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The natal Moon and Venus are often confused, regarding what they signify in love. It’s easy to see why; they both represent female energy and the “softer” side of partnerships. But they do represent very different issues around what you’re looking for in a relationship. Note this article will focus on the general meanings of these planets (for men and women).
Moon and Venus 101
Your Moon describes what you need to feel safe and satisfied. It’s your baseline comfort zone, and is plugged into situations that were established in childhood. What makes you feel secure is not always the best thing for you, so there’s no guarantee that all facets of your Moon represent healthy habits. But at its core, your natal Moon tells you how your instinctive push for security manifests. If you ignore your Moon’s demands, you’ll find that life feels hollow or stressful. Based on this, your Moon also describes how you express your emotions — those instinctive expressions that have nothing to do with logic. Your Moon is internal and subjective, no matter which sign it’s in.
Your Venus describes how you relate to others, and how you relate to yourself (values and self-esteem). Thus, it indicates how you give and receive love/affection. In his book Pluto: The Soul’s Evolution Through Relationships, Vol 2, Jeffrey Wolf Green sums up natal Venus: “How we relate to ourselves…generates an inner vibration or magnetism which attracts others who reflect…our self-relationship.” Venus in your chart is always about you and “the other,” even if your love life is non-existent. Venus is simultaneously subjective and objective (no matter which sign she occupies). This is illustrated by the two signs that she naturally rules: Taurus (subjective focus on personal resources) and Libra (objective focus on others).
Different Parts of the Relationship Story
Looking at these planets in light of the information above, you can combine their meanings to tell your relationship story. For example, your natal Moon is in Leo. Leo’s purpose is fulfilled by being noticed in a favorable way. Your core need is to receive attention and appreciation; you will not feel secure with a partner who takes you for granted. No one would, of course, but for Moon in Leo, receiving daily confirmation that you are special and loved is essential (moreso than for most people). Even though your Moon is about you, and not your partner, you need someone who can supply what your Moon demands. A partner who just assumes that you know you’re loved (and doesn’t demonstrate this) is not going to cut it.
Let’s say your natal Venus is in Virgo. Virgo is a humble sign that is acutely aware of what’s wrong, and what needs to be improved. Your personal values are based on self-improvement, but also self-criticism; you’re never quite good enough. You may attract partners who need your help, because they resonate with your inner vibration of “The Fixer.” At the same time, you’ll relate more easily to a partner who is prepared to work on themselves (while accepting your helpful suggestions).
But, you still have that Leo Moon; your partner must not take advantage of your helpful nature. If they don’t offer heaps of praise for your stainless-steel standards and efficiency, you’re going to feel very unhappy. This dissatisfaction will set in more quickly (and be more acute) than if your Moon was in Taurus. Taurus’ needs are more basic and self-sustaining. You’ll probably feel secure (and be able to generate your own security) as long as your partner is faithful, loving and doesn’t try to disrupt your routine. This is not to say that if you have a Taurus Moon you’re OK with being taken for granted. But you have less need for frequent expressions of appreciation than a Leo Moon would.
And if your Moon and Venus are in the same sign? Your needs and relationship capacity are on the same page. It’s easier in some ways, because what you need can easily be supplied by whom you attract. Mind you, much depends on how you’re dealing with the sign your Moon and Venus are in. Moon and Venus in Scorpio will ensure that the intense way you relate to yourself (Venus) will attract partners who also supply your need (Moon) for absolute intimacy. You relate to yourself (Venus) through exhaustive self-scrutiny. Therefore, you attract others who push you to go deeper, and who are compelled to examine themselves because of their relationship with you. Green’s Pluto book has a section on Venus in Scorpio that spells these dynamics out in detail. With this much emphasis on one sign, there is a risk of tipping over into its Shadow side. You’ll have to be very aware that your relationships don’t slide into manipulation, obsession or suffocating behavior. So much Scorpio can lead to partnerships that are profoundly passionate and healing, or black holes of destructiveness.
The house positions of your Moon and Venus will tell you what areas of life your needs and relationship dynamics play out. Aspects to other natal planets will add more information; squares and oppositions tell you where the tension is, while trines, sextiles and conjunctions describe what enables you. And of course, you need to look at the rest of your chart for the full relationship story.
Related Posts:
- Moon Conjunct Venus in the Natal Chart: Not as Sweet as it Seems
- Moon Square Venus in a Woman’s Chart: Conflicts at the Heart of Being a Woman
- Astrology Truth or Myth: Moon Square Venus Means a Lifetime of Unsatisfying Relationships
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