In the birthchart, we look to Venus to understand an individual’s values, how they express and receive pleasure in the world, and their perceptions on love. Venus is also a strong indicator to how an individual may act in close relationships.
Venus in Aries
This is the detrimental placement for Venus and perhaps it’s because Aries symbolizes the newborn of the zodiac; innocent, pure, unlearned of everything. The Venusian experiences are new experiences for Aries and they’re appreciated by Aries folk as such. Values and love are two of the strongest themes in terms of Venusian experiences. Here we see tremendous capacity for self-love in terms of values, but the latter of loving others can suffer at times. In love, Aries can be impulsive, assertive, and selfish. Aries needs to take the time to learn and appreciate love slower and be more considerate of others. Will likely break more hearts in their life than have their heart broken. Even a heartbroken Aries is too resilient to be truly heartbroken. Nevertheless, the enthusiasm for new relationships is strong. Venus here expresses affection energetically with enthusiasm, direction, and impulse. Aries are fearless; oblivious to rejection and consequences. They are always willing to dive headfirst into what they desire and always open to exploring new experiences. They value rawness, truth, and trust.
Venus in Taurus
Venus is at home in Taurus. The themes of values and love are lived out in the most Venusian ways possible. Taurus expresses love very sensually. They need to be able to express their love through physical means such as touch and gift giving. They strongly value the senses (taste, touch, smell, etc.) and material things. Taurus can easily fall into being excessive with these things; excessive desire for rich foods, pleasure, and luxuries. They may be stiff like a military sergeant and inhibit emotional expression if they lack attention/physical touch, but are very easily buttered up if they are babied (the Sun and Moon should be checked as well for these circumstances). Taurus can be very possessive over their loved ones and material things, may need to learn to be less restrictive and generosity. Loyal in both friendships and relationships, but can also be extremely jealous. This is also a very good placement for artists, Taurus in Venus sees the world colourfully and has a way of painting it themselves too.
Venus in Gemini
Here Venus understands the game and loves to play with the themes it represents. Feelings of love or intense euphoria is accompanied with sensitive nerves and excitement. Gemini individuals consciously ponder love on an objective level; they sufficiently understand the need for love, the pleasure it brings, and the beauty in life, but tends to not feel too deeply as say, a sappy Cancer, which may make their pursuits come across as shallow. They love with their mind and less of the heart. Nevertheless, they are very good at communicating and demonstrating love, romance, and art; they can be fantastic writers (especially if their Mercury also falls in Gemini) and poets. Individuals with Venus in Gemini tend to fall in love with their best friend, as their best friend is likely someone to keep them consistently interested. Geminis get bored very easily in relationships because of their constant need of mental stimulation, communication, and change. They’re very self-aware; they focus on the values within others and reflect their own views and values. Venus here is clever, curious, light, and playful.
Venus in Cancer
Here Venus feels love profoundly. Cancer can see love for what it is and protects its fundamentals. Overthinks how to “feel” in terms of love, as a result, can be overemotional. They’re also quite receptive; very easily moved by love and art, especially when these two themes are coupled with fate or tragedy. Could easily be considered a pessimist, but Venus here has a great focus on making life enjoyable. Venus in Cancer can be quite past oriented; often individuals have past life knowledge (consciously or subconsciously) carried over into their current life and it plays strongly into a fear of loss. This results in being very protective of their values and things of the past; past ponderings of relationships, family (especially if Venus is in or aspecting the fourth house), valuing time, and creating sentiment in this life. They love portrait photography, family recipes, secrets, and heirlooms. Values evoked memory. Very concerned with what their soul needs and can anticipate pain (strong gut feeling as well); may make them wiser in terms of who they choose to have relationships with, however inhibiting if there are other issues within the individual’s character (irrational fear or confabulated expectation). Cancers are very protective and nurturing to what they love.
Venus in Leo
Here Venus becomes dizzying, passionate, colourful, and playful. Unlike Aries who cannot anticipate rejection, Venus in Leo has a sense of humility and understanding for rejection, however there can be that same level of naivety that the fire signs possess. An underdeveloped individual may not fully possess humility and react extremely poorly to rejection, however. Leos are known for their inability to get off their high horse, afterall. May rush into relationships for that sweet honeymoon phase and promise of pleasure, though has the will to wait for loved ones who make them. There is a great understanding for the taxing toll of heartbreak, but it humbles a Leo and makes them stronger empaths to others. Venus in Leo has a very open and generous heart to people beneath them, but will not sacrifice themself. Expresses love affectionately, proudly, and rip-roaringly. They love being the centre of attention. Values nobility, recognition, strength, and loyalty. They generally have higher standards for themselves and others, this is coupled with their sense of dignity; and this is especially true if Venus aspects to Saturn or Jupiter. Leos pride themselves on their creativity; they’re naturally very generative and talented artists.
Venus in Virgo
This is considered the fallen placement for Venus. Here Venus’ desire for love is refined. Individuals with this placement have set ideals in terms of what their desires are. Values represent supplement and purpose. They value time just as Venus in Cancer does, but more concerned with what is to happen next rather than the past, and they’re very good with what they make of their time. Not much of a daydreamer because of this. Values are always first before love; this may inhibit romantic opportunities as what they see realistic, necessary, or practical may actually be petty. This placement also lacks the warmness other signs have; the individual may need to learn to be more expressive in their affections. Often expresses affection through serving others and indirect “I love you”s. They actually enjoy making other people’s lives easier by picking up on forgotten details in plans and refining pieces of work (such as art, literature, cooking, etc.). They know where finishing touches go. Mastered sense of humility. Disappointments in love can make these individuals very cold and resentful of love. Venus here is pure, clean, cold-pressed, practical, and self-disciplined.
