Open-hearted self-love kindles all relational fires when Venus entered Leo on June 5 for a longer-than-usual stay due to her retrograde motion. Orbiting forward and backward in the home of the King, the Goddess of Love and Beauty longs to connect with courage and creativity. Social yet self-generating in this fire sign, Venus fans the flames of vulnerability by knowing what she needs in a relationship and being willing to act. Just don’t be surprised if what lights you up in June shifts direction in late July.
Starting July 22 (at 28 degrees), Venus will retrace her steps until she stations direct on September 3 (at 12 degrees), exiting Leo on October 9. Like all retrogrades, it may stimulate an internal process that calls you to uncover and heal patterns that keep you from experiencing the intimacy you desire with yourself, others, or anything and everything that brings you joy.
Venus will square Jupiter and Uranus in Taurus three times along the way. Chasing Mars, she comes close but never quite makes an exact aspect to the Warrior. Missed connections, breakups, slow courtships, and re-connections are possible. Mostly, expect the unexpected. Be mindful of an inflated ego and an insatiable hunger for attention. To what lengths will you go to be the hero of your life, expand inner and outer resources, or tickle the artist within? Receive the applause you deserve, but remember, giving and receiving are one in the same.
So, what will Venus’s summer and fall love affair in Leo mean for you? We offer these sensuous, succulent Bites based on your Rising Sign.
Join Michelle and Neva for our first Astro Salon on Zoom on June 22, 11 AM to 12 PM PT (your time). We will chat about Venus in Leo and her star-quality retrograde. Astro Salons are designed for all participants to express their thoughts, ideas, and knowledge. Limited to ten participants.
Style is the most ephemeral thing I know. It's not about how effective you are, it's about how you are effective. -Robert Benton
Dear Aries Rising,
While you’re no stranger to being a pioneer, I hope you see the writing on the cosmic wall. Are you ready for a burning love? As the ruler of your seventh house, I know I am. You can pretend your independence is akin to invulnerability, but I don’t recommend it. Not now. Maybe not ever. Bringing my audacious, vivacious self to your fifth house of romance, joy, creativity, and child-like wonder, let me open your heart to new experiences. Candy-laced kisses, sunflower smiles, hot fudge sundaes with broken cherries on top. Hula-hooping in a field of wildflowers. I long to shower you with prosperity and crack you open to shameless love. Receive my blessings, Warrior Heart. Let them lead you to a bevy of untapped riches. Dare to let your light be a gift. There will be plenty of time to reel back and integrate risky overtures and wild abandon. Ultimately, I hope you learn that joy is an act of reciprocity, your legacy of ten thousand kisses.
Your Wild Heart,
Venus
May love fill your heart, compassion guide your mind, faith rule your soul. - Paulo Coelho
Dear Taurus Rising,
I know you’ve been going through a few changes, or five, long before I came to light your fire in the angular houses. I feel ya. Change is not easy, especially when you depend on solid ground and long-term relationships to sustain you. But desire and passion, my specialties in Leo, are fleeting by nature, even for the fixed signs. Maybe we can tackle this wholesome reality by bringing the most spontaneous, joyful, and intimate pleasures into your home. Residing in your fourth house, you should know I’ll feel most comfy surrounded by animal prints and faux fur pillows. Anything with dramatic flair. Something that tickles base instincts. And don’t be too shy or secretive about flaunting your profound capacity for love, Taurus. Your authentic style is clawing to come out. If there are any blocks wedged behind intractable family norms, my backward glance will give you time to reflect. I beg you to find new avenues to express your beautifully stubborn bravura freely.
Your Homey,
Venus
Drawing is exercise for a restless imagination. - Tim Burton
Dear Gemini Rising,
Oh please, can we flirt? Pretty please with salted caramel on top? I’d love nothing more than to be your partner in a mind-melding love story (or two) for the ages. Let's craft a temple for the Goddess as I saunter in every nook and cranny of your third house surroundings. Bedazzled with jewels and papered with poetry, let it be a place for your fiery, curious imagination to express your deepest devotional whims. I can be the fire that illuminates the secret areas within your heart. Perhaps a whole and healthy ancestor, a guardian angel, or an old love awaits your attention? While you’re no stranger to falling in love with love, don’t fool yourself. I’ll not withstand any self-transgression or trickery. You’re a master of straddling, I know, but I’ll charm the snakes out of hiding if I must to make sure you surround yourself with beauty for beauty’s sake. And if you change your mind along the way, and I’m sure you will, well, who knows that dance better than you, dear Gemini?
