Venus’ Dark Side

Do you know where Venus is in your chart? It can be the best indication of your relationship potential. Read about your Venus to discover your greatest strengths and weaknesses in love.

Love can be heaven on earth – or a monumental pain in the heart. To make matters even more complicated, your deepest relationships are usually a bit of both. Actually, it’s not love itself that causes suffering, but your inner conflicts, attitudes and expectations about yourself and your relationships. So where do these struggles come from, and how do you resolve them to find fulfillment in love?

Astrology is an excellent roadmap to learn these answers. It reveals the challenges that accompany your journey through the jungle (or meadow or roaring rapids!) of love. Many components in your chart indicate how you handle relationships, but for now we’ll focus on Venus, the planet of love.

Venus in Fire signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
You bring plenty of passion and energy to your relationship. As a lover, your romantic style is candid, spontaneous and hot. You thrive on the thrill of a challenge, but unless you have some steadying Earth placements (Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn) in your chart, you get bored when romance flows too smoothly. Headstrong Aries is especially impulsive and self-centered when it comes to love. You need to temper your passion with patience, and consider your partner’s needs so your relationship can thrive. Willful Leo may try to force an incompatible relationship to work. You need to know when to swallow your pride, stop trying, and move on. Adventurous Sagittarius needs plenty of freedom and has trouble settling down. You need to have patience with practicalities and routine – while focusing on the long-term – if you want your relationship to last.

Venus in Air signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
You thrive on socializing, and enjoy a wide circle of friends. As a lover, you’re flirtatious, witty and intellectual, so unless you have some empathetic Water placements (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) in your chart, it may be difficult to relate to people on a deep emotional level. Sometimes this keeps your relationships superficial. Flighty Gemini can be capricious in love, preferring variety to stability. Communicating your desires – while opening your heart to love – will deepen your relationship. Indecisive Libra strives to relate to everyone, and can have trouble making a choice. Being in tune with your own heart will guide you to the right partner. Eccentric Aquarius is a magnet for friends, but can appear detached when it comes to romance. Acknowledging and sharing your feelings will help you find true love.

Venus in Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
You bring emotional depth to your relationship. As a lover, you’re emotionally, sexually and psychically attuned to the one you love. On the downside, unless you have some brainy Air placements (Gemini, Libra, Aquarius) in your chart, you may lack the objectivity necessary to work through relationship issues. Tenacious Cancer may depend too much on a partner for happiness. Your world may be too small for your personal growth, too. Developing your own brainpower, talents and interests will widen your horizons and bring balance into your relationship. Defensive Scorpio fears being vulnerable, and has trouble trusting others. You might be tempted to erect an impenetrable shield around your heart, to protect yourself from pain. Forgiveness, trusting in love and acknowledging your vulnerability will keep your heart open. Naive Pisces has a proclivity for denial, and can get lost in a relationship. You’re also a magnet for others who can might advantage of you. Having the courage to face the facts, speak your truth, and honor your true self will help you create a healthy relationship.

Venus in Earth sign: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
You’re the practical, sensual lovers of the zodiac. In a relationship, you crave physical contact – both sensually and sexually. You need to feel secure in order to share your heart. Because of this, unless you have some adventurous Fire placements (Aries, Leo, Sagittarius) in your chart, you may stay in a stagnant relationship that hinders your growth. Stubborn Taurus has an abundance of inner strength, but a deep fear of change. Learning to go with the flow – and trusting that whatever happens will be for the best – will help you create a supportive relationship. Picky Virgo is the healer who sees what needs to be fixed in every potential partner. You have high expectations, and you can be overly critical of others. Loving your partner unconditionally, while accepting the imperfections in yourself and in others, will allow you to be yourself and enjoy your relationship. Controlling Capricorn has a talent for relationship longevity – but your material focus and emotional rigidity can make you seem insensitive. Sharing your empathy and compassion – and trusting your heart – will help nurture your relationship.

Knowing the gifts and challenges of your Venus sign can help you avoid a broken heart, and embrace the ecstasy of love. Enjoy!