What's Your Pleasure?
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As featured in The Cheltenham Directories September 2010 edition.
As the eminent psychologist Sigmund Freud observed, at root we are drawn to what gives us pleasure, and avoid what is painful. He called this the ‘pleasure priciple’. Astrologically, this principle is symbolised by the planet Venus, named after the Roman goddess of love, art, beauty and harmony.
In the sky, Venus appears as a particularly bright, silvery ‘star’, either in the morning or evening depending on the time of the year. In her ‘morning phase’ she rises in the east before dawn, and as ‘the evening star’ sets in the west just after sunset. When we were born, she was located in one of the twelve signs of the zodiac, which one revealing what represents pleasure and beauty for us individually.
For example, if you were born whilst Venus was in Aries, you are likely to enjoy movement, activity and even conflict, and are attracted to people who are energetic, boisterous and passionate. Sport, athletics, latin dancing, keeping fit, spicy food and loud music are the kind of things that rock your world. Those born with Venus in Pisces however, takes their pleasure in escaping from the activity and humdrum effort of the mundane world into one of beauty, fantasy and magic. Beachcombing, music of all kinds, meditation, fiction, poetry and films are examples of things likely to float their boat.
In the sky, Venus appears as a particularly bright, silvery ‘star’, either in the morning or evening depending on the time of the year. In her ‘morning phase’ she rises in the east before dawn, and as ‘the evening star’ sets in the west just after sunset. When we were born, she was located in one of the twelve signs of the zodiac, which one revealing what represents pleasure and beauty for us individually.
For example, if you were born whilst Venus was in Aries, you are likely to enjoy movement, activity and even conflict, and are attracted to people who are energetic, boisterous and passionate. Sport, athletics, latin dancing, keeping fit, spicy food and loud music are the kind of things that rock your world. Those born with Venus in Pisces however, takes their pleasure in escaping from the activity and humdrum effort of the mundane world into one of beauty, fantasy and magic. Beachcombing, music of all kinds, meditation, fiction, poetry and films are examples of things likely to float their boat.
Venus bestows her greatest gifts on lovers, and when we fall in love we come under her spell. We feel more alive, as if walking on air, and we want more! In a man’s birthchart, Venus often represents the kind of woman he is drawn to, whilst in a woman’s birthchart Venus is said to reflect the artful ways in which she makes herself feel attractive, such as hair, clothing, make-up and jewellery. Given the variety of human temperament and sexuality however, this is an over-simplification, and whether male or female, gay or straight, we all unconsciously use our Venus sign to attract others. A man born with Venus in Taurus for example might cook a wonderful meal to woo his potential lover, or impress friends with his good taste in furnishing. Be they lovers or friends, we all take pleasure in the company of people who reflect our Venus sign.
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Graham Boston lives in Leckhampton, Cheltenham (UK) and is available for private consultations and readings. Call (01242) 228796, skype grahamboston or visit www.livingastrology.com for printed profiles (which make a unique gift!).
How do I find out my Venus sign?
To find out your Venus sign, use the widget on the right.
Enter your year, month, day, hour and minute of birth (make a rough guess if you don't know your time of birth - it is unlikely to make a difference to your Venus sign). Next, you need to know the time zone of your birthplace - and if necessary, whether 'summer time' was in effect. For example, if you were born in the summer months in the United Kingdom, choose BST (British Summer Time) instead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). Knowing whether it was in effect when and where your were born can be tricky. If you want to check, enter your birth details in Astrolabe's free birthchart generator. |
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To find the Latitude and Longitude of your birthplace, check its entry in Wikipedia (it usually displays at the top right of the page). By default, the widget assumes you are East of the Greenwich Meridian (London), so you may want to change that to West if you live in the UK.
Leave the House System at Placidus and click 'Show It!'. You'll see your Venus Sign listed, along with your other planets' sign positions.
Leave the House System at Placidus and click 'Show It!'. You'll see your Venus Sign listed, along with your other planets' sign positions.
Venus in Aries
You enjoy life with gusto and are not afraid show it! to As mentioned above, you enjoy movement, activity and even conflict, and are attracted to people who are energetic, boisterous and passionate. Even if you’re a dreamy Piscean or a placid Taurean, you’ve got a loud, hard-livin’, up-tempo side to your character that can be a bit of a surprise to those who don’t know you well. Sport, athletics, latin dancing, keeping fit, spicy food and music with a strong beat are the kind of things that rock your world and turn you on. Your relationships are inevitably stormy, peppered with the occasional display of fireworks, but always passionate, honest and exciting.
Venus in Taurus
Mmmmm…. sensuality could be your middle name. Loving to touch and be touched, you raise physical love to an art form that leaves your lovers completely satisfied. Your appreciation for the sensory delights of the world extends to the good things in life like fine wine and fine dining, and no doubt you have excellent taste in art, furnishings and clothes too. Colour, texture, flavour and form are things you have an innate feel for, leading to skill in such things as painting, gardening or cooking. Your relationships are characterised by their stability, and you are naturally drawn to people who are beautiful either within or without.
Venus in Gemini
You love to communicate! There’s nothing more pleasurable to you than a one-to-one exchange with someone intelligent and interesting, much like yourself! You express yourself wittily, often flirtaciously, for you know that the mind is the most exciting sex organ. Conversation for you is like a dance – a way of getting to know someone and giving pleasure at the same time. Writing comes easily to you, and you may have a talent for spinning stories, penning lyrics, plays or scores. ‘Variety is the spice of life’ could be your motto, since you are always seeking out new experiences, visiting new places and making new friends. Your relationships succeed best when you and your partner have shared interests and a mental connection.
