of Pisces (sidereal) and similarly the exact degree of debilitation of Venus is 27° of
Virgo (sidereal). As it moves toward the exact degree the intensity of its benefic or
debilitated state is increased.
Venus also rules three of the 27 Nakshatras (lunar mansions): Bharani (0 to
13°20’ Aries, sidereal), Purva Phalaguni (13°20’ to 26°40’ Leo, sidereal), and Purva
Ashadha (13°20’ to 26°40’ Sagittarius, sidereal). All three of these Nakshatras share a
sense of passion that requires one to learn restraint.
Today’s western astrology combines many of the historical attributes of Venus.
The planet is associated with the Greco/Roman goddess Venus and rules love and
marriage as well as harmony and the ability to attract. The modern Venus is quite fem-
inine in nature, represents grace, elegance, and beauty as well as money and material
goods. She is the patron of the arts and music, and reflects one’s ability to navigate
social situations. Relationships, the capacity for affection, friendships, sensuality, and
sexuality all belong under her domain.
The sign that Venus is posited in at birth indicates how one relates to others,
what one finds attractive and one’s capacity for love and harmony. The house in
which Venus resides, as well as the houses the planet rules, describe the areas of life
that are most profoundly impacted. For instance, harmony or money issues may be
more important in those areas. In addition, the attractive nature of Venus usually
brings a love of, or interest in, those things represented by those houses.
The shadow side of Venus recognizes that overindulgence brings out some neg-
ative traits, which can be indicated by retrograde motion, or aspects with another
planet, as well as placement in a difficult house, such as the twelfth. For example,
Jupiter aligned with Venus may seem to be a lucky placement. However, the expan-
sive nature of Jupiter may influence Venus to overspend and to be vain or lazy.
As in the Hellenistic and Jyotish traditions, Venus rules the zodiac signs of
Taurus and Libra, is exalted in Pisces, in detriment in Aries and Scorpio, and in its fall
in Virgo. Physically, modern Venus rules the female sex organs, the glands, blood in
the veins, the throat, and the kidneys. She is associated with the voice, etiquette,
sweets, flowers, perfume, copper, Friday, and the number six.
—Linda R. BirchSources:
Arnett, Bill. The Nine Planets: A Multimedia Tour of the Solar System.www.seds.org/nineplan-
ets/nineplanets.
Astronomy for Kids.www.dustbunny.com/afk.
Bloch, Douglas, and Demetra George. Astrology for Yourself: How to Understand and Interpret
Your Own Birth Chart. Berkeley, CA: Wingbow Press, 1987.
Campion, Nicholas. Mesopotamian Astrology 2,000 B.C.–O.A.D.www.nickcampion.com/nc/
history/mesopotamia.htm.
Campion, Nicholas, and Steve Eddy. The New Astrology: The Art and Science of the Stars.North
Pomfret, VT: Trafalgar Square Pub., 1999.
DeFouw, Hart, and Robert Svoboda. Light on Life.London: Penguin Group, 1996.
Levacy, William R. Beneath a Vedic Sky.Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, 1999.
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Venus