When the Sun and another planet are conjunct within 1 degree or 16 arc minutes, this ‘eclipse’ is called a cazimi, which means “in the heart of the Sun”.

This happens to Venus either as an inferior conjunction (during Venus retrograde and Venus and Earth are on the same side of the Sun) or a superior conjunction (when Venus is direct and positioned with Earth on the opposite side of the Sun). A Venus cazimi happened on January 8th of this year halfway through the retrograde cycle.

What’s significant about the Sun-Venus cazimi happening tomorrow, October 22nd, is that it hasn’t happened in the sign of Libra since 1879. Because Venus is in its domicile rulership in Libra (also Taurus), this cazimi provides stronger Venusian qualities than it does in other signs.

However, since signs are not one-dimensional – and because this cazimi will be squaring Pluto in Capricorn within 2 degrees, it won’t be all about love energy uncontrollably bursting through sunbeams. There is a solid opportunity here to make personal love declarations, but these will be most effective if they are made from well thought-out desires.

Venus in Libra seeks balance. If we are focused too much on our professional life, Venus in Libra forces us to take time for our loved ones. If we are dealing with too much conflict in our personal lives, Venus in Libra looks for ways to create peace.

Conversely, if our lives are too peaceful, Venus in Libra will seek out conflict to find balance. A square with Pluto will exaggerate this energy a bit. Not necessarily in a negative or positive way – but certainly in a powerful way. Pluto projects a strong force, particularly in hard aspect (like a square or opposition).

Balance is a good thing, though. When we are too singularly focused, we forget that many things in life have an expiration date. I made a conscious choice this year, even if it created some financial hardship, to travel to see friends and loved ones I hadn’t seen in many years. You truly never know if you have a ‘next year’ to visit them. I kicked myself for not making the effort to see an old friend in Dallas during my drive through the southwest last year. He died suddenly of a heart attack this past May.

Balance. Making time for others. Making time for yourself. This can be a difficult task, but Libra takes it on. I know many Venus in Libra natives who, while good at picking fights, are equally skilled at resolving conflicts. They have an innate understanding that relationships, both personal and professional, require constant readjustment.

Since Venus will be combust the Sun (within 10 degrees of a conjunction) until December 2nd, it is considered to be in a weakened state against the Sun, or lacking power. It is different from Venus retrograde but is often compared to an Underworld journey.

A Venus combustion can be an excellent opportunity to understand how Venus operates within us internally. How do we respond to classically Venusian situations involving money and relationships? Our natal Venus placements should be the most scrutinized here. Just because something comes naturally to us does not mean it is always good for us. What were the consequences of getting what we wanted in the past? Did we deeply consider if it was good for us, or what we wanted most?

The more we wish for particular outcomes that originate from familiar or immediate desires, the less we evolve. The less we evolve, the more miserable we become in the long run. It’s like eating too much sugar for too many years, or drinking too much alcohol – or relying on sexual gratification to make us feel good about ourselves. Do we really need it? Is it helping or hurting us? These are personal questions.

The Sun and Venus will move into Scorpio shortly after this cazimi. The solar eclipse on October 25th at 2 degrees Scorpio will be conjunct Venus and the south node. What needs to be purged from the past will feature prominently. As Libra morphs into Scorpio, the intensity of such decisions will ramp up considerably.

The severity of the consequences will vary depending on how unconscious or un-evolved we are in our decision-making. Do we choose the shiny object because its the first beautiful thing we see that we want, or do we listen to our intuition? Instant gratification is an endless void that wants to be filled. It’s like reaching for fast food to satisfy our hunger. It seems to satisfy initially, but ultimately leads to a body and spirit that is starving.

Scorpio themes are much heavier than Libra and require more personal transformation. If Mars and Pluto are co-ruling the south node in Scorpio that we’ve been dealing with since mid-January, then we know what’s at stake here. Change or be changed. Let go or be pushed. Uranus traveling with the north node in Taurus is actually helping to free us from this bondage.

Even if the world is in chaos, we can still operate from a place of contemplation. Of course we have to work and pay the bills, but knowing our limits is actually more about survival than pushing ourselves to the brink. Who do you love that you haven’t made time for in awhile? What work feels best for your soul? If you have to put your phone on silent or peace out for a day or two because you haven’t made enough time for yourself, then do it.