When traveling through tidal Cancer, Mars managed to stir a number of pots. Together with that intense Scorpio full Moon and eclipse of May 5th, they unearthed a number of unattended emotional issues. On May 20th Mars left the feminine, Moon-ruled sign for masculine, august Leo. In the wake of that eclipse, Venus entered caregiving Cancer on May 7th and quietly began cleaning up the emotional messes left by Mars and its ancient ruler Scorpio. On June 5th, Venus too will leave the nurturing realms of Cancer, when she embarks on an unusually lengthy four-month journey through Leo. While still in soothing Cancer, she will become part of a Grand water trine that will involve Neptune in Pisces and a markedly different Scorpio Moon. That Scorpio Moon will last from May 31st to June 2nd, and the grand water trine will be exact on the 2nd, as Venus and Neptune meet at 27° with a well-aspected Scorpio Moon at 26°. With a long Leo haul and retrograde ahead, Venus will be bringing that uncanny Cancer intuition to this gathering of guidance, magic and imagination.
Venus’s last retrograde took place in pragmatic Capricorn, from December 19, 2021 to January 29, 2022. Her last Leo Rx was from July 25th to September 6, 2015. Technically that one started at 0° Virgo 46′ and saw Venus venture back to 14° Leo 23′. As the next one gets set to roll in, remembering important events that occurred under the previous periods, particularly the Leo one, is a worthwhile endeavor. 2023’s retrograde will take place between July 22nd and September 3rd, and its shadow zone will stretch from June 19th to October 7th. Its course will span from 28° Leo 36′ to 12° Leo 12′, and interestingly enough, Mercury’s next retrograde will begin toward the end of Venus’s. The adage that great minds think alike might well apply. Another significant aspect of this Venus retrograde is the square it will form to destabilizing and innovating Uranus. Those looking for a wild ride are unlikely to be disappointed.
The implications of a Venus Rx are many and each Rx has a distinct character. Further, each one will impact a specific part of each individual’s natal chart and activate the alignments unique to that chart. Noting the House where the action will take place will indicate the sector of life that will undergo scrutiny. That said, when the planet of love and money goes backwards, some “rules of thumb” include carefully reevaluating and reaffirming close and important relationships and taking great caution with long-term or large financial investments. Venus will eventually enter Virgo on October 8th. While she’s still in prescient, protective Cancer, there’s time to prepare for this summer’s main event. Foreshadowing the 28° Rx starting point. that super psychic grand water trine will crest at 27°. So in her final two weeks in sensitive Cancer, loving Venus is giving us a feel for the direction of cosmic currents.