Venus In Taurus: Let Love Linger

Planet Venus moved into her earthy home sign of Taurus where she will stay until May 9th. Since Venus is responsible for attracting and keeping sacred all that we love and hold dear, we may find that the key to happiness for the moment lies in our ability to slow down, spend time in our bodies (as opposed to solely in our heads), and be present to our senses—present to the here and now. If the spark and hustle of Aries kept us up and at 'em; jumping at every new opportunity that presented itself then the energy of Taurus calls us to chill and get focused. Venus in Taurus wants us to be fine and secure.

In addition to physical well-being, financial health also factors into Taurus' predilection for material security and at this time we may also find that activities or initiatives begun under this transit carry an energy of self-preservation. We aim to maintain and increase what we have (here on my end, I've made a date to see an insurance agent.) Financial and relationship issues highlighted now can be remedied by getting clear about what we truly want and putting a plan in place to get it. After all, Taurus is an earth sign and earth reaches its goals by way of a methodical approach--unlike the shoot first, ask later approach of fire sign Aries.

As Venus is also connected to self-esteem, we are asked to let go of the self-worth saboteurs that have kept us from fulfilling our hearts' desires. For some of us, love (as well as money) seems fleeting; like we never have enough of it—in quantity or quality. Venus in Taurus asks: what is true security? How do we get what we want and make it last? For starters, we may have to change—a concept that Taurus, being a Fixed sign, isn’t so willing to do. However, what Taurus WILL DO is work--and many of us know that if we want something badly enough that we must put in the effort it takes to obtain it. Are we willing to shift our perspective, change our habits, and incorporate a few new tools to get that something we’ve been thirsting for? Let the thought linger for a sec.

This song "Luxurious" by Gwen Stefani totally speaks to me (and this transit):





SPECIAL ON READINGS!

To celebrate Venus’ transit through Taurus, I am offering a new mini-reading: Hello, Venus readings—how can you attract and keep more of what you want? The answer is in your birth chart and I’ll point you to it. Venus readings are perfect if you’re interested in bringing in new love; maintaining the love you already have or improving your sense of fulfillment. Email me at mecca@breadthandsol.com to schedule a reading or for more info. Readings are $35 for 30 minutes.

Also, I'm still offering my Eclipse Special--we just had an April 25th eclipse in Scorpio, on May 9th there's another eclipse in Taurus and there's another in Sagittarius on May 25th. Eclipses are important because they often come with a high octane kick to get us further toward where we need to go in life. Eclipses affect us all differently depending on the time we were born and our current circumstances, if you’d like to know exactly how this eclipse will affect you and how to best handle this energy, I’m providing eclipse specials--$40 for 30 minutes—available from now until 6/1. 

Careful planning + intention = Success.

Email me to also inquire about my full length astro-coaching sessions.

Venus In Capricorn: Getting Your Due

For those of us whom consistently find ourselves in the "everything is perfect save for one or two fatal flaws" type of relationship with a partner, career, or financial issue--Venus in Capricorn asks us to get real. Associated with the very tangible element of earth and the very practical, no-nonsense energy of planet Saturn, Capricorn is all about the realistic approach towards getting what we want. Capricorn asks "Is it realistic? Is it valuable?" Since Venus is the planet associated with money, values, and love; in Capricorn she asks from us an honest appraisal--am I getting my due?

Maybe we find ourselves in a job where we are being underpaid and undervalued; maybe in our effort to keep up with appearances we are living well outside of our means; or maybe, like so many, we find ourselves in a relationship where our most basic needs (trust, respect, reciprocation) are not being met. What do we do? Again, Venus in Capricorn asks us to get real. How? Perhaps we finally learn how to ask for what we deserve; perhaps we learn the necessity of moderation; or better yet, perhaps we learn not to settle for less. This earthy lady knows how to hold out for what she’s worth.

What is our vision for our romantic and financial life? Maybe we have become really good at knowing what it is we don't want out of life, but what is it that we do want? To what are we giving our attention? Venus will be in Capricorn from now until February 2, 2013. Getting clear about what we wish to accomplish over the next 11 months takes special precedence now while we are still riding the high that comes when starting fresh. How will we attract the love and abundance that we not only need but also deserve? The answer is right in front of us, babies. So let’s get to work.