Venus in Libra
This is Venus’ other ruled placement and is uniquely different from Taurus as it is a more evolved sign of the zodiac. Venus here is less possessive and more passive (in receiving and letting go of love energies) than Taurus. Libra accepts and values the world’s complexity and duality. This makes it very easy for Libra to experience love at its fullest potential. However, Libras have a deep dislike for pain and are hurt easily by rejection (luckily won’t hold a grudge like a Virgo or Scorpio!). Libra understands deeply that love and harmony are necessity. Loves beauty, romance, and has a deep appreciation for the arts. Blessed with a very artistic and aesthetic mind. May be very dependent in relationships; there is a tremendous amount of focus on their partner’s needs and values. Venus here has a great skill for relatability, but mirrored interests may make individuals with this placement seem fake or unoriginal at times. Very expressive in terms of romance, but not as touchy as Taurus; Libra is more likely to use charisma and beauty to wow. Always makes time for pleasure and has a tendency for over-indulgence (especially true when accompanied by other Libra placements). Venus here is sweet, artistic, accepting, and harmonious.
Venus in Scorpio
This is Venus’ other detrimental placement (Aries being the other). Unlike Aries, the naivety and unknowing is dissolved and turned into a mature, knowing, and hungry heart. Values the mysteries they know, but tremendous amount of emotional and spiritual uncertainty. Scorpios greatly value intimacy and believe it should be deeply unrestricted in terms of love. They perceive that their partner should be totally fused to them to fulfill Scorpio’s need for soul connection. However, this excessive and hungry need can make individuals with this placement selfish, possessive, and consumed by desire. Once Scorpio can learn to control their desires, soul intimacy and committed relationships can be very transformative and healing. Scorpios express affection with edginess and passion. Scorpio values things that evoke thought and feelings of mystique. They value trust, though it is difficult to earn their trust. Scorpios are the type to hold a grudge as well. They value rawness, truth, vulnerability, and getting to the core of concepts.
Venus in Sagittarius
Here Venus becomes an explorer filled with wanderlust. Sagittarius values and adopts new found beauty, art, knowledge, and culture. Seeks out truth and value; “what is value?” A Sagittarius surrounds themself in tantalizing vision boards and works of art. Values thought manifestation. Here Venus views love philosophically, yet lightly; it cannot be held down or contained, it moves and flows, it is hidden and found. Individuals with this placement can be rather unrealistic in terms of love at times. Either they become flighty if their partner tries to tie them down or their partner has a difficult time keeping up with the over-optimistic, careless, and fantasized perception of love. Values honesty and open-mindedness the most in relationships. Expresses affection through generosity and sharing their beliefs and philosophies. Venus is actually quite comfortable in the fiery sign, Sagittarius, and can be quite beneficial to individuals whose life goals are very oriented with philosophy, art in correlation to religion or philosophy, theology, and travel because of the level of enthusiasm Sagittarius has. However, some Sagittarius can be misguided, overindulgent, and risky (with finances).
Venus in Capricorn
Here Venus is content with their views on love and life, whether those views are tranquil or rather cynical. It is as if love cannot hurt them or surprise them anymore at this phase in the zodiac. That may be melancholic, but Capricorns know how to steamroll through life even in the roughest of times. They can be playfully cynical about these feelings too; they love satire. They value what they can predict or depend on; not huge risk takers, especially in love. They are very cautious with who they wish to have romantic intentions with and relationships tend to blossom very slowly. Venus here has a lot of self-control over their desires; it may inhibit closeness in relationships with those who need lots of emotional and romantic attention to feel confident in the relationship. They dislike people who may damage their reputation and they favour those who may benefit. Capricorns don’t express deeper emotions until they have complete certainty. Expresses affection through seriousness and chivalry. They have lots of soul experience and advice to give to those beneath them. Venus here is committed, serious, and resilient.
Venus in Aquarius
Though Venus loses some of the seriousness it has in the other Saturn ruled sign, it still retains a cold, impersonal, and detached approach to the themes of Venus. Venus here may have difficulty in expressing deeper emotions, however individuals with this placement work very well in groups, often have a lot of friends/acquaintances, and have a lot of unique ideas to share with the world. An Aquarian’s emotional world develops stronger when they are around lots of people. When Aquarius does express affection, there is no lack of flirtation and charisma. Aquarius work well in relationships with those who don’t take romance too seriously and don’t need too much TLC. Aquarius value new, innovative, and experimental ideas. The artistic type strongly expresses this in their work which is often unconventional, controversial, or thought evoking. Venus here can be quite imaginative; the individual’s aesthetic and romantic world is elaborate in their fantasies despite having a hard exterior that may shield others from being able to see into this world. An Aquarius may need to find the right outlet to broadcast their hidden eye for beauty they struggle to dig deep for.
Venus in Pisces
Here is Venus’ exalted sign; the themes of Venus transcend here. Venus receives the universal rays of love. Individuals with this placement find spiritual enlightenment through the power of love, art, and beauty. Pisces is a natural empath and healer; they can heal others through compassionate love. Individuals with this placement are willing to sacrifice for what they love or value. Venus here is very vulnerable, sometimes too vulnerable; individuals with this placement may victimize themselves when desires are unfocused, unachievable, or unrealistic. Individuals who lack strength in character and have this placement may have misguided fantasties and should seek spiritual growth to avoid unnecessary suffering. Values peace, harmony, and feelings of religiousness. Values other’s minds and psychic connections. Natural poets and musicians. May be an escapist, but only to pursue godly love. In relationships, Pisces expresses affection with gentleness, sweetness, and an intentional sincerity to soothe. Venus here is selfless, ever-giving, empathetic, and sensitive.
