Venus in Virgo (and music)

Venus Verticordia by Dante Gabriel Rossetti [it means the changer of hearts]

Here's another great contrast from the previous sign - Venus in Virgo has a discreetness that is the opposite of the dramatism we found on Venus in Leo. Taking this into account, I expected love lyrics to be less ostentatious and exaggerated.

Like the other Earth signs, Virgo is very focused on the objective things in life. In fact, this may be the most realistic sign of them all, so even in love, Venus in Virgo won't live in the clouds but on this very precise moment and place. Suzanne Vega (Sun in Cancer): She wants to cut through the circles that she has lived in before, She wants to finally kill the delusions, she won't need them anymore.
John Lennon's (Sun in Libra) lyrics are an interesting reflection of a disillusioned man (Old Hare Krishna ain't got nothing on you, just keep you crazy with nothing to do, keep you occupied with with pie in the sky, There ain't no guru who can see through your eyes, I found out! - you see the disdain he applies to dreaming). In his song God, he sings "the dream is over", he lists the things he doesn't believe in anymore and concludes saying: I just believe in me and that reality.

So with Venus in Virgo love is real, real is love (to quote John Lennon once again). There are many references to the realness of one's love. For instance, Gwen Stefani (Sun in Libra) sings: Our love is the real thing and This love is serious, You get me seriously out of my mind. Sting (Sun in Libra) adds: But if our love is pure, the only thing of which we're sure.

Perhaps for this reason (and also considering that Virgo is ruled by the planet of the mind, Mercury) love can be a mind-opening experience. Instead of being a blurry, hazy emotion (e.g. Venus in Pisces), it can be something crystal clear: John Lennon explains Love has opened my eyes, Love has blown right through, Wherever you are, you are here. That sounds very practical.

But before we go further, let's consider the fact that this isn't the type of Venus that needs to be in a relationship to breathe (e.g. Libra). Venus in Virgo is reserved, careful and will often prefer to be alone before they get into a relationship. This happens because they need to feel a sense of self-sufficiency, so instead of looking for their complementary parts in someone else, they find them within. This sense of independence is essential to them, even when they're in a relationship. Some examples: Can't see nobody, leave me alone (Lennon); Made up my mind not to love again, live my life a single man (Bryan Adams, Sun in Scorpio); Once I stood alone so proud, held myself above the crowd (Suzanne Vega).

Once their self-suffiency is secured, they'll carefully assess their potential partners (are they good enough?). If the answer is yes, they'll consider taking the innitiative but only if they're certain that they're appreciated back. Being very realistic, Venus in Virgo is very conscious of their flaws (and yours, for that matter) and this may lead them to be somewhat insecure. But when they're sure, they'll work on you with patience and discreetness.

You haven't noticed? Well, yes, perhaps they're not overtly flirting with you, but haven't you noticed how they listen to everything you say with interest? Weren't you delighted when they remembered a little detail about you that you mentioned a while ago? Weren't you happy when they considered to quit playing annoying computer games just to spend more time with you? Yeees, I thought so too. Bryan Adams sings: To really love a woman, to understand her, you gotta know her deep inside, hear her every thought, see every dream... Gwen Stefani adds: I think I know you inside out/ And we're together most days but I still love to have you around.

So make sure you notice and value these little things they do for you because that's all they need in return. If they feel valued by you, you'll have someone there who is willing to work on the relationship. Gwen Stefani portrays a devoted woman: I’d give you everything that I am, I’m handing over everything that I’ve got, 'Cause I wanna have a really true love. In another song for No Doubt, she wrote: So I pacify problems with kisses and cuddles, diligently doubtful through all kinds of trouble.

Venus in Virgo love style isn't the exuberant kind, it may be discreet and contained (Leonard Cohen, Sun in Virgo, mentions: For now I need your hidden love.) or come in the form of constant criticism and nagging (Gwen Stefani: I find myself trying to change you, If you were meant to be my lover I wouldn’t have to or I know I can't tame you but I just keep trying). Their criticism isn't meant to hurt your feelings but to help you become a better person (if there's one thing Virgo can't stand it's unfulfilled potential!)

