40 Days and 40 Nights

“A mathematician once remarked that everything in science was man-made except numbers, which God himself had created” – C.G. Jung

As Above, so Below 

Ancient philosophers, priests and scientists were keen observers of the sky.  They watched the waxing and waning of the Moon, the rise and setting of the sun and the inner planets – Mercury, Venus and Mars. In their curiosity,  they noticed patterns that repeated.  From these observations, philosophers saw that everything was connected to everything else. 

In alchemy, the ancient psycho-spiritual tradition, the phrase “As above, so below” reflects this interconnection.  The term is attributed to Hermes Trismegistus. It appears in the text known as the “Emerald Tablet,” which is a foundational work in Hermeticism. The origins of the Emerald Tablet are not precisely dated, but it’s believed to have been written during the late antiquity period, likely between the 6th and 8th centuries. This phrase encapsulates the Hermetic belief in the interconnectedness of all things and the correspondence between different levels of reality.

Alchemy combines physics, chemistry, metallurgy, medicine, astrology and the mystic sciences.  The word itself derives from an Arabic word which means “the art of producing elixir or the philosopher’s stone.”  It also means the substance or medium of transmutation of baser metals into gold by some magical means.

Venus

The mystery of “as above, so below” in the universal patterns of Venus Retrograde are relatively rare.  Unlike other planets that retrograde yearly, Venus’s retrograde happens only every 18 to 24 months. it lasts for 40 days. 

Because the planet is close to Earth,  the ancients were able to watch the planet disappear from the evening sky and re-emerge in the morning sky.  Wanting to make meaning and to understand, they created the myth of the Inanna, the Sumerian Sky Goddess.  Inanna visits her sister Eresikigal in the underworld and is killed for it.  She is eventually reborn.   

Venus retrograde is known for the descent that we all must take.   It calls for a turning inward and to the past as it relates to the present and future.  It is a time when going back over things is a prominent theme.  

This time brings planetary “opportunities” to strengthen weak links and establish more vital points of attraction for more enriching experiences.  These “opportunities” come through some form of crisis, as they are often neglected for a long time and in a big way, so Spirit needs to bring awareness in a way that sticks.

The Number 40 

There is a fantastic correspondence between what is happening in the heavens and how the human psyche has used this astronomical event to create meaning and story. 

Remember that Venus is the brightest star in the sky, and early astronomers would be mindful of its disappearance from the sky. 

As above, so below! 

So, what does this tell us about the nature of human experience and condition?  

Let’s look at the number 40 symbolically and connected it with the myths, fairy tales and legends and the length of Venus’ retrograde. We see that similar to the descent of Venus into the underworld,  this retrograde is associated with a descent and a resurrection.  Forty is the number of the waiting, the preparation, the test or the punishment. God uses the number forty to represent a period of testing or judgment (the time necessary to accomplish some major part of God’s plan in his dealings with various portions of mankind).  

Here are some examples: 

Biblical Flood: In the story of Noah’s Ark, rain fell for 40 days and 40 nights, symbolizing a period of testing and purification.

Moses in the Wilderness: Moses wandered the desert for 40 years before leading the Israelites to the Promised Land, signifying a period of spiritual growth and preparation.

Jesus’ Temptation: Jesus fasted and was tempted by the devil for 40 days in the desert, reflecting a time of spiritual testing and preparation.

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves: From the Arabian Nights tales, this story involves a group of forty thieves and their hidden treasures. The number here represents a large, impactful group.

Sleeping Beauty: In some versions, Princess Aurora sleeps for 40 years before being awakened by true love’s kiss, symbolizing a transformative slumber.

Snow White: Snow White’s body is preserved in a glass coffin for 40 years before she’s awakened, highlighting a period of suspended animation and transformation.

The Little Mermaid: The mermaid must gain a human soul through good deeds, which takes 40 years, emphasizing personal growth and redemption.

Sufi Mysticism: In Sufi mysticism, 40 symbolizes a journey or path of spiritual purification and enlightenment.

Ancient Egypt: The embalming process for mummies in ancient Egypt often took 40 days, connecting to transformation and the afterlife.

Lent: In Christianity, the Lenten season lasts 40 days, mirroring Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert.

Overall, the recurrence of the number 40 in myths, legends, and fairy tales underscores its universal symbolism of transformation, trials, and journeys. It represents a period of change, growth, and the evolution of characters and situations.

Working with Venus Retrograde 

No need to fear.  

If we engage with the imagery and the symbolism of the Venus Retrograde and the Myth, this is a time when we could be tested in terms of our authenticity, relationships and values.   

This can be chaotic,  if we are not conscious, the universe and the self will facilitate a correction of some kind.

Retrograde periods give us time to find clarity to make choices and move on, less encumbered by what is getting in our way. To achieve clarity, our attention is brought to unfinished business. Retrogrades not only bring up our past, but they also offer us the reflective space to let go. 

 In the case of Venus, issues can include current and past lovers (including past life lovers), and old friends. 

Suppressed emotions related to old relationship patterns come to the surface. Dealing with unfinished businesses has some severe knots that must be untied. If this process were easy, we would have already dealt with it. Detaching emotionally is energetically consuming and requires focus and commitment to do our inner work. Whatever is lingering around from the past will continue to drain our energy and demand our attention until we find closure, forgive, and move on.

Christina Becker
August 2023

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