Venus

Rules Taurus & Libra-the 2nd and 7th houses.

Venus is the goddess of love and romance. In our charts and in astrology the planet Venus symbolizes what we value, what
we want to collect, how we give love, how we receive love and, for men, what we find most attractive about our love
interests. It is focused on literal assets, finances, things of beauty and trinkets. It places value on aesthetics and helps us
understand what we find beautiful, soothing, pleasing. It is indulgent and tactile, seeking experiences that satisfy our need to
feel surrounded by people and objects that we personally find valuable.
Venus rules the signs of Taurus and Libra. Taurus treasures the bounties and things of the earth and symbolizes art forms
which are tactile, sculpted, visual. Libra cherishes unions, relationships, harmony between itself and those it loves. Its artistic
talents are visual and lyrical reflecting an inner sense of style and balance that is projected through the creation of beautiful
things.
In a mans chart Venus gives hints about the type of woman and look that he will find most attractive and appealing. In a
woman's chart it will explain how she will set out to attract her mates and partners and also how she will return their
affections.

In the 19th Century occupations attributed to Venus included: Musicians, painters, singers, makers of toilet
accessories, perfume makers, silk mercers, apparel makers, embroiderers, sweets makers, pastry chefs, maids, butlers,
florists.

20th Century occupations include: artists, poets, musicians,sculptors,dancers,clothing designers, hair stylists,
brokers/adjusters,collectors,cooks,candy makers,farmers,masseurs,stock brokers, animal breeders

Interpreting Venus and Mars

Venus rules Taurus and Libra, and therefore always indicates both a self-oriented function and an other-oriented function.
The self-oriented function of Venus indicates what someone values, loves, or desires in general--as well as one's
relationship with oneself. For example, Venus in Gemini representing a valuing or loving of freedom, travel, and learning--
and a fundamentally light-hearted relationship towards oneself. The other-oriented function of Venus indicates what
someone is attracted to in a friend or partner, and how one likes relationships to operate. For example, Venus in Gemini is
attracted to light-hearted, intelligent, and independent people, and likes relationships to be fun, non-emotional, and
constantly stimulating. Venus, being one of the primary symbols of the feminine, also indicates our values about what
women ought to be like, whether we are a man or woman.

To get a more holistic sense of what Venus is like, read everything about Taurus/2nd House and Libra/7th House in section
one of the course/tutorial
To study your Venus, go through the first section of the tutorial and consider the following things about your Venus sign (or
the corresponding to that sign), and the sign naturally related to the house which your Venus is in (see the for help).
I recommend going through the list three times:
1) On the first read, think about how these are things that you value, love, and desire, in general.
2) On the second reading, think about how you are attracted to these qualities in friends and lovers, and how you like
relationships to have these qualities.
3) On the third reading, if you are a woman, think about how you 'sell' yourself or attract others through your Venus qualities,
and if you are a man, think about how you are attracted to women who have your Venus qualities. For men, remember that
the idea is ultimately to own these qualities within yourself.
Mars rules Aries and (secondarily) Scorpio, and therefore describes one's energy, one's personal expression, one's
courage and power, and how one handles anger, as well as one's sexuality, and one's values in relationships (like Venus).

To get a more holistic sense of what Mars is like, read everything about Aries/1st House in section one of the
course/tutorialTo study your Mars, go through the first section of the tutorial and consider the following things about your
Mars sign (or the r corresponding to that sign), and the sign naturally related to the house which your Mars is in (see the for
help). I recommend going through the list three times:
1) On the first reading, think about how you have a lot of expressions, energy, and desire that flows into these areas.
2) On the second reading, think about how these qualities influence how you wield courage/power and how you deal with
anger.
3) On the third reading, if you are a man, think about how you 'sell' yourself or make yourself attractive through your Mars
qualities, and if you are a woman, think about how you are attracted to men who have your Mars qualities. For women,
remember that the idea is to ultimately own these qualities within yourself.