Your wildness scares me, so does your freedom, You say you can’t stand the restrictions - sings Gwen Stefani. Bryan Adams adds: Had enough of your crazy ways, had enough of you leaving me for days.
It seems that Venus in Virgo feels uneasy next to wild characters, in fact they're usually not into them in the first place. They are more interested in the people that sometimes go unnoticed, there has to be some potential under there. But when they're with someone who seems to have a certain past, they can feel threatened by their partner's experiences. Gwen Stefani writes about being an ex-girlfriend for No Doubt: I kinda always knew I’d end up your ex-girlfriend, I hope I hold a special place with the rest of them, and you know it makes me sick to be on that list.

Being ruled by Mercury, the mental part of the relationship is very important for Venus in Virgo; it matters that the two partners are intellectually compatible. Leonard Cohen mentions: And you know that she will trust you, For you've touched her perfect body with your mind.

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A note:

Venus represents the more feminine side of the individual. Even though men have a feminine side too, often they're not very aware of it, for various reasons (mainly of a societal nature). What happens when we're not conscious of certain parts of us is that we tend to project them unto other people. In this case, men project their Venus sign qualities into women, so we also interpret a man's Venus sign as the kind of women they attract/feel attracted to.

In the lyrics of these male songwriters I've found various descriptions of women who are very natural and somehow connected to the Earth (the collective image of the Virgin). For instance Sting sings: The spirit moves on the water, she takes the shape of this heavenly daughter, She's rising up like a river in flood, The word got made into flesh and blood / Leonard Cohen also has a few descriptions of women and nature, such as: And she's there where the light and the darkness divide, And the steam's coming off her, She's huge and she's shy, And she steps on the moon when she paws at the sky.

Interestingly enough, Suzanne Vega also portrays this kind of woman, similar to the goddess: My name is Calypso, My garden overflows, Thick and wild and hidden is the sweetness there that grows, My hair it blows long as I sing into the wind, My name is Calypso and I have lived alone, I live on an island.


Random notes:

[1] I may be influenced by the connection between Virgo and Health but I noticed that every single one of these songwriters refer to illness, doctors and perscriptions in their songs. Just to cite a couple of examples: Gwen Stefani (Call the doctor cause I am sick in love); Leonard Cohen (I showed my heart to the doctor: he said I just have to quit. Then he wrote himself a prescription, And your name was mentioned in it! ).

[2] Venus in Virgo lyrics are rich in detail, which isn't a surprise really. I found a lot of them in Suzanne Vega's songs: The beams and bridges cut the light on the ground into little triangles and the rails run round, through the rust and the heat, the light and sweet coffee color of her skin.

Venus in Taurus and Music

Venus in the mirror by Diego Velasquez

Remember the impulsive, idealistic, I-will-die-for-you Venus in Aries? Well, erase that from your mind now. Venus in Taurus likes to take its time and base everything in very solid, realistic ground. One step at the time, the Bull (Taurus) doesn't move all of its paws at once, does it? We're talking about a Fixed sign here, which brings more stability to their emotions, perhaps more strength and a bigger ability to preserve them. Simultaneously they're less likely to take the first step.

British singer Lemar is very indecisive about taking the initiative despite having an Aries Sun. But you can understand the Venus in Taurus in his lyrics: What if I told her how I feel? What if this is just a crush on a girl that I don't know? What if she's just a fantasy? Maybe she's not the one for me. ...What if it's something I regret? Well, you get the picture. In another song he explains: I've been trying to get my feelings clear but still he fails to be completely decided: Should I dare to cross that border?. He asks: When I decide, will you feel the same? - well, you have taken plenty of time already, I'm afraid. I hope your girl isn't impatient!

What this shows is that, instead of following their impulses on a whim or being engulfed by their emotions, they are much more controlled about it. Tracy Chapman (Sun in Aries also) explains: This time I won't let my emotions rule my life, this time I'm gonna keep my heart locked safe inside. This sounds like a once-bitten-twice-shy kind of Aries.

