Venus just went stationary retrograde today, a great time to begin reflecting on values and relationships. This would include our relationship to money, wealth, and things in general, as well as why we value what we do in our relationships, and whether we're working off of old tapes, old hurts, old attachments, and old aversions in relationships that bear no resemblance to what we're living with today. As I mentioned in a previous article, we have the chance over the next few weeks to be liberated from adverse conditions by forms of "cosmic visitation" that will probably galvanize many into action.
That most of the retrograde will be in Capricorn in favorable aspect to Mars in Taurus and Jupiter in Scorpio offers us an opportunity to be very pragmatic and practical in updating our likes and dislikes to current values and conditions freed from old subconscious tapes that are not useful in our present day to day relationships to people and things.
It may bring memories of old hurts and misunderstandings, but in re-experiencing old wounds we are given opportunities to free ourselves of subconscious patterns that seduce us into suffering by superimposing our mature self's values and short circuiting the echoes of memories of perceptions based in prior ignorance or victimization. That some people hurt others is a reality in this impermanent world. Still, we do not have to suffer needlessly based in old emotional habits that do not serve our need for love, wisdom, veneration, compassion, and self-respect.
I have found that even when these are absent, and hurtfulness is all around, by maintaining these higher values within me, I can transcend the outer conditions, and no longer struggle with those who want to suffer, or dish it out to others. A very wise man once said words to the effect that life is painful, but we do not have to suffer. It does take courage, strength, and good will to transcend the tendency to suffer, but in releasing the habit of suffering, we take control of our magnificent eternal consciousness and are able to find a tremendous compassion and power. Using these, we are able to enter into the pain and suffering wherever we find it, and break the link between the two.
So as you move through these times, whether they are cheerful or painful for you and those you are with, try to remember that regardless of what's going on around you, we have the choice to BE however we need to be in that moment to bring forth the highest self we are able. It is that which is beyond the fluxuations of personality, and the means by which we can be the light in the darkness of this impermanent existence.
Update: Here's the link to how the coming Venus retrograde will affect your particular sign. Enjoy!
very suitable to the times, very painful exercise too but necessary nevertheless, who among the stars/planets is helping us put the right perspective on the past or make us truly appreciate how far we have come and not really be scared to face the pain ?
Posted by: abacus | December 26, 2005 at 07:41 AM
Hi abacus -
I believe it's Saturn that helps us overcome fear, offering a mature look at what boundaries we have transcended and what obligations our personality needs to assume to become our highest Self. With Saturn we learn to appreciate what limitations we have overcome, which ones we have yet to overcome, and become the authorship of our dharma. Saturn symbolizes the duality of dominion/slavery. Though sometimes very painful, I'll always choose the former, since the nature of the Soul is to be free of all limitations engendered by forms and duality. I also believe that the signs of Aquarius and Pisces in all our charts show the way of inevitable resolution, aspiration, forgiveness, and closure.
Posted by: Robert | December 26, 2005 at 08:38 AM
Very well writtin.
Posted by: Dax Sanchez | January 02, 2006 at 02:31 AM
Thanks, Dax. Aum and blessings for the new year to all!
Posted by: Robert | January 02, 2006 at 12:14 PM
i am practising compassion and aim to for the whole year through, would not know what comes of it but i can say i tried, my mars is in aquarius and true node (whatever that means) in pisces, else no significant exposure to aquarius and pisces, mercury does sextile mars and moon squares mars too
Posted by: abacus | January 06, 2006 at 06:04 PM
Hi Abacus - Mars in Aquarius is a true idealist, and able to detach from personal desires, applying its universal view to whatever task is at hand. A good position to learn compassionate action. Node in Pisces (I have that also) shows your line of evolutionary development is toward a compassionate, forgiving large view of things, which will lead to an ability to serve exactly as is needed, whether it looks like this or that. A focus on too many details and worries that go nowhere coupled with Moon square Mars shows it is probably difficult not to get overwhelmed with too much going on, and so you get touchy and aggravated. Learn to relax, let go of nonessentials, and be patient with yourself as you learn what not to take seriously, how not to be too rigid in your responses, and how to make basic personal decisions that help integrate your feelings with your sense of maturing skills. Saturn has no doubt been putting you through the wringer, as has Mars in Taurus. In a few weeks, you should see a definite breakthrough in how you feel about what you do.
Posted by: Robert | January 08, 2006 at 09:09 AM
hi robert, just go to this, thanks for sharing, yes i often come in my own way in terms of maturing skills, i will think and reflect on this.
Posted by: abacus | January 11, 2006 at 08:10 PM