Venus and Mars

The Planets of Love and Passion

by Christina Collins

Twice a year we turn towards love. In February we have Valentine’s Day when we send cards, give
presents and focus on feeling and sentiment. In the summer we change to Bhakti or the “season.”
of love and its varied expression. Eros and Agape, the love of passion and bhakti, the love of God
both connect to Venus.

Venus, the planet who loves, is known as the planet of, Romance, Love, Art, and Beauty. Also
known as Eros, the Roman Goddess of Love, and the Mother of Cupid, Venus in Valentine’s month
finds our focus on our hearts, our Loves and Romance. Conversely, in Summer – we find “summer
Love, and love to be fleeting (probably because Venus transits within 60 degrees of the Sun, and
the Summer Suns are in Gemini (duality), Cancer (needy) and Leo (selfish) – to be blunt. As Venus
travels through each sign, we find “summer love,” “summer flings” and difficulty in making choices.

Venus in Sanskrit translates as

semen, meaning the reproductive
fluid of both male and female.
Venus also connects us to
children, the result of
reproduction. Flowers,
photography, music, the creative
arts, painting, commerce, money,
diamonds, refinement, all belong
to the domain of Venus.

Mars, the planet of passion and

action, when it connects with
Venus, the planet of love and
beauty stimulate “chemistry,”
passion or physical love connections to flame between individuals. If you imagine that Mars is like
the south pole of a magnet and Venus as the north pole of the magnet, you verify that opposites
attract. When you connect one person’s Mars to the other person’s Venus by opposition between
charts, you get one of these connections. For example, Venus in Libra in one person’s horoscope
opposite Mars in Aries in the other person’s chart makes a strong chemistry especially as Venus
rules Libra and Mars rules Aries and planets are strengthened in their own signs.
You can also be very emotionally close to someone when both people share the same Mars or
Venus. This expresses more as a kind of “brotherly or sisterly” love.

Each planet contributes its part to any idea, concept or experience at hand.

Your rising sign, the luminaries, the Sun and Moon, and the planets Mars, Venus, Jupiter and
Saturn, along with the Nodes of the Moon, Rahu and Ketu each contribute their influence toward
connections between people that make them feel love, loved, and loving. The general connections
are same sign, opposite sign, (180 degrees apart) or trine (5 signs apart).

In Vedic astrology we also use a special divisional chart for defining the spouse called the
Navamsha (9th harmonic) along with the birth or natal chart to look for associations between
people.

Some of the connections you can look for in compatibility:

The Sun in one person’s chart should connect with the Moon in the other persons chart.
Mars, the planet of passion should connect with Venus the planet of Love.
Mercury, the planet of communication should connect to other person’s Mercury
Jupiter the planet of Marriage, Knowledge and Children should connect with the other’s Sun,
Moon or Rising sign
Saturn, the planet of restriction should not connect to the other’s Sun, Moon, or Venus (an
exception would be if Saturn exalts in Libra – where it will be this coming Fall!)
Rahu and Ketu, the lunar nodes who are always opposite should not be reversed between
the charts. (This would be someone approximately 9 years older or younger.)
The malefics Mars, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu should not be in the same sign as the other
persons Sun or Moon. (this is general and there are exceptions to all of the rules)

Wherever you have Venus placed in your chart is how you will feel about “Love.” Trying to pick a
summer (just because I love/like you) present for someone? Check out their Venus and/or Moon
placement (what house, what sign?) it will give you some ideas on what they love (Venus) and
what their mind (Moon) desires. Here are a few ideas that you can expand upon:

Venus or the Moon in:

Aries: Always young at heart, Aries is the child of the zodiac, around 7 years old. Give
something that they can use to explore – a Hummer or a trip to Disneyland. A hiking day with
portable food. A spontaneous adventure – hot air ballooning. A gift of Music? Rock & Roll.
Camping equipment.

Taurus: Food. Prepare or arrange for a beautiful meal. Breakfast in Bed. Sensation. A
sweater or item of clothing that “feels,” good to the wearer. Fragrance. Incense. Taurus rules
scent and aromatherapy. Music CD’s or fine wine. Musical instruments. Music classes.

Gemini: Communication. A great book, a magazine subscription, a book of movie tickets, an

airplane ticket to anywhere. Hiking together. Anything “together,” Gemini, the sign of the twins
likes a companion in life’s adventures. Phone cards and board games.

Cancer: Pillows, gifts for the home, the kitchen or the library. Cooking classes, a massage at
home. A gift to attend a workshop. A charm or anything else collectible. (Cancer’s like to
collect things, stamps, books, dishes, stuffed animals…) Singing or music classes. Anything
romantic – strand of pearls, flowers, candy.

Leo: A weekend or day away in a really nice hotel, with room service and spa facilities.
Tickets to a sporting event. A day of Golf. A day at the zoo! An outdoor concert, with picnic
basket. Photos of family and friends (Make sure your Leo is in the photo too!) Theater
Tickets. Skating venues.

Virgo: Dancing! Music! A gift of a housekeeper for a day. A new wallet or purse. (Virgo
women like small petite handbags). Computers and software. Exchange massages. White
 clothing. Things that are “pure,” and refined. Dinner in a classy restaurant. Gift certificates for
a facial . . .or cosmetic surgery. A health related gift.

Libra: Art supplies, a day at an art museum with brunch at a sidewalk café. Gift cards for
clothes. Books and Clothes. Jewelry. Gift cards from a bookstore. Fine Art. Art classes. A
personal shopper or personal trainer.

Scorpio: Gifts that they can control themselves. Gift cards for anything. Massage and spa
gift certificates. Books, cooking classes, chemistry sets, water fountains, water beds. Mystery
books, Thrillers (think, Nancy Drew, Hardy boys). Lingerie. (Yes, Scorpio is sexy, and also
they like to feel cuddled up – so a warm robe or a great silk sleeping shirt work too!)

Sagittarius: Books about Travel or Self Improvement. Tickets to travel to visit somewhere
new (or you), A gift certificate to attend a self-help workshop. A private class or consultation
in their area of interest. New hiking boots. An off-road vehicle. A horse or a puppy.

Capricorn: Two earthenware mugs, coffee, a coffee grinder, espresso machine, a potter’s
wheel, books on business and commerce. Ayurvedic treatments or a consult with a
practioner. Things for the office (a framed photo of you?) Tickets to the theater. Anything that
could improve their business prospects. To someone with Venus in Capricorn “Love IS
Business!

Aquarius: Anything unusual. Aquarius dances to the beat “of a different drummer,” Music
lessons, skydiving lessons, classes or software on piloting and aviation. An airplane. A build
your own airplane or model airplane kit. A day doing things for others (helping someone
realize their dreams) ! The Wild Divine Software, a bamboo flute (Aquarius is an air sign) or
something for their self improvement so they can help others.

Pisces: Anything to do with water. Tickets for a trip to swim with dolphins. A book of poetry. A
rock fountain, tickets to the opera or classical music. Stuffed animals, chocolate, books. A
session with a healer, or Astrologer or intuitive. Aquarium with fish, or a Spa day. A home
sauna. Foot massage. Flowers and Scent. Gifts imported from another country.

Of course, flowers, candy, perfume and fine food work for all signs! Have a wonderful summer –
we are sending Love your way!