What happens is that they understand the responsibility and compromise a relationship demands so they'll think twice before taking that risk. Martha Wainwright sings: I have realized now that everything is a compromise and the grass is no greener on the other side [Do you see the realism very unlike the idealism of Fire signs?] I'm not saying they take all of their relationships seriously - they can have casual encounters like anyone else - but if they're sure about someone they'll usually be loyal. (Lemar: My house is your home, You can come and go as long as I know that you're faithful / The only thing you really gotta bring is true love, I give you my word, I'm a man you can trust)

They won't be very keen on pursuing someone; as Tracy Chapman puts it: I'm too old to be chasing you around, wasting my precious energy.
Once they're in a relationship though, they'll try to hold on to what they've got with all their strength, even if the situation isn't as comfortable as it once was. Loyal and faithful yes, stubborn too (try getting a bull to change direction!). The lyrics are full of these examples: Martha Wainwright (Sun in Taurus as well as Venus) explains: But I think that I'm stuck on you / When you are gone I'll cry, but until then I'll crack a smile, I'll stay dry for as long as I can; Alanis Morissette (Sun in Gemini)shares her experience with love: At that particular time love had challenged me to stay, (...) I knew not run away again, (...) love encouraged me to wait, at that particular moment it helped me to be patient. Tracy Chapman in a very famous refrain sings: Give me one reason to stay here and I'll turn right back around. To end the round, Lemar sings: Trying to move on but I can't, No I can't imagine being someone else's man and also Girl I've tried and tried a million times to get you off my mind, It's not that easy.

With Venus in Taurus, practical and mundane issues are likely to have an important role in love relationships. They may also have a role in someone's choice of partner. Alanis Morissette, for instance, says: "These are 21 things that I want in a lover, not necessarily needs but qualities that I prefer, I figure I can describe it since I have a choice in the matter" She can also describe the inverse process: Let's name 30 good reasons why we shouldn't be together. I started by saying things like 'you smoke' 'you live in new jersey' (too far). Perhaps this is the rationality of Gemini added to the practicality of Taurus. She adds (with the adequate dose of irony probably): You're such a pretty thing when you're done up properly, I might want to marry you one day if you watch that weight and keep your firm body.

So physical things are very important for Taurus, they are basic - feeling comfort and indulging, be it food or nice things or sex. They like being surrounded by beauty and things that are valuable and made to last (just like their relationships) and home is a frequent mention in the lyrics. Martha Wainwright puts it this way: I will go home tonight and rest my head on the sight of you for as long as I can. Lemar adds: But nothing's ever like your bed at home, especially when you're away from the one you love. In another song he sings: "Put on your red dress and this diamond necklace, Your love leaves me senseless" Obviously, being surrounded by beauty also includes their loved one, but usually they admire what is more natural and simple. Lemar forgets about the diamonds and says: Don't need you to be something that you're not and also Classy but simple, I don't need to fuss.

Taurus can be one of the most possessive-prone positions of Venus because the loved one may be seen as a valued "object" that they treasure. Lemar has a song were he asks (or demands): Be Faithful. Tracy Chapman also admits: Thought I'd make something that could be mine forever, found out the hard way one can't possess another. Alanis Morissette's hit You Oughta Know is a tale of possessiveness and holding grudges. In another song she adds: I want to be big and let go of this grudge that's grown old/ All this time I've not known how to rest this bygone. Taurus has a hard time forgiving what others have done to them.

The grounded nature of Taurus indicates that the five senses gain a greater emphasis on getting to know the world. Let's take a excerpt of Wainwright's lyrics again (even though this isn't exactly a love lyric): Turn the key & warm up the vehicle, Window's foggy & I'm in my little bubble, Some are red, some are yellow, Black & blue & different colours, Mine is green, It glides underneath me, Yeah, it rides so sweetly, I love driving in my car, In my car I can see outside, I have wiped off the mirrors & they shine like glimmering glass. Notice how almost all the senses play up here and how the World and its material beauty can bring some happiness to a Taurean heart. Since we're talking about Venus here, the five senses are extremely important also in experiencing love.

