Venus, the second planet from the Sun, exudes a captivating allure that echoes throughout the cosmic expanse. With a diameter of approximately 12,104 kilometers (7,521 miles), Venus stands as a radiant gem in our celestial neighborhood. Its mass, roughly 81.5% of Earth, consists mainly of gases, predominantly carbon dioxide, enveloped by thick sulfuric acid clouds.
Cultural and Mythological Archetypes
Venus has been revered in various mythologies, symbolizing love, beauty, and fertility. In Roman mythology, Venus was equated with Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, embodying allure and desire. In Greek mythology, she was known as Aphrodite, born from the sea foam, enchanting all with grace and charm. Venus’s association with love and beauty has permeated worldwide cultures, inspiring art, literature, and music.
Astrological Significance
Venus holds significant influence in astrology, governing love, relationships, beauty, and pleasure themes. Aligned with the signs of Taurus and Libra, Venus infuses these signs with qualities of sensuality, harmony, and aesthetic appreciation. Taurus, ruled by Venus, embodies the pleasures of the physical world, while Libra, also ruled by Venus, seeks balance and harmony in relationships and aesthetics. Venus’s influence encourages us to cultivate love, harmony, and appreciation for beauty in our lives.
Venus’s House Placement
Venus’s influence rules the astrological wheel’s second and seventh houses, corresponding with Taurus and Libra, respectively. The second house governs themes of values, possessions, and self-worth, while the seventh house represents partnerships, relationships, and harmony. With Venus as their ruler, these houses become domains of beauty, love, and harmony, where individuals seek fulfillment through meaningful connections, aesthetic pleasures, and shared values.
Venus Retrograde Motion
Like other celestial bodies, Venus undergoes retrograde motion, where it appears to move backward in the sky relative to the stars. In astrology, Venus’s retrograde motion can symbolize periods of reflection, reassessment, and reevaluation in matters of love, relationships, and values. Venus’s retrograde prompts us to review our desires, reassess our priorities, and reconsider our approach to love and partnerships.
Venus in the Tarot
Venus’s influence resonates with The Empress card, symbolizing fertility, abundance, and nurturing love. The Empress embodies the feminine principle of creation, representing Venusian energy’s fertile and nurturing aspects. The Empress card in the tarot symbolizes feminine power, creativity, and nurturing. It encourages honoring the body through wholesome nutrition and embracing self-love for a positive body image. She promotes activities like art and relationships that enrich life. The Empress provides instinctual mothering and protection.
In the minor arcana, Venus rules the 4 wands (Venus in Aries), the 2 Cups (Venus in Cancer), the 7 of cups (Venus in Scorpio), the 5 of swords (Venus in Aquarius), and the 9 wands (Venus in Virgo).
Venus in Medical Astrology
Venus is associated with health issues related to beauty, harmony, and the reproductive system. It may influence conditions such as hormonal imbalances, reproductive disorders, and issues related to aesthetics and appearance. Medical cosmetic procedures fall under Venus’ domain. Venus, as a celestial influence, may precipitate maladies stemming from indulgence, negligence, and the excessive consumption of sugar—often categorized as afflictions of comfort. These conditions have been associated with a decline in muscular integrity and tone. However, it is noteworthy that ailments attributed to Venusian influence typically exhibit correctable characteristics, thereby bringing in the potential for remediation and restoration of health.
Venus in the Jewish Kabbala
Venus is associated with the Sephirah of Netzach, representing victory, beauty, and desire. In this view, Venus embodies the harmonious and aesthetic aspects of divine manifestation, inspiring feminine creativity and instinctual leadership, and appreciation for the beauty of the cosmos.