Progressed Sun is Conjunct Venus


Ever so slowly, at the pace of a glacier, life changes us. You're not the same person you were five years ago. Your interests have evolved, your tastes are more refined. And, of course, your circumstances are different. This snail-paced journey -- the Evolution of the Self -- is reflected in astrology's most elemental symbol: the progressed Sun. When it comes to a sensitive zone of the birthchart, momentous changes nearly always occur...but they mirror even more rudimentary transfigurations in the deepest levels of your identity.

Needless to say, we wouldn't be mentioning all this to you if the progressed Sun were passing through calm waters in your birthchart now. But it's not, and in a minute we'll look at exactly where it is and what it's doing. Before we consider the specifics, though, one more point for the sake of perspective: the progressed Sun is a very slow-moving factor. It covers approximately one degree each year. Thus, even in a long life, it swings through only about a quarter of the birthchart. It follows that often many years go by in which, despite its overwhelming importance, the progressed Sun is basically not doing very much and can safely be ignored. The other side of the coin is that when the Sun does come to sensitive territories, a person has reached one of life's definitive turning points. Decisions are made, well or poorly. Bridges are crossed, and often burned behind us. Life takes off in a new direction.

You've arrived at such a juncture; your core is being transfigured. It's stressful, of course; change always is. But your ability to hear the new message that's coming up from inside you will determine to a great extent the level of happiness, creativity, and prosperity you will experience for the rest of your life. Let's get specific. How is the progressed Sun currently impacting on you? It is conjunct your natal Venus: sometime after the report period.. In thinking about this, remember that progressions are slow-motion events, and that this aspect simply peaks then; it will be in effect throughout the period of this report.

Let's first understand that the action is in the First House, for that's where the Sun is currently located in your chart. And what does that tell you? That the circumstances driving your development, at least in terms of this particular configuration, have to do with the choices you make and how you present yourself. Be assertive; take responsibility. You have considerable power in this situation. To use it well, act in the spirit of the Sun, as we just described it. But what's the issue? What part of your own life is at stake? To answer that question, we turn our attention to Venus, which is being invited into development during this new beginning in your life

Venus is the goddess of love, of peace, and of the arts. In each domain, balance is the ideal. Deep in your psyche, there is a place that seeks the comfort of balance and equilibrium, whether through shared fondness with another human being, an hour's peace in the garden, or the rapture that sometimes arises as we immerse our hearts and minds in something beautiful. That inner circuit is your natal Venus. When it is stimulated, we often see experiences arising which prophesy a change in your relationships, in what gives you serenity, or in your aesthetic experiences.

Always, it's advantageous for you to incorporate the force of Venus positively in all parts of your life. But one area has always stood out in that regard -- the First House, which is where Venus lies in your natal chart. There, in the area of assertiveness and personal power, the right use of that energy is most critical. In many situations you must react, respond, and play the cards you're dealt. But not in the First House. Here, you're in the driver's seat...and there are certain experiences you must claim for yourself, experiences of the nature of Venus, even if the people about whom you care call you selfish for doing so.

When the Sun interacts with Venus, do your best to make yourself attractive...but a lot more is called for here than a long talk with the bathroom mirror. "Attractiveness" is as much personal as it is physical; it is linked to courtesy, the expression of interest in others, and a general graciousness of demeanor. Why act that way now in particular? Simple: you've come to a point in your life in which input from another person is essential, and if you want to link with the proper partners, it doesn't hurt to do a little advertising.

As we mentioned, the aspect involved in the event we just described is the conjunction, which refers to a precise alignment between the natal planet and the moving trigger. Thus, the process emphasizes fusion, integration, and synthesis. Of all the possible aspects, the conjunction is the most intense. The explosion rattles your outward circumstances; but it originates inside you, and puts you in the driver's seat. It is appropriate for you to claim some new level of power, of self-expression, and of autonomy.