Oh, Venus Venus Venus

 

The Birth of Venus  Sandro Bottecelli.  Uffizi Museum Florence 

Venus 

Jan 18      Venus conjunct Saturn (16 Pisces)

Jan 26      Venus sextile Uranus (23 Taurus)

Jan 28       Venus enters Shadow

Feb 1         Venus conjunct Neptune (27 Pisces )

Feb 1         Venus conjunct N. Node (28 Pisces)

Feb 2         Mercury semi square Venus (2 Aries)

Feb 3         Venus enters Aries

Feb 7         Venus sextile Pluto (2 AQ 16)

Feb 18       Venus semi square Uranus (23 Taurus)

 

Mar 1        Venus stations retrograde (10 Aries 50)

Mar 11      Venus semi square Uranus (23 Taurus)

Mar 11      Mercury conjunct Venus (8 Aries) 

Mar 21      Venus sextile Pluto (3 AQ 22)

Mar 22      Sun conjunct Venus (2 Aries 39)

Mar 27      Venus re-enters Pisces

Mar 27      Venus conjunct Neptune

 

Apr 1         Venus conjunct North Node (27 Pisces)

Apr 6         Venus trine Mars (25 Cancer 30)

Apr 7         Venus conjunct Saturn (25 Pisces ) 

Apr 7         Venus sextile Uranus (25 Taurus 6)

Apr 12      Venus stations direct (24 Pisces ) 

Apr 20      Venus sextile Uranus (25 Taurus )

Apr 24      Venus conjunct North Node (26 Uranus)

Apr 24      Venus conjunct Saturn (27 Pisces)

Apr 30      Venus re-enters Aries 

May 2        Venus conjunct Neptune (1 Aries) 

May 6        Venus sextile Pluto (3 AQ) 

May 15     Venus exits shadow 

 

As Peter Pan said on his ride at Disneyland---- Here we gooooooo! 

 

Arguably, the Venus retrograde is the signature retrograde of 2025.    Every couple of years, Venus retrogrades but it is not always in Aries.   Two years ago, on the day Venus retrograded in Leo Barbie & Oppenheimer were released and Barbenheimer took the world by storm.   No one can accuse Venus in Leo of being shy.    Now the retrograde takes place in Aries, another bold sign.    

 

Venus is how we find fun and play.   Venus speaks to what we value.   Venus connects to money, beauty, art, creativity and love, which are all about values.    You value that piece of art and are willing to pay a large sum of money for it.  While someone else looks at it and not only does not want to buy it but perhaps scoffs and questions if it is art.   Venus is in the eye of the beholder.   Even though, Venus is not comfortable in Aries she will try her best to make the most of Aries themes.   Aries is all about independence and the willingness to fight for what it sees as important.   Aries is a warrior, fiery and head strong.   Falling in love with warriors or fight energy will be highlighted during the Aries portion of the Venus retrograde.   

 

After March 27 Venus re-enters Pisces and returns to finding the humans in humanity.   Spiritual pursuits are meaningful.  Finding the tenderness that connects all of us is valuable. A lot of the stuff that has come up for us since January 28 when Venus entered the shadow point will be revisited during the retrograde.   Was it our kindness that showed up?  Was it our charitable or our altruistic natures that got pinged?  Was it our smarty pants intuition that showed up?   Then when Venus moved into Aries on February 3, we felt the flame move us.  Our values spoke with more anger and energy. Some people may have been surprised by their own fierceness.    The mixture of value finding that is both gentle and forceful is the hallmark of this Venus retrograde.   Look at your calendar, note anything that came up since January 28 that struck you in your heart.  Know that this Venusian mix between kindness and warring will be strongest during the retrograde (March 1 – April 12) and will continue until the end of the shadow on May 15.    

 

During Venus retrograde she will make multiple aspect hits with other planets.   We will no doubt pick up themes with each of these planetary contacts.  Then revisit the them, perhaps pick another beat and then hit it again when Pluto stations direct.  Note the aspects and the dates of hits listed above.  

 

If you want to get a feel for Aries Venus retrogrades in previous years, consider the spring of these years.   Note that only 2017 & 2009 had a Venus return that started in Aries and retrograded back into Pisces like we are experiencing now.   