Venus and Mars are, in addition to one's Sun, Moon, and Ascendant, indications of one's sexuality. Venus and Mars,
though, are the best indications of one's sexuality. With the Sun and Moon not far behind. Here's a brief breakdown of
sexuality according to the elements:

Fire: relatively sexual (especially Aries and Sagittarius) because of the intensity and high of the sexual experience (fire
craves excitement). The loudest and most expressive element sexually. The problems come from being too addicted to the
high, and not enough in the body and able to bring presence to the simplicity of physical experience, or caring sensitivity to
the other person. Also easily addicted to the high.

Earth: relatively sexual (especially Taurus and Capricorn) because Earth loves physical pleasure. The problems come
from having too thick of a shell, and not feeling enough, expressing enough, or receiving well; also, self-indulgence can
create a selfish and addictive approach. Virgo, being earth, is basically sexual, but initially struggles with puritanical
judgment of sexuality.

Air: relatively non-sexual because air is non-emotional and non-physical. Air is the element most repulsed by the human
body, and the least able to feel and express emotions. Air can be quite detached and cold, which is why air is the element
that is said to show up among porn stars--one has to be detached to do porn. Air is the most unconventional and open to
experimentation. Air is excited by the thrill of trying something new. Gemini and Aquarius are considered the most bi-sexual
signs. Air is therefore, per se, the element least prone to addictive/obsessive sexual behavior.

Water: very sexual because water is the most emotional and instinctual, and is basically comfortable with the body. Water
thrives on intimacy and emotion, so water tends to have the fullest sexual experiences, but also, once feeling safe with a
sexual partner, is the most likely to go too far, too fast without enough discernment. Therefore water easily becomes
addictive and co-dependent. Water often sacrifices too much in the personal life for the sake of sex and intimacy.

Background on Venus and Mars

and a bit about Mercury

Venus and Mars are too often overlooked as not being major personal placements. For both men and women,  Venus and
Mars are major aspects of one's personality. In terms of the personal placements (Sun, Moon, Ascendant, Midheaven,
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto [Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto are both personal and meta-personal]), Venus
and Mars most resemble the Ascendant. Venus, Mars, and the Ascendant do represent an automatic (unconscious) aspect
of oneself, but most importantly they represent an intentional (conscious) aspect of self-projection and personal values and
desires (remember that the Ascendant is associated with letter one, and therefore Mars). In fact, Venus is often said to 
represent 'values', while Mars is often said to represent 'desire(s)'; Venus, Mars, and the Ascendant all represent values and
desires. Venus and Mars represent a conscious attraction to ways of being, other people, departments of life, and 'things' of
life. For example, Venus and Mars in Aries and the first house would represent a valuing and desiring of (1) being
independent and self-motivated, (2) confident and tactless people, (3) self-discovery and the fulfillment of personal desires,
and (4) working for oneself and physical activity.

In The Inner Planets, Liz Greene and Howard Sasportas write of the inner planets (Mercury, Venus, and Mars) as being "the
foundations of what psychology calls the ego, the sense of personal self" (back cover). If i were to look at placements other
than the Sun and Moon that represent the ego, I would say that together, the Ascendant, Venus, and Mars indicate the
conscious ego (with Mercury being an important, but minor aspect of the personal ego). Understanding one's Ascendant,
Venus, and Mars (as well as, of course, the Sun and Moon) is the key to understanding someone's conscious values and
desires. The difference between the Ascendant, Venus, and Mars group versus the Sun and Moon, is that, while all five
represent personal values and desires, the Sun and Moon are significantly deeper and therefore more deeply authentic than
the previous three placements. With the Sun, the emphasis is on its being strongly conscious and unconscious; with the
Moon the emphasis is on its being strongly unconscious, and thus it also comes to represent conscious desire; and with the
Ascendant, Venus, and Mars the emphasis is on their being primarily conscious, although they are also automatic or
unconscious.

