Astrological Insights for 23 May 2010

It’s a day for relationships. Not only is the Moon in let’s–get-along Libra but the planetary star of the week, Venus, is opposite Pluto.

When the goddess of love and beauty is aligned with the god of the underworld, passion escalates and relationships may feel more intense. The concept of control—maintaining it and/or releasing it—comes into focus, with a feeling of all-or-nothing enveloping romantic and/or creative pursuits.

When Venus and Pluto dance as they will today, desire—whether it be sexual or a deep yearning to truly reveal oneself to another—is the name of the game. Buried feelings—those we’ve turned a blind eye towards or just didn’t want to express—are drawn forth and emerge from deep within.

Usually when planets are in opposition, our first instinct is to identify with one of the planets and project the energies of the other onto another person (or other people). For example, we may feel that we are being sweet, loving, and beyond reproach (Venus) and that it’s our partner or friend that is being secretive, manipulative, or wanting things to change in a dramatic way (Pluto), or we may play the role of Pluto while projecting Venus onto them.

Yet what planetary oppositions teach us is that, in fact, we are likely both—in this case both the one who desires harmony (Venus) and the one who desires transformation and honesty (Pluto). Where oppositions lead us is towards the illumination it takes to be able to integrate seemingly disparate sides of ourselves.

For clues on the themes and patterns that may present themselves, consider back to February – May 2009, as this was the time period when Venus and Pluto were in a related alignment. Issues that are arising around this current time may reflect an unfolding of those that came to light last year at that time.