Reporting Live From Somewhere
Are you in a holding pattern?
Personally, I've been noticing a big stasis vibe among the folk this summer.
With over a decade of self-employment under my belt, I've honed some pretty good go-to strategies to keep from spiraling when I hit a holding pattern. But, I'm finding this one calls for a little something more, and I'm pointing the finger at Venus—planet of all the lovely good things—and her current retrograde in Leo as the culprit.
Maybe it's the incessant rain here in Vermont that is putting a damper on things, but even friends who are moving at a faster clip seem to be awaiting something that is taking for-effing-ever to unfold. Are you feeling like we’re feeling? Read on.
Let's have a quick review:
The planet Venus signifies...
Beauty.
What we value.
How we receive.
The sign Leo signifies...
Self-love.
Spontaneous generosity.
Owning the spotlight.
Are those combos feelin' a lil funky right now? Keep in mind that this retrograde cycle includes when Venus:
entered her shadow at 12 degrees Leo around June 19th,
went retrograde on July 23rd at 28 Leo,
will move direct again September 3rd at 12 Leo and
will leave her shadow at 29 Leo on Oct. 7th.
All in all it will be nearly 4 months of the feminine principle on hiatus where she's packed up her ribbons and bows and left us to go do something that's apparently none of our business.
To me, this feels like a slow-motion walloping. A kind of bummer-summer. Perhaps it's because Leo loves the peaks, but has a harder time with the valleys.
Unlike Mercury retrograde, which generally discombobulates us, Venus going backward makes everything just taste a little... off.
Like I said, I'm no stranger to the holding pattern, and I've come up with plenty of Virgo-esque assignments for myself when the stasis hits (thanks to my stellium in that sign). But, this time around I'm finding my usual nose-to-the-grindstone approach is not working out so well.
So, in the spirit of Venus in Leo, even though she's in a funk, it's time add some fun-and-games to the holding-pattern-response-protocol. Here's one Virgo's best stab at combining practical motivation with….
Fanciful & Fun Rut-Busting Prompts
Make To-Woot lists:
Sometimes you'll bear down on list-making when you feel stuck. Not a bad move, but how about using pretty markers and fun colors? And then when you're done with your to-do list, make one that's just for fun things. Take your fun goals seriously and write them down—calligri-fy them!—and stick them on the fridge.
Make Spammers Talk to the Hand:
Delete/cancel/unsubscribe. Instead of mindlessly scrolling, use your phone addiction to clear out the digital clutter from your feed or your inbox, and reclaim some of those $3.99 a month subscriptions that are doing what, exactly?
Spruce Up the Comf:
We’ve all been lulled by the siren song of sweatpants thanks to the new normal of remote home office life, and these cozy duds don't always help the holding pattern. However, there's no need to recreate the old days by squeezing your blossoming physique into office wear just to play pretend office at home (what could be worse?).
Try swapping your sweats for a Japanese take on house clothes. I recommend a brand called Sou-Sou. Loose-fitting yet classy cuts and patterns will satisfy your new standards for comfort without sabotaging your self-esteem. They even have socks designed for flip-flops.
Pick Some Low-hanging Fruit:
Pick one easy habit that you know you can nail. Success breeds success and baby steps are everyone's BFF. Here are some no-brainers: drink more water, take a daily aimless walk, floss every day, stretch, go to bed earlier, turn your phone off, read a book, adopt a mild 20 minute YouTube routine like Qi Gong or Tai Chi.
K.I.T. (keep in touch):
Make a list of 10 people you haven't actually talked to in a year (scrolling updates don't count). Think of something small but specific you can give them: a recipe, a life hack, a photo, a product recommendation, a song, a link to useful or funny video, a friend or professional connection, heck—what about a friendship bracelet? Send a specialized message letting them know you still care with your modest but meaningful token of affection.
concoct an Elaborate Self-care Bonanza:
I immediately think bubble baths and face masks, but self-care really can be anything that you do just for your self (and not for your dissociated, void-avoidant self). Create a whole day (or chunk of a day) where you literally do only things that you want, and that you don't normally do every day.
