Venus retrograde 2009

So we are in the midst of Venus retrograde (retro = appears to move backwards). Even though Venus just turned retro over the weekend, the full cycle began early Feb and will end late May. Here's why:

Feb 3 - Venus reached 29 degrees of Pisces (beginning of 'shadow phase')
March 6 - Venus travelled to 15 degrees of Aries and turned retrograde (appeared to turn around and move back on itself)
April 17 - Venus returns to 29 degrees of Pisces (that is how you get the shadow phase degree - its the degree that Venus moves back to before stopping to turn 'direct' again)
May 21 - Venus retreads path to 15 degrees of Aries, crossing that March 6th turnaround point, finishing the full cycle.

So what's all that about? Well, rule of thumb that works well for any planet retrograde is to stick to words that begin with 're'.... so it's a period of reconnecting, reviewing, returning, relocating, retracing, retreading, etc etc, and as Venus is the planet of relationship and relativity, the Venus scope of influence is being amplified in all sorts of ways.

What was happening late Jan early Feb would have helped set the tone for your personal retro phase (the essence continues to echo through events) but while the exact dates are never that important, the general theme within a general timeframe are; as well as remembering that astrology is about cycles within cycles, so the bigger picture of Venus's eight year movement is relevant here too.

Last time Venus was retro in the sign of Aries was eight years ago you see, so is there anything similar back then to now? Maybe it won't come to light till after this retro time has been lived, but it will be there somewhere. Aries is a bold energy -'fierce' as they keep saying on America's Next Top Model - it's a straightforward as-the-crow-flies energy that's all about following or flowing with what you want from you, rather than being focused on what others don't want from you. Being in touch with, or being sensitive and responsive to your own desires is something that gets those with a strong Aries influence the label of 'selfish', but of course you only ever get called selfish by those who want you to do it their way instead!

So who was labelling you selfish eight years ago? or who were you fuming with for being so selfish? Ring any bells to now? The retrograde phase indicates there can be significant turning points in your perspective on relationships, while Venus in Aries indicates self-ish relationships are the order of the day... and hopefully so, as it's only by following your own inner direction that the world makes any sense.