Relationship & Motivation Revamp: Venus and Mars Change Signs

As we begin the month of May, Venus and Mars have changed signs which may feel like a welcome change to many after the powerful (and historic) planetary alignments of April! These planets have gone from being in signs which are challenging territory to signs which they rule.. Does this mean things will be easier in May? In a sense yes but let’s discuss Venus and Mars first and their connection to actions, desires, values and relationships.

These two have come to represent the feminine and masculine genders though their astronomical symbols used in astrology. In Greek and Roman myths, Venus is associated with pleasure, beauty and harmony, while Mars is associated with vigor, heroic action or violence depending on which myths you read- in Greek myth he was regarded as brutish and aggressive, while in ancient Rome he was worshipped and revered! 

This duo represents the quintessential feminine/ Yin and masculine/Yang archetypes within all of creation. Seeming opposite in nature they are attracted to harmonizing with each other as necessary complements to generate things of worth to survive. Without that positive impulse to grow, the seed wouldn’t germinate and sprout and without the warmth and fertile conditions of the Earth, the sprout wouldn’t mature and flourish.

Venus placed in our birth chart points to where we seek wellbeing, equilibrium and satisfaction through what we value, attract and cherish, while Mars points to the drive for action, what ignites us, how we show initiative or independently assert ourselves in order to master our external world. Both signatures underlie desire and contest, love and war. These planets operate in our lives in very immediate, sensory and personal ways.

Venus is now in the first Earth sign of the Zodiac wheel, Taurus, where she’s at home. This is where she invites us to become more present, explore what we value, who we care for and how we deal with resources with a more deliberate (and sensual) approach than in Aries! This transit underscores a grounded appraisal of loyalty, security and self-worth concerns/how we feel in our bodies, in relation to others and/or personal finances. Desire-wise she is drawn to what is comfortable, constant, dependable and hands on.
  
Meanwhile, Mars moving into Aries, also its home sign, invites us to take up the baton and initiate after his passage treading water in the oceanic currents of Pisces. Mars expressing in Aries energy is dynamic, forthright and impulsive, rising more easily to a challenge but potentially confrontational and reckless.

With Venus in Taurus and Mars in Aries, we're invited to explore the balance between feminine and masculine energies within ourselves and society. Venus, currently ruling the South Node in Libra, and Mars, currently ruling the North Node in Aries, pulses us on an evolutionary level to transcend old power dynamics and address inequalities related to gender, resources, and positions of power.

Emphasizing the theme of power position, Venus squared off to Pluto, the planet of transformation, with the Moon joining forces with Pluto in the first degrees of Aquarius. This may have heightened awareness around undermining feelings or control dynamics such as possessiveness or manipulation. Mars entering Aries around the same time was supporting the courage to confront and deal with uncomfortable situations or realizations around shadow play.

The Lunar nodes of fate, with Venus and Mars as their rulers right now, are guiding us on an evolutionary bigger picture journey to embrace the interrelationship of all beings and from my perspective, upgrade outdated narratives of control and domination. Change begins with self-awareness and a commitment to establishing inner peace, no easy feat but the inner work of champions!