Tag Archives: Venus in Libra

Weekly Forecast October 12: Jupiter Direct, Mars Enters Leo

Had enough rest? I hope so, because we’re in for a busy week!

Mercury is back in Libra, picking up speed, and leaves his post-retrograde shadow period on Wednesday. Just as he’s entering new territory, Venus enters Libra. Relationships will benefit enormously from this double dose of Libra, especially after weeks of Venus and Mercury in nitpicky Virgo. If you and a loved one have been getting on each other’s nerves, you can both relax!

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s have a look at this week’s lineup, one day at a time.

On Monday, Mars sextiles Saturn, just as both are about to enter a new sign. The Mars force is suppressed in watery Cancer, but even though our physical energy hasn’t been the most vibrant, it should pick up early this week so that we can finish up projects that have been on our plate for awhile. If those projects involve paperwork and mental concentration, so much the better.

On Tuesday, Jupiter returns direct at 17 degrees Aquarius. He’ll need a few days to yawn and stretch, but once he does, many of us are going to see major movement. How much depends on where he’s currently transiting your chart, but with the New Moon this weekend favorably angled to Jupiter, you should see at least a small obstacle clearing. The Big Guy is in my first house, so I’m expecting significant news. I’ll keep you posted.

Also on Tuesday, Venus conjoins Saturn in Virgo and sextiles Mars. Venus-Saturn aspects aren’t the happiest, especially for romantic relationships. Talk about a bucket of cold water. The inclusion of Mars in this configuration should mitigate that effect somewhat, though, and hopefully the outcome will be embers that glow for a long time rather than a flame that flares up but dies out just as quickly. I’ll be interested to get feedback on how you experience this three-way energy.

Even if you do suffer a little setback or temporary disconnect, all that should change when Venus enters Libra on Wednesday. This is her territory, and with Mercury and the Sun also in the sign of harmonious relations, people everywhere should be feeling more courteous and conciliatory. While Venus is in Libra, it’s also a great time for haircuts, manicures, and beauty treatments of all time. Goddess knows, I should have waited. I had my haircut last week during Venus in Virgo and I’m not at all happy with it. Yes, as an astrologer, I should have known better!

On Thursday, Venus squares Pluto. One of the problems with this aspect is that the heat can be too intense and judgment can fly out the window. This also is one of those energy combinations that can feed into manipulation. Venus uses sex and charm to get what she wants, while Pluto uses money and power. Age-old story, isn’t it? But whatever works between consenting adults…

Friday could be a hot date night, as the Moon enters Libra and amplifies the Venus-Pluto square. The real news, though, is the entry of Mars in fiery Leo. We’ll have more on this planet-sign combination in the weeks and months ahead, as Mars will be retrograde in Leo from December 20 to March 10. I’m already on the edge of my seat for this one. In the meantime, we should all feel a bit more energetic.

The weekend will be dominated by Sunday’s New Moon at 25 degrees Libra, in a close trine with Neptune and Chiron and a wider trine with newly direct Jupiter. The energy of the New Moon still will be very active early next week, so next week could be even busier!

I’m looking forward to some lovely new beginnings and wish the same for you.

Much love to all,
Pat

Image: The Bulgarian theatre group Temp performs their show ‘Wings in the Fire’ in Skopje earlier this year. What could better express the energy of Mars in Leo than a live performance with fire? Photo by Robert Atanasovski for Agence France-Presse.

Ask Real Astrologers: Am I Doomed to Suffer in Love?

This week’s question comes from Jessica in Florida:

What is coming my way as far as finding meaningful and truthful lasting relationship(s)? I’ve read that Venus in Libra in the twelfth house indicates suffering in love. I just feel I’ve had enough and I’m tired of getting worked up for nothing and staying past the “discard by” date. I know there are certain issues I have not fully let go of and I am still working on them, but if being alone is the answer then I’d rather accept it and find meaning in something else.

