The next two months place a greater value on our understanding of relationships. It will be rewarding if we can mend fences where possible and pay more attention to our emotional responses toward others, and others toward us, especially if we happen to be married or involved with a significant other.
Venus/Shukra
It’s the planet of love, Venus, that’s particularly strong and active now, and the good news is that it’s in one of its optimal positions: the earthy and touchy-feely constellation of Taurus. Taurus is profoundly associated with our sense of values – those precious things in life that hold meaning for us and we cherish in our surroundings and in each other. Taurus is also related to understanding the value of money and getting the most out of every dollar, especially because dollars seem to have become more precious lately.
In addition, Venus is related to beauty and aesthetics. Some will decide to freshen up their surroundings, remodel, or improve their lives with new clothes, appropriate colors, or harmonious works of art. While Venus is strong, go for quality rather than quantity, because it’s the quality of something that imbues it with lasting value.
(Special Note: When it comes to making aesthetic decisions under a retrograde Venus, our evaluations may be off, unsure, or rushed, or we may somehow make a mistake in our choice of colors or patterns that we later regret or for some reason decide to redo. If you’re unsure, it may be wise to hold off making your decision until you’re certain. Astrologically speaking, it’s usually easier to make a clear choice before Venus goes retrograde on May 15, or after Venus is no longer retrograde on June 27. Venus remains in auspicious Taurus through July 31.)
In general, relationships may seem somewhat up for grabs and likely to go through a meaningful period of re-evaluation. The energy of Taurus is stubborn in a good way and it enables us to work through relationship 
challenges if we value the union enough. If not, the relationship may fall by the wayside because it means one thing to one person and something entirely different to the other.
In other words, on May 15 when Venus goes “retrograde” and appears to be moving backward in its orbit from the standpoint of earth, a process begins that can bring a shift in the emotional direction of our relationships. The energies can bring people closer together around a special purpose, or indicate the need to give each other more space to work out one’s inner life and process some important personal issues. There’s also usually a spiritual purpose underlying this Venus retrograde period, one that has to do with meeting some of our own needs without being as emotionally dependent on others or interfering with what others may need to handle on their own.
God bless us all, but sometimes personal relationships can be demanding and exhausting, with perhaps the need for some kind of a temporary psychological break. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but for some it might lead to a concern during this six-week period that their feelings have shifted away permanently from those they love. Not so.
By June 27, when Venus is no longer “retrograde”, our feelings will begin to revert to their usual level of comfort and closeness with others, the 
difference being that we’ve gone through a period of personal self-renewal that enables us to fully connect with those we love.
Ultimately, this six week period will help clarify our overall sense of HAPPINESS in life — the true measure of what Venus represents. Our values will be inwardly much clearer and we’ll be able to connect with a much deeper appreciation of love and beauty on all levels. At an even deeper level, happiness in life is a state of being and not dependent upon outside conditions. So let it be.
Sincerely, Haizen Paige – personal readings and real estate vedic astrology
