The Venus Transit

Last evening the planet Venus passed between the Sun and the Earth. This event is one of those circumstances that from a short perspective seems completely random but with focus on the bigger picture it is clear that there is an amazing and intricate order to the universe. As I was looking for more inspiration for my yoga classes based on the Venus transit I came across quite a few really good articles. Just do a google search on the Venus transit and you'll come across all kinds of really cool science bits and soulful symbolic insights. I found Cathy Pagono's article on astrology.com to have the perfect blend of science and insight that always holds my attention.

Because the planes of Earth, Venus and the Sun are aligned, we get to see this rare transit of Venus, which happens only four times every 243 years. The spacing between these planetary meetings is very uneven: first it takes 121½ years to happen, then 8 years, then 105½ years, then 8 years again. The last transit occurred in June 2004 and after this June's planetary dance, there won't be another meeting for 105 ½ years, in December 2117. Venus naturally has an eight year cycle, forming a pentagram during its cycle. This is the planet that ancient astronomers used to measure our cosmos. So Venus is the measure of our solar system.

So scientifically the Venus transit across the sun sparked the question and provided the information needed to measure our solar system and like most natural events, people have added great symbology to it. Venus is the symbol for pure love and the feminine aspect of the divine. In Cathy Pagono's article she states clearly Venus' gift to us is Love. As Venus passes in front of the Sun she is "activated" by the potency of the sun's heat and light. This is recognized as a time of the feminine aspect of nature coming more to the forefront in order to bring a better balance to the patriarchal society that has dominated for so long.

If we think about this concept we can clearly see that the patriarchal system is crumbling apart all over the world! I've felt this in my personal life as well. As things have begun to settle I realize that the crumbling apart can also be viewed as the ground giving way to allow new growth. We can work to hold on to whatever it is that we've already created or we can surrender and allow the new growth to place naturally and gracefully.

In our individual beings we might hold on to patterns of movement or thought. We might hold on to old habits, ideals, or expectations that once served a purpose but are no longer functioning. I can't help but hold the famous quote by Joseph Campbell in my mind.

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”

Check out the rest of Cathy's article here. I thought the last two paragraphs were very powerful and we'll be using them as food for thought in tonight's class.

If we lived in a society that looked to the heavens for meaning, June 5th’s second transit of Venus across the face of the Sun would rock the world as a sign of hope for the future. And there would be hope if enough people accept responsibility for letting Love lead the way. Imagine a world where Love was the basis for life’s decisions! Not an unconscious love, but Love as the awareness of our connection with everyone and everything, coming through our imagination and intuition. Love as a foundation for life’s choices and decisions based on a belief that what I do to another I do to myself. Love places us back in the cycle of Life, where we are one and whole.

 That belief is the polar opposite of patriarchal thinking, which configures us as separate and imperfect. Every man for himself! Even though patriarchy has tried to suppress the more feminine right brain holistic view of life, women are often quite adept at operating out of both brains, basing their decisions on right brain connective love and using the left brain to make it so. It actually works quite well! This transit is attuned to our right brains, so ask your analytical left brain to stand down, open to your imagination and see what you discover.