Having said that, love is a very physical experience for Venus in Taurus, he/she likes to feel it with all the available senses - it makes it real. Alanis couldn't say it better: I've had enough distractions, I need some tenderness, Human Touch I gotta know it's real, I'm tired of people sellin' their sex appeal, Human Touch I need human love. Tracy Chapman complains in a song: We should have been holding each other, instead we talked. Lemar insists: Let your body do the talking.

All in all, Venus feels right at home in Taurus, as she is the ruler of this sign. In fact Venus is, in her purest essence, a bit lazy and fond of comfort and indulgence - you only have to look at most of her representations where she's usually laying down and being attended by servants.

Even though Venus in Taurus is realistic and not prone to fairy-tale stories as Venus in Fire signs, it doesn't mean that they're not romantic. They can be quite partial to a good old romantic story, with all the conventional symbols involved, including a white bridal dress and a bunch of red roses. Those symbols are valued because they're considered to express their emotions in a concrete level. Martha Wainwright sings about this: But in my silly mind I've gotten married to you. Alanis Morissette also has a bit of a romantic dream: I'm lookin' for someone who can make me feel a serious love like Juliet's is real.

Probably the best thing about Venus in Taurus is how loyal, caring, patient and devoted they are. They might be going through hell but they won't abandon their loved ones. Tracy Chapman: You come home you've had a hard day, every door you tried to open was closing in your face, I'm right here I'll be right here, I'll embrace you. Lemar: Just remember I will always be here for you, whether rain or sunny weather, we can take our time.

[I will try to be briefer next time, making the most of Virgos ability to synthesize!]

Venus in Sagittarius in Music

Promenade by Marc Chagall


And, of course, I'm like a wild horse

This may be the perfect introduction to Venus in Sagittarius, the last fire sign, sang by Sagittarian Sun and Venus Sinead O'Connor. It can't be denied that Sagittarius is the wanderer of the Zodiac and, when Venus is in this sign, love relationships are also supposed to take the person to places he/she have never been before, expand the horizons, instead of constricting them.

Naturally this indicates that the person isn't as willing to commit to relationships as other Venus signs do. Whatever their romantic status they need to feel that all their options are still open and that they can run through the back door if they have to. Usually the person will prefer to wander, see the World and explore their fantasies because they're as idealistic as the other Fire signs.

Keeping their freedom and independence is essential and some may panic at the prospect of conventional marriage: I don't wanna be no man's woman, I've other work I want to get done, I haven't travelled this far to become no man's woman says Sinead O'Connor. She adds bluntly: Wasn't born for no marrying, Wanna make my own living singing, Strong independent pagan woman singing. Ok, you can't be any clearer than that! Beth Gibbons (from Portishead, with Sun in Capricorn) also goes for the independent label: You can't deny how I feel and you can't decide for me.

Venus in Sagittarius will always be honest in love (unless there's a greater emphasis on less-honest signs in chart) and won't enjoy pulling the wool over your eyes. Beth Gibbons explains: I crave nothing else so much, Longing to reveal, Total honesty. They don't like to keep things from their partner neither because their aim is to share their ideals, their passionate visions of life with them. To the Sagittarian Venus the true meaning of partnership is sharing experiences with one another, being together, doing things and going through the same array of emotions. Beth Gibbons (in a solo song) asks: How can I forget your tender smile, Moments that I have shared with you?

The smile is present in most of the Venus in Sagittarius songwriters I analysed. It appears even in the gloomy songs of Portishead: Oh but when you smile, how I feel so good. Venus in Sagittarius is attracted to people who are in love with life, just like them (Beth Gibbons says God knows how I adore life); they enjoy smiling and laughing a lot too. If the other partner is too inhibited and not willing to share the joys of life with them, they'll probably be put off and search elsewhere.

As I've mentioned, these people are extremely idealistic (Beth Gibbons: I wish we could all believe that in this daylight world Is a world where love can be) and can often turn into "fairytale mode" as the other Fire signs. Sinead O'Connor has an album called Sean-Nos Nua with lyrics that remind us of our old Courtly Love: I spied a pretty fair maid she appeared like a queen, With her costly fine robes and her mantle so green.

