http://www.astrotheme.com/files/venus-retrograde.php
In this column, we address Venus' 2009 retrogradation. You may read on basic astrology websites, or in your favourite magazine, that Venus will be retrograde from 6 March to 17 April. Although it is technically correct, we wish to draw your attention to the fact that, as important as it is, the retrograde motion is only one phase of the whole phenomenon, and that the phases called "shadow zones" must be reckoned with, if you are to get a good grasp of retrogradations and to interpret them properly.
For this purpose, we deem it helpful to delineate the different stages of the phenomenon and to provide you with the dates of its main phases. Please bear in mind that the days below should be read as a sort of climax point, and that their influences may start a couple of days before and after the reference point.
- 2 February 2009 :29° Pisces
- SR 6 March 2009 :15°26 AriesStation Retrograde
- SD 17 April 2009 : 29°12' PiscesStation Direct
- 21 May 2009 : 15°26' Aries
On 2 February, Venus transits Pisces at 29° in direct motion. This is the beginning of the pre-shadow zone, which extends to 15°26' Aries.
On 6 March, around 5:00 p.m , as Venus slowly reaches 15°26' Aries, she stands still for roughly one day (this is called her "station retrograde") and turns into retrograde motion until
17 April, around 7:30 p.m., when she reaches 29°12' Pisces. She stands still once more (her "station direct") and turns into direct motion. Note that this is the degree which she transited on 2 February. This is the beginning of the post-shadow zone.
On 21 May, Venus crosses 15°26' Aries again, the place where she stationed retrograde on 6 March. This time, she is in her usual direct motion. This transit marks the end of the post-shadow zone and the completion of the retrogradation cycle.