By Amelia Quint

When you start to catch feelings for someone, be honest -- what’s the first thing you do? If it’s asking for their birth details, you’re not alone! People are finally awake to the idea that astrological compatibility can make or break a relationship. There’s even a zodiac-themed dating app for it! Finding someone to share your life -- or bed -- with as a modern-day mystic has never been easier.

That said, how exactly does celestial compatibility work? Common astrological wisdom says people are most compatible with sun signs of the same element. For example, if you’re a fire sign, like Aries, you’d get along best with another Aries, a Leo, or a Sagittarius… right?

Not necessarily. When it comes to the astrology of love and sex, it’s all about Venus and Mars. These two planets can tell you everything you need to know about having a satisfying love life -- no potions required.

Venus and Mars, the cosmic lovers of Roman mythology, rule seduction and sexual conquest, respectively. When these point of your birth chart are activated, whether by an event or another person, it can spark deep, magnetic attractions. These types of encounters happen more often than you might think -- you just have to look for them -- but luckily, you don’t have to wait for fate to step in.

If you’re in the midst of a romantic drought, don’t succumb to thirst! Instead, channel your Venus and Mars signs for best results. Today we’ll start with Venus, OG love goddess and queen of seduction.

in one of his eponymous hymns, Homer said of Venus’s predecessor, Aphrodite: “There is nothing among the blessed gods or among mortal men that has escaped [her].” As we all know, love and sex are extremely powerful magick. When you express your sensuality through the lens of your Venus sign, this magick becomes more focused and radiant than ever.

Astrologically, Venus rules love, beauty, and value -- all of which are aspects of the seductive act. Seduction offers the promise of love, fleeting as it may be. Knowing and expressing your personal version of beauty increases your charisma and draws other people to you. Finally, knowing your worth may be the most sexiest thing you can do.

(Keep in mind that a love interest’s Venus sign will tell you more specifically about what they’re looking for in a relationship than their sun, moon, or rising sign. Your lover will think it’s magic!)

Before we go into detail, let’s talk about gender. While Venus signs seem to be more consciously expressed in individuals who identify as women, in they have a different effect on individuals who identify as men. Here, the Venus sign works like Jung’s anima, or a subconscious feminine force acting upon the waking individual for good or ill. Alternately, their Mars sign is acted out more consciously. If you don’t identify with a specific gender, you may find that you embody traits of both your Mars and Venus signs, favoring one or the other at different periods throughout your life.

Note: Ladies& Gentlemen in astrological order of their Venus, starting with Rihanna & Pharrell  (Venus in Aries) and ending with Selena Quintanilla & Kurt Cobain both with Venus in Pisces.

VENUS IN ARIES

This Venus loves the chase -- both chasing and being chased. She wants to be first, and wants the first love feeling to last forever. It’s usually not a sustainable dynamic, but it’s spicy while it lasts. Venus is in her detriment in Aries, so at times this lover can be too hot to handle. Your karmic lesson is learning how to keep your romantic fire going so it doesn’t burn out… or burn the place down.

I’ve started fondly calling this the “diva placement”, because it’s home to Rihanna and a host of other incredible women. Honor your Venus in Aries with passionate movement. Dance until you can’t anymore. Make love until you can’t anymore. Red is your lucky color, partially because it helps you stand out and be noticed. The bolder you are, the better off you’ll be.

Other notable Venus in Aries people include leading ladies Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, and Audrey Hepburn.


VENUS IN TAURUS

Venus in dominant in Taurus, so we see her truest qualities shine through here. Imagine Aphrodite herself lounging on a luxe couch, utterly relaxed, enjoying good food, good wine, and good company. This Venus in Taurus is a sensual creature who knows how to experience her lover with all five senses. She appreciates the indulgence of a day in bed with nothing else to do but the person you’re with.

Venus in Taurus can be a very vocal lover, as Taurus rules the throat. Kiss them on the neck, let them speak sweet (or dirty) nothings to you, and know that communication is deeply important to them. Some Taurean Venus people have beautiful singing voices, like Ariana Grande. If you’re lucky, maybe they’ll serenade you to sleep.

Other notable Venus in Taurus people include Lana Del Rey, the reigning queen of languid chic.


