Venus Becomes The Morning Star: Understanding Her Journey Around The Sun
On August 21, 2023 Venus had moved from being an evening star to being a morning star. She is now at her brightest in the sky as she moves toward the constellation Hydra. This galactic shift is certainly the key to the heart opening events that have taken place the last couple of months.
Venus’ cycle is 584 days: 9 months are spent as an evening star, followed by a disappearance for a few weeks. This is the time when Venus is in an inferior conjunction (in front of the sun) and also when she’ll retrograde. Re-emerged, Venus will now be a morning star for 9 months and will disappear again in a superior conjunction (behind the sun) for 3 months. Repeating her cycle of descent and re-emergence. Currently, Venus is already in her morning star expression and will be ending retrograde on September 3.
The Energetics of Venus’ Shadow and Light
Symbolically, Venus’ cycle is a physical representation of the feminine principle undergoing an underworld exploration. There has been a lot of release and heart wounds being brought to the surface. When truly, I believe it is more of an underworld deep dive the collective has taken consciously and unconsciously. We’ve been faced with truly observing matters of the heart and stepping into embodiment of the primordial feminine. In my own life, themes around betrayal from women I trusted and dark feminine archetypes such as the succubus, femme fatale persona have presented. A reflection of my own trauma and the need to fully integrate my own dark feminine who was still unbeknownst to me, calcified in rage, distrust and grief.
This looks different for everyone and certainly you may have experienced these specific dark feminine themes as well. In my work as an herbalist, I kept coming in contact with men who were having serious heart, circulatory and blood issues arise. Again, a manifestation of calcified grief that needs to be examined clearly and integrated to heal. A neglect of the feminine principle by the propagandized masculine authority of late state capitalism and the patriarchy. Venus in her brightest hour is shining a light on this overly masculinized world, enraged and demanded feminine integration. In truth, there is no avoiding this work as it will seep into every aspect of your ignorant life until all darkness is rectified.
Astrologer Heather Ensworth shared deep wisdom regarding Venus’ underworld journey. Together, we’ll explore deeper the story of The Descent of Inanna. First, let us discuss more about Hydra the water snake and what Venus moving toward this constellation may symbolize.
Understanding The Story of Hydra and Water Snake Medicine
In Greek mythology, the story of Hydra is one of the 9-headed water serpent being slain by Hercules. The story goes that the beast would attack and kill anyone who trespassed its swamp in Lerna. Of Hercules 12 labors, this was the second of his to serve out. Every head that was chopped off two more would grow in its place. Hercules was able to prevent the snake from re-growing any heads by burning down the stumps as soon as they were cut off. Thus, once immortal Hydra was killed. In Babylonian mythology, there can be overlap with the story Gilgamesh slaying the 7-headed monster. Alike, in many other cultures the story may change. In Hindu astrology, you can find connection to one of the Nakshatras, Ashlesha. The Chinese saw it as the vermillion bird and the azure dragon. Hydra has been identified as far back as Ancient Sumer and then was named after the “primordial salt-water goddess”, Tiamat.
Returning to the Greek story, we see that Hera Queen of Gods nourishes the snake by insinuation the defeat of Hercules. The most prominent feminine figure giving her aid to this supposed beast. It is also important to explore this region Lerna. “The name Lerna originates the Hattic plural prefix le- plus arinna or arna which means spring, pool, well, or source. In other words, this place is actually named The Springs”. It was also said to be an entry point to the Underworld. In short, not only was this area a spring for new life to flow, it was also a place to explore death. Symbolic of what snake symbolism and ouroboros communicate: the life/death/life cycle. The immortality of spirit and the mortality of humanness. Regeneration that happens in moments of deep shadow work and soul retrieval. Finally, shedding the old self and embracing personal transformation.
Dark Feminine Dissolves and Primordial Feminine Resurfaces
Hera was in a space of operating from her dark feminine, driving Hercules mad to the point of murdering wives and children in fits of rage. Done onto himself and King Eurystheus, which prompted his 12 labors. From the beginning, Hercules was nothing but a reminder of her husbands infidelity. Even as an infant, she sent two snakes to kill him.
In my translation, this imagery represents how the femme fatale persona propagandized by the media has not only not truly empowered women, but has also been a tool of vengeance against the masculine. It has created the line of thinking that women do not need men while juxtaposing this same thought by feeding off the life force of men via succubus-like means. The truest power for both the feminine and masculine principles is integration. The duality of this world serves an immensely divine purpose. Many will only see it as a means of separation and turmoil. Its highest intention is showcasing the interconnectedness of this earthly realm to itself, the heavenly realm and the underworld. Women shouldn’t cast onto men the evils of the patriarchy in reverse. What means is it to work in extremes versus find the finest balance and work symbiotically? A rebirth of feminism is needed. The feminine principle is responsible for grounding the highest emotional intelligence, compassion and empathy. A folly it is to believe the femme fatale is the empowered feminine, for this archetype is only truly the masculinized feminine. Still operating from a space of projection instead of receptivity. True power is not relinquishing one side for another, it is integration. Thus, the re-introduction of the primordial feminine through the story of Inanna.
