Venus Retrograde and The Empress Rx

Something didn't feel right... I want us all to thrive in the hive!

Happy Friday, Honeybees! It’s time for this week’s pick-a-pile Tarot readings. CLICK HERE or on the image above to grab yours! The theme is ‘The Refiner’s Fire’ and in the article we examine this concept from both a Law of One/metaphysical and a traditional Christian point of view.

Last week, I shared about how I intended to structure things on Substack after folding my new website TheTarotHive.com due to burnout. It’s a good thing I took some time to mull things over before implementing a Stripe solution to charge for paid subscriptions. (Come to think of it, Venus Retrograde probably isn’t the best time for this anyway—Doh!). So far a total of two people have pledged to support this publication. I’m super grateful for both of you (you know who you are!) but it makes me realise that now is not the time.

For now, if you wish to support my work, please consider getting one of my donation-based readings (pay what you can!) or simply donate on the Angelorum website (link in footer).

This (2025 so far) is a rather turbulent time of transformation, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. Media and the stock market are twitching with every move of the new regime across the pond. There are “wars and rumours of war”. Stress and reactivity levels seem up (Pisces Moon “energy sponge” here) and all I want peace and quiet. Perhaps you do too. You won’t find any click-bait/fear-mongering headlines here (or anywhere else where I write) because I don’t wish to contribute to the escalating drama of the dying powers…

That said, I’m struggling with how to best support this community and make the content engaging. I think learning and teaching the Tarot is a wonderful thing to do but I have this nagging feeling that I’m here to do something else besides, something more to support awakenings and build New Earth.

Essentially, I’m looking for true sisterhood/brotherhood (siblinghood?), a community of people who all have unique, equally valuable gifts to contribute. I can teach Tarot, sure, but I have already shared all I know (and will continue to share as I learn more) on my Angelorum blog.

What I’m really interested in is community-building and using the Tarot for creating New Earth (turning it into one ginormous beautiful blue and green gem of a hive), a place where everyone feels safe and cared for because we live and share from the heart. Is anybody else feeling these vibes or am I too far into the future with my Midheaven in Aquarius?

It’s time for a poll!

I have a number in mind. If the number of people engaging and voting in the poll is less than that number, I may abandon this Substack hive and swarm back over to the Angelorum Substack where the angels refused to allow me to stop posting. No need to worry about posts going missing—I’ll leave everything ‘as is.’

Venus in the Tarot

In Tarot, The Empress is the card that corresponds with Venus, embodying themes of fertility, abundance, creativity, sensuality, and nurturing energy. The Empress is the archetype of the divine feminine, representing the fullness of life, growth, and the natural world. The glyph of Venus is visible on the shield in the classic Waite Smith version of The Empress card.

The Empress and Venus: A Harmonious Connection

The Empress signifies a period of growth, fertility, pregnancy, creativity, and the flourishing of ideas or relationships. This aligns with the energy of Venus, which encourages connection, appreciation of beauty, and the cultivation of harmony in both personal and external environments. Together, they represent the fertile ground of potential, where love, art, and abundance can thrive.

The Empress also symbolises the nurturing aspect of Venus, emphasising care, compassion, and the importance of self-love. She reminds us to connect with nature, our bodies, and our senses, much like Venus invites us to indulge in life's pleasures and find joy in the present moment.

Reversed or Ill-Dignified Meanings: Shadow Aspects

When The Empress appears reversed or is ill-dignified (weakened by surrounding cards), her shadow aspects come to the fore. These may include:

• Stifled creativity: A lack of inspiration or blocked energy.

• Overindulgence: Excess in material pleasures or dependency on external validation.

• Neglect: A failure to nurture oneself or others, leading to imbalance.

• Superficiality: Focusing on appearances rather than deeper connections.

• Control issues: Manipulation or possessiveness in relationships.

These reversed qualities can reflect the challenges of Venus's energy when it is out of balance. For example, Venus's love of beauty and pleasure can become superficial or materialistic, and her desire for harmony can lead to avoidance of conflict or codependency.

Venus Retrograde: Shadow Work and Re-evaluation

During Venus retrograde, the planet's energy turns inward, prompting a period of reflection and re-evaluation in areas ruled by Venus: love, relationships, values, and self-worth. This retrograde phase often brings the reversed or shadow aspects of The Empress to the surface, forcing us to confront imbalances or unresolved issues.

1. Re-evaluating Relationships: Venus retrograde may reveal underlying tensions or unmet needs in relationships. The Empress reversed can indicate a need to reassess how we give and receive love, or whether we are nurturing healthy connections.

2. Self-Worth and Values: The retrograde period can highlight insecurities or misplaced priorities. The Empress reversed may point to a lack of self-care or an overemphasis on external validation, urging us to reconnect with our intrinsic worth.

3. Creative Blocks: Venus retrograde can stifle creative expression, mirroring The Empress reversed. This is a time to explore the root of these blocks and rediscover what truly inspires us.

4. Material Imbalance: The Empress reversed during Venus retrograde may signal financial or material excess or scarcity. It’s a call to reassess our relationship with abundance and consumption.

Integrating the Lessons

The Empress, even in her reversed state, offers an opportunity for growth. Venus retrograde provides a chance to delve into the shadow aspects of her energy, heal imbalances, and emerge with a deeper understanding of love, creativity, and self-worth. By embracing the lessons of this period, we can realign with the harmonious, nurturing energy of The Empress and Venus, fostering greater abundance and connection in our lives.

In essence, the interplay between Venus and The Empress during retrograde periods invites us to confront what is out of balance, heal our relationship with ourselves and others, and ultimately return to a state of flourishing and harmony.

Love and Light,

Lisa