 

2017(13 Aries to 26 Pisces)

2009 (15 Aries to 29 Pisces)

2001 (17 Aries to 1 Aries)

1993 (20 Aries to 3 Aries)

1985 (22 Aries to 6 Aries)

1977 (24 Aries to 8 Aries)

 

While Venus retrogrades are a regular pattern at every 2 years and Venus Retrogrades in Aries happen every 8 years, our current event may have more meaning as it is in the landscape of our huge outer planets changes.  Perhaps this retrograde is reminding us that if something is important then it is worth fighting for especially if it speaks through love.  As changes unfold, we will want to know what we love.  

Pisces New Moon Feb 27 at 4:44pm PST

Pisces On A Breakfast Napkin 

I have a lot of writing projects in front of me and getting to the Pisces New Moon which launches on Thursday felt like an impossible task.    When I finally started cracking it over the weekend I was so relieved to see that it is not a chart with a bunch of harsh aspects.  Yay!    I can not say that the moon is exactly gentle but what I can say is that this  29 day lunar month will be calling on us to ping pong between gentleness and warrior.   We will find what we love and what it means for us to be a warrior for it.     Thanks in part to Venus retrograde and Mercury retrograde both traversing Aries and Pisces.   

The key is to unplug and replenish during these 29 days so you can figure out what really means something to you.  

Here is my whole Pisces report.  

 

Your Treasure Map begins at the end of March. Do you know what it is to Treasure Map?

 

In Spring of 1996, astrologer and teacher Robert Buz Myers asked all his students to make a Treasure Map for the Aries New Moon.    I was fortunate to have been a participant in the process and it was an extraordinary experience.   I have been sharing this process for 29 years.     

 

A treasure map is a collage of photos, pictures, words, pieces of things that make sense to you. Whatever you want, you put them on poster board.  This is like a vision board.   This board will be your MAP of what you want for the coming year.  It is your call out to the Universe.  This is your Treasure Map.   

 

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, "What do I want for the coming year?"


Exactly what it says. Do you want a new house, a new living room, better health, stronger marriage, reconnect with people, a bigger family, a bigger community? Do you want to write your book? Do you want a new car? What is it you want? 

Do you even know what you want? If you are like many of us, you are so busy running around, taking care of everyone else that you might not have a fig of an idea what you want for your new year.  That is the beauty of this process.  You must sit down and figure it out.   Give yourself this time to do it. Be just that selfish and dare to dream.


Why do we do it now and not January?


Treasure Maps are made during the Aries new moon. Aries new moon change from year to year and this year, it will take place on March 29, 3:58am PDT  

They are made on Aries new moon, because that is the first sign of the zodiac. Aries is when you plant your seeds. It is the real beginning of the New Year. It should not be confused with the first day of spring, which is on March 19 or 20. New moon means the sun and moon are in the same degree. For those who don't know much about astrology (which is totally okay) Aries is the sign of SIGHT. So, that's why it is so important to have pictures of what you want. You need to visualize it. Or if you don't do photos/pictures. Put up words. It is just important for you to SEE THEM.


So, I'm going to be busy on March 29 can I start it before the 29th?

NO. 

Do I have to buy a bunch of magazines, I'm broke, can I just borrow some old ones from friends


Personally, when I started my treasure maps I always did them with fresh new magazines. And in the old days, (not married, no children) I spent a lot of dough because I wanted lots of choices. But with time, I ended up only getting a few magazines. If you collect magazines from friends or groups before the new moon, please don’t crack them.   Wait until after the Aries new moon to even open them up.   Let them be a fresh experience for you.  

What if I don't want magazine photos, can I just use my own pictures.. like my husband, my family etc?


Sure.  You can print up photos.  You can also use images from pininterest, etc. and download them.  You can draw and paint, this is you MAP.  Do what your feelings and instincts call you to do.  

 

Do I only focus on things? 

Heck no! I would also encourage you to focus on beliefs and experiences. Write strong Affirmations in the present tense like “I’m abundant” or “I am always feeling loved” “My health is vibrant.” “My partner and I are always growing closer.” 

Is there any pattern I must use when I put the photos or the words on my board? 

No you can do it anyway you want. 