In their dreamy expeditions they're trying to find Love, love with a capital L, something close to perfection, a fiery emotion, a complete spiritual and emotional union with someone else. Something like what Sinead O'Connor describes: I got a lovin' man but he's a spirit, he never does me harm, never treats me bad. He'd never takes away all the love he has and I'm forgiven oh a million times.
You might ask: why? Do they really think a relationship can fulfill all their ideals? Yes, they do. Paul Simon (Sun in Libra) explains: The though that life could be better is woven indelibly into our hearts and our brains like a train in the distance.

What can you do with someone that hopes something better will always be expecting them around the corner? Be patient and refrain from telling them to grow up (that's the biggest turn-off Venus in Sagittarius can get). You'll have to let them go and chase their arrows. Inevitably this idealistic path will lead to disappointment. Beth Gibbons aided by the more cynic Sun in Capricorn really knows how to express her downfalls from the dream: When I have tried to amuse myself, to celebrate the fun fair, The pleasures I seek are far too discrete for me. In her Portishead lyrics the disillusion comes up as well: From that cloud number 9, danger starts the sharp incline, And such sad regrets, oh as those starry skies as they swiftly fall. and also Dreams and belief have gone; time, life itself goes on.

After a few bumps in the road, Venus in Sagittarius will probably realize that the stability that they ran away from is also what they secretly desire (as it's often the case) and commitment may not be so bad after all. There is hope if you want to catch them. Paul Simon tells how: And I was in crazy motion till you calmed me down. It took a little time, but you calmed me down.

Venus in Sagittarius can be happy in a relationship if he/she's given enough space to grow and do some "travelling" in some occasions and if they can learn and experience different things in their partnership. From time to time they'll need to stretch those legs and they might be a little rude if you ask them where they're going. Sagittarius can be a little too raw sometimes but it's never their intention to hurt you; Sinead O'Connor apologizes often: And I never meant to hurt you, I swear I didn't mean those things I said, I never meant to do that to you; Just sounds more vicious than I actually mean, I really am soft, yes, I'm tender and sweet.

(Sinead O'Connor's music is quite the reflection of Venus in Sagittarius: she likes to mix different musical backgrounds, different languages, folk music, religious themes vs. paganism and love).

Venus in Leo and Music

Venus of Urbino by Titian

I'm continuing my Venus as the Muse investigation with the 2nd Fire sign, Leo.

What do Madonna, Fiona Apple, Tori Amos and Amy Winehouse have in common? They're all on my music shelf, they're all unconventional (to say the least) and they all have Venus in Leo.

Being a Fire sign, Venus in Leo shares some things with the Venus in Aries we've seen before; namely, the enthusiasm, a certain naivety of feelings because inside lives a child, the mythical view of Love and the disregard for material limitations. So again we find lyrics about how love is a fairy tale:

If the land of make believe is inside your heart, it will never leave/ There's a golden gate where the fairies all wait and dancing moons, for you (Madonna in Dear Jessie)

In the mist there she rides and castles are burning in my heart (Tori Amos in Girl)

And again we see that there is a deep idealization of what Love should be. First comes the ideal, then the rest, as Fiona Apple puts it - I'll idealize, then realize...or Amy Winehouse I drift off, I fantasize...

For Venus in Leo, Love must be Grand, Unique, Once in a Lifetime, Never done before, hence why Madonna sings: Romeo and Juliet, they never felt this way, I bet. - in Cherish, co-written with Patrick Leonard.
We scream in cathedrals, Why can't it be beautiful? Why does it gotta be a sacrifice? asks Tori Amos in Iiieee. I know, Tori, it should be all red and fantastic all the time.

Leo is often regarded as an extravagant, flamboyant, the-sun-shines-on-me sign. In fact, it is associated with the Sun and the Sun symbolizes the Ego. Leo is accused of being self-centered, of being obsessed with themselves and that may be true - but is that necessarily bad? The truth is they're very self-conscious and they need to gain a clear understanding of who they are so they can be as confident as we expect them to be.

This quest for their true identity is done by expressing themselves, by creating something, so there is an extension of them to be admired and recognized by others. They need some ego-boosting from their loved-ones (I just need to be reassured, sings Fiona Apple), even if they already appear confident enough, don't forget.