Healing What Hurts: The Birth Chart As A Guide



As an astrologer it's a no-brainer that I am a strong believer that our birth charts offer us clues about those worn and torn parts of us that are in need of healing; the parts of us that have accrued damage over the course of our lifetime due to resentments and hurts. When I look at a tough aspect in the natal chart, like a square, opposition, and sometimes the conjunction I don't see the bearer as a hopeless victim or as someone doomed to a life of failure and unhappiness. What I see is an opportunity for change. I see the chance for a person to manifest the relationships and situations that he or she truly wants in life.

I'll further explain what I mean:

I know a man who for the purposes of anonymity, we'll call George. George was born with his Moon in Libra square his Venus in Capricorn. This means that when it comes to relationships (namely with women as represented by the feminine energy of the Moon and Venus), his Moon’s needs (emotional) conflict with what he loves or deems desirable (Venus). In this case, when it comes to relationship--the area of life where we most use our Moon and Venusian energy, George is comforted by a woman who reminds him of his mother (Moon). However, he attracts and is attracted to women (Venus) who are nothing like mom (Moon). George is totally conflicted by what he needs vs. what he wants. As many of us know, this is a common issue in love. 

Since the Moon in our charts can represent our mother or the kind of nurturing energy we received as children, George probably experienced a mom that was clingy, overly self-sacrificing, and possibly manipulative; as such is Libran energy expressed in a disempowered way. Somewhere in his emotional makeup, George must have deemed or learned to deem his mother's energy as unacceptable and therefore with his Capricorn Venus, he disassociates himself from mom loving women that are detached and self-preserving (the double edged swords of Cap!).   

Unfortunately as a result of this push-pull dynamic, George is encumbered with tumultuous, short-lived relationships because his couple-oriented Moon (Libra) is put off by the Capricorn-like coldness of his lovers. A part of him is afraid of losing his independence but can’t stand being alone. Out of fear and discomfort, George then finds himself taking on his “moonish” qualities in the unhealed dynamic--he becomes clingy and manipulative thereby turning his lovers off. What George doesn't realize is that this tough aspect between his Moon and Venus is an opportunity for him to heal his hang-ups about relationships. This aspect along with the rest of his chart shows his evolutionary mission is to heal and be healed by deep lasting bonds. George is here to learn that there is strength in vulnerability.

In its essence, the birth chart is a guideline, a map. It gives us a clue as to how things work internally on the emotional, spiritual, and physical levels. When we take the time out to tap into the power of our charts, what we actually find is how best to tap into the power of ourselves. We can see where we need to heal and just how to do it.



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Venus In Scorpio: Jonesin' for a Fix

"I've got you under my skin
I've got you deep in the heart of me
So deep in my heart that you're really a part of me
I've got you under my skin"
--Frank Sinatra, "I've Got You Under My Skin"






Venus has been sashaying her way through Scorpio since November 21st where she will stay until December 15th. When you pair her with the primal power of The Scorpion everything in love and money takes on a sense of insatiable urgency. We've just got to have it and have it we will (and then some). The energy this transit can bring kind of reminds me of this old Frank Sinatra song, which I love. Oh, the lyrics, the lyrics...





Venus-Neptune Aspects: Boundless Love?



“I believe in people like you.” –Drake, “Fall For Your Type”



I have Venus conjoined to Neptune in my birth chart. I have also shared strong Venus-Neptune connections (usually their Neptune on my Venus) with romantic partners.  When it comes to relationships, these chart aspects have usually operated for me in this way:  Meet a guy. Over idealize/romanticize guy within first week of meeting. Discover guy has fatal flaw like a wife, aversion to commitment, a sketchy past, etc. Embark on a dramatic, Hollywood-styled quest to save guy from himself with a love like no other while holding onto fragments of said guy’s soulmate “potential.” Suddenly exit relationship with guy feeling disillusioned and hung over.
  