I will say that in previous years my friends and I used the feng shui baguas for pattern. Basically, I would break up the board into 9 areas. A grid like this:

123
456
789

1-abundance
2-fame/reputation
3-relationship
4-family
5-health
6-creativity
7-self-knowledge 
8-work
9-helpful people and angels & travel

If you use the feng shui baguas, you will naturally cover most areas of your life. As you can see it is all represented there. But again, you don’t have to do it that way.  Some people have even made round boards.   

 

Can I build a cyber map?

Many mappers are more comfortable with cyber maps, which are always on their computer. 

And they have had success.   Again, it is your call, do what your heart tells you to do. 


How much time do I have to build my map? 

You have the waxing phase of the moon which is basically the first two weeks.  However, if you can do it in the first week or ten days you will get the full Aries gusto of ‘be here now’.  If you find yourself at the full moon, then skip it this year.  It is okay to miss a year.   Farmers let fields sit fallow.   Take a year off and make a map next year.    Full moon this year is April 12 at 5:22pm pdt so have your map done by then.  

Do I have to do it alone or can I do it with friends?


You can do it either way. I have built mine with my 2 other friends. We are like family, and it felt so right to do it with them. We started them together. I know that there are several people who have little parties where they invite those close to them over.  It is a lot of fun to do them with others--.We would all pass around the magazines.. "Hey, I found a great beach bungalow does anyone need a beach vacation? Or it would be, "I have got to lose 10 pounds, any ideas what I should put on my map?" and low and behold someone will come up with a good suggestion.  And then there are other people who just prefer to do it alone so they can commune with their higher self and have no distractions. 


Do I have to finish it all at one sitting?


No. Often I used to cut my stuff out with my friends. Maybe glue a little thing here or there and then take it home and finish it over the course of a day or two. 

Can my kids do it with me?

Yes! It is great for them to focus and think about what they want. Have them build their own maps. 

Does it work?

Yep.   Buz said we always get results by Cancer Lunar Month which is June 25 this year.  

Okay. I don't want to sound like a spoilsport, but I’m just not interested in building a collage, can I do something else?


Sure you can take a piece of orange paper and write down wishes or affirmations during Treasure Map time. My wishes can sometimes feel like prayers, and they are much broader in my desires.  At times I felt like I needed to switch to 'less is more' after several years of mapping. However, I would encourage newcomers to make the actual maps. But if you really don't feel the call then just write your desires down. 

Is it ok to have things continue over to the next year? Long-term, ongoing stuff that has progressed but needs to continue to progress?

Yes. Of course. But with a small caveat. My experience after doing these for years is that when something really takes time and doesn't gel in the first year then there is something still not right. It might be something you are aware of, or you might not be aware of a hurdle. 
You may need to shift something about your long-range goals. My sense is that they need a wee bit refining or broadening. Just a thought. But don’t give up on the dream.   And remember sometimes desires may need a physical move.  For example, one mapper had a baby on her map for a couple of years it was not until she and her husband moved that the baby arrived.   Perhaps the baby needed a new community, a new energy to land in?  Same with jobs?  Or meeting a partner?  Just might need to be in another city.  If you are feeling drawn to a move it might be for a bigger reason.  Just sayin’    


I'm really excited is there anything I can do now before Treasure Map to help my map?


Yes, yes, yes.... I said this in previous years and I'll remind everyone now.  Get rid of clutter. Get rid of things that are bugging us. Get rid of ick. Try if you can clear some space in your life so you can be ready for the treasure map. Remember, Einstein said, "NO TWO THINGS CAN OCCUPY THE SAME SPACE." Read that several times... now ask yourself, do I have space in my house, my family, my time, my life in general and my brain for more? If the answer is no. Then start housecleaning! 

Clear out the stuff between now and March 29. Now do you understand why it is important not to start your map before the new time? 

Also consider clearing out your emails, your cyberworld.  Clear out the thinking that is broken, “I can never _______ because I am ______”    Catch yourself when you are doing small thinking and let it go.  

By the way, I personally don't buy any of my supplies before the New starts. But I know some of you can't do that and if you must buy before please put aside and don't touch it until the new. Don't thumb through magazines. Leave it all be. 

Get Your Declutter On!

 

What do we do between now and treasure Mapping?

