Venus Retrograde Cycle 2021-2022 (Part 2)

In part 1 of our Venus retrograde series, we outlined the archetypal nature of the cycle occurring entirely in Capricorn and the significant dates marking its progress. In part 2, we will focus on the nature of Venus in Capricorn, since the planet of love and beauty will be in the sign that represents the principle of organizing for approximately four months rather than the more normal five weeks. We’ll also highlight the multiple conjunctions between Venus and Pluto occurring around the time Venus turns retrograde.

At its highest expression, Capricorn represents integrity, which can be sensed as one overriding intention that governs all of one’s actions. It reflects a purity of motive to serve something greater than our earthly goals. As the 10^th sign of the Zodiac, Capricorn relates to how one contributes to society. It calls us to dedicate our talents and abilities to serving in ways that support the functional operation of the collective. Venus in Capricorn takes into account how one’s actions affect all society and understands that effort is required to maintain balance and harmony. Being focused on serving the collective can have an impersonal quality because it is not about serving our own personal desires. The word impersonal here takes on new meaning, however. It is not cold and unfeeling. It is simply a selfless movement to do what is needed to support our evolution from a fragmented, dysfunctional state to one of wholeness. This effort includes working to eliminate the drama of emotional negativity that often stems from selfish concerns and limiting conditioning. Making this effort is in essence an act of love.

Venus in Capricorn brings a sense of artistry and desire to collaborate to our work. That allows the creative state to prevail, which can make work more enjoyable. There is no time for games or pretending. There is just being real with each other and focusing on the job at hand. If we’re honest with ourselves, we know that when we are more focused on what matters and less distracted on what isn’t important, that feels good, and the more we’re operating “in the zone,” the greater meaning we have in life. Everything feels more real and alive.

While Venus is in Capricorn, it will make three exact conjunctions to Pluto: on December 11 when Venus is direct, on December 25 when Venus is retrograde, and on March 3 when it is direct again. Because the first two occur shortly before and after Venus turns retrograde on December 19, the conjunction remains in effect much longer, nearly six weeks from late November to early January. This retrograde cycle therefore, is very plutonic, which can manifest as an extreme amplification of the Venus matters under review. The conjunctions also mark the start of a new annual Venus/Pluto cycle, which underscores the likelihood of endings and beginnings in matters at hand.

Venus represents the art of relating. Pluto represents total authenticity, and also intensifies all it touches to the point we cannot ignore what needs to be addressed. Inevitably this leads directly to the inner workings of our psyche. If we pay focused attention to what is going on around us, we may see the reality of our own inner state and where it resides along the spectrum of wholeness and fragmentation. Venus/Pluto united also correlates to a powerful force that can hold tremendous sway over others. It is up to us to become aware of how we use this force. If it is governed by our own personal desires, it can be quite manipulative. When it is used in the service of Love, magical things can happen.

Venus/Pluto has a life/death, all or nothing quality to it that is undeniable. With respect to the Venus matters intensifying under the review period, the plutonic aspect could trigger our fear of letting something die that no longer serves. This fear likely stems from not knowing what will happen when we let go, as we know we need to do. We must accept it regardless and may even be thrust into it if we don’t do it willingly. Either way, it is the only way something new can come in.

Pluto’s archetypal force correlates to an extreme concentration of focus, so much so that once it reaches a perfect state of totality, lasered in on one and only one thing, an explosion of creativity can occur. The archetypal nature Pluto merging with Venus can thus have a powerful effect on our relationships. Imagine how their quality could improve if we would make this effort to totally relate, with our full and sustained attention for as long as it takes to move us into a collaborative creative state. This state can be paradigm shifting and transformational in nature in that as we become more whole within, we recognize our oneness with other, with the collective and with the Whole of consciousness. This is what it means to be in a state of empowering, immortal Love.

Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, provides an important subtext to the Venus retrograde. Currently transiting the Aquarius, Saturn has been in a third quarter “crisis of consciousness” square to Uranus in Taurus throughout 2021 that has its last of three peak alignments on December 23. This alignment calls us to release the restraints of conformity so we can express who we truly are, authentically with integrity, even if it means doing so alone. This may lead us to break apart old structures so we can build new ones that better serve our needs.

The theme of major shifts in all kinds of relationships is playing out in the lives of others we know:

One person has been selected to participate in a one-on-one coaching program that includes a “360” review of this person’s performance by selected colleagues. The report was delivered at the beginning of the shadow and offered direct feedback from which the person can assess and make needed adjustments during the retrograde cycle to refine their style of relating and operating at work, which can include having conversations to brainstorm ideas on what form the desired changes might take. Most importantly, however, this person feels the 360 gave them a better sense of how they are valued at work.

Another person, after years of discussion, just entered into a joint venture with another person, each with their own established business that can serve the new entity. As the shadow period commenced, they began experimenting with various ideas on how best to proceed in structuring their working relationship in the areas of content creation, marketing and promotion. This gives them the opportunity to assess what works and what doesn’t. Furthermore, entering into this new venture marks a significant departure for the person from the type of work he was doing in the past, which has freed him to put much greater focus on planning and executing the launch of the new venture at an accelerated rate.

A third person has left a relationship that had grown toxic and is allowing her entire life as she knows it to end. She sold her home, bought a van and is planning a cross country tour to give herself time to explore and contemplate what the next best steps might be.

Should you have any Venus retrograde experiences you would like to share, please do so in the comments section below. We’d love to hear them and it might help others on their journey as well!

By Jim Sher and Kimberly Maxwell