Wow, Venus, well, maybe I shouldn’t start this blog post after just finishing my big glass of tasty red wine? Or maybe I should? What’s life without a little pleasure? I mean, sometimes we need to just relax and enjoy things every once and awhile. What harm could it do? I’ll be happier, more relaxed, and therefore you’ll benefit from my good humor. Right? Or should I take off my rose colored glasses and get real. I’m tipsy and honestly a little sloppy if I’m going to be dead honest. I probably don’t want to take a look in the mirror right now with my purple stained teeth and swollen eyes. I’d prefer to believe that I look exactly as how I feel- like a Greek Goddess flowing with loving energy. Do you really want to hear me whip up some lines about Venus that may or may not be true, although it might sound really good and make you feel all warm and cozy? Or, is this a time for the hard truth, face the facts? Nah, let’s indulge in niceties for a while. I think we deserve it. We work hard. It’s all about perspective anyway, right?
Well, that’s Venusian spirit for you. Astrologically speaking, Venus’ primary concerns are love and pleasure. But before we get into the astrological significance of Venus, let’s delve into the astronomy and history of the planet itself.
Image by Adis Resic from Pixabay
Venus is the 2nd planet closest to the sun. It is a hot and cloudy planet due to it’s thick atmosphere trapping greenhouse gases. Hmm, hot and steamy. It fits. It is similar in size and structure to our own planet Earth with a hot iron core, volcanoes and mountains. No blue sky though, it’s more of a smoky yellow. It’s orbit around the sun takes about 225 (Earth) days, and it’s day to night rotation takes 243 (Earth) days- that’s longer than it’s year! Different. To learn more interesting facts about the planet Venus visit https://science.nasa.gov/venus/venus-facts/.
Because Venus is close to the Earth (relatively), it can be seen visibly in the sky, sometimes quite bright. Because of this, the planet has been known in many cultures for millenia. The ancient Assyrians and Babylonians associated it with their goddess of love, beauty and war, Ishtar. The Hindus called the planet Sukra “the brilliant”. Because Venus’ orbit is so close to the Sun, it’s not always visible from the Earth, therefore sometimes it is seen in the morning, sometimes in the evening. So in different cultures around the world it has been known as the morning and evening star. In fact, although the planet is now currently named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty, Venus, the Greeks and Romans actually thought it was two different planets and named the morning star: Lucifer (light bringer), and the evening star: Vesper. It wasn’t until astronomers realized that it was indeed the same planet did they adopt the name Venus. In my (non-extensive) online research, I did not find out exactly when this occurred. Interesting fact, in the 1500s Copernicus tracked Venus’ phases over 20 years time to help prove the theory that the planets revolve around the Sun. This heliocentric model helped change the course of Science. For more about this check out this NASA Earth Observatory article.
Image by WikiImages from Pixabay
The bright beautiful shining planet of Venus was named after the mythological goddess of love and beauty- Venus to the Romans, Aphrodite to the Greeks. Mythologically, Venus had the power to make people fall in love with her, or each other from her sheer charm and appeal. She had many children, because she had many lovers – one of them famously was the god of war and destruction Mars. Some of her most famous children were named Cupids (living up to their namesakes).
Astrologically speaking, of course, Venus is associated with romantic love and pleasure, but I like to think of Venus having a more broad concern- aesthetics. Harmony, beauty, fine wine, delicious food, good conversation, good- ahem- you know what. Venus rules the signs of Taurus and Libra, which makes sense. Taurus is primarily concerned with experiencing the world through its senses, and Libra is all about harmony, balance, and beauty.
When Venus goes retrograde, it’s not exactly a cosmic spa day. Think of it more like the universe holding up a mirror and saying, “Are you really into this… or are you just settling?” It’s a time to reflect and reassess our love lives, relationships, values, and aesthetic choices. Maybe that relationship isn’t giving what it’s supposed to give anymore. Maybe your “signature look” needs a refresh. Or maybe your house feels more renovation-zone than romantic sanctuary.
You might suddenly feel the urge to repaint your walls, break up with your situationship, or rethink what you’re actually looking for in a partner. Some even say an old flame may return temporarily. Venus retrograde stirs up a little disharmony, but that’s kind of the point. Beauty and love aren’t just about floating on a pink cloud—they’re also about clarity, choice, and the occasional reality check.
Venus already did her backwards tango earlier this year (March, to be exact), but if you want to find out more about Venus retrograde, The Farmer’s Almanac has a solid write up. Just remember: life’s richness comes from contrast. If everything was all candlelight and kisses 24/7, we’d probably stop noticing the glow. And maybe that’s Venus’s real lesson—to appreciate beauty and connection more deeply, by understanding what’s not working first.
When Venus glides into your sign, get ready to feel like the main character in the best kind of love story—or luxury commercial. You might catch yourself glowing a little more, turning heads without trying, or feeling like everything is just a little sweeter. We’re talking next-level charm, a perfectly lit selfie, or sipping red wine that tastes like it was bottled just for you. Even better? This could be prime time to meet a potential partner—or just fall head-over-heels in love with your own fabulous life.
If Venus is retrograding in your sign, cue the dramatic slow-motion montage. You might feel the disharmony a little more intensely: relationship questions, aesthetic dissatisfaction, or the urge to take a hammer to those old kitchen cabinets that you hate. But don’t panic—it’s not doom, it’s depth. See earlier: retrogrades are cosmic recalibration, not destruction.
Now, if we’re diving deeper into Venus transits, Venus’s influence shows up in different life areas depending on which house it’s traveling through in your chart. For example:
- If Venus is transiting Gemini and you’re a Taurus, Venus lands in your 2nd house of money and possessions. Translation: You might treat yourself to something stunning (like, oh I don’t know… a diamond ring?).
- If you’re a Libra and Venus is transiting Pisces, that’s your 6th house of daily routines. Suddenly, your shampoo smells like a spa, your breakfast is Instagram-worthy, and your workout feels more like a dance party than a chore.
Chani has a great guide to current Venus transits if you want the cosmic play-by-play.
And if you’re curious where love or luxury might be hiding in your life? Look to your natal Venus placement—that is, the house Venus was in when you were born. It can be a subtle clue about where romance, pleasure, or even a long-term partner could appear (or sneak up on you in the grocery store).
- Venus in the 3rd house? You might meet someone through your siblings, kids, or during a home reno. You probably also really enjoy decorating your home.
- Venus in the 5th house? You might derive great pleasure from creativity, play, or a spontaneous trip to a paint-and-sip night.
Learn AstroHD has a great explainer on this.
(Heads up for the Sidereal zodiac crowd: if you’re going that route, count the current Venus transit as starting from your Sidereal first house. So- if you’re a sidereal Pisces then Aries would be your 2nd house.)
Whether you’re basking in Venus’s sparkle or navigating a retrograde tension, just remember—it’s all about tuning into what brings you joy, beauty, and genuine connection. Venus isn’t subtle. When she shows up, she wants you to feel good—inside and out.
Well, we’ve sipped the wine, flirted with the stars, and unpacked the Venus vibes. Stay tuned for our next stop in our solar system. Until then, may your stars sparkle and your lip gloss never smudge!
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