The Descent of Inanna: The First Epic of Venus’ Underworld Journey
Inanna’s descent is one of the oldest known myths dating back 2,000 BCE. It may even stem from oral traditions of at least 1,000 more years in the past. The Descent of Inanna was displayed by Astrologer Heather Answorth as an ancient dialogue of the constant life, death and rebirth cycles of the feminine principle. As well as it’s initiatory effects on the masculine discovering its own life, death and rebirth cycle. During this time in history humanity was in the Age of Taurus, a time when Venus was revered and Inanna the Queen of Heaven was her anatomy.
The story begins with the Queen of the Heavens hears the calling for the Underworld. Completely in her power and choice, Inanna ventures to the great below. Possibly, this story inspired the tale of Persephone. However, unlike the entrapped spring maiden, Inanna sought to below for her own sake. Metaphorically, to reclaim the lost parts of herself and to face her darkest feminine counterpart which manifest as her sister Ereshkigal Queen of the Underworld. Ereshkigal is the wounded dark feminine, someone who was raped, abandoned and repressed. Someone who was sent there against their will. As Inanna descends, at every gate a layer of clothing is stripped until she gets to the very bottom. Here she is naked and face to face with Ereshkigal. Her sister is enraged and stares her coldly to death. How dare she? How dare she come her by choice in her lightness? In her privilege.
The Death of Inanna
Inanna was cold and dead. With her, fertility had become barren. Three days past and her dear friend/advisor Ninshubur knows to seek out help. Truthfully, very important to note that when we are to venture to the underworld we need to have the support system to do so. The firm reminder of our heavenly essence that can bring us back to life which our dearest sisters, advisors and most trusted people will reflect.
Ninshubur seeks out Enki, God of Wisdom who sends Earth creatures to revive her. They bring her waters and foods of life. They also support Ereshkigal in her wailing pain. Thus, Inanna is reborn and must return to her throne in the Heavens. The demons and spirits of the Underworld demand that she cannot leave unless someone takes her place. She refuses to send Ninshubur or her son. Inanna sees her husband Dumuzid relishing in fine clothing, sitting on the throne and not mourning her death, groveling at her loss. So, Inanna doesn’t hesitate to send Dumuzid off to the Underworld in her place.
Dumuzid’s Dream and Return
Dumuzid God of fertility and agriculture, unlike Inanna does not want to venture to the Underworld and runs away from the demons. Dumuzid seeks refuge by the Sun God, Utu who turns him into a snake to escape the horde. He has a dream of agriculture dying back and his inevitable capture by the Galla. He sought out his sister, Geshtinanna lady of the grapevine who translated his dream for him. Sure enough, the Galla show up looking for him and he escapes yet again. They offer Geshtinanna gifts of water and grain to tell them Dumuzid’s whereabouts. In her refusal, she is tortured, “pitch into her vulva”. Again, Dumuzid sought out Utu who now turned him into a gazelle to get away. Eventually, he is found since his friend shared his location and dragged to the Underworld. In the mourning of Inanna, Dumuzid’s mother and his sister comes an offer. Geshtinanna and her mother sing mourning songs which prompts this holy fly to buzz into the ears of the mourning Inanna. It creates an exchange with Inanna and she is now able to retrieve her beloved from the Underworld. His sister will take his place in the Underworld for half the year and then they will switch places for the other half. Now, the seasons of harvest are born.
Dissecting Dumuzid’s Underworld Journey
Interestingly, Dumuzid in his avoidance ended up having to cyclically enter the Underworld for the rest of time. I can’t help but wonder- had he went in Inanna’s place with honor and dignity, perhaps there would’ve been another way for him. For me, I also see the lack of accountability that our families can enable within us. Instead of having her brother serve out his sentence, Gesthinanna sacrifices her wellbeing and the sanctity of her vulva (the external structure of the female genitalia). Dumuzid’s friend did not initially give in. In Dumuzid’s constant fleeing from the demons of the Underworld, his friend finally gave in. It is a great burden to an individual to enable the escapism of their friends. True friendship is to hold your loved ones accountable and especially when in a space of autonomy. Ultimately, it was the love of the main feminine counterparts in his life that set him free. Perhaps an ode to there being no escape from the Underworld descent. Especially noted that resistance will create and even stickier contract to the Underworld then one might want.
Venus Morning Star Initiates Mars’ Inevitable Underworld Journey
It is absolutely spectacular the reflection that is celestial movement. As mentioned previously, Venus will end her retrograde September 3rd in full embrace of her Morning Star archetype. On October 10, Mars will be disappearing from the sky’s view to enter his own transformative Underworld. Mars will be moving toward conjuncting the sun and will be exact by November 18. Re-emerging the reborn masculine by December 31st. Interestingly, Mars will not be retrograde during this movement. So I infer the masculine will need to face the external world that their unkept fires have created. Whereas the feminine needed to venture within and resolve the internalized unkept stagnant waters. A firm reminder that all beings have both polarities within and both essences will be experiencing a renewal in everyone.
In Closing
Collectively and individually we are experiencing the imbalance that has been happening between the masculine and feminine essences for centuries. The “dominator” paradigm of power over is coming to an end. A return to justice, co-creation, empathy and true community is to be born. The balance of the sacred feminine and masculine to truly work, the feminine principles must be the foundational work. So that we may create, initiate and fuel our fire for connection to the Earth, sacred embodiment, safety and a genuine sense of belonging. With this, the masculine has a basis to act moving forward. This is the true mutuality between Venus and Mars. Be in right relationship with all of life, so expression and manifesting is in right relationship too.