Romancing the Zodiac
Romancing
the Zodiac
Peninsula Woman
Jan – Feb 2004
There is no salvation for the Soul
but to fall in Love.
It has to creep
and crawl among
the Lovers first.
~ Rumi
The most common questions I receive as an Astrologer is about Love and Relationship.
The Ancient Greeks defined Romantic Love as an experience of pleasure and pain. They called it “Eros.” They also believed the experience of love occurred through some outside force, which in most cases was in the “act of a god.” The word Eros also meant “want,” “lack,” and “the desire for that which is missing.”
In romantic love, lovers want “what they think they do not have.” This makes it impossible for someone to “get what he wants.” As he gets what he wants, it is no longer wanted. Are you following me? As a result, Eros is a significant contradiction that creates a tremendous amount of tension in the deeper part of the psyche. If getting satisfaction ends the excitation of the desire for that which is missing, or the Eros, isn’t the recourse to attempt to prolong the moment of passion for what you think is missing for as long as possible? Inevitably all relationships under the influence of Eros will be a failure. So much for romantic love!
From my experience, the real power of love is not in the “lack” or “wanting,” which maintains and prolongs desire, but in the connection to a sense of mutual desire. The “Eros love” tradition fails to unite human beings. We need a tool to help connect us to knowing what we need at the soul level. We need a tool to show us how to get what we want. With that tool in place, we can find someone who wants the same thing. This is where Astrology can be helpful.
The planetary Venus in your astrological chart can help answer these questions. Of course, Mars can also allow us to locate our Soul’s wants and desires, but Venus speaks of what qualities we NEED in our loved ones to grow spiritually. So Venus is the first helpful tool to discover what qualities we need in a potential love partner.
Focusing on Venus in your chart and discovering the sign, house position, and other aspects can shed even greater light on understanding your unique experience of love. Ignoring Venus is like turning away from a part of our Soul that desires the most profound experience in life, the experience of love!
Venus’ sign placement indicates what the person needs and what they find truly attractive. Each sign has its mythic flavor. For example, if you have Venus in Aries, you have “the need” to assert your will and instinct in your relationship and also need someone who can do the same. Taurus needs sensual pleasure and earthly simplicity. In Gemini, Venus portrays the desire to be the messenger and requires communication. Cancer “feels” and displays a connection of love through mothering and nurturing others. Venus in Leo has the loyalty of the lion and gives her heart to all she loves. Venus in Virgo shows love through selection and discrimination. Libra needs beauty, balance, and refinement in its partners. In Scorpio, the needs intensify, and depth to merge entirely with one another is necessary. Sagittarius needs a partner who longs for adventure and the unknown. Venus in Capricorn loves success and accomplishment and needs a partner willing to build relationships on a solid foundation. Venus in Aquarius will look for freedom, ideals, and friendship. And finally, Venus in Pisces hopes for romantic love, which brings true union with the divine.
Through the eyes of an experienced and professional astrologer, they can guide you to understanding your Venus in your chart. How does your heart open to another? What do you need? Venus can create a sense of mutual desire, ultimately leading to a lifelong relationship. Isn’t that what we want?