Contrasting the Ascendant, Venus, and Mars with the Midheaven illustrates the conscious and also unconscious nature of
the first three. Remember that the Midheaven represents a conscious aspect of oneself, but not really an unconscious, or
deeply inherent, aspect of oneself. The qualities of one's Midheaven do not flow out of one's being with any real authenticity
(initially), but one continually projects these qualities to others anyway and then comes to possess them more truly. With the
Ascendant, Venus, and Mars, one has a good degree of authentic resonance with their qualities (from day one), and one
does project them out of some inner depth; at the same time, one also very consciously values and desires the qualities of
one's Ascendant, Venus, and Mars--and it is the intentional appreciation and attraction that is the most important attribute of
one's Rising, Venus, and Mars signs.

Here is an optional approach: The Ascended Master Hilarion explains that Venus and Mercury are what he calls "overlays,"
which means that they are chosen by the soul to add qualities to the new incarnation which would not otherwise be present
to such an extent. In other words, the soul may or may not have such qualities already, but the placements of Venus and
Mercury represent qualities that the soul intentionally chooses to add to it's new vehicle of self-expression and self-discovery
(to him, the Ascendant and Midheaven function in this same way, but he does not explicitly call them "overlays"). One's
Venus and Mercury placements, then represent an interesting way of looking into the soul's intentional purpose for its new
life. One can ask oneself, "What would the soul be seeking out of the choice of this Venus or Mercury placement?" Is it
seeking to balance or exaggerate certain qualities? Is it making things easier or setting up a challenge? Hilarion says that
any aspect between Mercury or Venus and the Sun that is within three degrees indicates that the Mercury and Venus
qualities are already a part of the soul or higher self, and that they are being intensified even further through their overlay
effect in this lifetime.

Astrology on Compatibility:
Moon, Sun, ASC, Venus, Mars
In Compatible Relationships

Are We Compatible?

Compatibility of intimate relationships (synastry) is an extremely complex issue in astrology. So many factors have to be
taken into consideration. and novices to the subject are almost guaranteed to read the situation very poorly, because it is so
complex. I highly recommend consulting a professional astrologer expertly skilled in these matters if you want to really
understand the dynamics of a relationship, and how to use this knowledge to steer yourself towards greater love and
happiness in all of your relationships.

Until you really know what you are doing with compatibility and astrology, there is a strong likelihood of taking some
influences out of context and misreading the whole picture. All relationships have relatively positive and negative elements
of astrological synastry; it takes a lot of experience to know how to weigh everything appropriately. And even when you have
learned a lot about the subject, it is still practically impossible (if not completely impossible) to do an objective synastry
analysis of one of your own romantic interests.

So let's start with a basic, beginning overview of astrological synastry (relationship compatibility). This article will give you a
lot, but it still really just scratches the surface. So I must caution that it is definitely not possible to do a complete
compatibility reading with only the information below. But it is a good start. Those who want to know more might look into my
tape series or into my classes and private tutoring.

Moon, Sun, ASC, Venus, Mars

One can get a good glimpse of one's needs and desires in relationships through the Moon, Sun, Venus, Mars, and
Ascendant. In general, the Sun and Moon primarily indicate true needs, Venus and Mars primarily indicate desires or
attractions, and the Ascendant indicates some general needs and desires.

Obviously, the best relationship is one where one's needs (Sun and Moon) and desires (Venus and Mars) are both met. One
way to do a general compatibility test between two people is to look at the relationship between each of these five
placements across the two charts: Sun-Sun, Moon-Moon, Venus-Venus, Mars-Mars, and Asc-Asc. When the placements
are in the same gender (fire and air are masculine, earth and water are feminine) or element--the same element or a close
sextile is best--these placements are basically compatible. But of course it's much more complicated than that. To begin,
here's a short discussion of the Moon, Sun, Ascendant, Venus, and Mars in terms of compatibility issues, listed in order of
their importance and weight in synastry.

