Venus Cazimi
The magic of the Sun Venus conjunction in Leo
One of my favorite astrological transits is the Venus Cazimi. A Cazimi occurs when a planet conjoins the Sun within 1°. Here planets are in the heart of the Sun emboldened, fortified, and renewed. The Sun’s core is so dense and hot nuclear fusion transforms matter into pure energy. Although Venus does not literally enter the core of the Sun, I imagine the Cazimi as Venus’ transformation into pure energy. In this form, she radiates love, beauty, and magnetism throughout the universe.
The Venus Cazimi begins August 12th at 2:57 p.m. CDT with the Sun at 19° 51’ Leo conjoining Venus at 20° 51’ Leo. On August 13th at 6:00 a.m. CDT the Ascendant at 20° 27’ Leo conjoins the Sun and Venus at 20° 27’ and 20° 28’ respectively. This is an auspicious time for planetary magic and rituals.
Planetary magic is a practice of building devotional, reciprocal relationships with the planets. Through ritual we can honor them as the intelligent, divine beings they are. Planetary devotion brings me childlike awe and joy. I believe the planets want to support us and receive our love and gratitude in return. For thousands of years, planets and stars were worshipped as the deities they are. Only in contemporary times are we isolated from the cosmos and natural world through systems of control and oppression. However, we can choose to return to right relationship with our planetary ancestors.
If you would like to begin a devotional practice, it’s quite simple. I created a Solar Power zine about my devotion to the Sun. If you’d like a copy let me know, and I can snail mail you one. When beginning, trust your intuition, and open yourself to cosmic winks and nudges. In my experience, the planets make it known when it’s the right time to build a relationship.
To express your love for the Sun or Venus you can build an altar in your home or garden. Adorn your altar with candles, crystals, herbs, flowers, or miscellaneous objects that remind you of the planet. For Venus, I love roses, rose quartz, shells, and candles. For the Sun, I love sunflowers, calendula, sunstone, and solar trinkets. Astrologer Kirah Tabourn’s podcast introduced me to the Orphic Hymns. Reciting the hymns are one way to begin a conversation. You can find the Orphic Hymns to the Sun and Venus here. Kristin Matthis’ contemporary translations of the Orphic Hymns are here. You can also listen to Kristin’s interview about Venus on the Numinous Podcast.
Another way to enjoy this auspicious moment is to be present with nature and watch the sunrise. Let your heart be filled with the vitality and love of the Sun and Venus. Bring your favorite person or animal companion for an extra special experience.
Before the sunrise, Venus and the Sun conspire to dazzle us with a predawn show. On August 13th around 3:00 a.m. CDT the Perseid meteor shower is predicted to peak with up to 100 meteors visible per hour! We are extra lucky because the Moon is in her disseminating phase with only 10% light visible. I’m headed on a family vacation to the Northwoods where I’ll be stargazing and preparing a sunrise ritual. Venus Cazimi spell jars coming soon!
The Venus Cazimi perfects on August 13th at 6:10 a.m. CDT and lasts until 9:35 p.m. CDT giving us approximately 18 hours of Sun Venus magic. This transit carries so much meaning for me because in August 2019, the last time the Sun and Venus conjoined in Leo, I met my fiancé.
The 2019 Cazimi took place August 10th - 17th, and not only did I meet Will, I also met my favorite musician of all time! Griz was in Chicago for what he called free shows for the people, and I correctly guessed the location of his secret show. After attending his meet and greet, I rushed over to Bottom Lounge and was second in line for the show. That day felt like the real life version of my favorite teenage movie, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist.
Venus in Leo loves vibrant art, expression, and performance. The day after I met Griz, I went on my first date with Will, and he took me to my first art show. In the four years since I’ve fallen head over heels for Will and the visual art world.
Will and I are both Leo risings, and these Venus Cazimis happen in our first house amplifying the impact in our personal lives. Venus is love, desire, and devotion. She magnetizes and compels. A few months before I met Will, I was in New Orleans for my birthday. I received a tarot reading, and the reader told me I would meet someone that August and settle down. I laughed because I was enjoying the single girl life. However, the reading came true, and the astrology affirms the Sun and Venus conspired to bring us together.
In 2019, the Cazimi window was longer because of Venus’ direct motion when she conjoined the Sun, known as the superior conjunction of her synodic cycle. This year, she’s in retrograde motion, and her conjunction with the Sun, known as the inferior conjunction, is shorter lived. When Venus stations retrograde, she is said to venture into the underworld, and we can no longer see her in the nighttime sky. She transitions from an evening star, rising after the Sun sets, to a morning star, rising before dawn. After this year’s Cazimi, we’ll begin to see Venus as a twinkling star in the predawn sky. The Venus cycle is magic, and I recommend astrologer Pallas K. Augustine’s Venus Cycle offering to learn more.
With Venus retrograde, themes and events from August 2019 may resurface. With Venus in Leo, themes may involve performance art, self-expression, matters of the heart, and courage to pursue relationships or desires. Reflect upon your creative expression, relationships, and values from this time. Any lessons or memories will become crystal clear during the August 13th Cazimi.
Understanding your natal chart is a tool for interpreting planetary cycles and their alignment with the seasons of your life. I am here to support you in translating the stories of the celestial bodies in your chart. In a one-on-one reading, I can interpret the archetypes and cycles activated by this Venus Cazimi. I am available for in person and virtual readings, and through the end of the month you receive 20% ($15) off with code CAZIMI.
I’m also available for Cosmic Coffee Chats. These are no cost 45 minute Zoom connections where we talk all things celestial and mystical. I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, and reflections. Venus in Leo is a lovely time to form new connections or reconnect with old friends, so I invite you to schedule a chat today.
Flower Moon is a semi-regular newsletter written by Emily Hall of Mystic Magnolia Astrology. Emily is a Taurus Sun, Gemini Moon & Leo Rising. Her ever-changing titles include astrologer, creative & writer, for now. Book an astrology reading here.
What a beautiful testament to renewal and love 💖