A Different Kind of Relationship
Venus also goes retrograde, though less often than Mercury. It appears to turn backward in its path through the sky about five times in eight years, for a period of about six weeks at a time. Traditional astrology recommends against choosing Venus retrograde for a wedding date, since Venus is the planet of love. Its energies can be weaker, its power lessened, or its influence more passive than it ordinarily might be. Some astrologers feel that the Venusian energies are internalized or turned inward, making it tougher to connect or share emotions. This placement can also add complexity to the emotional tenor of the marriage.
Despite many astrologers admonishing against this placement, just consider: could all of the 350,000 couples married in a six-week period in the U.S. have problems? Decidedly not. Venus retrograde is just another astrology influence to consider. If you’ve already set a date with Venus retrograde, it’s important to stay in touch with your feelings and make an extra effort to share them with your spouse. This can take some time and patience, so be willing to exercise both.
Venus relates to pleasure, enjoyment, and harmonious social relations. Interactions become more complex with Venus retrograde. Legal affairs might be complicated. Or the self-indulgent side of Venus could be exaggerated, resulting in overeating, drinking too much, or overspending.
Venus also relates to beauty, money, and possessions. Major purchases, investments or home decorating should always be carefully considered with this placement in a wedding chart. A couple’s sense of beauty is apt to be unusual, or they could disagree about home design, for example, though Venus retrograde does favor redecorating.
Brooke Shields married writer Chris Henchy on April 4, 2001. They’d been friends for several years, and Brooke experienced many challenges before they married: the end of her marriage to Andre Agassi, a friend’s suicide and the trial of a stalker, all certainly adding to the complex Venus retrograde tone of their relationship. They also shared several failed in-vitro attempts and a miscarriage before giving birth to their two daughters. Brooke struggled with post-partum depression but inspired others with her candid book about how she overcame this difficult condition. Many celebrities are stressed by competing careers, but Chris graciously allows his wife to take the spotlight. Chris has the Sun and Jupiter in Aries and the Moon in Leo, which is very compatible with Brooke’s Sun, Moon, Venus and Jupiter in Gemini, giving them a great rapport and ability to share their feelings openly.
Lisa Marie Presley married guitarist Michael Lockwood on January 22, 2006, with Venus retrograde. Once again, there seems to be emotional complexity to this marriage. It was Lisa Marie’s fourth, and her first husband introduced the new couple and even served as best man! The wedding took place in Kyoto, Japan, in a traditional Japanese ceremony, with the bride and attendants dressed in kimonos – quite an unusual fashion choice for Americans! Lisa Marie refers to her husband as her “best friend” and they welcomed twins in 2008.