Angular Venus

Venusians can be charming, physically attractive and seductive. Venus conjunct the Asc, IC, DC, or MC, signifies a powerful urge to express this planet in life. Angular planets refer to the four corners of the chart, and planets that are conjunct these points are said to exercise a particularly strong influence over the horoscope. In Mythology, Venus represents the Goddess of Love, named Aphrodite. And she is not the maternal side of femininity, which nurtures and needs to belong with others. On the contrary, Venus seeks pleasure, self-satisfaction and a sense of self-value. Aphrodite doesn’t share herself with anyone and only partners with the gods that she desires. Venus has the power to make anyone, god, or mortal fall in love with her.

Aphrodite can become consumed with erotic longing and desires and she will enchant and seduce a lover with her power of attraction. Venus in a man’s chart signifies his own anima and describes the type of females that he is attracted to and who have that magic ‘pulling power’. Psychologically, Venus represents the need for emotional or material security and the need to feel desired and popular. One of Aphrodite’s extreme characteristics is her vanity, and this makes her highly competitive with other females, she can display jealousy and a certain callousness in her nature. The Goddess named Psyche was condemned to death by Aphrodite, when mortals began to speak of a beauty that rivalled that of the goddess herself.

Venus rules Taurus and Libra and represents the social aspects of her nature and sensuality. Libra is concerned with harmony, grace and the interplay of opposites. Venus’ rulership of Taurus describes self-worth, beauty and the physical senses. It is often said that Venus signifies a woman’s self-image. The urge for love and relationship is personified by Venus, and the choices we make in love often represent what we value the most. The expression of Venus can be seen in the way that we adorn ourselves, our personal taste and response to beauty.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie embodies Aphrodite, she has Venus in the 12th house conjunct the Ascendant. Angelina is attractive to others, but she may be unaware of her own beauty and hidden charms with Venus locked up inside the 12th house of her chart. Angelina seeks security (Cancer) in relationships (Venus) and needs a sense of emotional belonging, she could be a gentle, elusive type of romantic, but may show possessiveness towards loved ones. She is vulnerable to rejection and places deep importance on developing close and lasting bonds. With Venus in the 12th house, she desires to nurture those individuals who feel rejected or shut-off from society. There is often confusion and uncertainty (12th) regarding the expression of love, self-worth and value. Angelina Jolie might be unsure of the power of her own desirability, beauty and worth. Perhaps she has struggled for some time with her own sense of beauty. Venus is square Uranus and she needs freedom and excitement in relationships. If things become a little too boring, she can be a rebellious type of Aphrodite. Venus-Uranus in aspect can signify sudden changes and disruptions in the love life. Venus in Cancer needs to feel that she belongs (lunar expression); whereas Uranus seeks more unusual relating patterns and values the highest of ideals in relationships. The dark anima that we see in Jolie is indicated by her Moon in Aries opposite Pluto.

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson has Venus conjunct her I.C in Leo. Anderson became famous for her part in Baywatch, and was chosen as playmate of the month, by Playboy magazine in 1990. Venus in Leo needs dramatic love affairs and often love is perceived as giving meaning to life. There can be a tendency to be in love with an ideal image. Venus in Leo can be generous and playful in romance. Pam’s Venus is square to Neptune; this frequently archetypes the saviour/martyr complex in relationships and she can attract all types of relationships from criminals, alcoholics, drug-dealers and invalids. Aphrodite's square to Neptune loses the ability to see relationships clearly. Pamela’s ex husband Tommy Lee, has been accused of beating Pamela in their marriage. The fantasy element of Neptune is powerful in her horoscope. Pamela is worshipped by millions of men worldwide, becoming one of their favourite pin-up's. Venus-Neptune relates to others compassionately and on the positive side, they can be attracted to musicians, artists, dreamers and they are always searching for a soulmate. With Venus in the 4th house there is the love of a good home (Venus in 4th home) and she would want her home environment to be as loving and fun as possible (Venus in Leo). Pamela has a warm and loving nature underneath and she may want to create a luxurious and beautiful home.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close has Venus conjunct her descendant in Aquarius opposite Pluto. Glenn is most famous for her role as Alex Forrest, in Fatal (Pluto) Attraction (Venus). The story is about a successful editor who has an affair with a married man. However, Alex’s mental instability makes it extremely difficulty for her to end the relationship with her lover. She becomes obsessed (Pluto) and even tries to kill her rival (his wife). It is interesting that Glenn Close was chosen to play the role of the stalking Aphrodite! Venus-Pluto can represent a kind of intensity that tries to force love on others and the aspect can alternate between extremes and she can be possessive, smothering, jealous and the relationship may have a ‘Till death do us part’ embodiment. Venus-Pluto also finds it difficult to forgive a lover when betrayed. And their Intensity can often be overwhelming to more detached types. Venus in Aquarius is friendly in love and enjoys social connections.Glenn Close also played evil lady villain, Cruella De Vil, and the revengeful Marquise de Merteuil, in Dangerous Liaisons.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe has Venus in Taurus conjunct the M.C and this placement can often represent the vocation. It is often how the public ‘views us‘. Venus trines her Neptune in the 1st house and she was the embodiment of men’s fantasies and was seen as highly desirable. The sensual (Taurus) beauty and idealism in relationships is a strong feature in her horoscope. You can see some of Aphrodite’s expression through these women. The Librian aspect of Venus, reveal that these woman are not only beautiful and attractive, but Aphrodite is intellectual, she uses her strategic skills to get what she desires and this can be through self-adornment or the clever and articulate use of charm. Venus in her negative expression signifies vanity, self-absorption, laziness and so forth. However, to get away with it, she is often charming to a fault! It was interesting writing this post and observing that three of these pin-ups have a Venus-Neptune-twelfth house connection. Look to Venus in your own chart to understand what you find attractive in others and if challenged, perhaps you find it difficult to see yourself as beautiful and worthy of such admiration.