Venus in Cancer
Ahhh… Venus in Cancer. There’s nothing more appealing to you than a lover who needs looking after. They bring out your nurturing, caring side, but of course, you like being looked after too! Holding and being held is your way of bonding with others, and your relationships flourish when intimacy and closeness are at their heart, and they are allowed to follow a natural, organic rhythm. A natural homemaker, you have a gift for creating a harmonious domestic situation, both in your choice of home and the way you furnish it, and in maintaining good relationships amongst your family members. If creative, you do your best work when you have an emotional connection with what you are doing, and when you are feeling settled and comfortable in other areas of your life.
Venus in Leo
As befits this regal sign of the zodiac, you take pleasure in being treated with respect, even adoration, and love to be the centre of attention. Fun-loving, expressive and sometimes theatrical, you are outgoing in your affections and are drawn to creative types, or to those who stand out for their beauty, success or self-confidence. Ever playful, you are a child at heart, which is why you get on so well with young people. In relationships you demand attention and loyalty, but give them back in equal measure, and you are at your happiest when there is plenty of shared laughter. For you, creativity is a source of pleasure, and you may enjoy expressing yourself through a variety of media such as painting, dance, entertaining and even acting. Take time out occasionally to go to the theatre, visit an art gallery or organise a romantic weekend away.
Venus in Virgo
You are perhaps more discriminating in your pleasures than other Venus signs, and consider carefully before bestowing your affections. You are attracted to people, both as lovers and friends, who are thoughtful, self-possessed and who show integrity. Romantically, you are drawn to wholesome, healthy-looking types who look as though they might enjoy a roll in the hay. With partners you are supportive and encouraging if they are trying to improve themselves or their lives, but nit-picking when not. Your relationships flourish best when you are able to both engage in practical projects together, for example renovating a home or garden, working with wildlife or even being in business together. You enjoy helping people and may be drawn to the healing professions as a result.
Venus in Libra
Like Taurus, Venus is ‘at home’ in Libra, so art, beauty and style play a big part in your life. You are drawn to people, both as lovers and friends, who are attractive, fashionable or popular, and in turn, you attract admiration with your beauty, charm and sophistication. Aggressive or coarse behaviour is a turn-off for you. Highly romantic, you seek out partnership and dislike being in the single state. In a relationship, you are attentive, considerate and loving, and do your best to smooth out problems when they arise. You have refined tastes and are knowledgeable about art, culture and the latest trends. Your relationships flourish when you are able to engage in social and cultural events together.
Venus in Scorpio
Intriguing, mysterious and charismatic are some of the ways in which people see you, and there’s no doubt that many people find you a source of endless fascination. Highly passionate, your feelings towards those you love are powerful, so you have no doubt learnt to bestow your affections on a potential new partner with caution, testing the waters to see whether their feelings are likely to match yours. You have a powerful sexuality and know how to use it when you want to – just be careful to use it wisely, otherwise your relationships can become a complex tangle of jealousy and even manipulation. You enjoy mysteries, puzzles and detection work, and are drawn to the study of human nature, biology and crime.
Venus in Sagittarius
High-spirited, confident and outgoing, good times are high on your agenda, be they parties, dances, concerts or holidays. With a love of travel and exploration, you enjoy meeting people from different cultures, and are likely to have an eclectic mix of friends (and lovers) from around the world. You are attracted to idealistic, philosophical or sporty types who share your sense of adventure, whereas those in possession of a narrow world-view you give a wide berth to. With your love of The Great Outdoors, you are likely to enjoy walking holidays, trekking and even extreme sports – or perhaps just sun worshipping on the beach. Your relationships flourish when there is a shared love of adventure and travel, or when you both have a similar philosophy of life.
Venus in Capricorn
You love tradition, heritage, status and prestige. Your career is very important to you and you get on well with those you work with and those you work for. You enjoy being seen in the best places and in the company of smart, successful people, and you are naturally drawn to those who are ambitious, hard-working and level-headed, much like yourself. Along the way however you are likely to learn lessons about the difference between outer and inner success, and about temporal vs lasting values. You are not one for leaping into a relationship but instead take time to get to know a prospective mate fully before declaring your feelings. You are reliable and trustworthy, and in a relationship you offer loyalty, commitment and financial stability. Your relationships flourish when you are able to share and work towards your long-term goals with each other.
Venus in Aquarius
Zany, quirky, kooky and eccentric are some of the things you enjoy being, and others are likely to love you for it. You are attracted to people who are out-of-the-ordinary or who dare to be different, and your friends are likely to be those who live on the fringes of acceptance by straight society. Though sometimes you like your own company and being immersed in the world of ideas you also enjoy sharing them with other people, and tend to seek out ‘birds of a feather’ who share your outlook on life. Technology appeals strongly, and you love being one of the first to use the latest gadget, software or internet phenomenon. Basically, you just love being ahead of the curve! Your relationships flourish when you are able to maintain your own sense of freedom, and when you and your partner share similar interests and friends.
Venus in Pisces
With Venus in the last sign of the zodiac you are likely to take pleasure in escaping from the activity and humdrum effort of the mundane world into one of beauty, fantasy and magic. Beachcombing, music of all kinds, meditation, fiction, poetry and films are examples of things likely to float your boat. You are attracted to romantic, dreamy types - idealists, artists, models, mermaids, poets and hippies even. Someone who is too buttoned-up or logical is unlikely to set your heart fluttering. Your relationships do best when your partner understands your need to periodically do nothing, set no goals and escape from practical considerations. You are happiest when you can share your inner world with your partner, and they with you.