 

Between now and the Aries New Moon on March 29 we declutter our homes, our offices, our cars, our spaces. We get rid of piles. We sort, we toss, we file. We take things that are broken to be repaired or to the trash. We look at our stuff and offer it up on Freecycle or Buy Nothing. 

 

One year I went through my t-shirts that were too small for me and picked out each one and sent to a friend who I thought would like it. They went in the mail and each friend called or texted and many sent photos wearing the shirt. I just 'knew' it would appeal to them. I got so much joy that year. 

 

We clean the beejezus out of our spaces because as Einstein said, "No two objects can occupy the same space".  We want clear space by the time we get to Aries new moon so our heads are clear and ready for our Treasure maps. 

Also our thinking. Think about clearing our thoughts. How many negative thoughts come up, consider releasing those thoughts. 

Happy clearing out !

Astrology for Feb 15 - Feb 27

 

 

Disseminating

February 16, 2025

6:08am PST           

     

 

 

Focus on:   How are you sharing your strengths in relationships?  How do you find balance?  How are you sharing it?  How do you share your ability to sit across from another person and ‘get them’?  How do they respond?   How are groups and friends supporting you in your relationships?

 

 

Special focus:

Feb 18:  Sun enters Pisces

Feb 20:  Mercury square Jupiter.  Thinking, conversations that are too big and perhaps not even factual are problematic.  Try not to fall for it or participate in it.  

 

 

Last Quarter Moon Phase

Feb 20, 2025

9:32 am PST 

   

 

Last Quarter moon:  Now we do the final adjustments to the seeds we planted on new. The final call, the final letters to send, we follow all the trails that came up that still make sense.  And we let the other parts lay fallow. It is a time of action but wise action.  It is a time for living “The serenity prayer” 

 

God, grant me the Serenity
to accept the things
I cannot change Courage to change the
things I can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference.

 

 

 

Focus on:

What actions are you taking bridge you to something that is ‘foreign’?  How are you acting on your opinions and your philosophies?  How are friends or groups informing you about your opinions?  

 

Special focus 

 

Feb 23: Mercury trine Mars.  Thoughts beget actions.  Actions are aligned with thinking.  Everything is moving fast.  

Feb 23:  Mars stations direct at 17 Cancer 00 (see separate post) 

 

Balsamic Moon Phase

 

February 24, 2025 

6:05am PST  

 

Balsamic:   We let go.  By releasing we can prepare for the new.  

 

 

Focus on:  How are you releasing your greed?  How are you releasing any snobbery that is buried in an insecurity?  How are you releasing any negativity you have around the concept of ambitious?  How are friends and groups supporting you in this release? 

 

Special focus:

Feb 25:  Mercury conjunct Saturn.  Straight thinking, no fluff.  Focused, laser and productive. 

 

Feb 25: Venus conjunct Saturn.  If love is problematic, the universe will send a message to begin trimming or releasing.  Diets on love, money, beauty and creativity.   Love and money and values become serious. 

 

 

Pisces New Moon February 27 at 4:44pm PST  9 Pisces 40

Leo Full Moon. February 12, 5:53am PST

 

Leo.  Illumination Book of Hours.  Italian. 1475. Pierpont Morgan Library. 

Feb 12, 2025

Full Moon – Leo

5:53am PST

24 Leo 06    

 

The Leo full moon is an opportunity for us to lean into our talents, creativity, strength and perhaps our inner hero/heroine.   We give ourselves permission for a victory lap.   The Leo moon is for tapping self-esteem through an awareness of others.   Of course, every sign has its stumbling blocks and for Leo, the Achilles heel is the ego. 

By the way, there is a difference between self-esteem and ego.    

 

People with low esteem can have high ego.   People with low ego have high self-esteem.  I saw this a lot in my career in the entertainment business.   Many a time, I watched, the super talented, award-winning performer walk into a room with zero fuss.  Polite, ready to do the job of working with others and doing it with a quiet confidence.   Then the other performer, perhaps also a big ‘star’ but whatever is going on inside them is not translated into self-esteem, instead it is all about ego. Sucking up the oxygen with ‘look at me’ comments, physicality and just plain, pulling focus.  All, high ego.  Of course, those patterns are not limited to Hollywood.  It is everywhere.  The truck stop, the bowling alley, the corporate board retreat.   Ego versus self-esteem is in every circle where there are humans.    However, we can find self-esteem and separate it from ego during the Leo full moon.  

