Venus Cazimi: an Auspicious Moment on January 8th
Did you know that there’s a day in Venus’ retrograde cycle when the planet of love, connection, and beauty is extraordinarily well-placed?
This happens during the cazimi, when Venus enters the “heart” of the Sun. (“Cazimi” is the Latin spelling of the Arabic kaṣmīmī, which means “as if in the heart.”)
In traditional astrology, a planet that edges too close to the Sun is considered “under the beams” or “combust.” Think of it this way: the Sun is so bright that when a planet inches too close to its rays (within about 15 degrees, to be exact), it can’t be seen in its own light. From our view on earth: it disappears. Symbolically, these planets also stumble into their own Icarus moments — they get singed.
However, the cazimi moment is different. When Venus comes within 1 degree of the Sun (or within 16 arc minutes, depending on which tradition you follow), it is said to be auspicious and powerful.
Think of it as Venus’ chance to whisper into the sovereign’s ear.
Just like Mercury cazimis, Venus cazimis can happen in two ways: 1. during its retrograde (when the planet is between Earth and the Sun in an inferior conjunction), or 2. when it’s moving in direct motion (when Venus is on the other side of the Sun — as far as it can be from Earth — in a “superior conjunction”).
While Mercury cazimis can bring intellectual epiphanies and breakthroughs, Venus cazimis welcome aha moments of the heart. They help you connect more deeply to yourself, others, and to Venusian themes like art, eros, and pleasure.
When Venus is in an inferior conjunction with the Sun, as it will be on January 8th, it also marks the halfway point of Venus’ retrograde journey (which lasts a mythic 40 days and 40 nights).
What to do during a Venus Cazimi:
1. Lay roses on your altar on this day and tune into the reflections and reverberations of your own heart.
2. Submerge yourself in art, poetry, music, and beauty.
3. Re-read the description of your Venus on the CHANI app. Listen to your reading for the week of January 3rd to understand what this cazimi means for you.
