Venus in the Underworld

From the last days of May to mid June Venus will not be seen in the sky. The most intense period is June 4th – 6th. On the 5th is the exact Transit of Venus. Symbolically speaking Venus is not only in the underworld (invisible to us) but she is exactly conjunct the Sun. She is neither Evening or Morning star. She is truly between the worlds; suspended at that eternal moment after the inhale, before the exhale or possibly after the exhale but before we breathe in. We too are meant to be suspended in those days. Especially on the evening of the 5th.

Recently I had the experience of watching the annular eclipse of the Sun with a group of astronomers. It was an awe inspiring event, preceded by two nights of intense, brilliant sky viewing. I did not admit for a moment to being an astrologer because it was obvious that although they were enamored of the sky and many of the things it shows us about ourselves and our world they did not believe for a moment that it had any personal meaning.

I enjoyed traveling under my usual radar and I learned much about the physical reality of the sky. It made me ponder the underlying value and truth of astrology. Being of a mystical bent I have no ‘answer’ to the question of why the astrological perspective on the heavens allows us to experience deeper insight and meaning in our lives, nor do I especially need one. I did return from my adventure however with a profound sense of my connection to our human ancestors down through the ages who have observed and interacted with the sky.  I know I am akin to the ones who felt the need to honor within themselves the fact of Venus, the most beautiful of heavenly bodies, vanished from the evening sky.

If you are reading this, no doubt you have a similar inclination. If so I encourage you to take some time on the 5th of June and in your own way, be still. Do not search for answers.  Open yourself to the subtle, relentless inevitability of transformation – unknowable as it is.

If you would like to participate in the workshop for this event you can learn more about it here.

Here is a little video from NASA of the Transit of Venus from 2004