 

On the full moon the Sun in Aquarius reminds Leo, ‘We will honor your talents but leave your ego at the door”.    And by the same measure the Moon in Leo reminds Aquarius, “Groups are important but if you think I’m just signing into a cult with group think you are out of your mind.”   Somewhere in the middle we find the answer.  That is the gift of the Leo full moon.    

 

On the full moon chart, Mercury is conjunction the sun (exact 2/9) so our thoughts are going about a million miles an hour.  Our brains are making a lot of connections, and we could observe things that we have not seen before or connecting them in ways that are novel.  Our thinking may have a bit of time travel in them as we could pull out big thoughts from our past or maybe our future.   

 

The big tension in the full moon is the Moon, Sun with Mercury and all three forming a T square with Uranus.   We should anticipate breakthroughs that may manifest as breakdowns.  In the mundane world, we may see money and things that we rely upon being solid cracking in unexpected ways.   During this Leo full moon it could beckon a response.  Perhaps a group heroic response. 

 

On the personal level, being small and hiding in the crowd, could eat at some of us.  If we have been ignoring our talents or hiding in groups, we may feel compelled to step out and into the light.   This could be in the workplace, the school, the church, again wherever we gather with others.    Given Pluto’s placement in Aquarius any full moon impulse to break out and help others, could be an important part to the new 20-year journey of Pluto.  

 

Like all lunar phases, the full moon is a three-day phase however these tensions are a wider span of days.  This tension will begin to get riled up on the 9^th when Mercury squares Uranus, then the 10^th when the Sun squares Uranus and finally on the 12^thabout an hour before the full moon the Moon squares Uranus.   The unwind will probably take through to disseminating phase on the 16^th.   

 

While the drama may unfold there is an opportunity for healing.  The moon’s monthly trine with Chiron is on the 11^th is an extra boost of ‘I got this” which should help soothe any insecurities.    

 

Also, remember Leo is where we are long on love, romance, loyalty, strength, fun, play and games.  And yep, drama.  So even in the middle of whatever is going on, find the joy.  You can do it. 

Mars Stations Direct. February 23.

 

Photo: Kevin M. Gill 

Mars Station Direct 

 

Feb 23, 2025

5:59pm PST

17 Cancer 00

 

Sept 4:        Mars enter Cancer 

Oct 4:          Mars enters shadow (17 Cancer 01)

Nov 3 :        Mars enters Leo  

Dec 6:         Mars station retrograde (6 Leo 10)

Feb 23 :      Mars station direct (17 Cancer 01)

Apr 18 :      Mars re-enters Leo

May 2:        Mars exits shadow (6 Leo 10) 

June 7:       Mars enters Virgo 

 

We have been in a Mars retrograde since December 6.   The shadow started October 4.  When Mars is in a sign it is usually for six weeks but when it is retrograde it is extended to six months.    Finally on Feb 23, Mars will straighten out and fly right and I suspect we will all feel better for it.   

 

Since October, Mars has been ping-ponging between Cancer and Leo.   The station occurs at 17 Cancer.   Mars is in its fall when it is in Cancer.  The warrior planet just can’t find its normal bearing in watering Cancer.  Less of its weapons are available to Mars.    However, feelings are pronounced especially around family, and it will get into squabbles to protect family and home.   The crab pinchers will be sharp and extra pinchy until Mars leaves Cancer and re-enters Leo on April 18.    Once Mars returns to Leo it will be more comfortable and ready to face outward for bold action.  We will cover that later in spring.   

 

On a personal level for those of you with planets between 17 and 29 Aries, Cancer, Libra and Capricorn you are no doubt feeling the need to harness your energy and do work that your emotions are telling you that must be done.  Even if it is scary or overwhelming you could be feeling a ‘must do’.  Be measured if you can and always check your interior compass to make sure you are doing the move that feels right and is not too excessive.   

