Flight Delay: Venus in Aquarius 2021

January 31, 2021

Venus enters Aquarius on February 1st for a stay of a little over three weeks, until the 25th. In the Air sign of Aquarius, Venus is open and experimental, yet principled. Her stay in Aquarius is usually a great time for friendships, group meetings, and shared projects. She sets the mood for brunch with friends, and maybe a flight to warmer climbs.

Usually. With the pandemic roaring on, it’s unlikely that we’ll be doing many (or any) of those things this year. As we enter the second year of our Covidian Era, it’s apparent that the virus is going to rain on Venus’ parade through the sign ruled by Saturn and Uranus. Aquarius has much to do with social media and connecting online, and for most of us, that will be the only option for the foreseeable future.

Venus’ time in Aquarius closely mirrors Mercury’s retrograde in the sign (January 30th to February 20th), and both planets may be experiencing flight delays. Yet Venus will be quite busy as she joins the planets already in the sign.

The Goddess of Love and Beauty’s first meeting is on the 5th/6th, as she conjoins Saturn. This aspect can lend a feeling that it’s time to make a decision about relationship, and there is often a desire to ‘make or break’ a partnership that’s been up in the air. A sextile to Chiron in Aries could help us to feel good about whatever decision we make.

Less than a day later, however, Venus squares Uranus in Taurus. Rather than entertaining possibilities and then making a choice, the order of the aspects suggests just the opposite: settling on a course of action, then upending our own decisions.

Venus and Uranus are in each others’ signs, so we are given the opportunity to enjoy our connections while maintaining our sense of freedom and individuality. Appreciate, without being clingy. That’s perhaps the take-away lesson of this month.

A good way to approach the first week of February in relationships is to be open to all possibilities, but a little suspicious of making commitments to a course of action. Remember that with Mercury retrograde, we may be experiencing inaccuracies in our messages, and it isn’t time to sign on the bottom line, literally or figuratively.

Upbeat energy prevails on the 10th/11th, as Venus has her annual meeting with her BFF, Jupiter. There’s always a sweetness about this meeting, and despite the relative quiet of the New Moon, folks in a relationship may want to make it an early Valentine’s Day. Those who are single may be inclined to venture out in the world - if only into the world of online dating or socializing with friends on FB.

Or perhaps it’s time to cook a nice meal and really enjoy it. Venus/Jupiter can lead to overindulgences, but the principled air of Aquarius should curb our more hedonistic tendencies.

Retrograde Mercury meets Venus on the 12th/13th, presenting an opportunity to clear up misunderstandings and clear the air - or maybe we can join the two planets as they commiserate (co/misery).

Valentine’s Day, the 14th, features a wonderful aspect for those already in a committed partnership, as Venus makes a helpful sextile to partnership asteroid Juno. What we want and value (Venus) harmonizes with the partnership we have (Juno). It’s a time to see value in our connections with others, especially romantic connections.

Less harmony is seen on the 19th, as Venus makes a square to Mars. With the Cosmic Warrior in Venus’ home sign of Taurus, he’s inclined to defer to her, so tensions may not rise above to a critical level. Mars in Taurus brings a strong sexual energy, which may or may not appeal to Venus in Aquarius. Questions about sexual commitment could come up, or maybe there’s a lingering question about whether folks are ‘just friends’. For some, there might be suspicion resulting from text messages or social media - but remember that with Mercury stationing to go direct, misinterpretation is a real possibility.

Venus’ last aspect in Aquarius is a meeting the truth-telling asteroid Pallas Athene on the 25th. The meeting of Aphrodite with Athena is a perfect way to end her passage through the sign. Openness, frankness, and clear thinking prevail, along with a greater ability to communicate clearly. Beauty and wisdom harmonize, and relationships benefit.

~ AD