Venus rules the most recent 2000 Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in Taurus. This may help to account for the increasing expression of the earthy, sensual side of Venus.

Neptune is sometimes referred to as the “higher octave” of Venus. Perhaps this idea comes from the fact that Venus is traditionally exalted in Pisces, and Pisces’ modern ruler is Neptune (exaltation is a sign placement where a planet can most fully express itself). However, Pisces’ traditional ruler (before Neptune was discovered) is Jupiter. Jupiter is a planet that has to do with morality, philosophy, and democratic laws which keep us in balance and harmony. The Libra side of Venus—anyone who is a Libra has Venus as the ruler of their Sun—reflects these considerations.

George Washington, the first U.S. president, was a Pisces Sun who also had his Venus in Pisces just two degrees from its highest point of exaltation. He really showed the Jupiter-Pisces side of Venus in his embrace of a new nation founded on laws which promoted freedom.

Venus is of course the feminine archetype in the horoscope. It is for each of us the anima, the feminine aspect of the soul. It is a planet most strongly associated with love. Venus’s sign also shows the image of an ideal lover that we carry around inside of us. According to Liz Greene in a book she co-authored with Howard Sasportas titled The Inner Planets, Venus “influences what kinds of experiences you tend to meet in relationship—your attitude to love and other social interactions.”

Venus in ancient times was also associated with the garden, nature, and fertility. She is the planetary ruler of Taurus, an earth sign, as well as Libra, an air sign. The Libran side of Venus is what we commonly think of as the goddess of beauty. Venus has to do with the pursuit of beauty and pleasure, peace and harmony, worth and value. Its Taurus side is more sensual and down-to-earth, enjoying the luxury of soft cushions and a good remote control.

Venus’s sign in a horoscope shows what we desire and value. Venus in Cancer, for instance, will probably value home and hearth, and enjoy “nesting.” Venus in Capricorn may value work, organization, and career, as well as the wisdom of older people.

Charles Carter, the pre-eminent political astrologer and author of the classic An Introduction to Political Astrology, said that Venus in time of war denoted victory. This is probably due to the Roman goddess “Venus Victrix” who was supposed to bring victory—a condition associated with worth, pleasure, and peace.

Venus is a musical planet and this seems to be an expression of both the Libra and Taurus sides of Venus. Libra is a harmonious sign, while Taurus is sensual and rules the throat. The singer Bono is a Taurus. I commented in a recent blog that many singers are also very good-looking, which seems to be due to a powerful Venus.

Venus rules games, dolphins, coral, and fountains.

In modern American culture, Venus is a powerful planet. The acquisition of money and the pursuit of love are dominant forces in the Western world.

If anyone is troubled by “bad aspects” to Venus in the horoscope, take heart from Bill Gates. He has Venus in its detriment (Scorpio, supposedly a not-so-good sign for Venus) conjoined by “malefic” Saturn. Many astrologers who saw such a configuration in a horoscope might say that it shows difficulty with money, an inclination to penury, renunciation of material goods, etc. For Bill Gates—although there’s much more to his horoscope—this “bad” alignment has helped to make him the richest person in the world. It’s also enabled him to start giving away his wealth.