Venus

Astronomical Facts

Average Distance from Sun (Earth = 1.0): 0.7
Radius (Earth Radii): 0.9
Number of known Moons: 0
Rotation Period (length of day): 243 (backward rotation)
Revolutionary Period (length of year): 225 days
Mass (Earth masses): 0.8
Density (g/cm3): 5.2
Atmosphere: 96.5% carbon dioxide, 3.5% nitrogen.
Venus has a large and thick atmosphere, so thick that its surface is not visible from earth. The temperature is about 600 degrees Kelvin and on the surface about 750 degrees Kelvin, twice as hot as a kitchen oven and hot enough to melt lead. Venus has no magnetic field and its surface is fairly smooth, probably similar to rolling hills.

Astrological Meaning

The planet Venus shows the way you express your love nature and what you aspire for in life as good or beautiful. Venus has much to do with how you form your values. The sign placement of Venus shows the type of love energy you have. The house placement of Venus shows the natural area of expression of the love energy.

The aspects of Venus indicate how and under what circumstances you express the gentle and loving side of your nature.

Historical Myth & Legend

The Greek goddess Aphrodite was a ruler of both physical and sensual love as well as ideal, romanticized love, and intellectual, humanitarian, and spiritual love as well. Aphrodite married Hephaestus, the lame blacksmith. Hephaestus was an expert craftsman who made jewelry for Aphrodite, armor for Achilles, and Zeus's crown. Although married, Aphrodite had love affairs: Ares, the god of war, Anchises, a Trojan prince, and Adonis, a handsome, young hunter were lovers of Aphrodite.

The myth of Aphrodite does exemplify many of the characteristics of Venus's astrological influence: there are many flavors and styles of Venus's love, depending on the signs, houses, and aspects to Venus. Beauty has an attractive power over people, as shown in Aphrodite's physical beauty, and the fact that she married a man, who although not beautiful, could serve her and adorn her with beautiful ornaments. Attractive power and romantic attraction, unless balanced with other factors, will not result in a faithful, monogamous relationship, as evidenced by Aphrodite's love relationships with handsome men.

Adonis was killed by a wild bear and Aphrodite pleaded with Zeus to bring him back to life. Zeus decided to allow Adonis to live 6 months of each year on earth and 6 months in the lower world, creating the summer and winter seasons. Thus, love can help overcome even death, and the bonds of love can survive the greatest tragedies.