by Luc De Jaeger
The elemental division is one of the foundations of astrology.
Together with the modalities, they are the building stones and blocks of what we call the Tropical Zodiac.
The 4 elements (Fire, Earth, Air and Water) each represent a quality of being and a state of matter.
The Elemental Division
Fire signs: Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Earth signs: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Water signs: Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces
Air signs: Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Whenever a planet or body changes an element, its background (theme) changes too.
You can't go wrong materializing the elements in all their forms to find out what they mean in our physical world and how they would work out.
What we will do now is delineating Venus, the archetypal planet of love, in the different elements.
However, Venus is just more than the planet of love.
It's also a receptive force, the planet that represents our taste, that which we want to beautify, that which brings harmony and peace into our life, among others.
Venus in the element Fire
Fire is always making itself noticeable and when Venus is in Fire it does not come as a surprise that Venus takes the first steps in matters of love.
Because Fire is 'showy', you will see Venus in fire and flame when love knocks at the door.
Venus in Fire radiates warmth and is full of enthusiasm.
It easily gets excited.
Venus in Fire may love an atmosphere that represents its element: candlelight dinners or enjoying a drink or meal in front of a fireplace may bring Venus in Fire in the right mood.
When in love, Venus in Fire becomes very spontaneous.
Venus in Fire loves upbeat events to attend.
It cannot stand passive situations that are found to be too boring.
Venus in the element Fire needs some action and (adventurous and/or outdoorsy) activities.
Venus in the element Earth
Earth is the most moderate and modest element of all, and also the most 'heavy.'
It radiates rest and calmness.
The element Earth is the most physical element that you can actually take and keep in your hands.
It's the most tangible one and that's why Venus in Earth needs tangible tokens of love in its life.
No talks or chatter but 'real things'!
Venus in the element Earth may love an outdoor picnic or a romantic dinner with flowers on the table.
Earth is very nature-loving.
Venus in Earth loves a hug, a gentle stroke or touch on the skin or a massage -- all things material or physical.
Venus in Earth can be very sensual but it's also very reticent and easily holds within.
Venus in Earth is very dependable and needs matter to live in and around.
Venus in the element Air
Air is the most volatile element that you most often can 'hear from far.'
Indeed, Air is noisy and with Venus in Air expect lots of talks and chatter.
Venus in the element Air is communicative and loves to inform.
Air is very mental and cerebral and, unlike Earth, dislikes physical contact.
Unlike Water, Air does not feel well when emotions come up.
That's why Venus in Air may often give a rather detached and cool impression.
Venus in Air always needs some sounds (music for example) in the environment.
When in love, Venus in Air becomes very talkative.
Because Air is a positive (extravert) element, Venus in Air wants to go out and meet people, socialize and connect one way or the other.
Venus in Air is superficial (not penetrating nor attaching) and therefore is often called the 'social butterfly.'
Venus in the element Water
You seldom hear Water, it's the most silent element of all.
Venus in Water is a very private and retentive position.
Silent waters run deep and Venus in the element Water just loves deep emotional and spiritual (soul) connections.
No words needed.
That's why Venus in Water is very subtle and a little shy in matters of love.
Because Water is a negative (introvert) element, it's not blunt or bold.
Venus in Water loves a watery environment (near a fountain, enjoying a walk along the Beach,...).
Venus in Water needs a secret or private place to withdraw.
Venus in the element Water seldom takes the initiative.
Water is the most sensitive element and Venus in Water easily feels hurt.
The atmosphere is of the highest importance to Venus in Water.
Venus in Water can be quite clingy at times and it has to learn to let go.
Venus, in general, is the planet of relationships and beloved ones. It represents all that is beautiful and harmonious and it promotes balance.
The house Venus is found in, tells more about the environment in which you find balance, well-being and harmony.
Remember that the houses represent the environment and point to WHERE things happen.
In other words, Venus in the natal houses will describe where you find balance, beauty, beloved ones and relationships.
Unlike lots of other sources, we are only listing empirically and statistically researched delineations.
We split up the delineations in 'general meanings' (irrespective of the gender), descriptions which were found to be more significant in male charts and the meanings that were found to be more significant in female charts.
This way, we hope to bring some top-notch and more to-the-point descriptions not found anywhere else.
Also know that when Venus is conjunct a house cusp but not in the house itself, the delineations may not apply.
When Venus is just in front of a house and not in the house itself, the planetary meanings start to differ because Venuus acts like a connector binding both houses together in some way.
Planetary aspects to Venus may alter some of the descriptions as well.
The same holds true for the zodiac signs Venus is posited in that may alter the background of how Venus manifests.
When Venus is conjunct another body or planet or if there is a stellium in the house Venus is posited in, the delineations may vary too.
The delineations we provide are archetypal meanings found in charts where Venus is the only planet in the house.
Descriptions in bold are very significant and almost infallible.
Venus in the 1st natal house
In general:
- charming and seductive personality
- wants to please and be courteous
- has a striking physical appearance
- self-indulgent
- indecisive
In male charts:
- a womanizer or woman-pleaser
- needs an attractive woman
In female charts:
- wants to be found attractive
- needs appreciation
- wants to be desirable
- soft and sensual
Venus in the 2nd natal house
In general:
- wants to have a beautiful lifestyle and spends lots on possessions
- materialistic
- self-worth depends on financial and material success
- shows off
- one of the most loyal positions
- very attached to a group (family, partner,...)
