Star trails – Southern Milky Way – a photo montage of photos taken every 50 min –
Dr. Christian Sasse @Sassephoto – https://twitter.com/Sassephoto

As seekers of astrological wisdom we are often confronted by the bigger questions of “why does astrology work?”. We know it works, we see it working in our lives, in our clients lives and in the world around us in so many varied and profoundly interesting ways.

Yet it is hard to define exactly how or why it works, as not one single explanation will ever suffice. Something that has helped enlighten my journey of astrological understanding, of why the patterns and cycles of the planets continue to coincide with our lives, is the understanding of astrology as a dynamic fractal like system. That once set off at birth, as a birth chart or as any radix chart a dynamic is carried forward, with its own unique formula and conditions, which then continues to unfurl and unfold as a never ending fractal like pattern of growth.

Fractals are described as never ending infinitely complex patterns that are self-similar across different scales. They are created by repeating a simple process over and over in an ongoing feedback loop. Driven by recursion, fractals are images of dynamic systems – the pictures of Chaos. Geometrically, they exist in between our familiar dimensions. Fractal patterns are extremely familiar, since nature is full of fractals. For instance: trees, rivers, coastlines, mountains, clouds, seashells, hurricanes, etc. Abstract fractals – such as the Mandelbrot Set – can be generated by a computer calculating a simple equation over and over. (1)

When viewing a fractal pattern, one can see that any part of the pattern can be recognisable within any scale of the pattern, from the micro to macro. As an infinitely complex, recurring and repeating, dynamic system, astrology suits also these dynamics, of being “fractal like” in nature. In both fractal dynamics and astrology, patterns are found within patterns, patterns and cycles are always reflected as part of a whole, or larger pattern and cycle.

The dynamics set off in a birth/radix chart continue to live and are activated, through the constant movements of the cosmos astrologers call planetary transits, these transits and cycles continue to inform the initial conditions set at birth. As we engage with astrology we see familiar patterns constantly unfolding, yet always in a slightly different context, we see them unfold in a spiral dynamic and not a linear one, in an aspect of being the same or similar too, but never quite the same.

The connections continue as every time we pay conscious attention to the dynamics operating in any astrological chart, we are engaging in a feedback loop, we are constantly putting in, receiving and releasing more information, that then continues to fuel the unfolding pattern. Seen through an astrological lens we can see how the constant re-engagement with our astrology charts is the feedback loop which renews our astrological fractal pattern and sets off constantly revised and updated versions of the inherent pattern held within. If we envision our astrology charts as alive and constantly vibrating, unfolding and growing like a fractal from any or every point, we can see that as we change, adjust, transform, grow, mature our fractal mandala does the same.

If you could just imagine, your astrology chart as a living fractal, set off from the initial conditions, the formula which is your birth chart, a cosmic like fractal is set into motion. Consider your unique astrological mandala that will have its own formula and cosmic cycles attached to it. Like the music of the spheres, the fractal of our charts would be a delight to see, yet one we can just imagine working with for now. What would yours look like? When would be the times that a new pattern emerges? We can see it being sparked and ignited by transits, progressions, eclipses or whatever other methods we may choose to use.

It becomes ever more alive and dynamic , the more we interact with it, the more we see its patterns, as we become more conscious of it and how it is works and what we put back into the feedback loop. Every-time you make a conscious or unconscious connection to any part or point of your astrology chart, another spike in your fractal ignites.
To see our astrology charts as one continual living fractal, is to see the pattern of creation that was set for us before our physical birth, and one that will continue to unfold and evolve way into the future. At once we can see that the pattern abides to a deterministic view, being we can’t change our initial formula or given pattern, yet with a fractal like view of the chart, and a conscious connection to the ongoing feedback loop, we can see a responsive and most co-creative side of astrology working, as the shifts and changes in our lives set off new patterns of growth, understanding and self realisation!

As seekers of astrological wisdom we are often confronted by the bigger questions of “why does astrology work?”. We know it works, we see it working in our lives, in our clients lives and in the world around us in so many varied and profoundly interesting ways.

Yet it is hard to define exactly how or why it works, as not one single explanation will ever suffice. Something that has helped enlighten my journey of astrological understanding, of why the patterns and cycles of the planets continue to coincide with our lives, is the understanding of astrology as a dynamic fractal like system. That once set off at birth, as a birth chart or as any radix chart a dynamic is carried forward, with its own unique formula and conditions, which then continues to unfurl and unfold as a never ending fractal like pattern of growth.