In Goddess Solidarity,
Venus
You cannot swim for new horizons until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore. - William Faulkner
Dear Cancer Rising,
Regarding my generous and playful heart in Leo, I hope you’ll consider quality over quantity. Let’s throw an extravagant party with a curated invitation list. Start with the people who see your caring nature, fan faves who admire you, and vice-versa. Include the influencers and the ones who support your hopes and dreams. In fact, dare to be the center of attention. Care less about what others think. Holding sway in your second house of money, resources, self-worth, and values, pull out all the stops and prioritize your needs and desires as much as others. Adorn your home with flowers, buy party favors that make you happy, hire a DJ, and clear the floor for dancing. There’s no shame in putting your creative style out there when spending your hard-earned money. In fact, why not repaint your home, buy new artwork, or build an art studio? Just be mindful of buyer’s remorse or trying to impress others to mask your insecurities. Quality over quantity, heart over ego. Got it?
Love ya, really,
Venus
Nothing great ever came out of common sense. - Josephine Tey
Dear Leo Rising,
You’re the bomb. And you know it. You can charm the diamond-studded skin off a snake, light up a room with your dry humor or dazzle a crowd without trying. Your stick-to-it-ness is a show-stopper, and your generosity of spirit precedes you. And while there will be lessons to learn about pride and bravado, I encourage you to flaunt your Goddess-given beauty. After all, my time in your first house is all about you—body, mind, and soul. So, dare to change your style (preferably without a scalpel involved). Celebrate your accomplishments. Show up for the job in ways that surprise others and amaze the world with your capacity. And when the light shines on you, center stage, receive the recognition you deserve with grace, but don’t forget to praise others. You’re the bee’s knees, yes, but it takes a village to succeed. Proceed with an open heart, dear one, but remember, fame is fleeting. Who deserves your loyalty, lion-heart? Who deserves your generosity?
Your Fan,
Venus
The real secret of magic lies in the performance. -David Copperfield
Dear Virgo Rising,
Please accept my offer of unbridled inspiration to stoke your secret fantasies of pleasure and romance without the stranglehold of old wounds. After all, in the twelfth house of solitude and self-undoing, you’re used to holding back the wild passion that lives in the heart of the Lion. Oh please, let me seduce you into imagining lovers and friends that carry you to faraway places and usher in spontaneous, playful experiences. There is so much available to you right now if you’re willing to let go of the paralysis of analysis. Instead, spend your time loving every part of yourself as a prelude to true intimacy. Build scenarios that bridge the gap between being of service to others and pleasing yourself. I promise that if you gather the right resources to help you pry open hidden desires, your future choices may just meet you in that place of your deepest longings. Time alone to identify your spiritual and philosophical beliefs about love and relationships will accompany you wherever you travel.
Your Secret Admirer,
Aphrodite
To fully understand how this transit may affect you, you can look back to 2015 and 2007, the last two times Venus dared to be courageous in Leo, for more information. If you need assistance, AO is offering a special 40-minute Venus in Leo reading for €50/$55.
Remember that happiness is as contagious as gloom. It should be the first duty of those who are happy to let others know of their gladness. - Maurice Maeterlinck
Dear Libra Rising,
How’s the “hopes and dreams” department going for you? Are you feeling supported? If not, I’m here to build a fire under your longing. You’ve been spending a whole lot of time making other people happy. Sharing and caring, tip-toeing, and tap dancing to expand other people’s dreams. Bravo. You are a natural leader. Take a bow. But what about you? I’m concerned that you’ve lost the spirit of reciprocity. No matter how loyal your heart is, you can’t keep giving without receiving. You need more kindling for your rousing fire. I have an idea, darling. Let’s finger through your Rolodex and get in touch with those who can’t wait to shower you with love and affection and remind you of your greatness. Throw a party, dress in colorful clothing, and shock people with your inappropriate theatrics. Come late July, old friends may be waiting in the wings for a chance to connect. But do be discerning. Don’t let a need for attention deter you from the larger mission… manifesting your big, brave vision.