In male charts:
- needs an upper-class or very stylish woman
- dresses stylish
- a collector
In female charts:
- the shopaholic
- takes delight in good food
- strong physical senses
- can be very attached and loyal to the partner
Venus in the 3rd natal house
In general:
- The 3rd house is the most unstable and 'wandering' of all and hence not the best one if you want a stable love relationship and/or marriage.
Venus in this house tends to find love in the 'immediate environment' - may have a (very) beautiful voice
- a graceful communicator
- very good at languages and/or writing and/or talking
- the bookworm
- the story-teller
- craves compliments
In male charts:
- needs a cerebral and intelligent (well educated) woman
- may find love in the neighbourhood
- can talk every woman into something
- can sell anything
In female charts:
- talkative and a seductive voice
- continuously in contact with a lover (texting, phoning,...)
Venus in the 4th natal house
In general:
- home-loving (home sweet home)
- needs a beautiful, peaceful and harmonious home free from discord
- increase in harmony and well-being ('wealth') later in life
- may meet real love only later in life
- loves to wear casual clothes
- lives a more balanced and harmonious life in the last part of life
In male charts:
- needs a woman who is home- and/or family-loving
- demanding
In female charts:
- very sensitive to the surroundings
- the home-decorator
Venus in the 5th natal house
In general:
- in love with love
- loves to gamble or speculate
- loves exquisite and/or luxury goods
- highly romantic ideals
- very creative and artistic
- may have an artistic or gorgeous daughter
In male charts:
- a very sexual position
- showy and too vain
- self-centered and self-serving
In female charts:
- can be very attractive
- playful and wants to have fun
- loves some drama (in the movies, theatre,...)
Venus in the 6th natal house
In general:
- the workaholic
- prone to on-the-job romances
- the researcher and analyzer
- skin trouble
- self-indulgent
- indecisive
In male charts:
- love often starts at the working floor or with co-workers
- often more female co-workers than male co-workers
- less selective
- prefers a subordinate position instead of being the boss
In female charts:
- needs a man who helps her in everything she does
- friendly
- loves small animals (dogs)
Venus in the 7th natal house
In general:
- gives a good first impression
- sociable and popular
- cannot be alone and needs 'someone else' to share life experiences
- the multitasker
- often attracted to partners with similarities (like the same first name, the same style, appearance, job,...)
- needs a refined partner
- loves to organize
In male charts:
- wants to shine with and present his wife everywhere
- compassionate
In female charts:
- very attractive and stylish
- interest in fashion
- loves intrigues
- cannot stand silence
Venus in the 8th natal house
In general:
- erotic
- a very charismatic position
- love and sacrifices (emotional turmoil) go hand in hand
- may work in the fields of banking, insurances, taxes, ...
- entangled love unions and relationships
- a compulsive need for a partner
In male charts:
- very passionate
- may live excessive
- inherits and/or receives possessions/money from women
In female charts:
- needs money to raise her status
- may sell herself for money
- money and love go hand in hand
- may experience inertia
Venus in the 9th natal house
In general:
- love affairs or unions in foreign countries and/or with foreigners and/or with people who have a different social background (culture, race,...)
- needs an original lover
- inspirational
- love triangles
In male charts:
- needs a playful woman
- adventurous and/or sports-minded
In female charts:
- loves to tease
- helpful
Venus in the 10th natal house
In general:
- "Love me!"
- rather vain: wants to be noticed for his/her beauty, style and/or charm
- wants to look good in public
- very goal-oriented
In male charts:
- needs a woman who can shine
- needs a supportive woman
- the woman helps him in raising his status
- needs lots of attention
- can be manipulative and an intriguer
- loves uniforms
- feels guilty towards women
In female charts:
- never leaves home without make-up
- a sweetie
- increasingly suspicious towards men
- love affairs with higher-ups or men who have a well-defined position in our society or in a group (the boss or employer, men of importance, men in uniforms...)
- a marriage for status or money
- a model (may love to pose)
Venus in the 11th natal house
In general:
- sociable
- friends become lovers
- highly inventive
- often a party-goer
- very idealistic
- unpredictable behavior in love unions
- needs a clean and light environment
In male charts:
- influential female friends
- almost always has a mistress
In female charts:
- gets well on with children of the partner or the others' children (fond of children)
- lots of female friends (the 'girls club')
Venus in the 12th natal house
In general:
- poverty in childhood and/or may have felt neglected in childhood
- loves to sacrifice as a means to be liked
- secret (platonic) love affairs, unrequited love
- love = sacrifice (giving more than receiving) resulting in some dissatisfaction
- protects its privacy
- very devoted
In male charts:
- love and sorrow go hand in hand
- solitary, reclusive and contemplative
- the painter
In female charts:
- widowhood. This is a position that most often shows that the woman will survive her husband
- needs a silent or reclusive partner
- fear of sex (diminishes the sexual expression) but often craves intimacy
- serves the partner
- easily hurt
- too vulnerable and submissive