As Madonna puts it in her all-Leo hit "Express Yourself" - What you need is a big strong hand, To lift you to your higher ground, Make you feel like a queen on a throne - Venus in Leo should be the King/Queen of the relationship. They are naturally so giving and generous that they only expect to be thanked and appreciated in return. As Amy Winehouse puts it - All I need is for my man to live up to his role.

Venus in Leo doesn't like the conventional, the ordinary...(Madonna says - I want more than just romance). They like feathers, candles, silk, magnificent scenarios; in their minds they do wear a crown on the top of their head. And a King/Queen is always proud because deep down they're very sensitive to what others think of them. Fiona Apple explains - I have never been so insulted in all my life, I could swallow the seas to wash down all this pride. (in Sleep to Dream)

Or the Amy Winehouse confession - Although my pride is not easily disturbed... (in You Sent Me Flying).

KT Tunstall (also Venus in Leo, but Sun in Cancer) also says: I don't want to be second best, Don't want to stand in line, Don't want to fall behind.

Venus in Leo is very temperamental and dramatic in love and not what we would call easy-going. In fact, they're often regarded as troublemakers...Tori Amos starts the first song in her first solo album saying Every finger in the room is pointing at me, I wanna spit in their faces. Coincidentally, Fiona Apple's first song in her first album also says: This mind, this body and this voice cannot be stifled by your deviant ways, So don't forget what I told you, don't come around, I got my own hell to raise.

To be fair, they enjoy being "bad" and they don't try to disguise this aspect of their character. Even the titles of the songs are clear enough: "Criminal", "Sullen Girl" (Fiona Apple); "You Know I'm No Good (Amy Winehouse); "Bad Girl" (Madonna).

Fiona Apple is a master at expressing her devilish side:

- 'Cause I know I'm a mess he don't wanna clean up;

- You feed the beast within me

- I may be soft in your palm but I'll soon grow hungry for a fight, and I will not let you win

Amy Winehouse isn't ignorant about hers neither:

- My destructive side has grown a mile

- Animal aggression is my downfall

We must give them credit for their constancy, nevertheless. Being a fixed sign makes them more prone to being faithful and committed to one relationship, as long as their partners are loyal and appreciative in return. On the other hand, they can be massively stubborn as well. Ah, and competition...beware! They can be ferocious towards competitors and sometimes the competitor is the other partner - Venus in Leo likes to dominate but in a healthy, honest way (if there's such a thing).

I wonder if the four women I mentioned would be in this list if it wasn't for the strong Virgo influence in their charts. What I mean is that often the Fire signs provide a lot of energy and enthusiasm but this isn't always directed into a coherent target. There is an enormous potential, particularly in the creative sense, but not always the necessary persistence to carry it through to an end - that's the Earth signs area. So the Virgo energy in these woman may have made the difference, as unfulfilled potential is offensive to any Virgo. They feel a duty to make the most of their capacities. Madonna and Tori Amos have both a Leo Sun, but Madonna has Moon, Ascendant, Mercury and Pluto in Virgo and Tori has also Mercury and the Midheaven in Virgo, as well and Uranus and Pluto.

Fiona Apple (Sun + Moon in Virgo) and Amy Winehouse (Sun + Mercury in Virgo) may attribute their "bad girl" label to this impetuous Venus in Leo, as they largely differ from other Virgoean singers (for instance, sweet Katie Melua, with Venus in Libra).

Is your Venus in Leo?

Venus and Music

The Birth of Venus ("Naissance de Venus") by W. Bouguereau

Here's a post I've been working on for days. It involved a lot of research, interpretation and...music listening. It's been exciting and very interesting and I sincerely hope you enjoy it too.

When two things are so good separately, we have to believe that they can be magical together, so I'm attempting to combine Music with Astrology in a post about Venus.

