can read more about the Venus cycle from this mythological perspective in my article, “Venus cycles and the myth of Inanna”.

In short, the Venus-Sun cycle takes 584 days to complete. During the end phase of one cycle and the opening phase of the next, there are 40 to 60 days in which Venus is retrograde. The new cycle starts midway during this retrograde when Venus makes a conjunction to the Sun. So when we think of a Venus retrograde period, it’s really comprised of two parts. The first part is the final stage of the current cycle. The second part (after the Venus-Sun conjunction) is the commencement of the new Venus cycle.

Venus cycle themes

The sign where the Venus-Sun conjunction occurs dictates the theme for the next 18 months. For example, the current Venus cycle that we’re about to complete started in Scorpio during October 2018.

The intensity of Scorpio has made for a past 18 months of financial hardship, relationship struggles and power imbalances.  Looking back at client files, I did notice many major and complicated relationship / power issues around the end of 2018.

The task of this Venus retrograde period, should we choose to accept, is to become Inanna and descend into the underworld. Here, we will have the opportunity to confront these Scorpio themes where we can acknowledge these shadows once and for all.

Then, when Venus joins the Sun on the 3rd June 2020, we will begin a new Venus cycle in the sign of Gemini. This is similar to a Venus New Year. Any seeds of intentions sowed at this time will have the opportunity for harvest during this 18-month period. And, similarly, the Gemini themes will become important for the next 18 months.

What to expect in a Venus in Gemini cycle

Coloured by the Gemini nuance, we can expect to see communication, connection, movement, ideas, transactions and education become important themes and the sharing of ideas, mental connection, critical thinking, data, information and technology becoming the focus of our love, beauty, creative pursuits and desires.

Gemini brings a strong air quality to this cycle which may manifest as an urge to rationalise, understand, assimilate and mentally scrutinise. This will feel very different to the previous Venus cycle where intense emotions and complex dynamics burdened our hearts.

Though we may feel lighter, we may face a different conundrum. When the sensual and heart-felt Venus is managed by a logical sign like Gemini, we may see challenges with embodied connections, affection, our ability to stay grounded, anxiety, a restless mind and fickleness. There will be a tendency to live within the mind or making choices around relationships, love, beauty and creativity based primarily on rational logic.

However, Venus and Mercury (Gemini’s ruler) when combined are exceptionally creative. We may feel the urge during this cycle to get really practical with our hands to create objects of beauty or to express love and beauty through words, poetry, stories and other Geminian means.

The symmetry of Venus

The symmetry and sacred geometry connected to the Venus cycle is incredible. I’ve written more about this in an earlier article, “The sacred numbers of Venus”. 

What’s relevant to this article is the five pointed star of Venus’ orbit and the significance of the number 5 and 8.

When a new Venus cycle occurs, it will do so in only one of five signs. When we plot this cycle out, it makes the pattern of a five-pointed rosette, forming the foundation of the pentagram. Each of these five retrograde signs give us an opportunity to experience five faces of the Venusian archetype during a full cycle.

Venus will retrograde in each of these five signs, at almost the same time and almost the same degree every eight years. Therefore, to really understand how this retrograde period will manifest for you, think of what happened in your life every eight years back from May 2020 (ie. May 2012, 2004, 1996, 1988….etc) and note what was going on in your life, especially as it pertains to the way you relate to others, your desires, creativity, fertility and social connections.

If you’d like to explore how the Venus cycles impact your chart specifically, I would love to take you through this journey.

Conclusion

Taking the symbolism, repetition and symmetry of the entire Venus-Sun cycle in mind, it’s clear to see why the ancients placed so much importance over this cycle. Distinct phases were all easily observed in the skies especially with the undeniable brightness and beauty of Venus against the crescent moon. The archetypal forms of the Venus cycle informs both outer and inner worlds that are relevant to the collective and the personal.

I invite you all to descend into the darkness from where you may find your brightest jewels. See you on the flip side of the Venus New Year.