Fractals are described as never ending infinitely complex patterns that are self-similar across different scales. They are created by repeating a simple process over and over in an ongoing feedback loop. Driven by recursion, fractals are images of dynamic systems – the pictures of  Chaos. Geometrically, they exist in between our familiar dimensions. Fractal patterns are extremely familiar, since nature is full of fractals. For instance: trees, rivers, coastlines, mountains, clouds, seashells, hurricanes, etc. Abstract fractals – such as the Mandelbrot Set – can be generated by a computer calculating a simple equation over and over. (1)

When viewing a fractal pattern, one can see that any part of the pattern can be recognisable within any scale of the pattern, from the micro to macro. As an infinitely complex, recurring and repeating, dynamic system, astrology suits also these dynamics, of being “fractal like” in nature. In both fractal dynamics and astrology,  patterns are found within patterns, patterns and cycles are always reflected as part of a whole, or larger pattern  and cycle.

The dynamics set off in a birth/radix chart continue to live and are activated,  through the constant movements of the cosmos astrologers call planetary transits, these transits and cycles continue to inform the initial conditions set at birth.  As we engage with astrology we see familiar patterns constantly unfolding, yet always in a slightly different context,  we see them unfold in a spiral dynamic and not a linear one, in an aspect of being the same or similar too, but never quite the same. 

The connections continue as every time we pay conscious attention to the dynamics operating in any astrological chart, we are engaging in a feedback loop, we are constantly putting in, receiving and releasing more information, that then continues to fuel the unfolding pattern. Seen through an astrological lens we can see how the constant re-engagement with our astrology charts is the feedback loop which renews our astrological fractal pattern and sets off constantly revised and updated versions of the inherent pattern held within. If we envision our astrology charts as alive and constantly vibrating, unfolding and growing like a fractal from any or every point, we can see that as we change, adjust, transform, grow, mature our fractal mandala does the same.

If you could just imagine, your astrology chart as a living fractal, set off from the initial conditions, the formula which is your birth chart, a cosmic like fractal is set into motion. Consider your unique astrological mandala that will have its own formula and cosmic cycles attached to it.  Like the music of the spheres, the fractal of our charts would be a delight to see, yet one we can just imagine working with for now. What would yours look like? When would be the times that a new pattern emerges? We can see it being sparked and ignited by transits, progressions, eclipses or whatever other methods we may choose to use. 

THE VENUS CYCLE
All planets create patterns around the earth in their cycles, yet none are as elegant, perfect and beautiful as the one created by the synodic cycle of Venus through our zodiac. Venus, not only the brightest planet in our evening and morning skies, attributed universally to the principles of beauty, aesthetics, love, peace and harmony, not surprisingly she also has a most exquisite cycle of pure aesthetics reflected in the geometry of her five pointed cycle.

The perfect geometry of the Venus cycle is made with her star points, the times when she joins the Sun at a conjunction in the zodiac.  The Venus cycle around the earth, the zodiac and our astrology charts is made up of 8 year, 4 year, 19 month and 9.5 month cycles which demonstrate a cosmic geometry like no other, which we can use as an example to reflect growth patterns that unfold in our lifetimes and in our charts. (See Image 2)

All planets create patterns around the earth in their cycles, yet none are as elegant, perfect and beautiful as the one created by the synodic cycle of Venus through our zodiac. Venus, not only the brightest planet in our evening and morning skies, attributed universally to the principles of beauty, aesthetics, love, peace and harmony, not surprisingly she also has a most exquisite cycle of pure aesthetics reflected in the geometry of her five pointed cycle.

The perfect geometry of the Venus cycle is made with her star points, the times when she joins the Sun at a conjunction in the zodiac. The Venus cycle around the earth, the zodiac and our astrology charts is made up of 8 year, 4 year, 19 month and 9.5 month cycles which demonstrate a cosmic geometry like no other, which we can use as an example to reflect growth patterns that unfold in our lifetimes and in our charts. (See Image 2)

The perfect geometry of the Venus cycle is made with her star points, the times when she joins the Sun in a conjunction in the zodiac, in either her inner or outer conjunctions. The Venus cycle around the earth is made up of 8 year, 4 year, 19 month and 9.5 month cycles which demonstrate a cosmic geometry like no other, which we can use to reflect growth patterns that unfold in our lifetimes and in our charts. (See Image 2)

The timing of the Venus cycle.
See Image 3

Every 9.5 months
Venus and the Sun join in our heavens and zodiac, alternating from interior conjunctions(when retrograde) to exterior conjunctions ( when Venus is behind the Sun) every 9.5 months.
These are what we call Star Points, the Venus and Sun conjunctions, the Cazimi Points or Venus Star Points, (VSP coined by Arielle Guttman in her pivotal book Venus Star Rising) (2)

Every 19 months, 1.6 years = 584 days,
Venus completes one whole synodic cycle from one interior conjunction to the next. Synodic meaning meeting place, in this case the meeting place of Sun/Earth/Venus.

