This week has the potential to be very challenging as it starts with the exact conjunction of Ketu to the Sun followed by Ketu conjuncting Mars and Mercury leading up the the eclipse of May 9th and 10th. Saturn is also deep in the mix. Saturn and Ketu having such an influence can cause feelings of negativity and hopelessness for many of us and for those who tend to favor negative mind this week can feel thoroughly without light.
The fact that Venus is in his own sign does give us something to hang onto during this week. No, this planet will not overcome the heavy nature of this week nor will he be able to gift many of us with whatever we believe will make the bad feelings go away.
But, as with all planets, Venus is connected energetically to each of us and by using some of the measures known to work with the Venus energy we can lighten or neutralize the negative energy.
Venus is the natural ruler of the Anahatta or Fourth Chakra. This fourth chakra, also known as the heart center, is located right in the center of our chest area and is considered the balancing chakra. Consciously breathing with a focus on the the heart center will help balance and harmonize the emotions. Some people like to imagine a flower or an emerald green light located in the fourth chakra which is also another way to strenghten the balancing nature of Venus and the fourth chakra.
For those not inclined to meditation or breath work there are other approaches to Venus. The diamond is considered the primary gem for Venus but white sapphire, clear zircon, clear quartz and white coral are also good stones for Venus energy. If you have any of those stones this is a good time to clean them and wear or carry them with a conscious intention to bring in the positive energies of Venus.
Venus also responds to fragrance, fine soaps and body creams as well as to music and flowers. This is a good week to simply find the time for a bit of time for resting or bathing to nice music in a room with fragrance and uplifting music. Finally, as the keeper of the Shastras, reading something that is meaningful in truth and uplifting to the mind is another simple activity – just because the times feel bad doesn’t take away the love or the truth.
All of your suggestions for working with Venus are wonderful and, book-lover that I am, I’ve reached for The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali in the last couple of days. “If you control your mind, you have controlled everything. Then there is nothing in this world to bind you.” I can’t say why these mere words are helpful – they’re not expressing a new concept… perhaps it is just the source that I so love…it provides comfort to remember that my true Self is serene, that just as I am not simply my body, I’m also not my mind which, these days, is a bit scrambled. Thank you for the reminders that we don’t have to be victims of this heavy energy….we can choose to lighten it!
I’ve often thought that if I could have only one book it would be The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. At this time in life it is good to know that “The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga.” It is that restraint of the reactions our mind-stuff wants us to take which presents a challenge at the moment – seems like we are surrounded by so much that our egos tell us “react, react, are you going to stand for that?!?!?” Fortunate are those who know truth.
I was reading that quote (“The restraint of the modifications of the mind-stuff is Yoga”) earlier. It is sort of interesting to me that my parents, through example, taught me self-restraint through fear. The Sutras teach
it through truth – “when the mind ceases to create thought forms or when the chittam [the sum total of mind] is completely free from vrittis [modifications], it becomes as clear as a still lake and you see your true Self.” It is sort of amazing that the Sutras date back to a time from 5,000 B.C. to 300 A.D. and are so relevant and helpful today!
My parents taught me to yell and fight back….not so good….lol.
I am indeed going to hold my red rose close to my heart this week. Hopefully I will not get ensnared in the political news, both on TV and the Internet. Back to the beach for me!!!!
Thanks Linda for the heads up. Forewarned is forearmed.
The beach sounds good. One of the best aspects of Astrology is the weather report it can give for the mind and emotions. So often I read or hear about things like suicides or people breaking up a good relationship and I think “if only they had known a good Vedic astrologer.”
I think that’s one of the things I love about all the information provided here – as you said, “forewarned is forearmed”!!! Enjoy the beach…that’s a great place to be peaceful.