Neith’s response:

Jessica, Venus is important in your chart because she rules both Libra and Taurus, your rising sign and Moon respectively. However, in my experience, there is no particular stigma attached to having Venus in the twelfth house. It just makes those energies less visible to others. Venus enjoys being in Libra, but with Saturn squaring her, she is more subdued and formal – definitely not the pastel version.

With Neptune opposing your Moon, it’s very likely you have met your fair share of people who have turned out to be something other than promised. The odd thing about Neptune aspects that is we tend to overlook them and forget how profound an impact they have on us and our lives. Neptune-Moon aspects natally make it very easy for others to project their expectations on the native and avoid seeing the real person standing in front of them. I recommend getting a second opinion from a neutral party whose judgment you have learned to trust over time regarding potential partners.

You are also in the midst of your Chiron return, which will be over by the end of this year. Since Chiron is part of a T-square with your Sun and Uranus, this is an especially important event, with the potential to finally initiate healing of old wounds in the area of self image and self-esteem.

My suggestion would be to concentrate on nurturing and healing the child within, Jessica, in order to allow the woman you are now to be her most authentic self. Take it from someone with Chiron conjunct the Sun in Libra . . . all the work you do on yourself will pay off in improved relationships with others.

Best wishes on this journey of discovery!

Pat’s response:

Jessica, there is no question that relationships are a major life issue for you, with Libra Rising, seventh-house Moon, and Venus conjunct your lunar North Node, a point that indicates our destiny or where we find fulfillment. That said, it doesn’t take an astrologer to tell you that working through personal issues first is a very wise move and will help ensure that each new romantic encounter is more meaningful and truthful than the last.

As for what’s coming up, the Jupiter-Chiron-Neptune conjunction that Neith and I have been writing about for many months is taking place in your fifth house, which is the area of the chart associated with love and romance. Jupiter and Neptune can be a hugely delusional combination, but since you’re already aware of this tendency, this transit instead might bring a soul mate into your life. Now, I always caution my clients about wishing for a soul mate, as you may end up working harder than you did alone! But that may indeed be the next step for you. If you have to go through a couple more relationships as learning experiences, don’t be discouraged. At some point, you have to stop reading books about swimming techniques and just jump in the water!

It may help for your intense Scorpio personality to try to let go of control over the outcome. A “successful” relationship for you may not be one that ends in marriage or cohabitation, but one in which you learn and grow. I’ve had several relationships like that, and while the endings were always hard, I gained more than I lost.

Hang in there and keep doing the work. It always pays off.

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Weekly Forecast September 8: Run-Up to Full Moon in Pisces

Fasten your seat belts and hang on to the handrails, because this is going to be a killer week.

It’s hard to name one dominant energy this week, as there are so many things going on astrologically. However, if I had to name one outstanding feature, I’d say it’s the run-up to the Full Moon in Pisces next Monday.

Although we’re still a week away, we’re going to start feeling this potent Full Moon by mid-week. Some of you may feel it even earlier, if you have chart angles or key planets in the mid-degrees of the mutable signs (Gemini, Virgo, Sagittarius, Pisces). The Full Moon will be tightly conjunct Uranus, planet of sudden change and surprise, so there’s no telling what might happen. In situations like this, we can only lamely advise you to expect the unexpected.

As usual, Neith will have more in a day or two in one of her enlightening and increasingly popular lunation reports. In the meantime, let’s have a look at the other significant events happening in the sky this week.

On Monday, Jupiter and Pluto both turn direct. Jupiter has been retrograde since May 9; Pluto, since April 2. Give these two a week or so, and then watch to see what manifests in your life. It could be quite sudden. If you’ve been working toward a certain goal but have been getting only lukewarm results, you may see major movement now, depending on where Jupiter and Pluto are transiting your chart.

Jupiter’s return direct is all the more powerful, since it takes place in a tight trine with Saturn, ruler of manifestation on the physical plane. If you haven’t had a goal in mind, get one now and do some visualization and affirmation work on Monday. The square from Mercury in Libra to Jupiter will help you form intentions. Remember, thoughts are entities.