Every 4 years – 48 months
Venus will return to the same star point but in the opposite position every 4 years. For example in 2017 Venus made a retrograde star point at 4° Aries, she will make the same star point in March 2021 at 4° Aries again, 4 years later, but from the opposite side of the Sun, the exterior conjunction. (3)

Every 8 years , 96 months
Venus completes a 5 pointed star in the zodiac over 8 years, having made 5 exterior and 5 interior conjunctions (when retrograde) with the Sun.

Image3

These Venus Star points are only ever made in 5 places in the zodiac at any particular time. The Venus points move slowly backwards in the zodiac, and oscillate at these degrees for approx 16 years at a time, taking about 40 years to move backward approx 10° in the zodiac.

At the moment in this decade at the end of the 2010’s, the Venus Points occur in the signs of Capricorn 19°, Scorpio 3°, Leo 21°, Gemini 13° and Aries 4°.

Astrologers generally tend to see the retrograde times of Venus as the most significant aspects of Venus, in regard to transits and timing. Yet once tuned into the Venus Star pattern, we see the that the whole star becomes relevant and every point of the star be it retrograde or direct as significant, especially when we look back at the history of our Venus Star. Like the movements of the Moon, a Venus point repeats every 4 years, yet on the opposite side of the Sun. The moon does this yet around the earth, for a new moon at a certain degree in the zodiac, will occur as a full moon 4 years later in the opposite sign of the zodiac, with the Sun in the same position and zodiac degree (give or take a day or degree or 2).

We can look at star points as focus points that occur in the zodiac every 9.5 months occurring 288° forward in the zodiac each time, or every 19 months as the next retrograde comes to pass, or every 4 years as a reflection point of the last retrograde as we get a review of a particular transit from the other side or perspective. In many ways with Venus and her Star Point cycle we get a sense that Venus is connecting many more dots than we may give her credit as a great creative conductress. She is the planet of attraction after all, and ruled by the metal of copper embodying the qualities of conducting heat and electricity and gathering energy.

THE VENUS STAR

Every 8 years a complete star, 5 pointed star and pentacle is created in our zodiac, and of course therefor our astrology charts. Now we need to look at the Venus Cycle as a complete star pattern which remember moves slow backwards in our astrology charts. When we look at the whole star, we begin to see patterns formed with each point, being conscious not to isolate one Venus point, yet see all points as part of the a complete pentacle pattern forever forming in our charts. As we plot this star into our charts we get an idea of which parts of our chart Venus touches, what zone or houses will be most activated, what planets will be highlighted and what angles maybe crossed in a life time and so on.

To track and find the Venus Points in any astrology chart we need to find the 5 Venus points (Venus/Sun conjunctions) that occurred in the 4 years around your birth, before or after, to set the sequence in place. Then with the diagram ( image 2), add the degrees of where the 5 points are now, and you can clearly see a zone in your astrology chart where the Venus Star has been orchestrating a particular rhythm for you!

The Sacred Geometry, Golden Mean, Divine Ratio, Fibonacci of the Venus Cycle

The 5 pointed star and pattern created by the Venus cycle is often also referred to as a Venus Rose, as the pattern is closely linked to the unfolding ratios found in Sacred Geometry, the Golden Mean as well as the Fibonacci sequence. The ratio 1.6, attributed to the golden mean is the geometry attributed to the divine proportion, the beauty of patterns of growth unfolding in nature and can be found throughout the Venus cycle and the geometry of a Pentacle.

1 Venus synodic cycle
(584 days Venus year/365 days Earth year) = 1.6 years

5 Venus synodic cycles in 8 years 5 /8 = 1.6

13 Venus revolutions in 8 earth years 13/8= 1.6

This “golden” number, 1.618 is represented by the Greek letter Phi, and is also known as the Golden Ratio, Golden Number, Golden Proportion, Golden Mean, Golden Section, Divine Proportion. Sacred geometry is a science that explains physical energy patterns of growth and harmony, found everywhere in the natural world. We see this golden ratio in the nautilus shell, spiral galaxies, hurricanes, in an unfolding rose or alluvial plains. These divine ratio principles have been used since ancient times in art, design, architecture to create harmonious, balanced and aesthetically pleasing pieces.