Move That Ch'i:
There's got to be a place in your home that is crying out for some Feng Shui help. You can start there, or for extra credit, choose the area of your life where you'd like things to move out of their current holding pattern. Can you find that area on this bagua map, and then in your own home? Once there:
deep clean (get out the gloves and do it right!)
take everything out and evaluate whether or not it brings you joy (Konmari that shtuff)
look at the bagua map, are you bringing in auspicious themes and colors?
consider metaphors: if this were a movie set, what would the director be telegraphing to the audience based on this decor?
Make changes where needed and journal about it. What patterns show up in this part of your life? What patterns show up in this part of your home? Set an alarm for 1 month from now and see how things have changed. Message me if you need help.
Volunteer:
You've always said you wanted to help out at the soup kitchen or with the beach clean-up, if only you had the time. Well, how about now? Giving of yourself and your time moves energy out of stagnation and gets you back into circulation where you can be more available to receive as well as give. I'm finding a lot of pleasure in assisting a Vermont-based Housing-First nonprofit called Pathways which is helping people get into and stay in their homes.
Hypnotize It:
The more you ruminate on the holding pattern you're in, the faster the cement dries around that gesture of suspicion, hardening it into experience. Hypnosis is a great way to make new grooves in your unconscious mind that keep you on track toward, instead of derailing, your dreams. Here's a free 7-minute recording I made to remind you of how easy it can be to feel joy, pleasure and satisfaction. Listen every day for a week and see where you land.
Block O'Clock:
Use time blocking to pick a time when you commit to getting three things to get done each day. Not your snazzy new easy habits, but significant steps you need to take to move your life forward. Three new ones every day. Set the intention the night before, pick an hour that you will commit to the following day (at the same time if you can) when you will grind out these three things. Write it down, set your alarm, just do it.
Lean into Jupiter:
According to Shamanic Astrology, you must embrace and embody your Jupiter placement in order advance toward your higher purpose.
I know, you're thinking "wait, weren't we just talking about Venus retrograde?" Yes, I know—please bear with me.
We're trying to get things moving again, and Jupiter likes to make things grow. It's the other (greater) benefic planet so maybe he can pick up some slack while Venus is out of commission?
What sign was Jupiter in when you were born? Get your birth chart here if you don’t know.
See below for movie recommendations for each Jupiter sign that will help you kick off your motivation... from a seated position. We're in a holding pattern, after all, we might as well enjoy it!
Aries - The Hunt
Taurus - The Big Lebowski
Gemini - Ferris Bueller's Day Off
Cancer - Stand By Me
Leo - Beast
Virgo - Waiting for Guffman
Libra - My Cousin Vinny
Scorpio - Deathproof
Sagittarius - Eat, Pray, Love
Capricorn - Moneyball
Aquarius - Tenet
Pisces - Monty Python and the Holy Grail
If you're curious about what else you can do to embrace your Jupiter and accelerate your purpose, hit me up.
Create something:
You probably have your own creative go-to's - if so, make some time for them!
If you need a little inspiration, here's an assignment: make a collage depicting your most magical day on earth. You can always find pictures online and print them out, but old magazines are cooler.
Venus retrograde in Leo is turning up her nose your small-ball dreams. Prove her wrong! You CAN dream big, dreamy ostentatious dreams! Revel in the ridiculous splendor that no one deserves! Arrange it in a mandala of magnificence and stick it to your mirror.
Well, 12 prompts later, here we are. If you get a chance to do one or more of these between now and September 3rd, when Venus goes direct, I want to know about it! As we all know, having a deadline is one of the best ways to ditch a holding pattern and move on to greener pastures.
And if you’re reading this at some point in the future and finding it helpful, take a moment to thank Venus in Leo for her 2023 retrograde lesson, that it’s everyone’s individual responsibility to have fun and love life, with or without her special sauce on the table.