As an Astrologer I like to look at the ancient interpretations as well as the contemporary to get a more well-rounded interpretation of this planet in my predictions.
Vettius Valens, a 2nd century Hellenistic Astrologer that lived in Egypt, wrote a book called The Anthology. Here he outlines the significations of the planets pretty extensively and is a very rich resource for anyone looking to understand how the Greco-Romans understood the planets.
The book states that in the translation he talks about Venus as being about, “desire and love, signifier of mother and nurse. She makes priesthoods, public benefactors, wearing of golden ornaments, the wearing of crowns, merriment, friendships, companionship, the acquisition of additional property, purchasing of ornaments, reconciliations for the good, marriages, refined arts, pleasant sounds, music-making, sweet singing, beauty of form, painting, mixing of colors and embroidery, purple dying and perfume making both the inventors and also the masters of these (professions), artistic or commercial Works involving emeralds and precious stones, Ivory-working. And those who spin gold thread, decorate with gold, hair cutters, those who are fond of cleanliness and play, she brings to pass within its own bounds or degrees of the zodiacal signs. And she grants the office of market overseer, measures, weights, trades, shops, giving, receiving, laughter, rejoicing order, aquatic animals. And she gives assistance from royal women or relatives and secures a remarkable reputation, when (Venus) cooperates in such matters. Of parts of the body she rules the neck, face, lips, nose and the front parts from the foot to the head, the parts of intercourse; of the internal parts of the body, it rules the lungs. And Venus is also the nourishing of another who is capable of receiving, and of pleasure. Of substances, she rules precious stones and multicolored adornments; of produce, she rules the olive. She is the nocturnal sect, the color white and very oily taste.”
Some of these interpretations may seem a bit odd to modern-day Astrology but if I pick a few things out, let’s look at the cleanliness part. There is a sort of ritual that happens with all of us when we want to be admired or well received in love. We bathe, do our hair, check our outfits, think about the jewelry we’re going to wear, put on perfume or cologne and try to look our best so that we make a good impression. There is ritual in our habits and I see it represented here in this translation.
Think of the music that you put on when you want to be happy or expressive in how you’re feeling.
Each Zodiac sign expresses Venus in a different way but I’ll just use the two that are her domicile. In Taurus season, we are in the middle of Spring when flowers and trees are blooming. Think of the beauty and the colors that come a long with that and how it’s an expression of happiness and growth. On the other side of that, think of Libra season where the leaves are changing their colors. Another beautiful palette expressed through Venus. This is why so many brides choose to get married during these seasons because of the beauty she expresses around them.
In motherhood I see Venus as a precursor to the energy of the Moon that is a representation of the mother on a Natal Chart. We have to take part in love-making to produce a child and Venus is the initiator of that.
She is a wonderfully benefic planet that brings so much Joy and Love!