Double love,
The Goddess of Everything
We're always looking for someone; what we need to remember is that someone is out there looking for us too. - George Sand
Dear Scorpio Rising,
You shine in the public sphere. Swoon. I adore this about you. Your can-do leadership style sends chills up my spine. So capable, so devoted. My heart is aflutter at the opportunity to accompany you in your tenth house of ambition, career, and accolades. Start by giving yourself a big hug, a promotion, or a salary increase. You deserve it. My agenda, however, is to offer my feminine leadership style for your consideration. Ruling your seventh house of partnership, I’d like to see you shake things up by being more communicative, collaborative, and inclusive. I know this isn’t the easiest task. You tend to hold your innermost feelings close in, working diligently toward your goals and providing for everyone and everything. You know how to rekindle your light source again and again. But I ask you, what would it look like to let others in? Who would accompany you? How would you reprioritize your time and energy? My gift to you, dear Scorpion, is to notice how much love encircles you. Perhaps your legacy is more relational than you ever imagined.
With Love,
Mighty Aphrodite
The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud. - Coco Chanel
Dear Sagittarius Rising,
I’m so excited to pilgrimage with you to distant lands, walk across hot coals to access higher knowledge and embrace the amazing beauty this world has to offer. Fire to fire, our passion and optimism will spark a bonfire that draws attention from all corners of the globe (A Goddess can dream, can’t she?) And while I know you tend toward an entrenched sense of right and wrong, I hope you’re willing to imagine new possibilities. In the ninth house of higher learning, culture, and philosophy, I’m here to add fuel to that fire. Dare to question your modus operandi in search of universal Truths and One Love. Reconsider how you perceive the world and your place in it. As the ruler of your sixth and eleventh houses, I challenge you to diversify your health and well-being practices and share the wealth. I know you know this, you gorgeous mythical creature, but I’ll be here to remind you repeatedly—love is the greatest adventure of all.
In Unity,
Venus
Love without esteem cannot go far or reach high. It is an angel with only one wing. - Alexandre Dumas-fils
Dear Capricorn Rising,
Goddess knows you’re generous to a fault—so adept at utilizing resources, yours and others, to build solid foundations. You’re a love, really. And now that I’m squatting in your eighth house of collaboration, you may feel there’s no end to co-creative opportunities that arouse your passion and purpose. I’ll gladly spoil you with connections that kindle your heart’s desire to donate your precious time and energy to worthy causes. Love is limitless; who knows that better than a Venusian Queen? But perhaps you’ll allow me to infuse your spirit with a bouquet of fresh flowers, a new understanding of love in action. Not all endeavors, no matter how wonderful, are made for you. Not everyone you work with will meet your high standards. Be wary of how much you take on and choose co-conspirators wisely. Come late July, you may rue the day you said, “Yes.” As the ruler of your fifth house of joy, my blessing for you is to express your creativity in a myriad of frivolous ways and trust that the Earth provides everything you need.
In Trust,
Venus
Decadence attracts me. It suggests a new world, and, for me, society's struggle between life and death is absolutely beautiful. - Yves Saint Laurent
Dear Aquarius Rising,
Lucky you. Your passion for relationships is about to be super-charged. Whether you like to strut and lead or choose dominant partners, it’s time to sugarcoat your one-to-one connections while I sashay through your seventh house. Dare to entice your partners with dramatic overtures of love, or try expressing your admiration in novel ways. If you’re used to leading, follow. If you’re used to following, take charge for a change. But do it with style. With panache. Make me proud. If you’ve been stuck in a rut, the experience will shake up your fixed views about love, loyalty, and generosity. If you let your pride get in the way of authenticity, I’m here to burn away false bravado and infuse the air with sweet-smelling potions. If change makes you uncomfortable, dig deeper into the reasons why. Ruling your fourth house of home and family, clean out the cobwebs, sweep under the rugs, and let it all hang out.
Love You Forever,
Venus
If I fail, if I succeed, at least I live as I believe. - Whitney Houston
Dear Pisces Rising,
I’m here for you, fishy fishy. I’m well aware of how much responsibility you’ve been taking on when you’d rather be dreaming and creating. I’m ready to remove your shoes at night and rub your feet. Anoint your forehead with a soothing salve of summer citrus, lavender, vanilla bean, and fresh-cut rose. I adore your devotion to caring for others, but I’m here to offer another perspective—self-indulgent, self-care as radical role-modeling. It is said that we teach what we need to learn. Let me help you institute sweet, giddy daily routines and rituals that honor the light in you and then share your discoveries with others. There’s plenty to worry about, I know. But we love junkies need time to replenish our inner resources to give from the heart authentically. Accept the blessing of support that comes from others, Sweet Swimmer. You don’t have to do it alone if you don’t want to. And take time to reflect on your altruistic actions. Is it working for you? Is it sustainable?
Yours in Spirit,
Aphrodite
Appreciations to Michelle for sleuthing out great quotes, to Liz, for her stunning artwork, and to Venus for shining her light in Leo. :-)