The mundane and the sacred co-mingle

Exploring cycles, Vesta, and Venus

The image symbol transmitted to me for the week of 6.9.25:

A spider weaving its web.

A spider’s web is a meticulous creation, yet it can be readily broken. The spider exercises patience not only in waiting for prey to be caught in the web, but in weaving and reweaving their creation.

This imagery also brought to mind a favorite childhood pastime, building sandcastles. As well, the myth of Sisyphus, who was sentenced to pushing a boulder up a hill, only to have it fall back down for him to repeat the cycle.

Photo by Jeremy McKnight on Unsplash

And maybe, just a bit, the sweet Bill Murray movie “Groundhog Day”.

There may be a sense now that we are building something that can too easily be taken away. And oh, do we fear that feeling of having vanish before our eyes what we have invested energy, and even love, into. It may feel like wanting this summer to be perfect, planning a vacation or picnics with friends, not with excitement but with nostalgia for what has not even taken place yet. Rather than savor each event, we instead plan more, cram more, hoping the volume will somehow prevent it all from slipping away so quickly.

Maybe the lesson for us is to allow the current cycle to be what it is. To make our plans as best we can and then let go of control and simply be on the ride, watching the ever changing scenery. Maybe another lesson is to pay such close attention, that even if we have taken this road before, done this thing before, we notice something new this time that changes us deeply.

Select astrology for the week: Venus (in Taurus) and Vesta (in Scorpio) in opposition on June 11th.

Astrologer and author Demetra George (whom I just met in person two weeks ago, see pic at the end), in her book Asteroid Goddesses: The Mythology, Psychology, and Astrology of the re-emerging Feminine, attributes rulership of both Virgo and Scorpio to Vesta (also know as Hestia in Roman mythology).

Vesta rules over:

• Personal integration.

• Is an indicator of sexuality and sexual complexes.

• Signifies devotional and religious activities.

• Is associated with scholastic interests.

• Indicates one’s work or path of service.

• Binds together groups sharing a common belief.

• Represents the principle of conservatism and safety.

George describes Vesta in Scorpio in the birth chart is expressed in an intense and penetrating manner. This is a Vesta which prizes sexual experiences and crushes taboos. On the other hand, this placement is associated with feelings of shame, guilt, and sin due to their sexuality.

One of the most fascinating tidbits I have learned in astrology is this:

“Only with the ascent of the patriarchal culture was Libra, sign of marriage, placed between Virgo and Scorpio by Greek astronomers whose society created an artificial duality in a woman’s sexual identity. From then on, a woman was either virgin-chaste before marriage (Virgo) or a sexual consort after marriage (Scorpio).”

Venus, rules the sign of Libra, as well as Taurus, where she is currently located. In the sign of Taurus, Venus is in relationship with life through the senses, and is perhaps more drawn to finding secure and stable relationships.

This opposition provides an opportunity to reflect on the divine feminine expressions of love and sexuality and their integration into you as an individual as well as their expressions in the wider culture, and what role the Taurus sensibilities of sensual pleasure and stability of resources play. Where might the traditions we grew up with have shaped our views on love and sexuality as part of one’s identity and practice of living, or dictated how love and sexuality have co-mingled (or not) in one’s life?

I’d love to hear what comes up for you on this week’s explorations.

If you are curious about Venus and/or Vesta in your chart, consider booking an astrology reading with me. I would love to see you as a client over Zoom!

Check out all the flags in my book!