All About Venus

What comes to mind when you think about Venus? Chances are, L-O-V-E! And, that would be correct. Astrologically, Venus does rule love, but the deeper conversation here is about values, and how the things we love are actually just an embodiment of what we value in our lives.

Love is a universal language. No matter where you live on planet Earth, it’s something we all understand. Love is something we’re always able to give ourselves and hopefully something we’re able to give others (and receive as well). Like our values, though, people have different Love Languages and embody their values differently. It’s still a universal feeling, but can take on different appearances. 

It’s always a valuable time to talk about Venus…but every year and a half there’s a specific astrological transit that asks us for an additional amount of care and sweetness: Venus Retrograde. 

Venus stations retrograde every 18 months and it’s typically a difficult time defined by money mixups, frustrations in relationships, and maybe a bad haircut. It’s thankfully much less frequent than Mercury Retrograde (3-4 times a year), but it’s arguably more potent. For 40 days and 40 nights, Venus’ retrograde period, we’re asked to backstroke through our values and review what’s truly worthy of our love.

Venus stationed retrograde on December 19th, 2021, and stations direct on January 29th, 2022. 

This period marks a time of potent review in love. It coupled (get it) with a Mercury Retrograde, so chances are high that “communication within partnership” was an overarching theme. New couples (dating less than 18 months) experiencing their first Venus Retrograde tend to either have major breakthroughs, or breakdowns. 

Once Venus is direct again, beauty seems to refill our hearts. It might be time to buy that new jacket you’ve been coveting, or finally start painting for fun on the weekends. A charming energy settles into the collective once more and relating to people feels nourishing again, rather than taxing.

If you’d ever like to honor Venus, Friday is a special day to do so. Venus is the planetary ruler over Friday, so it’s a lovely time for Venusian activities like getting your nails done or visiting an art museum.

You can also make an altar for Venus in your home, especially if you’re hoping to call in more love to your life. An altar doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. It’s simply a space in your home that you dedicate specific objects for a ritualistic purpose. 

Ritual for Venus:

• At some point on a Friday, clear a space in your home to set out some objects and dedicate them to Venus: 
• If you own any Rose Quartz, that’s the most common crystal associated with Venus/love, but this is YOUR altar! You can set out any stone that makes you feel loved, or reminds you of the love you hope to find in a relationship.
• Add heart shaped objects (this can be as simple as drawing or coloring hearts on paper) to your altar as an additional way to call in the qualities of Venus.
• Venus rules money, so any loose change (or perhaps a blank check written to yourself!) is a nice addition to a Venusian altar.
• Honey or any other “sweet treat” is a nice gift for Venus as appreciation for the sweetness of life.

It’s also nice to know where Venus lives in your astrological birth chart. This can be like another “Love Language” for you to consider when showing love to yourself and others. It’s also nice to know the Venus Sign of the people you love! PS: You won’t even need their birth time for that info, as long as you know their birthday and year, you can Google it!

Venus through the Zodiac Signs

Aries Venus

The Aries Venus person loves boldly and in ALL CAPS! As the very first sign of the zodiac, your love style is...urgent. You fall in love fast, hard, and often. While you’re no stranger to extra steamy relationships (and definitely lots of makeup sex), long lasting relationships aren’t always your thing. It’s ok to not want to be tied down, just make sure your intentions are clear with the person, or people, you’re dating.

Taurus Venus

If your Venus is in Taurus, slow and steady wins the race. While it might take you longer than others to meet a potential long term partner, once you decide on that special someone, you’re in it for the long haul! You’re extremely devoted and need to be weary of staying in a relationship past its expiration for fear of change. You have a deep desire to be surrounded by nice things, so a “Netflix and Chill” night with a decadent dinner is right up your alley…preferably while cuddled on a beautiful designer sofa!

Gemini Venus 

A Gemini Venus placement means you’re one of the biggest flirts of the zodiac. There’s no way around it! Thanks to Mercury, you have the gift of gab and enjoy chatting with suitors about anything and everything. The people you love need to be able to keep pace with your witty banter, and will earn extra points for sending interesting articles your way. Will you ever decide to commit to just one person? You keep changing your mind…

Cancer Venus

If your Venus is in Cancer, you hold those you love extra tight. You’re empathetic, possibly to a psychic degree, with the ones you hold most dear and can truly feel the way they’re feeling. Your challenge with this placement is to know when to pull back and when direct confrontations would serve you more than retreating. If you can maintain boundaries, the people in your life will count their lucky stars to know a love like yours.

Leo Venus

With a Venus in Leo placement in the birth chart, you LOVE LOVE and don’t care who knows it! It was definitely a Venus in Leo person that decided “PDA” would be a thing. Love is a performance, and the whole world is your stage. Because both Leo and Venus are associated with the arts, you could be a gifted artist, and channel your love through a creative medium. Whatever the final product, know that you have a true heart of gold worth celebrating.

Virgo Venus

“How can I help?” Is the question that every Venus in Virgo person brings to a love relationship. You place utmost importance on routine and structure and appreciate the rhythms of a long term relationship. You can be critical in love, so falling for “fixer uppers” can be a disappointing habit. Rather than looking at the people you care about as projects themselves, finding something to improve together might yield better results. 

Libra Venus

A Libra in love is a person who has found their other half. You almost need to be in partnership, and really don’t feel like your best self when you’re not. Because of that trait, like Venus in Taurus, you’re likely to stay in relationships that have run their course. Partnership aside, you’re gifted with aesthetics. You naturally understand how to bring balance into the world, and likely have a gorgeous personal style and design sense. 

Scorpio Venus

The Venus in Scorpio person desires raw truth in relationships and wants to be deeply involved with the closest people in their lives. You want to know everything that’s going on with your lover...all their secrets and desires. You’re likely to be the pursuer in relationships and enjoy when you succeed. Even if someone else takes the lead, it's likely because you’ve spun them into your powerful web…right where you want them to stay.

Sagittarius Venus

Can you say: long distance relationships? With Sagittarius ruling over love in your birth chart, it’s extremely likely that your romantic life will include far flung getaways. Lucky you! If you’re not the one traveling, it’s likely that your partner is involved with something overseas (maybe they’re from another country or do business abroad). And of course like Aries and Leo, your love life is generally fiery and passionate! If it’s not literally travel, you still want love to transport you, and teach you something new.

Capricorn Venus

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn and Saturn means BUSINESS! In love relationships, you’re looking for a true partner. You will be curious about their work ethics and what they bring to the table...literally and figuratively! Try to not be too rigid in what you’re looking for in the love department. No one is perfect, even you. Let yourself relax, at least sometimes, with your love, and it will definitely stand the test of time. You know how to build a strong foundation in love.

Aquarius Venus

Aquarius is innovative and hyper focused on the furtherance of humanity. Not exactly a lovey dovey placement for romance! However, you have a LOT of love to offer the masses. You’re creative and appreciate new ways of looking at the world. How can your unique views around love and values teach us all something new? Nontraditional relationships are all the rage these days, and you’re spearheading the charge. You like the idea of love, but it’s a concept to be studied easier than felt. Lots of freedom is required!

Pisces Venus

Pisces, like Cancer, is a very traditionally romantic placement for a Venus sign to reside. Love for you feels like rainbows and butterflies and cute kittens. Ruled by Neptune however, there can be a lot of smoke and mirrors involved with the pretty pictures. While love comes easy, it is most certainly not always what it seems. Lean into your extremely intuitive abilities and pay close attention to dreams you have about romantic interests. Let the unconscious mind lead.