Astrologically, Venus represents the way we love and what we love (be it an activity or personal qualities). It is connected to romance, beauty, aesthetics and arts in general. Even though music in particular is often associated with Neptune, this isn't a personal planet, it moves extremely slowly and lacks the richness and individuality that Venus contains. This way, I'm pretty sure Venus is the inspiring muse songwriters breathe from when writing love songs. (The way they express it nevertheless ruled by Mercury.)

I began to wonder whether the qualities of Venus in the charts of singers/songwriters were reflected in their lyrics. So I started by looking at the Natal Venus of some of my favourite songwriters. It was interesting and I continued...until I'd checked 76 charts and this almost became a scientific and certified investigation. ;)

My general conclusions:

- Venus in Earth and Fire signs came up more frequently (Air signs came last). Fire is the most dramatic and outgoing element so I understand their need for writing songs, as a grand gesture. Earth is less obvious, but perhaps it's their commitment to the material world, the world of the senses, that makes them want to produce something that can be heard.

- Venus in Fixed signs has a slight advantage over Cardinal and Mutable, possibly because their feelings are often more intense, enduring...

- Ten of the 76 "participants" had Venus in Aries. Other popular signs were: Taurus (8), Scorpio (8), Virgo (7), Capricorn (7), Aquarius (7), Pisces (7). I found only 2 songwriters with Venus in Cancer.

- Even though I limited my analysis to the signs were Venus was found, I couldn't help noticing Venus' aspects to the other planets in the chart and that's where the most interesting observations were.

(a) In the great majority of the charts Venus is extremely aspected, which highlights the planet's influence in the chart.

(b) Except for 3 or 4 charts, Venus was always aspected either by the social planets (Jupiter and Saturn) or by the extra-personal planets (Uranus, Neptune and Pluto) or BOTH. In my opinion, this reflects a person's connection to society and the collective; the person is able to understand the social trends, the collective feelings, hopes and dreams and probably channel that understanding into their songwriting. That's why they are popular songwriters and performers and not john and jane does - the public is able to see themselves in their songs, they enjoy it because they recognize their feelings in the music and lyrics, there is an obvious connection established. This can also add an explanation to the great number of Venus in Scorpio, Capricorn, Aquarius and Pisces found (all signs ruled by extra-personal planets).

(c) 80% (possibly more) of the analysed Venus are connected to Saturn in some way, proving what I knew but didn't really believe - Venus-Saturn connections have a great artistic potential (including Venus in Capricorn) because Saturn likes the give shape to things (a big, restricting shape ha) and next to Venus it makes people "get serious" about art and relationships, it makes them work on it, not simply enjoy it, and so artistic concepts gain a material, practical form. Additionally, Saturn rules time so it gives people rhythm and musical ability.

Possible limitations and biases:

- Most songwriters I checked were to my liking, but not all of them. To be more precise, I'd have to select half that I liked and half that I didn't, but liking is per se a very subjective concept.

- Lyric interpretation is possibly one of the most subjective activities in the World and my views will necessarily be biased (hopefully by my feelings and not by this study).

- I haven't obviously been able to read ALL the lyrics from ALL the 76 musicians...

- I'm limiting myself to the analysis of Venus signs, not houses (it's impossible to find out the exact birth-time of most of the artists) and not aspects, so it will always be a limited analysis.

I'll be back to present to you my conclusions for each sign.

In the meantime, if you don't already know, you can find where your Natal Venus is here.

Then you'll see if the song lyrics describe how you usually feel when you're in love (in my next posts).

Venus in Aries in Music

Let's see if all this craze makes any sense on paper.

I shall start with the Fire signs (because they're the best - nooo, kidding!). Check here to see if you have Venus in Aries or other fire sign.

Having Venus in Fire signs (Aries, Leo or Sagittarius) brings a lot of enthusiasm, energy, idealism to our approach to love. Being very concerned with ideals, aiming very high, sights on the future and in fantasy, love is certainly not boring or stationed, but the material things may be disregarded. Venus in Fire probably forgets birthdays, doesn't buy you chocolates or help you with the laundry...but you're certainly a part of the most exhilarating fantasy that's going on on his/her mind.

On to Venus in Aries - as I've mentioned, the most popular result in my songwriters research. Funnily enough none of the 10 singers with this position has an Aries Sun (this is rare since Venus never goes 45º further from the Sun, which is sign and a half). Anyway, most of them are Pisces.