Planets in Synastry

The Moon
The Moon is the most important 'planet' in relationships. The Moon represents deep security needs, and it is difficult to be
with with someone who does not offer us what our Moon needs. The element of one's Moon sign and house (I recommend
using Porphyry House System) are elements that one's partner must have in a significant way if we are to be compatible
with them, or at least one of these two elements (if there are two). If one's partner is not strongly made up of the same
element of one's Moon sign and/or house, then strong harmonious aspects between one's Moon and the partner's chart
could also create a harmonious Moon connection.

Positive Moon compatibility will show two people who feel "at home" with one another, and instinctively care for one another.
It's like being family. That's why it's the most important planet in synastry. If you want to spend the rest of your life sleeping
in the same bed as someone else, you obviously need to feel like family to one another.

In particular, since the Moon is feminine, the Moon shows what a man needs in a woman. But the Moon definitely shows
very vital needs for women, as well.

The Sun
Since the Sun is masculine, the Sun particularly shows what a woman needs from a man. But also, for men, it shows an
element that must be present in their partners for compatibility to be present. If a man does not have the qualities of the
element of a woman's Sun, it will be difficult for her to ultimately trust and feel respect for him. At the very least, she must
feel the basic energy as a masculine/feminine polarity, i.e. an Earth or Water Sun sign needs strong feminine energy, and a
Fire or Air Sun sign needs strong masculine energy.

Ascendant
The Ascendant shows our view of ourselves and of life, and how we bring ourselves into the world. So being with someone
who has some major personal placements in harmony with our Ascendant is also very important. It's fairly important for two
people to have their Ascendants of the same gender (fire and air signs are masculine, water and earth signs are feminine),
and it's great if they are of the same element or a close sextile, but if not, this can be balanced by having a conjunction or
opposition between the Sun, Moon, or Venus of one person and the Ascendant of the other. It's better if each person
'receives' one of these conjunctions or oppositions if the Ascendants are in a more conflictual sign relationship (square,
semi-sextile, or quincunx), and especially if the Ascendants are square to one another.

Venus
Venus shows what a man is attracted to in a woman. Being with a woman who is strong in his Venus element, or who
makes close sextiles to his Venus makes the relationship much easier, and increases sexual desire and compatibility. For a
woman, her Venus is part of her feminine nature, so it is definitely best when her partner also relates well with this element.
When people have positive Venus synastry, they naturally like and love each other. That, of course, is what makes positive
Venus synastry so great.
Mars
Mars shows what a woman is attracted to in a man. Being with a man who is strong in her Mars element, or who makes
close sextiles with her Mars, makes the relationship much easier, and increases sexual desire and compatibility. For a man,
his Mars is part of his masculine nature, so it is best when his partner also relates well with this element.

However, too much Mars is really not a good thing for synastry and compatibility, and most Western astrological literature
will not tell you this. Mars is not always the "pretty face" we've made him to be. Major conjunctions, squares, oppositions,
and quincunxes with Mars are not really desirable for people looking for the most enjoyable relationship possible, but again,
"a part is not the whole," so we still have to look at a lot more. It is certainly possible to have a rewarding connection with
someone, even if you have the sort of Mars synastry discussed above, but that still doesn't mean that I would particularly
recommend it. I believe that research and direct experience will show you the truth of what I'm saying. Sure, Mars contacts
are great for sex, but how many hours a day can you have sex? And how many hours a day do you just spend time talking
with a partner, not grunting like animals? In short, if you are the sort of person who can't get enough of conflict, major and
hard Mars synastry may be just what the doctor ordered.

Aspects in Synastry and Compatibility

Whenever the Moon, Sun, ASC, or Venus form a conjunction with the same very placement of another (i.e, Moon-Moon),
or with one of the others in that group (i.e., Sun-ASC), it is especially strong for compatibility. Mars-Mars conjunctions are
generally pretty volatile and conflicting, however, but are certainly good for sexuality per se, at least at first. Conjunctions in
particular, with the exception of Mars (or Saturn or Pluto) conjunctions give the most compatibility. As always, the whole
picture, rather than just individual details, absolutely must be taken into consideration. A relationship simply cannot be read
with any one astrological ingredient. But conjunctions are really the best aspect for compatibility in general, because
compability is primarily about similarity, and no aspect indicates similarity like a conjunction does.