VENUS IN GEMINI

This Venus loves mind games. She flirts and flounces her way into her lover’s heart. For her, witty banter is foreplay. She ensnares the object of her affection in what appears at first glance to be an innocent conversation -- most likely about art, politics, or the latest controversy -- then turns the tables just to see what their reaction will be.

Venus in Gemini needs near constant stimuli in order to stay interested in a partner -- consider Frida Kahlo’s romance with Diego Rivera. If there isn’t fluid conversation and an incredible intellectual connection, she won’t be around for long. It’s not that she doesn’t care -- it’s just that she loves learning a whole lot more.

Other notable Venus in Gemini people include Edie Sedgwick, muse to pop artist Andy Warhol. Kylie Minogue has this placement as well -- her turn as La Feé Verte in Moulin Rouge comes to mind.


VENUS IN CANCER

This is Venus in her truest Madonna-Whore guise. In moon-ruled Cancer, the seductive and nurturing aspects of the goddess align for a Venus who is unabashedly aware of her feminine wiles and unafraid to use them. She fully embodies all aspects of her womanhood, from bashful maiden to powerful mother to wise elder, at times within one encounter.

Ruled by the Lady Luna, this Venus is also highly intuitive. Stevie Nicks is a shining example of this, channeling her sensitivity through her music and timeless, ethereal style. People with this placement emit an aura of both fragility and strength that waxes and wanes with the moon’s cycles. If you don’t already, I recommend following the phases of the moon and planning any potential trysts by her movements.

Other notable Venus in Cancer people include Angelina Jolie, celebrity matriarch extraordinaire.


VENUS IN LEO

Venus in Leo is the femme fatale. Wild and dangerous, on a seductive pursuit she’s like a lioness on a hunt. Many have played actual courtesans (Nicole Kidman) or modern sex symbols (Dita Von Teese and Pamela Anderson), so the bedroom is their stage. There’s a performance aspect to their appeal. They want to be seen, worshipped, and adored as the goddesses that they are.

Venus in Leo cares deeply about their appearance, but make sure that these beauty rituals stay focused on self-love and don’t veer into self-sabotage territory. Keep in mind that Elizabeth Bathory was the paragon of Venus in Leo gone wrong. Self care is healthy, but bathing in the blood of virgins to preserve one’s youth is, obviously, much too far.

Other notable Venus in Leo people include Whitney Houston, another singular talent.


VENUS IN VIRGO

Ever the sophisticate, Venus in Virgo excels in the art of high-end seduction. That is to say that she never, ever looks or vibes cheap. On the contrary, this Venus embodies the “lady in the streets but a freak in the sheets” mantra to great effect. She has a good girl reputation, so you’d never know just how naughty she’s capable of being. Indeed, Venus in her fall can signify an interest in kink.

This Venus shows affection through complete devotion to her lover. Sometimes this manifests as being “fussy”, but she would say she’s thorough. If you or your lover Venus is in Virgo, learn to compromise on little things and know that you can’t always get what you want. Practice does make perfect, but spontaneity in the bedroom is great too!

Notable Venus in Virgo people include Sophia Loren, Catherine Deneuve, and Brigitte Bardot -- all sex symbols whilst remaining elegant and polished.


VENUS IN LIBRA

Venus in Libra is regal and she knows it, carrying herself with grace and poise at all times. She vibes old world aristocracy no matter how mundane the setting. Like Queen Bey, she may be part of a power couple -- and even if the relationship is on the rocks, this Venus’s diplomatic nature is more likely to make up than break up. That said, she does love to be served. Treat her like a queen for best results.

Venus is also dominant in this sign, but her energy translates in a more elevated way here than it does Taurus. It’s all symmetry and feng shui here. If the locale isn’t beautiful or if she doesn’t have the right lingerie set on hand, chances are you’re not getting lucky. Capture Venus in Libra’s heart by never saying anything too abrasive and being kind to strangers. It’s a thing.

Other notable Venus in Libra people include real-life royalty Queen Elizabeth I and Princess Grace of Monaco.


