Amy Schumer: a Venus Retrograde Icon

          

Approximately every 2 years the planet Venus appears to move backwards in the sky before resuming its forward motion. This year’s Venus retrograde period will last from July 25 to September 8, 2015 and will occur in the sign of Leo. When planets are in the retrograde phase, their energy is amplified in our consciousness. Retrograde periods are times for reconsidering, and are correlated with re-view, re-evaluating and re-visiting matters concerning the themes symbolized by the particular planet. At the end of the period, revised approaches and directions can be undertaken which reflect the changes of heart experienced during the retrograde period.

When Venus is retrograde, there is energetic support for reassessment regarding relationships with self and others, sexuality, our ideas about beauty, what we value, our personal and material resources, and the Feminine.

This year’s Venus retrograde will take place in the sign of Leo, which is associated with the heart and respect, with self-expression and creativity, with what we are emotionally invested in, with children and our legacy, with leadership and play.

We may find that some of these themes will be very much emphasized during this time period, and that there will be opportunity to reconsider our values, investments and approaches to these matters. What do I really feel about my relationship? Do I feel satisfied in what I have chosen to invest my resources of time and energy? Do they reflect what I truly value? How is my relationship with my self going and what about the way I care for myself? What do I feel about my relationships with my children? Does something need to shift? What about my creative projects and the way that I am expressing myself? Do I feel good about it? What about myself as a leader? As a woman? What about how I feel about my body? How about my sexual expression? We are invited to meditate on these Venus in Leo questions and potentially to manifest the answers differently come September.

Last night I saw a poignant, honest and hilarious movie, Trainwreck,  starring, produced and written by the tremendously gifted comedienne Amy Shumer. The movie begins with a very funny flashback to Amy’s father explaining to his nine and five year old daughters why monogamy is simply not realistic, as a justification for divorcing their mother. This legacy translates into adult Amy’s fear of intimacy and commitment, and her conflict when she finds herself falling for a truly nice man who likes her back. The plot of this heartfelt film and Amy Schumer’s signature concerns, are iconic examples of Venus Retrograde in Leo.

Celebuzz “Part of who she is includes not apologizing for her body or her sexuality and encouraging other women to feel the same. Referencing her Glamour Women of the Year Awards acceptance speech – during which she proudly proclaimed she’s 160 lbs. and can still “catch a dick” – she reveals the difference between her saying it and a man saying the same thing.

“If a guy was like, ‘I can get p*ssy whenever I want,’ that guy would be a dickhead. But to deny that there’s a major difference is ridiculous,” she explains. “For women, we’re taught to eat less until we disappear. And trained to believe that if you don’t look like everyone else, then you’re unlovable.”

“Men are not trained that way,” Schumer continues. “Men can look like whatever and still date a supermodel. I’m proud of what I said. I think it’s good to see somebody saying: I have a belly. And I have cellulite. And I still deserve love. And to catch the old D. And to not apologize.”

With the being said, Schumer has one goal in mind with her continued rise in power and fame: “I want to make women laugh. I want to make them feel beautiful in their own skin. I want to empower them to use their voice and not apologize. And I want a jet.”

Here is a sketch about football and rape culture and a link to a wonderful interview with Amy Schumer on NPR’s Fresh Air.