As if that’s not enough for one day, Mercury conjoins Mars in the middle of all this activity, which could bring an element of anger or impatience to your dealings with others and your approach to life in general. The energy of Mars in Libra can be passive-aggressive, so monitor your words and actions to be sure that you’re saying what you really mean. For example, rather than lashing out at someone because you’re hurt, try just saying, “That hurt,” and take it from there.

The Moon, meanwhile, conjoins Pluto on Monday before entering Capricorn and interacting with Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Mars, and Mercury, all within a five-hour period on Tuesday (roughly 1 to 6 p.m. on the West Coast of the United States). Events during this period should provide you with plenty of clues what to expect as a result of the Jupiter-Saturn trine and also the upcoming Venus-Mars conjunction.

The cosmic lovers finally meet on Thursday, although after the activity early in the week, it’s almost anticlimactic. Hopefully, the dust will settle for a few hours, and you’ll get to enjoy the sweetness of this moment. The image I chose for this week, Botticelli’s Mars and Venus, is in honor of this aspect. There’s a fascinating entry on this painting on Wikipedia. Note especially the comments attributed to philosopher Marsilio Ficino on the capacity of Venus to placate Mars but his inability to master her. That would especially be true of Venus and Mars in Libra!

By Friday, the you-know-what starts hitting the fan, as the Sun opposes erratic Uranus. This is the opening act for the Full Moon, and I can’t even begin to predict how it will manifest.

From Friday through Sunday, Mercury, Venus, and Mars trine Chiron, creating an opening to heal through words, love, and physical intimacy. With everything else that’s going on, we may miss this subtle cue, but if we remain aware of it, we can draw on it to improve our closest relationships. This includes your relationship with yourself.

I am definitely on pins and needles, but I’m trying to muster my courage to handle whatever life throws my way. I wish the same for you, in spades.

Love and blessings,
Pat

Image: Venus and Mars, by Sandro Botticelli, c. 1483. National Gallery, London.

Musings from a Libra Perspective

Libra by Kagaya With Venus, Mercury, and Mars all now in Libra, this Libra person’s thoughts have turned to the astrology of relationships and what we can do to keep our relationships running smoothly.

I have Chiron conjunct my Libra Sun natally and consequently have given a great deal of thought to how to avoid wounding both my partner and myself. Much of what I’ve learned was done the hard way but not all, thankfully. I actually paid attention to different concepts I came across in books on managing one’s relationships.

One of the keys to a lasting partnership is to choose one’s battles wisely. I have natal Mars in Scorpio square Pluto in Leo, which gives a tendency to bring the nuclear option to the battlefield. Obviously this was not a great idea, so it was necessary to walk away more often than not. In the process I found out that most issues we fight over are minor in the bigger picture, and simply calling a time out for a day or two will usually be enough to let the matter slide. The really important issues – the deal breakers – don’t go away and require a different strategy.

We have so few role models on how to fight fairly. Books, movies, and TV shows all portray couples saying very hurtful things to each other, storming around, sometimes actually being physically abusive, and then making up like none of that happened. We can reprogram ourselves to not go down that road. It’s possible to disagree without saying things like “you are wrong.” If we claim our feelings and use “I” instead of pointing the finger by saying “you,” it is easier to keep anger and resentment from escalating.

Libra is all about equity and justice and, often as not, given to compromise. While we have a strong Libra influence in the sky, it is a good time to take a look and see if we are practicing compromise and fairness in the way we interact with our nearest and dearest. Practicing moderation, another Libra favorite, never hurts either. Another idea I’m personally fond of is attempting to behave in a manner so I’m not running around apologizing all the time. Everyone benefits from hearing a kind word and receiving a thoughtful gesture.

I know I’m such a Libra, but we’re pretty good people on the whole. :::grin:::

posted by Neith . . .

Weekly Forecast August 25: New Moon in Virgo, Venus enters Libra

Helen of Troy, by Evelyn de Morgan, 1898

The Sun is in Virgo, and fall is definitely here in the Pacific Northwest. The days are noticeably shorter, the light is growing thinner, the nights are cold, and the vegetable stands are overflowing with good things from the Earth.

