In astrology the outer planets, those that cannot be seen by the naked eye, are sometimes considered to be higher octaves, or energetic vibrations, of their inner planet counterparts. Their archetypal principles are expressed at a more universal, spiritual level, rather than on the mundane, personal level of the inner planets. They are associated with processes that lead us to a new state of awareness, of human consciousness.
The inner planet Venus represents the principle of attraction as well as repulsion. It determines what we are drawn towards, love, appreciate and desire in life. It defines what we find beautiful, agreeable, pleasurable and gratifying in our physical existence, and therefore value. It is associated with our personal powers of attraction of material abundance and wealth.
Venus is also associated with the kinds of personal and business relationships we want to attract, and the manner in which we want to align with a partner. When partners have conflicting values, stress and discord disrupts the harmony and balance needed to maintain a partnership. Venus determines how we give and receive love and affection with close partners, such as in romantic relationships, and in family relationships, for example between a mother and child. This type of love is personal, and is related to our ego-identified self.
The transpersonal planet Neptune is seen as the higher octave of Venus. Neptune represents the principle of love for all of humanity, rather than the personal love for an individual, object, or idea. Neptune’s force moves us to transcend the ego-identified self with its fears and belief in separateness. It elevates our awareness into oneness or unity consciousness. This is the state of awareness of being part of a vast net of interconnectedness in a field of universal Love or Source. We experience feelings of unconditional love, empathy, compassion and forgiveness for others through an understanding we are all spiritual beings navigating life’s challenges and hardships on earth.
On March 30, 2025 Neptune crossed the Aries point from its own sign of Pisces, marking a spiritual new beginning for humankind that will last 165 years. Venus preceded Neptune’s entry from Pisces into Aries in early February. She then stationed retrograde on March 1st, and made her way back into Pisces, re-kindling her love and appreciation for the Pisces qualities of emotional sensitivity, empathy, compassion, and oneness consciousness before moving forward again and re-entering Aries territory on April 30th.
By aligning with Venus’ retrograde cycle, we too can immerse ourselves in the qualities of Pisces. We are encouraged to reconnect with the spiritual values of compassion and sensitivity, and and to demonstrate oneness consciousness with love for all of humanity. Feeling drawn to a higher, transcendent form of Love, we prepare ourselves for the shifts and changes as we cross the threshold into a new world that will take form in the years ahead.
“We are the vehicle by which the universal Consciousness evolves.”
― Jim Sher