Heliacal Rise of Venus


Posted on November 1, 2018 by Henry Seltzer of ASTROGRAPH.COM
 

The Goddess of Relationship and Earthly Delight, Venus, is at a pivotal moment in her journey now, as measured against her alignment with the Sun. This is known as her “synodic cycle” and for us here on Earth, there is much magic and beauty in reflecting upon her cycles and movements as she dances with the Sustainer of our little blue planet. Venus represents our social fabric, the way we connect with and love one another, the earthly realm of materiality and embodiment, our core values, self worth, and the way that we appreciate and are attracted to beauty. As Venus is currently retrograde in Scorpio, we are all — since October 5th — on a collective exploration feeling the depths of our relational realms, inner emotional world, sexual dynamics, and a heightened awareness around owning our power.

On November 1st, 2018, Venus will make what is known as her “heliacal rise,” the day when she re-emerges before dawn to us visually from beneath the beams of the Sun and rises for the first time as the Morning Star. This event is significant, because it marks the beginning of a new 584 day synodic cycle. Every time Venus is in a retrograde cycle, as she is currently from October 5 to November 16, she is at her closest distance to Earth — and in fact, closer than any other planet can get to ours! So, another way to think of the retrograde is when the earth and Venus are “meeting up,” bringing all of her themes to the fore. Venus is very much these days on our minds and in our hearts.

Each time Venus makes her heliacal rise, the zodiacal sign that she occupies at that time colors the entire 584 day cycle with that energy. This time, as Venus slips backward into late Libra, we’ll be transitioning from a hot and fiery Aries cycle into an equanimous and harmonic Libra cycle. Venus finds her rulership in Libra, and we haven’t had a Libra Venus cycle since 1863! What this may portend is a collective prioritization of harmonious connection with one another, empowered ways of relating, and a clarification and alignment of what we value, and how we express that. Libra also shows us how to put collective well-being in higher value and importance over personal gain, so that we can look for a shift from the individual-focused and fiery driving spirit of Aries to more socially minded, balanced and peaceful ways of relating. Of course there are many other astrological influences to consider, yet this transition could mark a beautiful nod in the direction of peace and right relationship with each other and with our earthly environment.

Venus will continue her retrograde until November 16th when she turns direct at 25º Libra. There will be a distinct shift in the astrological weather at this time, and perhaps again in mid-December. Venus escapes her retrograde shadow on December 17th when she returns to 10º Scorpio.