In astrology, every planet and object in the Solar system— the Sun, the Moon, the planets, and even asteroids— relates to some aspect of our lives. This month, let’s take a closer look at Venus. Why Venus? She is the goddess of beauty, love, attraction. Her position in your natal chart indicates sources of enjoyment in your life and the kind of relationships that really work for you (and those that don’t).

What’s your Venus sign?

Your Venus sign might be different than your Sun sign. The Sun travels through the 12 signs at a more or less constant pattern. The Sun always enters Aries at the beginning of Spring. Venus circles around the Sun, and can be as many as two signs away. Sometimes she is ahead of the Sun in the Zodiac. In February 2005, Venus is in Aquarius, the same sign as the Sun. Other times Venus appears up to 2 signs behind the Sun. Therefore, in your birth chart, Venus may or may not be in the same sign as your Sun! This is good information— if I’m an Aries and my Venus sign is Taurus, I need excitement, speed and stimulation in life (Aries), but I enjoy gardening and want my relationships & love life to be stable, settled, slow and sensual (Taurus).

Finding out your Venus sign is easy if you have a computer. Just visit the Swiss site Astrodienst (www.astro.com), to calculate your chart online for free, or look it up in their handy Venus sign ephemeris.

Venus
The symbol for Venus in your birth chart is a circle with a cross underneath. It’s the ancient symbol of the Goddess and the modern symbol for the ladies’ room. How times have changed!

Aries
If you have Venus in Aries, my, Mon Cherie— you are like the lovable cartoon skunk Pepe LePew (in character, not necessarily in scent!). You know what you want in a relationship, and you feel best when you don’t let your fears stop you from going after it. To try and fail is much better than to isolate yourself from any chance of happiness! You need motion, movement, excitement and are attracted to a fired-up person who enjoys a good game or competition as much as you do. It’s important to recognize this and set up healthy forms of play for yourself. Otherwise you may stir up discord just to get a “charge” of energy.

Taurus
Like the bull, Venus in Taurus is earthy, sensual, slow and deliberate. Taurus is associated with the neck and shoulders; that’s why you love to have them rubbed. You are extremely sensual and affectionate. You enjoy the finer things in life and have expensive taste. Quality is more important than quantity. Keep that in mind and you won’t be such a pack-rat! You need a stable, dependable partner, even if you are not so “together” yourself.

gemini
Gemini is the sign of sparrows and butterflies, and Venus in Gemini will often sample many flowers before settling down. You’re a free spirit and wonderful conversationalist. Venus in Gemini has earned a reputation as the incorrigible flirt. Whether or not that is true of you, you value your freedom and would wither without it. It’s important that your partner understands this about you. Gemini rules the hands— yours are expressive, and you love to have them massaged and held.

cancer
Venus in Cancer wants to nurture and be nurtured in a relationship. Security and emotional bonding are important to you, and it’s very hard to let go of a relationship, even if it’s a bad one. Cancer is a water sign, and water is very soothing to your emotions. Cancer rules the stomach and breasts. (You may draw your own conclusions!) Crabs scurry sideways instead of straight forward. Sometimes this saves you from an uncomfortable situation, but other times it’s important for you to say what you mean, address the issue directly, rather than beating around the bush.

Leo
Proud Mary! Fabio! Venus in Leo wants to be admired and adored. Leo is the sign of gold, royalty, and children. The best partners and friends for you are those who will play with you, who encourage that childlike wonder in you. You lavish your partner with compliments and shows of appreciation. Gold, purple, and glitz are your colors. You express yourself dramatically. You need to find an outlet for this in your life, such as painting or theater, or you might create soap opera theatrics in your personal life which can be harmful in your relationships. Leo rules the heart and spine.

Virgo
Virgo is the sign of the master craftsman. Venus in Virgo wants a relationship that is efficient and “built to last.” It’s your nature to be careful and cautious in your selection of a mate, because you want a solid, down-to-earth partnership that makes life easier for the both of you. It isn’t that you aren’t romantic, it’s just that your way of expressing love is being helpful. Virgo rules the digestive tract. Sorry, but you’ll just have to find somewhere else to be rubbed!

Libra
Fairness is the most important thing with Venus in Libra. You want things to balance, give and take. Air is your element, and things of the air are soothing to you— birds, mobiles, incense. Because relationships are so important to you, you tend to put a lot of importance on your partner’s enjoyment or happiness. You’re a good compromiser, and that works for you as long as you don’t compromise your core needs and values. Libra rules the skin and kidneys. (We won’t go there!)

Scorpio
Still waters run deep. That’s Venus in Scorpio. You are attracted to someone with an intense, mysterious look, probably a quiet type. You do not fall in love often or easily. You form very deep bonds. Letting go of a love is difficult for you because it feels like death. But when it’s over, it’s over. Your love life is a series of eras, punctuated by periods of intense change or crisis. You enjoy deep, intense experiences and lovers. You may even provoke a fight, just so you can make up again. Scorpio rules the bowels and genitals.

Sagittarius
Sagittarius is the sign of the traveler, and Venus in Sag usually loves to travel or is drawn to friends and partners from other countries. You love to socialize and visit, and need plenty of time and space to do so, even if you are in a committed relationship. You need a partner who is free and easy; the jealous type isn’t for you. Sag rules the hips and thighs.

Capricorn
Venus in Capricorn tends to age well, and approaches love purposefully and dutifully. Like Venus in Scorpio, you do not fall in love easily or often. You want stability in your partner, a solid foundation you can count on. Capricorn rules the knees, which may be one of your favorite erogenous zones. You may be in business with your partner, or run your family like a business! Capricorn is tuned in to the passage of time; maybe you have a thing about clocks.

Aquarius
Venus in Aquarius tends to pick a lover from their circle of friends. You’re not the “swoony” type; you prefer a more easygoing partner. You are able to be objective about your relationships in a way that is refreshing to some people and absolutely unnerving to those who express themselves in a more dramatic or emotional way. You like friends and lovers who are unorthodox and march to their own beat, even if you yourself are a more conventional type.

Pisces
Pisces is the most psychically sensitive sign of the Zodiac. Love in the sign of the fishes is artistic, otherworldly, floaty; it ebbs and flows like the ocean. Saying no is difficult for you, so you tend to drift out of a relationship rather than break it off. Pisces is the most psychic sign. It’s helpful to realize you can feel other people’s feelings as well as your own. That’s why clarity is hard to come by sometimes, and why spending some time by yourself is very good for you. Pisces rules the feet— yours may be so sensitive that you don’t like them touched. If not, you love for someone to rub them.