The Week Ahead (4.29.24 through 5.5.24)
Spicy, passionate romance ahead???
Notable Astrology Happenings
Monday, April 29 12:31AM ET: Mars conjunct Neptune (28°Pisces)
Monday, April 29 7:31AM ET: Venus enters Taurus
Tuesday, April 30 11:33AM ET: Mars enters Aries
Wednesday, May 1 12:30AM ET: Venus (2° Taurus) square Pluto (2° Aquarius)
Thursday, May 2 1:47PM ET: Pluto Retrograde (2° Aquarius)
Friday, May 3 5:06AM ET: Mars (2° Aries) sextile Pluto (2° Aquarius)
A lot can change in two-years. Or, sometimes, nothing can change at all.
There are two cosmic homecoming this week: On Monday, Venus—the planet of love, beauty, and values—enters it home sign of Taurus and, the very next day, Mars—the planet of action, determination, and lust—shifts into its home sign of Aries. With both Venus and Mars in their respective domiciles for the first time since May/June 2022, we may be guided back to narratives (especially romantic ones) from two-years ago.
What was going on in your love life May/June 2022?
Were you in a relationship? Dating? Single?
How has your love life changed?
How has it stayed the same?
With Venus and Mars each performing optimally within their respective zodiacal domiciles, perhaps this will be an easy breezy, effortless time for love and romance. That could certainly be true: Venus and Mars excel in the signs of Taurus and Aries. (Venus likes to be wined-and-dined; so does Taurus. Mars wants to get shit done; so does Aries. Learn more about essential dignities here.) But I would be remiss not to mention the complicated, often problematic relationship between these two deities.
As the story goes, Venus was married to Vulcan, the god of fire and blacksmiths. Apparently, he was also very old and very crotchety (just an FYI). So, naturally, Venus was irresistibly drawn to Mars, captivated by his strength and virility. Mars, in turn, was enamored by Venus' seductive allure. Venus and Mars began having a secret affair, which was first discovered by Helios—the sun god—who shined the bright morning sun on this clandestine scandal.
Helios told Vulcan, who—determined to expose the infidelity—built an invisible bronze net that he placed around his mattress. (Venus and Mars were getting down on Vulcan’s bed… I mean, such tea right?!) That night, Venus and Mars met for their evening tryst, and found themselves caught in Vulcan’s trap. Successfully capturing Venus and Mars, cuckolded Vulcan invited all the gods from Mount Olympus to his bedroom to shame the caught lovers.
The symbolism of Venus and Mars caught in Vulcan's net is rich with layers of meaning. This story illuminates the messy, unpredictable nature of human relationships, where desire can spark even in the most unexpected places, defying societal norms and expectations. The net crafted by Vulcan may represent the intricacies and complexities of relationships, particularly the entanglements that arise from forbidden desires and clandestine affairs. Just as the net ensnares the lovers, it symbolizes the constraints and consequences of succumbing to temptation and betraying commitments.
But Venus and Mars trapped in the net also embody the collision of love and war, passion and conflict. Venus—representing love—and Mars—representing war—are immobilized in their embrace, symbolizing the tension between desire and duty, pleasure and responsibility. Their entrapment signifies that, despite our best attempts, fusing these two human expression may be impossible. Perhaps these energies will always be ripped apart by the light of day, forever exposed and humiliated by the powers that be. Venus and Mars can never truly coexist. All is not fair in love and war.
The freaky foibles of the gods always serve as lessons for us mere mortals. As we reflect on the tumultuous love affair between Venus and Mars, it serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities and pitfalls of romance. While Venus luxuriates in Taurus' sensual embrace and Mars charges forth in Aries’ fiery determination, perhaps we’re reminded of our own push-and-pull. Our own impossible connections. The traps we put ourselves in.
Fundamentally, this week is an opportunity for us to reflect on the different expressions of love. There’s stable, grounded, practical love—rooted in bonds and dynamics that “just make sense.” And there’s love-at-first-sight, head-over-heels, irresponsible, chaotic, passionate love. Perhaps, though time and mythology, we’ve created a sort of moral hierarchy, but the truth is that—like all things in metaphysical realm—there is no good or bad. There simply is. Love changes. It evolves. It shifts in form and function.
So, with Venus and Mars embodied the most romantic manifestations of their respective signs, think about what romantic love means for you and how your needs have changed—perhaps over the last two-years. This week, partnered folks may want to explore ways to spice up their bond, while those single and looking to mingle may end up having some very fun and flirty connections. Either way, with Venus and Mars getting back in the sack, sparks will definitely be flying.
Go get ‘em tiger.
This & That
I hate teasing things, but alas! Look out for a big announcement mid-week! Before we share the news, I’m curious: Where are you located? Where in the world are ya!?!? Let me know in the comments :)
Aliza’s Mommy Updates
Katrin and I connected to get the inside scoop on my life with baby Talula.
How are you and Talula doing?