Venus at the Solar Plexus
Wednesday, August 20th, Venus meets the Moon in Her Morning Star phase at the Fifth Gate of Personal Power (the Solar Plexus Chakra).
This is a fiery gate, made even more luminous by the Sun still moving through Leo for just a few more days. We are soaking in a cosmic soup of solar codes: self-love, sovereignty, radiance, and the courage to be seen. It is an invitation to own your light, to lead with love, and to remember that your presence itself is power.
As Venus meets the Moon at this gate of Inanna’s descent into the underworld, she surrenders her Golden Hip Girdle or Ring of Power. This moment marks the release of false power: the ways she has tried to control, dominate, or prove herself, and the ways she has given her power away. Passing through this gate asks us to let go of the old paradigm of power, so that a truer, steadier form of sovereignty can rise.
Power is sticky, though. We can cling to control out of fear, or collapse into self-doubt when things feel uncertain. But the Morning Star at the Solar Plexus Chakra gate asks us to strip away every layer of false protection until only the shining gem of our true essence remains.
The Solar Plexus Chakra
The Solar Plexus Chakra sits between the navel and the rib cage. It radiates life force energy through the whole body, igniting willpower, confidence, motivation, and the courage to act on our dreams.
It is also the home of our gut intuition, that deep belly-knowing that speaks louder than logic when we give it space.
When our Solar Plexus is balanced, we:
Feel confident and capable
Shine naturally, like the Sun, without forcing
Speak our truth with clarity and love
Take courageous steps, even when we feel afraid
Follow through on the commitments that matter
Trust our gut instincts and discernment
Radiate charisma, joy, and generosity
When the Fire is Out of Balance
Like any fire, the Solar Plexus can burn too low or too hot.
An underactive Solar Plexus may look like:
Insecurity or lack of confidence
Co-dependency, people-pleasing, or fear of rejection
Worrying too much about what others think
Depression, avoidance, or procrastination
A sense of “I am not worthy.”
An overactive Solar Plexus may show up as:
Anger, aggression, or control
Perfectionism or harsh criticism of self and others
Judgment, arrogance, or superiority
Compulsive doing (like workaholism)
The feeling that nothing is ever good enough…
And often, we swing between the two; collapsing into doubt, then overcompensating by trying to control everything around us.
These are the very patterns Inanna surrendered at this gate. And they are the patterns we are invited to release, too.
Practices for Reclaiming Power
Balancing the Solar Plexus is returning to your own authentic fire…your confidence, your joy, your courage, your inner radiance.
If it feels good to you, try standing outside and let the sun’s rays pour on you. Create a ceremonial moment for yourself, where you let the rays move through you, reminding you of your brilliance and radiance.
Say to yourself: “I stand in my power. I shine with confidence and joy. I trust the fire within me.”
Soul Inquiry for the Fifth Gate
Let these questions guide your reflection as Venus moves through the Solar Plexus gate.
Where in my life do I shine with confidence and where am I still dimming my light?
Do I trust my gut instincts, or do I often second-guess myself?
What does healthy, authentic power feel like in my body?
How do I navigate other people’s opinions? Can I listen without losing my center?
Where do I need to strengthen my boundaries? Where do I need to soften them?
What patterns of power (giving it away, proving myself, over-controlling) am I ready to release?
What truth about my own worth am I ready to claim?
Walking the Venus Cycle as Ceremony
One of the reasons I love tracking the 19-month Venus Cycle is that it turns life into living ceremony. Each month, as Venus meets the Moon at a new gate in her ascent and descent, we are invited to pause and reflect. It is a rhythm that asks us to keep evaluating ourselves and our path, to notice where we are in or out of integrity, and to realign with what is true.
When we live in relationship with Venus’s cycle, we begin to see our own lives as sacred, cyclical, and rich with possibility to continue creating the life of our dreams.
The Fifth Gate is one more step in that spiral of remembrance…a chance to check in with our relationship to power, sovereignty, and the fire of our own becoming.
The Medicine of the Fifth Gate
The Fifth Gate reminds us: real power has nothing to do with control, perfection, or proving our worth. Real power is the glow of presence. The quiet strength of self-respect. The courage to act in alignment with what is true.
As Venus passes through the Solar Plexus gate, may you release the weight of old patterns and step into the warmth of your own shining being.
Shine on, beloved. ☀️