 

Going forward Mars will have the following planetary aspects through to the end of the shadow:

 

2/23          Mercury trine Mars (17 Pisces/Cancer)

3/8            Sun trine Mars (17 Pisces/Cancer)

3/26          Mars square Chiron (22 Cancer/Aries)

4/4            Mars sextile Uranus (24 Cancer/Taurus) 

4/4            Mars trine Saturn (24 Cancer/Pisces)

4/4            Venus trine Mars (25 Pisces/Cancer)

4/11          Mars trine N Node (27Cancer/Pisces)

4/19          Mars trine Neptune (0 Leo/Aquarius 

4/20          Sun square Mars (1 Taurus/Leo) 

4/26          Mars opposite Pluto (3 Leo/Aquarius) 

5/3            Mars quincunx Jupiter (6 Leo/21 Gemini)

 

I’ve highlighted two aspects with Mars that I have on my radar.  

 

Mars trine Neptune is interesting because Neptune will be in the fresh new sign of Aries.  Aries is fiery, independent, desirous of going forward in whatever it wants, and Neptune is dreamy, artistic, intuitive, long on a humanitarian love and fantasy prone.   The last time Neptune began its journey in Aries was on April 13, 1861, the day after the American Civil War began.  Gulp. But also kind of perfect.   Who was steeped in illusion for the launch of that war?   What happened to humanity during and at the end?   (and then there is the fact we were a slave nation).

 

It is unclear what will be going on March 30 when Neptune enters Aries this time.    It will be something, for sure, by the time we get to Mars trine we’ll have the flavor of this new era which lasts until 2039.   The Mars trine Neptune in April could be a helpful prodding.  Perhaps some big drama filled with all kinds of theatrics that might be helpful.    

 

The other aspect on our radar is of course the third and final Mars opposition Pluto.   We are not in a subtle era in astrology.  The information spinning out from the planets seems to be on brand.  Big time.  There is a lot about the first two hits of Mars and Pluto that speaks to the USA election.   What will be revealed at the April 26^th date?   

 

Nov 3:       Mars oppose Pluto (29 Cap 46)  #1

Jan 3 :       Mars oppose Pluto (1 Aq 08)  #2

Apr 26 :     Mars oppose Pluto ( 3 AQ 48) #3

 

Lots to watch with our warrior planet Mars.   Lots-o-Actions.   

Astrology landscape for Feb 8 - Feb 14

 

Gibbous Moon

February 8, 2025  

12:31 pm PST     

 

 

Gibbous:

We refine our information.  We pick and choose, we discriminate, and we organize to be ‘Virgo’ like.  We sort through details.  Have we missed something?  How are we sifting through the information?  Go back and make sure something hasn’t been neglected.  Refine our actions.   How are we perfecting our goals? 

 

Special focus How are you refining your feelings?   How are you refining your emotions, so they guide you and work for you?  How are you refining your ability to sort through feelings that are wounded and maybe no longer helpful?   How are friends and groups supporting you in this process?   

 

Focus on:  

 

Feb 9: Mercury conjunct Sun. What are we learning from groups?  What are we learning about our friendships?  How are we all fitting together? 

Feb 9: Mars trine Saturn.   Hard work and discipline for goals is easy to tap today.   Make it work for you.  

Feb 10: Mercury square Uranus.  Beware of the provocateurs.  Caution should be taken if anyone’s conversation is trying to go big and possibly tosses out the baby with the bathwater.   

Feb 11: Sun Square Uranus.   Energies about breakthroughs can appear as breakdowns.   Resources and stability feels rocked.  

 

 

  

Feb 12 , 2025

Full Moon – Leo

5:53am  PST

24 Leo 06    

 

 

Full Moon:  We make the needed adjustments on the things we planted. Usually, emotions are up and running and for those people who perhaps did not utilize the new moon and the rest of the waxing moon, this is when emotions can get the better of us. There can often be a big emotional break, for no other reason than to get back on track.   Some partnership will offer up some balance.  The moon is bright and full and there is no room for shadows, what is reflecting on you?  

 

Focus on:   How do we tap our voice? How do we tap our drama?  How can we use the power of theater to help others?   What do our groups tell us that is not in synch with our power or big voice?  Is there a need for a new group?  Or how our friends and groups supporting our vision?  How can we all be heroes?  

 

(Fuller post to come)

Special focus 

Feb 14:  Mercury enters Pisces.   A cycle of gentle and fuzzy and creative thinking and conversations.