May 25, 2026 by Julia Clemmensen (‘29)
When looking at your birth chart, you will find what zodiac sign your Sun, Moon, and rising falls in, but also a variety of other planets, asteroids, stars, and conjunctions. These other aspects included in your birth chart are usually overlooked compared to your “big three”, but they are all important to analyze to understand your full astrology. Aside from the Sun and Moon, Venus is one of the most important planets you can find in your birth chart.
The planet Venus was named after the ancient Roman goddess of love and beauty, otherwise known as Aphrodite to the ancient Greeks. Like this goddess, the planet Venus also symbolizes love but means much more than that to astrologers. Along with love, Venus also symbolizes grace, beauty/aesthetics, what we value and find joy and comfort in, and what we look for or desire in people romantically. Given that Aphrodite is a female goddess, and a very feminine figure in mythology, the planet Venus is significantly fixed on feminine energy. Because of this, if you are female or want to focus on your personal femininity, then Venus in your birth chart will point out how you tend to love, but if you are male or want to focus on tapping into others’ femininity, then Venus in your birth chart will point out who you tend to love and why.
Since everyone’s birth chart is catered to their own specific birth location and time, everyone’s placement of Venus will vary between the twelve zodiac signs, just like how your Sun, Moon, or rising signs are varied in placement. If, for example, I have Venus located in the zodiac sign Leo, then the traits of Leo will shine through the lens of Venus and how I love (since I am female). Given that Leo is passionate, creative, attention-seeking, and loyal, Venus tells me that by being located in the zodiac sign of Leo, I would love my potential significant other by giving them lots of attention, giving them my loyalty and support, and maybe even taking enjoyment in sharing creative conversations or endeavors with them. If I were a male with Venus located in the zodiac sign of Leo, then I would be looking for all those traits in a partner, given that being a male would signify who I love.
It is important to pay attention to where Venus is located in within your birth chart just like you look at your big three, because it can be helpful with assessing if you’re actually thriving in your relationship with your partner right now, finding your personal aesthetic and vibe, building up your self-love, and overall helping to understand what you truly value in yourself and in others. Astrology gives us a chance to look at ourselves deeper, and I can assure you as an astrology nerd myself that it can be super beneficial. Maybe this astrology talk sounds like complete gibberish, but, if there is one thing to get out of this Venus debrief, it is that embracing the love you hold will only get you further in understanding yourself and understanding the love you deserve.
sources:
Venus, Goddess of Love, in Astrology | Cafe Astrology .com
Venus Astrology: The Ultimate Planet Guide | Astrostyle.com Horoscopes
Venus: Roman Goddess of Love, Beauty, and the Mother of Rome*