Weekly Overview
07.19-25.2023
Get ready: Venus goes Retrograde once every 19 months or so for a total of about six weeks, and it’s happening again in the sign of Leo, on July 22nd, 2023 until September 3rd!
Venus governs romantic relationships, sensuality and self-worth, your personal finances, and at the heart of it all: your values. What you value in yourself, with others, and in the world. This Venus Retrograde it will be important that you don't allow your pride— hi Leo!—to get in the way of prioritizing what you value. Whatever comes up for you at this time requires that you respond in ways that reflect your values - not your comfort, ego, or drive to preserve appearances.
To learn more about this Venus Retrograde listen to episode 342 of my weekly show, Ghost of a Podcast below, or wherever you enjoy podcasts.
But wait — there’s so much more happening this week in the stars!
You’ll need to resist the urge to act out defensively or out of frustration because the opposition between Mars and Saturn as well as the opposition between the Sun and Pluto (exact on the 20th and 21st respectively, are likely to kick up drama. You may be feeling paranoid or find yourself dealing with power struggles that are messy and intense. Act if you have to, just make sure you’re not acting out. You will likely have to be adaptable in the presence of upsets and surprises thanks to a square between Mercury and Uranus, exact on the 23rd. It’s a lot! Read my detailed breakdown of all the comings and goings of the planets, with advice about the best ways to deal with it in the full transcript of episode 342 of Ghost, here.
Previous Week
Sometimes, pressure helps to clarify what’s important. This week, try not to be too attached to what once was or to your theories about what should be. Instead, strive to show up for what is emerging as most valuable to you, both personally and professionally. Without balance, there’s often struggle and chaos, and you don’t have time for that, Aries. Bring heartfelt attention to what isn’t working in your life, and clarity will follow.
It may feel like some major energy is shifting for you this week, but that doesn’t mean that what's actually happening will be obvious on the outside. This week is likely to test whether you are willing and able to prioritize your peace above your comfort. You may need to act in ways that reflect what you believe to be right, even if that brings inconvenience or disruptions into your day-to-day life, but, Taurus, it’s totally worth it this Venus retrograde season.
When your situation is inflexible or not exactly what you want, it’s you who has to bend. This week, it’s important that you are the change you need to feel in your life. In other words, even if things are not as you wish they were, being curious and adaptable will help you to both understand and effectively adjust. Remember, acceptance is not consent; it is simply awareness that empowers you to engage with things as they really are.
On the 21st there will be an exact opposition between the Sun in your sign and Pluto. This is likely to kick up some pretty deep emotions within you and potentially power struggles in your relationships. Instead of assuming the worst or jumping to self-defense, strive to stay connected to what’s deeply important to you. Some injustices are really worth fighting for and others are petty. Use and give your energy wisely, Moonchild.
Venus goes retrograde in your sign on the 22nd, and it will stay that way until September 3rd. That means that Venus will be in your sign from June 5th until October 9th, and that’s a very long time! Take that as an invitation to check in with your values, Leo. Now is the time to assess whether your ego and your insecurities have gotten out of hand or if they are actually pointing you in the right direction.
You’re likely to be feeling pressed and pressured and possibly like people are not showing up in the ways that you need them to this week. While this is potentially disappointing or frustrating, it’s important that you don't fixate on what is or isn’t happening or ruminate over your limitations. All you can do is clarify what’s happening and accept wherever you’re at; then plot your next moves from there. Remember: it's all about progress, not perfection, Virgo.
Not all pain is the pain of breaking. Sometimes, the pain we experience is the pain of coming into alignment. This week, you’re likely to be experiencing the tension between what you need and what you want, how things appear to others and how they actually feel for you. Do your best to honor your emotional integrity without sabotaging your goals, commitments, and ambitions, Libra. You may have to stand up or fight for what you want, but if it’s coming from a heartfelt place, it’ll be totally worth it.
If you’ve taken on too much or have too many different perspectives taking up space in your head, you’re likely to be dealing with some measure of burnout this week. When you’re activated and your energies feel tapped, it's not a great time to seek answers, Scorpio. When this occurs, your first priority should be to tend to your energy so that you can get calm, embodied, and in alignment with yourself.
While there's a lot going on this week, you’re most likely to be affected by the Mars opposition to Saturn that’s exact on the 20th. You may be feeling defensive and restless and like you need to do something to break free at all costs. Don’t let fear or defensiveness drive you, Sagittarius. Instead, strive to figure out what is true for you and the best ways of navigating authentically from there.
Pluto is back in your sign and this week the Sun is opposition to it, kicking up power struggles between you and the people you’re close to this week. This will test your ego and sense of self. It’s important to remember that thinking you’re the best or the worst both lean toward self-obsession, and that gets in the way of truly listening to others. It’s far better to feel sad than to act out in reaction to your discontent, Capricorn.
With Venus going retrograde in your solar relationship house on the 22nd until September 3rd, your relationships are likely to require a great deal of your attention, Aquarius. Whether you’re in a love relationship or not, your values around intimate personal relationships are reflected in the choices you make, the people you keep close, and how you engage with others. Make sure that you’re behaving in ways that reflect what you most value.
Mars forms an opposition to Saturn in your sign this week, and it may confront you with limitations and frustrations. The best way to engage is with patience. Things do not have to be perfect in order for them to be in their best possible presentation. Do your best to be adaptable without losing track of your needs and what’s most important to you. In other words, steward your energy and actions carefully, Pisces.