Charm School

Venus Retrograde in Leo 2023

On Saturday August 15^th, 2023, Venus will reach her “inferior” conjunction (between the Earth and Sun). This moment is known as the Cazimi (Heart of the Sun). During her retrograde cycle (which we have been experiencing since July 22^nd), Cazimi marks the transition from evening to morning star. Thus, around September 3^rd, Venus will begin to appear above the Eastern horizon shortly before dawn.

Astrologically, Venus Retrograde is a time for reevaluating our relationship to values, beauty and love. Because this particular retrograde occurs in the sign of Leo, which is all about being seen and admired, we are well served by considering how we make ourselves valuable, beautiful and lovable to the world around us.

Because she is the Goddess of love and beauty we tend to think about Venus in romantic terms. While this is certainly an important aspect of her power, romance is not the only area of life where Venus can be of assistance. Friendship, the arts, and even business, especially sales and advertising, can gain a radiant glow from Her touch. Nor is her allure limited to other people. Every intentional action we undertake seeks a favorable response. When we cook or beautify our surroundings, when we craft or make art, we hope for an outcome that will be pleasing to ourselves as well as others. The way we perform an action attracts an outcome. The eauty of an action charms the forces which bring it about to smile upon our effort.

We might ask if the way we present ourselves to the world has been attracting the kind of attention that we most desire from other people and from “fate”. And if not, how might we alter our presentation so that we attract the attention of the people and things we would like to have in our lives. This is a great time to make art, experiment with a new look, improve our social skills and do any kind of glamour magik. Before we do any of these things, however, we should ask ourselves who or what we most want to attract.

Because of her orbital pattern, venus retrogrades appear in roughly the same region of the zodiac every eight years. Because of this, it might be of benifit to think about what was happening in your life eight years ago. How were you presenting yourself to the world? what were you hoping to attract? How did that work out for you? Answering these questions will help focus your intention for the next 8 years with regard to how you might charm fate into bringing you your hearts desire.

So, over the next few days, give some thought to whom or what you might like to draw closer, and how best to do so. Three days after the Venus Cazimi, on August 16^th we will have a New Moon (also in Leo). As The Moon begins to wax in the days that follow, we can borrow her power to energize any new steps we might undertake on the path to greater grace and beauty. Venus will end her retrograde cycle on September 3^rd. During the second week of September, make a point of rising before dawn to witness the first appearance of Venus in her Morning Star role. Her return to the morning sky always heralds renewal in all of her domains. Take advantage of this moment and enjoy her shining face. Let her beauty be yours.

If you are interested in increasing the possibility of Venus shining her light upon your efforts you might think about offering her gifts and prayers. Here is a link to the Orphic Hymn to Venus (Aphrodite). Here is a link to offerings and other correspondences. In Tarot, she is represented by the Empress.

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This particular Venus Retrograde has been powerful for me. As mentioned above, Venus Retrogrades occur in roughly the same part of the Zodiac every eight years. The last Venus Retrograde in Leo took place from late July to Early September 2015. this was a turbulent period for me in terms of how I wanted to be seen by the world, what I did in the service of that desire and what came to me as a result. I know much more about the meaning of Venus Retrograde in particular, and astrology in general, then I did then. I’d like to believe that, had I known then even the little more that I know now, I may have made better decisions.

Although my life has changed substantially in the past eight years, I find myself once more wondering about how to best present myself to the world. This blog has been an important part of that journey. There are a number of interesting possibilities that I might explore to share what I am learning about magik, and I feel the need to keep still for a time and consider where I might like to go. For this reason, this will be my last full length entry until at least September 30^th when we emerge from the shadow of the upcoming Mercury Retrograde (August 23rd – September 15th). I will keep in touch via the “notes” feature here at Substack if there is anything of great importance to share, but if I am quiet for a time you know why.

In the mean time, take care and really, use these wonderful seasons to examine your life and navigate this beautiful world.

Blessed Be

Frank

PS.

here’s a little ditty that says everything I just said but in a way that rocks :)