This is my favorite time of year, when I feel invigorated. Perhaps we know deep down in our genetic coding (we in the Northern Hemisphere) that this is the Earth’s last hurrah, our time of celebration and abundance before heading into the darkest days of the year and the corresponding turn inward.

This cycle is very much reflected in the mythology of Ceres (the Greek Demeter), the quintessential earth mother. I’ve written a lot on my blog, The Pisces Chronicles, about Ceres as the modern ruler of Virgo, if not alone then as co-ruler with Mercury. I have a feeling that if the ancient astrologers who devised our rulership system had known of the existence of Ceres and the other planets discovered since the 18th century, they would have revised their system accordingly.

Ceres, as it turns out, is fairly quiet right now, in the early degrees of Leo and not in aspect with the heavy players of the week. Her influence will grow, however, as she moves through Leo and the degrees of the eclipses in the current series, and then when she enters Virgo in early November. But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it…

This week, we have an edgy New Moon in Virgo (more about that in a minute), as well as Mercury and Venus moving into Libra. Let’s talk about Venus first.

Venus has not been happy at all in Virgo, the sign of her fall. Conversely, Libra is one of the two signs ruled by Venus. The image I chose for this week’s post says it all. Venus in Libra is the highest expression of feminine beauty and grace. She is adorned, pampered, worshipped, fought over … and, OK, a little spoiled, but that has been the due for gorgeous creatures since time immemorial.

That said, Venus in Libra is not egocentric and knows how to compromise to get what she wants. Compromise truly is an art, and like many other things, it requires knowing yourself. Otherwise, you don’t know whether you’re giving away too much or compromising your integrity. Venus enters Libra Saturday at 7:41 a.m. on the West Coast of the United States — not a moment too soon, as the New Moon is just a few hours away, and I think it’s going to be a tough one for many of us.

As usual, Neith will have a full report in a day or two. For now, I’ll note simply that this New Moon, just shy of 8 degrees Virgo, falls in fairly close conjunction with Saturn, a stern presence whose lessons are never easy to learn. Depending on the house position of this New Moon in your chart, you may be asked to take on a new responsibility, or you may be forced to accept responsibility for your behavior or your approach to a certain part of your life. This is not a bad thing, obviously, but it is a lesson that many of us learn only under duress.

Mercury also enters Libra this week, at 7:50 p.m. PDT on Thursday. Although Mercury isn’t exalted here, Libra is an air sign and thus a comfortable place for Mercury’s intellectual, analytical qualities. Talking about relationships will be especially productive, and that will include rehashing unresolved problems when Mercury goes retrograde on September 24. The shadow period starts on September 2, so be sure to wrap up Mercury related activities this week, including making changes to your computer system, signing contracts, sending important correspondence, and getting your accounting in order.

Mercury and Venus both square Pluto before changing signs — Mercury on Wednesday and Venus on Friday. This should help identify relationship problems at their source, even if it’s just in your own mind, so that you can work to find solutions. Realizations may be painful, or you may finally just accept what you’ve known inside all along.

Love and lots of courage to all,
Pat

Image: Helen of Troy, by Evelyn de Morgan, 1898. The artist was a Virgo, born August 30, 1855, and of course had Venus in Libra. Could there be a more fitting image for Venus in Libra at the New Moon?

What your Venus says about the contents of your underwear drawer

Lilith by Rossetti
With the Sun and Venus in Taurus now, this Libra person is thinking about all things related to love, beauty, and desire. And what does Venus like more than pretty undergarments? So I’m going to have a little fun with this . . .

Because Venus travels close to the Sun, she is usually in the same sign or one of the two neighboring signs. She represents our sense of aesthetics, our idea of fun and pleasure and is all about our personal style. Of course, aspects from other planets will affect her expression but that’s for another post!