Oppositions are interesting. They are incredibly strong for attraction, and they are also basically strong for compatibility.
But oppositions also come with some ... well, opposition. All in all, I consider them reasonably positive when they are
between 'soft' planets (i.e. Mars, Saturn, and Pluto are definitely not included here), but they will eventually bring some
significant elements of stress as well. Too many oppositions are probably too much to handle unless you can't get enough of
being torn in two directions at the same time. An eight degree orb works well for oppositions, but a closer orb of within six
degrees is of course even stronger.

Squares between any of the five mutual placements (i.e. Venus-Venus, Sun-Sun) are definitely difficult and indicate an
element of significant incompatibility, but the compatibility absolutely has to be looked at as whole, and a little bit of square
energy can be okay if other conditions are right. When there are square aspects within a reasonable orb (everyone has their
own opinion here, but I recommend an orb of about 6 degrees), they are particularly important. When the aspects are
formed between whole signs, but not by actual degrees within a 6 degree orb, they are important, but nowhere near as
significant as an actual square aspect.

Sextiles and Trines, true to the common wisdom, are quite nice for synastry. They are exceptionally nice when the sextiles
are within 5 degrees of orb, and when the trines are within 6 degrees of orb. Sextiles have a bit more of stimulating feeling,
and trines have a bit more of an "easy" feeling. In general, I'd take a nice conjunction as my first choice for excellent
synastry, a trine second, and a sextile third.

Semi-sextile planets are placements that are one sign away from each other. For example, Moon in Taurus and Moon in
Aries. This is probably the least well-understood aspect in synastry. Basically, it is not at all good. Semi-sextile energies
show completely opposite natures that really do not "get" each other. It's like someone who believes in polygamy with
someone who believes in monogamy. No comprende. An actual semi-sextile aspect, within about a three-degree orb is an
especially problematic issue. A large number of semi-sextile planets is not at all good for compatible synastry. Check it out
and you'll see what I mean. However, all of the above applies almost entirely to same-planet-to-same-planet semi-sextiles.
So having Moon and Sun in semi-sextile signs between two people may not be a big deal at all. But having Sun-Sun or
Moon-Moon in semi-sextile will eventually be an issue between two people in real intimacy.

Quincunxes are probably the most confusing aspect in synastry. They tend to get a bad rap, which is partially quite well
deserved. However, an actual close quincunx between compatible planets such as Venus-Venus, Moon-Moon, Sun-Sun, or
ASC-ASC is actually a very positive connection on the one hand, in addition to the problems of the quincunx on the other
hand. Quincunx planets have a "6-8" relationship with each other in astrology, which basically indicates an energy that is
more heavy, "karmic," and dysfunctional. The really unusual thing about a quincunx is that a close quincunx (of three
degrees and fifteen minutes or less) between basically 'soft' planets actually give some very strong compatibility to counter-
balance the problems of the quincunx signs. I have to thank the Magi Society's research for helping me to eventually put this
puzzle together. Venus quincunx Venus within three degrees? Thank them lucky stars.

Another basic compatibility test is to see if two people are basically of the same astrological gender. Masculine people need
masculine partners. Feminine people need feminine partners. Balanced people can go both ways, but are best with
balanced partners. The more similar two people's astrological gender is, the more compatible they will be.

Conjunctions between the Moon and the Ascendant, the Sun and the Moon, and the Sun and the Ascendant are some of
the best aspects for long-term compatibility. Moon-Moon, ASC-ASC, and Sun-Sun conjunctions are also in this most
compatible category. When these sorts of conjunctions occur, particularly Moon-ASC, it can give people a very high degree
of compatibility and connection, even if other influences are really difficult. I've often seen people with almost all of their
planets in disharmonious relationships, but then they have Moon conjunct ASC, and they stay together for a couple of
decades or so. Moon-ASC almost, though not entirely, acts as a cancellation of other hard influences.

