Venus, the planet of love and money, joins Mars (aggression/action) and Saturn (restrictions/reality) in Libra on August 6, where she remains until September 8. Yey for Librans! Hopefully, Venus' presence helps lift Saturn's heavy hand and loosen Mars' grip.

Venus governs love, relationships of all types (including that with the self), our values/value system, our tastes (likes/dislikes), and our material and self worth. In Virgo, Venus is demure, exacting, analytical and practical. In Libra, Venus is social, accommodating, objective and fair-minded. At best, Venus in Libra is balanced, elegant, affectionate, popular, and has an artful eye for the aesthetic beauty in things. At worst, indecisive, narcissistic, bossy, vain, gives in too often, and an intellectual or social snob.

Venus in Libra reminds us that we are creatures that need connections -- may they be passing, lasting, intense, low-key, intimate, platonic, or whatever else. Our relationships help shape the person we are presently, who we are becoming and how we grow on a personal level. Libra-Venus also reminds that putting another's needs before our own or seeing another's point of view do not diminish our own needs or opinions. It simply redefines our priorities to include another or offers us a more complete picture of the situation.

During the first few days when Venus transits Libra, she further stimulates the already energized cardinal force currently at work; and on August 6/7, when the Moon is also in the first few degrees of fellow cardinal sign, Cancer, a Cardinal Grand Cross forms between Saturn/Venus in Libra, Uranus (awakening)/Jupiter (ideals) in Aries, Pluto (purging) in Capricorn and the Moon (emotional nature) in Cancer. These astrological alignments can be a challenging one -- with a tug of war (opposition) between Pluto with the Moon and Saturn/Venus with Uranus/Jupiter, while at the same time Pluto & the Moon also in conflict (square) with Saturn/Venus and Uranus/Jupiter.

Harmony/compromise/balance are required between external goals with internal drives and pushing for the needs/desires of the self vs. accommodating to the needs/desires of another/others. The square/conflict requires action, whether or not it's of your own doing. So, it's best to face challenges, lest decisions/actions are made for you and you are left to react (with little to no control of) what's going on. Being passive and waiting things out would not be a useful tactic during this period when powerful cardinal forces are at the helm. Those who are celebrating a birthday this weekend is up for an amazing year...challenging, but also exciting.

While Venus is in Libra, she will make alignments with the following celestial bodies (all dates reflect North America Eastern time zone; give +/-2 days for life span of influence):

• August 7 to 9 ~ Venus oppose Uranus-rx & Jupiter-rx; conjunct Saturn; and square Pluto-rx. covered above
• August 20 ~ Venus conjunct Mars. Normally, a happy, joyous meeting between Venus and Mars, but with Saturn and Pluto in conflict, things can get heated quickly and rationale might just go out the door. Or in an attempt to avoid confrontations, escaping, denial or avoidance may be on the agenda for today. But it's best to meet challenges head on and motivations driven by objectively finding a solution.
• September 4 & 5 ~ Venus trine Neptune-rx and Chiron-rx. Chance to heal old wounds. Opportunity to help another or others. Kindness. Compassion. Letting go. Release. Objective approach to finding solution to problems.

How might Venus' transit in Libra influence your birth chart? Look to the natal house/s ruled by Libra. Match the signs with the house cusp on your birth chart. Use the list of zodiac signs below to identify the Libra zodiac sign on your birth chart then click here for a brief explanation.


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For those without a birth chart, you may use your Sun sign or Rising/Ascendant sign, if you know it. Look for your Sun and Rising signs below then click here for a brief explanation of Venus transiting those houses.Alternatively, you may cast your own birth chart for use as reference -- birth date, time, and place required.

Are you celebrating a birthday? Schedule a session for a Solar Return (birthdays) or 3-Chart Package Reading (detailed natal & overall outlook for the next 12 months). Or give the gift of insight.

Have a question or need a quote for a more customized reading, ask me here. Or feel free to cruise on over to the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum* to start or join a discussion.

What significance do planets, signs, and houses have in astrology? Planets have the function, the job to do. The style/manner they will use get that job done is defined by the zodiac sign they occupy. Where in our life the job gets done is determined by the house the planet occupies/transits. So, when Mars (aggression) is in Aries (bold), he is more assertive than when he is in Cancer (sensitive). When traveling through the 10th house (professional life), he may bring his confidence and motivation in matters relating to our career. While in the 11th house (friendships), we may be more inclined to having our social calendar packed with activities. Having the foresight for what may be coming up or receiving confirmation on what may be happening now are ways astrology can be beneficial ... as above, so below.

Related articles:

• Transiting Venus in Natal Houses
  
• Current Planetary Transits
• Solar Returns Explained ~ your personal year
• 2010 Cardinal Climax & Its Long-term Impact
• Cardinal Grand Cross ~ August 6/7, 2010
• Mars in Libra ~ July 29 to September 14, 2010
  
• Saturn in Libra ~ October 29, 2009 to October 5, 2012
• Jupiter in Aries ~ June 6 to September 9, 2010
• Jupiter Retrograde ~ July 23 to November 18, 2010
• Uranus in Aries ~ May 27 to August 13, 2010
• Uranus Retrograde ~ July 5 to December 5, 2010
• Pluto Retrograde in Capricorn ~ April 7 to September 14, 2010
• Neptune Retrograde in Aquarius ~ May 31 to November 7, 2010
  
• Chiron Returns to Aquarius ~ July 20, 2010 to February 8, 2011

*Click here to learn more about the AstroCreeps and TarotFreaks Forum.

Uma Thurman as Venus in "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen". Original image source unknown.