VENUS IN SCORPIO

Perhaps the most intimidating of all Venus signs, Venus in Scorpio exudes power. Their aura is like a tractor beam that pulls in curious onlookers at a moment’s notice. Both of them may be surprised by the suddenness with which it occurs. The key is tapping into this power and using it consciously. Look at a few photos of famous Venus in Scorpio people, like Winona Ryder, and you’ll see it’s all in the eyes. Your gaze is your secret weapon.

The drawback? Once again, Venus is in her detriment. Here, the deep waters of Scorpio by turns buoy and overwhelm Venus -- a description which may sound eerily similar to your experience of love. Venus in Scorpio attractions are all-consuming, heady affairs with a sense of soul kinship and karmic debts to be paid. Make sure to keep your boundaries strong.

Other notable Venus in Scorpio people include brown-eyed beauties Katie Holmes and Anne Hathaway.


VENUS IN SAGITTARIUS

In Sagittarius, Venus is the showgirl. With expansive Jupiter as her patron, she’s happy to step outside her comfort zone so long as it means the audience is entertained. There’s a slew of pop stars with this placement, one of my favorites among them being Aaliyah. Her free spirit and sense of daring embody the essence of Venus in Sagittarius.

There’s an exhibitionist streak here, or at least touch of thrill addict behavior in the best way. This is the person you want to invite to your party. Scratch that. You want to be invited to their party! Just be careful that things don’t get out of hand -- make sure your lover is on the same page before moving forward with anything particularly experimental.

Other notable Venus in Sagittarius people include Top 40 divas Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera.


VENUS IN CAPRICORN

This Venus is the pragmatist. You’ll find them in two camps: one strictly adheres to antique dating wisdom a la The Rules; the other will do whatever is most practical to get their particular needs met. Win a Venus in Capricorn over by showing them how much you’ve accomplished, and maybe flashing a luxury brand or two. They’re turned on by traditional indicators of success.

Ruled by time planet Saturn, Venus in Capricorn natives tend to be late bloomers. If you or your lover has any lingering insecurities, direct communication is the best approach with this no-nonsense placement. Once that’s out of the way, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the more carnal side of Capricorn energy. After all, the sign is symbolized by lusty goat god, Pan!

The paragon of Venus in Capricorn allure is Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde, dressed to the nines and going after her money at all costs.


VENUS IN AQUARIUS

Venus in Aquarius is the untouchable lover. She’s possessed of a “cool” so nonchalant it borders on alien, but it’s magnetic nonetheless. Consider Yoko Ono, the eccentric muse who captured the heart of late Beatles co-founder John Lennon. If you’re Venus in Aquarius, you may genuinely not give a shit whether or not the object of your affection reciprocates in any way, but if you do, try projecting a little more distant. It works.

Aquarius is the sign of groups, and often times Aquarian Venus people pour their love into the community instead of one individual. They’re earth angels healing the many physical and cultural wounds of our world. An alternate scenario? Venus in Aquarius is all about free love and can’t imagine tying themselves down to one partner. If nothing else, quirky Uranus as their ruler ensures that they keep it fresh in the bedroom.

Other notable Venus in Aquarius people include Kate Moss and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Also, old school feminists Gertrude Stein and Simone de Beauvior.

VENUS IN PISCES
 

Venus in Pisces is the true romantic. She believes in magic, soul mates, and love at first sight. That’s because the love goddess is exalted here, meaning her energy is more potent than in any other sign. For someone with this placement, even a one night stand can be a sublime experience. Music, dancing, and spirituality can enhance the experience.

In Pisces, Venus can be more of a pleasant dream than an actual lover, or at least it can seem that way. Venus has a tendency to transform herself into her partner’s most deeply held fantasy -- which can be exciting in the moment, but tricky in the long term. If you or your lover has this placement, shield yourself energetically, no matter how difficult it may seem. You’ll be much happier being yourself than someone else’s projection.

As a singer who became a legend, Selena may be the ultimate Venus in Pisces.

As for other Venus in Pisces: she's the manic pixie dream girl incarnate. Nearly every one of the fantasy girls of the millennial generation has this placement. Drew Barrymore, Kirsten Dunst, Zooey Deschanel, Kate Hudson, Claire Danes all have Venus in Pisces.

Also of note - famous erotic writer and diarist known for her poetic writings on sex and longing, Anais Nin, is a Venus in Pisces native.