Venus is the second planet from the Sun in astronomical order, but in astrology it is the planet of the first and most fundamental human need: the need for connection. It represents attraction in all its forms — romantic love, friendship, aesthetic pleasure, and the attraction of money and material goods.
In traditional astrology, Venus is called the Lesser Benefic, a planet of good fortune, harmony, and pleasure. It is the natural significator of women (as the Sun is of men), of marriage, of art and beauty, and of anything that brings sweetness to life. It is also the planet of value in the economic sense: what you find worth having, worth pursuing, worth keeping.
Venus rules Taurus (its nocturnal home) and Libra (its diurnal home). It is exalted in Pisces, where love becomes boundless and unconditional. It is in its detriment in Aries and Scorpio, and its fall in Virgo. These placements describe the terrain of Venus's dignity: where love flows easily, where it is challenged, and why.
In a chart, Venus describes:
- Love and attraction — what draws you, what you find beautiful, and how you express affection.
- Values and priorities — what you consider worth having, worth pursuing, worth sacrificing for.
- Money and resources — how you attract and handle material resources, and what you spend them on.
- Aesthetic sensibility — your taste in art, music, fashion, and the physical environment.
Venus's placement by sign describes your love style: a Sagittarius Venus loves through adventure, philosophy, and the pursuit of shared horizons; a Scorpio Venus loves with intensity, depth, and a demand for total intimacy. Venus's placement by house describes the area of life where you find pleasure and connection — and where your heart is most invested.