Venus in Aries is impulsive and has a hard time controlling its enthusiasm, so frequently they'll fall in love at first sight. Bob Marley recognized in his song "I don't wanna wait in vain for your love" - From the very first time I rest my eyes on you, girl, My heart says follow through.

Janet Jackson knows it all too well and so she sings (I can't believe I had to browse through J.Jackson's lyrics neither!): I'm scared to fall in love, Afraid to love so fast, 'Cause every time I fall in love, it seems to never last.

Hmmm...now why does that happen?

Jewel replies: There is this hunger, this restless inside of me / There's this feeling I thought I had to get going, got too scary, got too big, got to get out of here.

The truth is that Aries love needs a certain amount of agitation, change, challenge to keep the flame alive. Jewel probably felt trapped at some point. (Stina Nordenstam would say that even a little trouble is a good thing - "I guess it's true what my sister said, when it's all fine it is just a bore")

They like novelty, new experiences, so they'll be extremely enthusiastic while they're hunting a new love interest. In fact, we may even say that the thrill of the hunt is what they like most about love.

What happens when we love to hunt and like a challenge? We search for the unobtainable person! He/She is the one that we love the most, we can't have him/her but OH, if we did...And so they pine for someone they can't have.

Stina Nordenstam has the best description: I know that I can't have you I know that you'll never be mine I know that and that's why I choose you 'Cause this is real life

Stevie Wonder laments on his lovely song "My Cherie Amour" - In a cafe or sometimes on a crowded street I've been near you, but you never noticed me; You're the only one my heart beats for, How I wish that you were mine.

Janet Jackson has a song called He Doesn't Even Know That I'm Alive. The title says it all.

Chris Martin from Coldplay wrote Shiver about an unobtainable girl (word has is that is was about Natalie Imbruglia): So I look in your direction and you pay me no attention ... He goes on to say: From the moment I wake to the moment I sleep, I'll be there by your side just you try and stop me.

Aries is persistent, I'll give you that. Because they're driven by those idealistic views of love, love that conquers all. Like Jewel, who sings: Fill your lives with love and bravery and you shall lead a life uncommon.

(bravery being all about Aries; it's in fact a term used intensively by Jewel).

Do they get disappointed?

Well I wanted to touch what I saw with my eyes Don't try to reach the moon if you don't wanna realise (Stina N. again)

Yes, often. That's what J.Jackson was saying in the beginning, it never lasts. Well, it's not that bad, it can last, if the person recognizes the human behind their perfect love fantasy, aknowldges its faults and individuality. Easier said than done!

Most of the time, the man with Venus in Aries believes himself as the original Knight in shining armour and his romantic interest is a Lady, who surely, needs to be protected and rescued. Sometimes they are blind to the fact that the Lady doesn't want to be rescued, they are blind to the actual woman in front of them, fantasising about the Ideal Female.

Even Bob Marley felt for that idea of Courtly Love on No, Woman no Cry. He tells her not to cry and tries to reassure her - My feet is my only carriage And so I've got to push on through. But while I'm gone, everything's gonna be all right!

Chris Martin - But I promise you this, I’ll always look out for you, that’s what I’ll do.

But it's not just the men! Listen to Shakira (or don't, it's up to you): Castillos, princesas, que ironia, al fin al cabo fantasiasmi principe azul, mi poesia, no estaba lejos de mi vidayo presentia que tu vendrias, que te amaria hasta el finalyo tenia un mundo de ilusiones, en el que te guarde un lugar [Castles, princesses, the irony, in the end fantasies, My blue prince, my poetry, wasn't far from my life; I felt you would come, that I would love you to the end, I had a world of illusions, where I kept a place for you].

She seems pretty aware of what is going on with her heart.

Enya also has Venus in Aries and her songs are extremely romantic and resembling the courtly love of past centuries.

Venus in Aries adds a lot of independence and willfullness to women, she won't be submissive and will stamp her foot when things don't go her way, even though she might dream about being rescued by the Knight.