Venus in Aries is not a patient shopper. If she can find a brand that fits and is easy to come by, she’ll stick with it. This Venus is my candidate for having a fire-engine red bra stuck in the back of her drawer that really looked hot in the store but didn’t fit well after she got home. She also goes for active sportswear undergarments. Even those with Pisces and Taurus Suns will be more adventurous with Venus in the sign of the Ram.

Not surprisingly, Venus in Taurus loves silk lingerie – smooth, soft, and sensual. If you want to make your Taurus sweetie very happy, buy her silk to wear against her skin. She is more concerned with the tactile than the visual, although she’ll love muted, earth tones. Earthy Venus in Taurus helps Aries and Gemini Suns tune into their sensual side.

Venus in Gemini, an air sign, is more experimental and willing to at least try on the latest and greatest fad. She will shop just about anywhere and pick up items because they are fun and catch her eye. Gemini has no problem with bright colors and synthetic fabrics as long as it’s new and different. Taurus and Cancer Sun folks will be far more willing to try something new with this Venus in their charts.

Venus in Cancer prefers comfort to fashion. If the climate is on the cool side, this one will go for flannel nightwear. Cancer likes to stay with tried-and-true designs, nothing fancy. She is likely to be the most comfortable with the idea of appearing matronly. A Gemini or Leo Sun will liven up Venus in Cancer considerably.

Venus in Leo . . . think Madonna’s bustier outfits and visible bras in bright colors. This Venus likes her undergarments to be noticed and appreciated and will go for drama and flair to draw more attention to herself. Having Venus in Leo will give both Cancer and Virgo Suns more pizzazz.

Venus in Virgo is more likely to get excited about having undies made using bamboo fibers. Bamboo is eco-friendly, very soft, and naturally deters bacteria – all of which appeal to Virgo sensibilities. Virgo is less likely to be concerned about style and color than Libra, for instance, but it darn well better fit. Venus in Virgo tones down a Leo Sun and has Libra Sun paying more attention to natural fibers over synthetics

Rose by Waterhouse

Venus in Libra is most likely to go for feminine frills with lots of lace on her sleepwear, but it has to be good quality and soft to the touch – Venus rules Libra, too. She certainly won’t turn down pretty silk lingerie or fine cotton lawn nightwear but will prefer softer colors – no fire engine red for this one. Venus is well placed in Libra, and she’ll give both Virgo and Scorpio Suns more feminine sensibilities.

Venus in Scorpio will pick up that daring garter belt to wear with thigh-high black stockings. She’ll also be inclined to wear silk undergarments under a ratty sweatshirt and jeans to titillate her lover’s imagination – or wear nothing at all. Ha! A Libra or Sagittarius Sun will qualify for HOT if her Venus is in Scorpio.

Venus in Sagittarius will opt for functional, if given a choice, because she just wants to put it on and head out the door. Keep the frills to a minimum please and forget the lace – it scratches. Pure organic cotton is on the top of this one’s list. Both Scorpio and Capricorn Sun folks will be willing to lighten up and fuss less for Venus in Sagittarius.

Ms. Venus in Capricorn not only prefers high quality silky lingerie, she also loves the idea of wearing sexy items under her conservative business suit. It’s a good idea to shop for high-end brands if you want to impress this choosy person, because she will look. If she is shopping for herself, Venus in Capricorn will wait for her favorites to go on sale, demonstrating Saturnine frugality. Sagittarius and Aquarius Suns both benefit from Venus in Capricorn’s sense of class and timeless styling.

For Venus in Aquarius, paying attention to what she wears depends on her mood and her lover. For the most part, undergarments are almost an afterthought, with comfort and good fit much higher on the scale than appearance. Like Virgo, she also will go for eco-conscious fibers like organic cotton and bamboo. This Venus will give Capricorn and Pisces Suns an eccentric edgier taste . . . electric blue lingerie anyone?

Venus in Pisces is the sweetheart of them all. Imagination is everything, and she prefers sheer fabrics in luminous colors that create an atmosphere of romance. Venus in Pisces is another who likes softness against her skin and the hidden beauty of lovely under-things that only she knows she’s wearing. This romantic Venus tones down and softens Aquarius and Aries Suns.