Trines and sextiles between Venus and Venus, Venus and Mars, or Mars and Mars (or a Venus-Venus conjunction) are
great aspects for longterm sexual desire and compatibility.

Many astrologers today say that some major hard elements between charts are practically good. I have to disagree
philosophically because of my direct research and experience. Of course no relationship is perfect, or has perfect synastry.
But are relationships really supposed to be challenging "growth opportunities"? Or are they supposed to be easy, fun, and
enjoyable? Any good relationship requires a willingness to communicate and listen and act co-operatively, but I do not
subscribe to the idea that relationships are supposed to be hard. I guess it's really a matter of what you like. I like my
relationships without pain, struggle, frustration, and conflict. How about you?

There is also a common sentiment that aspects such as squares are somewhat good because they generate passion. I
used to think the same thing, because that's basically what I was taught. But experience has shown me that this isn't
necessarily that true. For a short-lived relationship, such hard aspects might be fine, because you can just have great sex
and fight, and then break up. But if you want to be passionate with someone for a long time, you need to also very naturally
love one another and find it easy to be together. Would you rather have a year of great sex and fighting, or a lifetime of
compatibility and good sex? And how good can it really be to scromp like beasts every once in a while if you don't
particularly like each other the rest of the time? A square here or there might be fine. That's life, after all. But I do not think
squares are to be desired unless you're the sort of person who truly enjoys conflict.

Example of Jimmy and Jane

Jane has Sun at 2 Cancer, Moon at 5 Aries in the 2nd House, Venus at 15 Gemini, and Mars at 28 Aquarius, and 17 Pisces
Rising.

Jimmy has Sun at 23 Libra, Moon at 9 Leo in the 1st House, Venus at 24 Libra, Mars at 25 Sagittarius, and 4 Cancer Rising.

Moon-Moon: The Moons are not only in trine signs, but are actually in a trine. The Moons are in a great relationship with
one another. With Moon in a fire sign and fire house, Jimmy definitely needs fire in his partner, and Jane has some strong
fire. Another bonus is the Jimmy's Moon is in Aries' house, and Jane's Moon is in Aries. Since the Moon is the most
important planet in synastry, this is a great, great start. Even if everything else looks conflicting, Jimmy and Jane will always
have a nice Moon connection.

Sun-Sun: Cancer and Libra Suns are square, which in itself is not good, but does create some polarity and difference, and
well ... that's life. At least the Suns are not technically square, being far from a reasonable orb.

Venus-Venus: The Venus's are in trine signs, which is great. It would be really great if they were in a real trine, but trine
signs is a good sign.

Mars-Mars: The Mars's are in sextile signs, and better yet, an actual sextile. This looks great for sexual compatibility. Mars
contacts can be messy, but this is one of the best ways to have Mars-Mars connected (the trine being the other best way)

Asc-Asc: The Ascendants are in trine signs which is very good, but not an actual trine. That's okay, however, because
Jane's Sun is conjunct Jimmy's Ascendant, which is very, very good.

Overall synastry analysis: Of these five placements, only the Suns are not in harmony, but that is moderated by the Sun-
Ascendant conjunction. 4 out of 5 is very good anyway, and the Sun-ASC connection makes it more like 4.5 or 4.75 out of 5.
They could expect occasional Cancer-Libra differences to come up, but those would be quickly replaced by the other
aspects which are harmonious. So, even when problems arise, harmonious energy will always be just around the corner.

In general you'd want to have at least 3 out of these 5 placements in harmony with one another; anything less than that
would probably indicate too many problems. However, this is not a hard-and-fast (no pun intended) rule, and it is certainly
possible to be compatible with someone even if you do not pass the above 'test' together. Again, compatibility with astrology
is a very, very complex matter. More has to be looked at if you want to see the whole picture.