The Fibonacci sequence, a mathematical formula follows this same pattern of growth where the numbers 1,1,2,3,5,8,13 etc, also embody the phi ratio, where each subsequent number is the sum of the previous two and divide as the 1.6 ratio. The golden spiral and the fibonacci come together in Diagram/Image 4 as we can see that each integer, the smaller part, is to the larger part, what the larger part is to the whole. (See Image 4)

We are reminded with these exquisite connections with Venus and her cycle as being very much a part of and embedded with this creative and divine force. The Pentacle, has many expressions of 1.618 hidden within its simple geometry as well, for when you draw a smaller Pentacle inside the larger Pentacle, it reduces at the rate of 1.618, and so on forever. Our bodies too hold this sacred geometry, as shown through Da Vinci, and his Vitruvian Man’s divine proportions.

Cosmic Co-Creation

With this in mind, as we begin to track the movements of the Venus star and her geometry throughout our astrological landscape it is hard not to connect and be more conscious of what is unfolding at each point of contact, our patterns of growth and consequent turning points with the Venus Points. The more conscious we are of these patterns unfolding within the context of the grander pattern or life story, the more we are involved in the co-creative aspect of our being and the intelligence we can glean by working with this cosmically attuned cycle.

To use the Venus Star in astrological work is too much to go into in this article, Yet begin with plotting the Venus star in your chart as mentioned above. See the zones in your chart ignited with the Venus Star, remember they don’t change quickly and move slowly backwards in the zodiac over time. See where the Venus Star has made contact with planets and crossed angles, note what has happened, see when these points will come again. As Venus signifies bonds of love, creative pursuits, pleasure, happiness and engaging in life’s enjoyment we can see significant times in life present themselves to do with marriage, children, divorce, love and loss, as well as career highlights, promotions and creative and passionate endeavours taking hold.

I tend to look at the Venus Points, similarly to coming eclipse points, and see them as focal points that fuse together the complexity of transits in any given 9.5 month period. The coming Venus point begins to take effect months before its exactness and continues to reverberate months after exact culmination. They seem to activate, as do eclipses certain houses as a focus for that time frame. It can help us to make sense of the gathering of energies over a certain time frame of life in 9.5mth increments!

The current star point cycle we are now is the cycle that began with Venus retrograde in Scorpio, it culminated with a Venus point in Leo, in August 2019, and finishes at the same time as it begins a new cycle with Venus retrograde in Gemini in June 2020. The last time Venus was retrograde in Gemini was in June 2012 for the transit of Venus (4), yet the last time she made a star point here was June 2016 at the outer conjunction 4 years ago. Connect to points and find that they will all be relevant, some of course more than others, but nevertheless they will all be related.

To use the Venus Star is to get back into a rhythm, to align yourself or your client with what is at the heart of what is going on in life, and a chart, what is coming and what is going and knowing that overtime when another point is made, a new experience is had, or an old one arises again, we are setting off the next fractal pattern of growth and adjustment.

There are many ways to connect to the Venus Star, to be ignited by the glorious Venus Star and her workings, to be ever more connected to the unfolding pattern which is your life on planet earth. Look, watch, sense, observe where she has been so far and where she will be going next. Align with this profound, sacred and natural pattern of growth! To work in this way is a living example of working with the ever moving fractal mandala which we call astrology.

1 – http://fractalfoundation.org/resources/what-are-fractals/

2 – Venus Star Rising by Arielle Gutmann, Sophia Press 2010

3 – When Venus is conjunct the Sun, obviously we cannot see her in our skies, and this is often attributed to her being in the “Underworld” stemming from the ancient Babylonian myth of the “Descent of the Inanna”. Venus when retrograde, is only not visible for about 8-12 days, whereas when she visits the other side of the Sun, disappearing behind the Sun, she is out of sight for over 80 days, and therefore longer in the underworld. Shamanic astrology sees this part of her cycle as the “Descent of Inanna” as she is ushered into the “Underworld” over 7 months by the waning moon conjunctions through 7 gates, and then ascends from the underworld, ushered out by the waxing Moon conjunctions over 7 months.
It is important to remember this when using the Venus star to know that the superior conjunctions can often be the most significant in one’s life, yet often overlooked, deeming the retrograde more significant. Your own observations and tracking Venus cycles will show that the outer conjunctions also significant turning points as are the inner conjunctions, retrogrades.

4 – Read more on the Venus Transits of 2004-2012-
The cycle of Venus and the Age of Awareness:Julija Simas https://cosmicintelligenceagency.com/the-transit-of-venus-2012/