The Planets: The Role of Venus in Astrology

Venus, the planet of love

Venus, after Mercury, is the planet closest to the Sun and also the most easily identifiable from Earth. In fact, it turns out to be the brightest planet, surpassing even Sirius in brightness in the Earth's sky: after the Sun and the Moon, Venus is the brightest star in the Earth's sky. Venus has been known since prehistoric times, and as evidence of this, it was identified as the evening star or the morning star. This dual "nature" of Venus has also given rise to a dual symbolism associated with the planet.

The symbolism of Venus

According to ancient traditions, Venus is primarily associated with the concept of pleasure, the emotional sphere, and seduction. In some ways, this planet expresses the need for harmony, empathy, and emotional contact. Beauty, harmony, a penchant for the arts, the ability to love, well-being, and health are therefore associated with this planet. In classical mythology, love did not originate directly with the goddess Venus, but began with her son: Eros. The son, in fact, shot the arrow of love, and the mother chose.

Symbolically, this translates into Venus being linked to choice and pleasure, well-being and knowledge through relationships.

In light of this, in astrology, Venus is considered the expression of sentimental love and affection, formal aesthetic beauty, diplomacy, a sense of proportion, respect for others, and kindness. From a mythological perspective, Venus is known as the daughter of Heaven and Sea, or Uranus and Gaia. She would therefore be one of Zeus's sisters, but in some traditions she is also known as the daughter of Zeus or even the daughter of sea foam.

It's no coincidence that Venus traditionally rises from the waters, as a famous painting by Sandro Botticelli reminds us. We are therefore talking about a "negative," receptive, yin energy. According to legend, Cronus, and I will tell you, took Uranus's genitals and threw them to the bottom of the sea: the blood from his semen turned to foam and floated to Cyprus. There, from the foam, the goddess Aphrodite/Venus emerged. She therefore did not have a normal birth; she came into the world as a young woman. From the violent act of castration, the goddess of beauty and harmony was born.

It's no coincidence that the animal associated with Venus is the butterfly: harmonious, beautiful, fragile, delicate. And just like a butterfly flitting from flower to flower, legend has it that Venus flitted from one love affair to another, the most famous of which was undoubtedly that with Ares, god of war, aka Mars.

The importance of Venus in the birth chart

From an astrological perspective, Venus is connected to a whole series of characteristics and values ​​that we have previously seen associated with divinity: a taste for beauty, the ability to love, physical appearance, harmony, justice, artistic talent... Along with Jupiter, it is the planet that most determines the fortune of the individual being examined. This planet is also an indicator of a person's preferences: what they like and what makes them feel good.

If we examine, for example, a horoscope in which Venus is damaged, we will witness a difficulty in fully enjoying life.

In a male birth chart, Venus represents the ideal type of woman, the one most attractive to the subject. In a female birth chart, however, it indicates how the person's femininity and erotic drive will express themselves.

The aspects this planet makes in the birth chart also have their importance, as they suggest how much happiness and fulfillment one can expect from the emotional sphere. It's also worth noting that Venus isn't just about love, but also an indicator of one's relationship with health. Indeed, if Venus is active in the birth chart, a tendency toward harmony, well-being, a sense of beauty, and health will be evident.

Regarding domiciles, the daytime one is in Libra, the nighttime one is in Taurus. Its detriment is in Aries and Scorpio, its exaltation is in Pisces, and its fall is in Virgo. When Venus is well-positioned, it offers love on all fronts: for nature, for children, for cooking, for pleasures, for life...

This planet's transits are very rapid and short-lived, and its effects are not particularly long-lasting: Venus's gifts, very joyful and full of pleasure, usually don't last more than a few days. A positive Venus transit can bring a variety of well-being: periods in which one clearly feels a great sense of harmony with oneself, a positive connection between body, mind, and soul, and a strong sense of beauty and balance.

As we've seen and repeated many times, Venus can influence romantic relationships, but since its transits are relatively short-lived, it's unlikely that it can, on its own, lead to a solid and lasting romantic relationship. However, it's important to consider that Venus transits can indicate pleasant moments when a solid and lasting relationship already exists, or foster temporary romantic liaisons. Indeed, it's important to remember that this planet is linked to affection in general, and therefore friendships also benefit from this transit: it's no coincidence that Venus is also associated with sociability, the pleasure of spending time with others, and happy moments. It can therefore evoke parties, social events, artistic engagements, cultural evenings, and opportunities for socializing... All these events fall within the sphere where Venus's positive influence is at its best.

Another important aspect of the goddess of love is linked to healthy self-love. When a positive transit of this planet approaches our birth chart, we can strive to beautify ourselves, our surroundings, and those around us. We may feel drawn to making small investments to decorate our home, spruce up our office, or enhance our car. However, if we experience a negative transit of Venus, we may experience emotional problems or internal distress, such as feeling no love for anyone, not even ourselves.

See also the meaning of other Planets in Astrology