The first planet within Earth’s orbit, Venus represents the centripetal, inward-pulling elements of life and experience which urge us toward inner union and togetherness with others. Venus is the attraction-repulsion principle, it symbolizes guiding values and ideals, and the feminine aspect of nature.

Harmony, art, beauty, grace, charm and affection. Pleasure, comfort and luxury. Personalized love and expressions of love. Receptivity and the ability to attract others and maintain relationships. Attractive or desirable people, places and things. The Venus principle is represented by love goddesses of world mythology, such as the Greek Aphrodite and the Hindu Kamala.

Venus represents our personal ideals, goals and values. Our sensitivities and affinities are symbolized by Venus, as well as the capacity to appreciate, interpret and give meaning to life- experiences and relationships. In a birth chart, it shows how one judges oneself, others and situations. It indicates how to best achieve satisfaction and fulfillment, and the instincts which guide us along the way. Venus symbolizes one’s “moral compass” and emotional capacity, as well as intimacy and connectiveness. Venus represents one’s archetypal form of individuality, in so much as individuality is defined by one’s inner values.

In a man’s birth chart, Venus represents his anima—the inner, often hidden and secret, feminine aspect of his psychology. It shows the receptive, sensitive and appreciative side of his personality, and what he most values. Venus in a man’s horoscope also symbolizes the qualities he finds most attractive in a women—qualities he may project upon women and expect them to fulfill.

In a woman’s birth chart, Venus denotes her truest feminine qualities, the qualities she most wants to realize and embody. In today’s highly competitive society, a woman’s Venusian character may be overshadowed by the masculine planets—especially Mars (drive) and Saturn (control)—which allow her to survive and succeed in the world of business and career. By tuning into her Venusian qualities, a woman can better maintain the delicate balance between her outer, career life and her feminine identity.

Venus spends less time retrograde than any other planet—only forty days once every eighteen months. In a birth chart, Venus retrograde represents a set of personal goals and values which appear to go against the grain of natural forces and instincts. It is the symbol of ascetics, athletics and others who train, fight or redirect natural urges. It denotes the artist’s total commitment to art and the values and ideals she is attempting to show.
      In a man’s chart Venus retrograde indicates a powerful focus on fulfilling a well-defined set of ideals and goals, often of a social-political, spiritual or athletic nature. Living up to his chosen ideals may become the central focus in life, and a man with Venus retrograde many need to exercise more sensitivity and delicacy when applying his ideals to others.
      In a woman’s chart Venus retrograde suggest a life uncommon to most women. Such a woman often dares to break new ground, refusing to accept traditional female roles. As a result, women with Venus retrograde often find themselves amid emotional struggles and public controversy regarding their uncompromising quest for truth, justice and acceptance.