The upcoming week is full of astrological excitements.

On Wednesday August 23, the sun leaves Leo and enters Virgo. On the same day, Mercury goes retrograde. Venus is already in retrograde, which means we will have two major planets in retrograde at the same time.

I know it might sound scary but let me assure you that it does not have to be bad. The planets are for us, always, even when they retrograde.

It’s not that I haven’t felt the impact of Venus retrograde. My husband and I have had some serious arguments during the past weeks.

Every relationship carries some deep wounds, traumas, and issues, just like each individual in the relationship does. Every word we say to each other, entails a whole universe of memories, and hidden, sometimes even subconscious, subtexts.

It happens often in our fights, that I get trigged. Sometimes I lose it and I scream. And I mean SCREAM really loud.

For many years I felt bad about losing my cool. Today I am starting not only to accept it, but to realize that screaming is a healthy expression of my anger and frustration.

I think our culture advocates kindness, politeness, sweetness, and peacefulness in a way that makes us repressed. We lost some of our spontaneous spark and passion that are vital for our wellbeing. Without them, we lack excitement for life and the ability to maintain healthy relationships.

When my husband and I make love, it sounds boisterous. There is a lot of laughing and screaming and moaning. We are completely free and released from inhibitions. There is no politeness in our lovemaking, nor should there be. We are two souls seeking to unite through two bodies seeking pleasure. This is the manifestation of true passion. No matter how absurd it might sound from the outside, for us, it is the one of the most powerful, healing, beautiful states of being.

When we make love with passion, we also fight with passion. We should be loud in our lovemaking, and we should be loud in our relationship arguments. We should turn up our volume if we want to live in high vibrations.

When both Venus and Mercury retrograde, it means that both Venus and Mercury faculties are not at their best. Mercury rules our communication and left brain thinking. Venus rules our ability to bring harmony into our romantic relationships, partnerships, and artistic creation. Both Mercury and Venus rule our authentic expression in our relationships with others.

Putting one and one together, it’s easy to conclude that when both Venus and Mercury retrograde, we might get ourselves into more arguments than usual.

But let me remind you, the planets are always for us! Sometimes fighting is necessary, especially in our repressed society. Fighting helps us air out all the accumulated frustration and anger.

Fighting and screaming should be practiced wisely. If our relationship is good, we are motivated to maintain it despite our disputes. If, when we argue and scream at each other, we have harmony and authenticity in mind and heart, then this is what we will eventually bring through our argument. If we listen to the other when they scream and connect with their pain, there is healing in our screaming.

Many couple counselors and therapists try to promote peaceful and harmonious communication based on compassion and understanding. I think that by doing so, they sometimes encourage us to be dishonest with one another. When our authenticity is compromised for the sake of harmony, it takes away the passion from our relationship. Without passion, no relationship can thrive.

Authenticity must come before harmony, but the desire for harmony should also be present. This is what we need to learn through this combined retrograde of Venus and Mercury.

With five to seven planets in earth element this week, we can find support in the feelings of stability and groundedness. If you feel that the earth is shaking under your feet, stop for a moment, go outside. Walk barefoot on the grass or lie on the ground. Mother earth is always here to support us.

Virgo practices are very stabilizing and grounding. They can help us deal with many challenges in our lives. Whenever I feel chaotic, I resort to cleaning and organizing my home. I eat a healthy meal, meditate before bedtime, and go to sleep early. I avoid anything that does not support my health, like coffee, alcohol, or cannabis. These simple, subtle practices are empowering and transformative.

Especially during retrogrades, especially during Virgo season, it is the simple things that make a huge difference.

For instance, I just recently reorganized my workstation as I started feeling my long hours of sitting at my desk were causing me pain. I got an external keyboard, a vertical mouse, a new stand for my laptop, and wrist support. These minor and rather cheap improvements allowed me to maintain a good posture, protect my joints, and increased my focus.

Suggestions for this coming week:

1. When was the last time you allowed yourself to lose control and be loud and wild, either in lovemaking or in a fight? Can you raise your volume this week and enjoy being loud?
2. Do you feel that you live out of passion? Or do you feel repressed? How can you bring more passion into your life?
3. Are there any relationships in which you compromise your authenticity for the sake of harmony? With whom and on what background? What might happen if you share your truth? What are you afraid of? Are there any other possible scenarios that you can think of?
4. Which aspects of your life needs better organization? Is it your finances? Your closet, your workstation, or your kitchen cupboard? Make a commitment to organize just one thing that has been bothering you for a while.
5. If you feel overwhelmed this week, find grounding support. Connect with mother earth, eat healthily, meditate, and go to sleep earlier than usual.

Don’t forget to write how these practices worked for you!