Sound familiar? It should. This very scenario came to me recently while listening to Jaime Foxx’s “Fall For Your Type.” Now, literally speaking I’ve heard this tune a million times before yet I don’t know if it’s because Pluto (focus) has been hanging out with my Mercury (thought) but lately I’ve been listening to music with a new pair of ears. The track opens with the line “Can I save you from you?”  It then goes on to tell the woes of a man that’s made a habit of falling in love with the wrong kind of women, hoping that his latest love interest won’t let him down like the others in the past.  Venus-Neptune. Oh, Lordy.  While the song is catchy and sordid enough for the radio airwaves, I couldn’t help but to think that realistically, trying to save a person from themselves is one tall, exhausting order. First of all, what makes us think that this person needs saving? Secondly, as Bill Tierney points out in his book Alive and Well with Neptune— what makes us think that we are the only ones capable of the job?

But Neptune (and in many cases Venus) is not into thinking realistically. Reality bites. Oftentimes reality is associated with limitations, restrictions, and boundaries.  In the natal and synastry chart, Venus (love) and Neptune (compassion) connections function to eliminate the lines that separate us from what we hold dear.  What could be more exhilarating and noble than being able to love and care for others without borders? What could be better than a boundless, selfless love? Not a thing, right? People view us as…well… Jesus and we see ourselves as—oh, I don’t know—maybe, Jesus

But what happens when people begin to take advantage of our kindness? What happens when the person/people we think we’re saving either A) don’t want to be saved or B) take for granted that we’ll always be around to pick up the pieces? We may find ourselves beginning to put conditions on our love or worse, becoming martyrs in love and then boom—we look up to find that our spiritual and material resources have been depleted. The buzz is gone and we’re hung over.
 
Still, I don’t want to take up the entire space of this post solely warning of the pitfalls associated with Venus-Neptune aspects. I think there is already enough astrological material out there that covers such issues. After all, it’s my natal Venus-Neptune aspects that have helped to keep me from becoming bitter about the lows that I have faced in life. It’s Venus-Neptune that helps me to continuously see the beauty in the world, while dreaming up and creating a new one. When applied with structure, Venus and Neptune in and between charts can help us to manifest true happiness; just as with two people who have taken the time to do the homework on each other and have built their relationship on a solid (hopefully Saturnian) foundation. The Venus-Neptune connection between them can provide the energy base for a deep, soulful love unfettered by power struggles and self-righteousness (see also: piety). 

In fact, the more experiences that I have, the more I realize that Venus-Neptune aspects function best when provided with a focus, a perimeter—a boundary. As a Sagittarius sun and Aquarius moon—a make-up of two astral energies that LOATHE limitation in any form, I am learning that boundaries are good when they come from a place of love and compassion—they even fuel it. Boundaries give us clarity; they give us the freedom to courageously move forward because we already know where we stand. 



 

Venus Retrograde: What's It Worth To You?


Venus, the planet representing beauty, self-esteem, money, material possessions, love, and relationships has been in retrograde in Gemini since May 15th and will continue to do so until June 27th. Planets in retrograde always bring opportunities to re-examine and revamp a way of thinking or doing something that may keep us from living life at the height of being. In other words, it’s probably broke and we need to fix it. 

Okay, so what is “it”? That “It” will be anything having to do with Venus-ruled areas as mentioned above. As Venus is the natural ruler of Libra and Taurus (the two signs most concerned with one-on-one relationships and material wealth), over the next few weeks the question of the moment for many of us will be “what’s it worth?” Has a key relationship (romantic or not) turned out to be more than we bargained for? Is there a relationship in our lives worth saving? What about our relationship with ourselves? Do we think we’re really good enough? (I mean, really, really?) And what about our relationship to our bank accounts? Does it match the lifestyle we want to lead? If not, can it? With Venus currently in Gemini, the sign of communication, our responsibility is to ensure that we are having the right conversations with ourselves and those in our network to get the answers to these questions; then, in typical Geminian fashion, applying what we have learned.

In my own life, I’ve already been feeling the effects of this retrograde by being forced (I’ve been ignoring the proverbial knock at the door for quite some time now) to majorly restructure my spending habits (starting with my high-ass monthly cell phone bill) and to rethink my relationship to money. In addition, with Venus currently transiting my 10th house of career and public image, part of my concern around finances has to do with whether or not I warrant opportunities that will sufficiently pay me for not only my talents (am I good enough?) but also for doing the (creative) things that make me happy (do I deserve it?). 

In the coming weeks, the universe will be providing us all with the time needed to catch up on our homework. I have an idea about what my lesson is, what's yours?