by Robert Wilkinson
Today, April 9, Venus entered its “shadow zone,” or the zone where it will be retrograde between mid-May and late June. What does this mean?
Like Mercury when it’s in its shadow zone, it means we’re getting the first pass of Venus over the span it will traverse 3 times in the next 3 ½ months. It also means Venus is now beginning to slow down more and more rapidly over the next few weeks before it goes retrograde on May 12/13 at 22 Gemini. Use the next few weeks to get your Venusian ruled areas ready for reviews, reversals, and new looks back and/or valuable returns coming during the retrograde.
I’ll write more about the actual Venus retrograde period and what it promises in a couple of weeks when it’s closer to its retrograde station. Until then, remember that Venus retrograde in Gemini will bring echoes of 2012, when Venus went retrograde at 24 Gemini and direct at 8 Gemini. Since then, we had Jupiter occupy that span in Gemini between July 2012 and June 2013, expanding the promise of that retrograde while opening doors of perception. The coming retrograde will give us a look back at all the Gemini openings we’ve had since then, perhaps in a more pleasing Venusian form!
After the Inferior conjunction between Venus and the Sun on June 3 at 14 Gemini, Venus will begin to speed up a little before going stationary direct at 6 Gemini on June 24/25. After that, Venus continues to speed up gradually until it leaves its shadow zone on July 29/30. So Venus will slow down between now and the beginning of June and then after its Inferior Conjunction it will again speed up.
Venus in Gemini is harmonious with its Libra nature, so we should find many delightful returns and remembrances during the coming retrograde! We’ll get a look back on old relationships with an eye to communications which can serve us moving forward in July. Due to the powerful square at the Inferior Conjunction with Mars conjunct Neptune, we will need to show imagination, a view of the bigger picture, yet defined with precision and usefulness. Make sure you’re using the right means to your ends, and don’t get deflected or distracted by passing things.
By the time it’s over, we’ll be leading with our feelings while being in a continuing retrograde swirl thanks to Mercury going retrograde in mid-June! So Venus’ Inferior Conjunction happens just as Mercury enters its shadow zone, the Venus goes direct just before the Inferior Conjunction between the Sun and Mercury. Then in late July, both Mercury and Venus leave their respective shadow zones, launching into unknown areas just as Mars in Aries begins to make multiple squares to the outer heavyweight planets in Capricorn.
Because of the intense swirl of Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn all going retrograde in mid-May, followed by Mercury going retrograde in mid-June, prepare for a different rhythm, perspective, vision, and sense of duty for the Summer months. Use April, May, June and July to prepare for the intense friction which begins in August, and you should have the adaptive skills you need to keep things productive despite the outer generic tension!
© Copyright 2020 Robert Wilkinson
Hello. Thanks for the insight. It looks a bit scary the future, especially when Mercury does start its shadow zone pilgrimage, and Mars will be rx....
Posted by: Axel L | April 09, 2020 at 02:36 PM
Hi Robert, in your experience does Venus Retrograde transit affect people with natal Venus Retrograde differently than individuals born with Venus Direct? Thanks for any insight you can provide.
Posted by: Heather | April 10, 2020 at 02:33 PM