Exploring the Mythology and Astrology of Venus' Exaltation: A Journey Through Self-Love and Empowerment
On January 2nd, 2025, Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and harmony, steps gracefully into Pisces, where Venus’ energy is amplified. This placement offers an opportunity for deep self-reflection and connection to the higher realms of love and creativity.
Venus is exalted in Pisces, a placement where love transcends the mundane and enters the realm of dreams and divinity, inviting us to explore compassion, unity, and boundless imagination. But why is Venus exalted here?
I always associate this with mythology...
A Myth of Love and Escape: Aphrodite and Eros
Long ago, in the pantheon of Greek mythology, an extraordinary tale unfolded—a story of love, courage, and divine intervention that still speaks to the heart of Pisces’ energy, mirroring the exalted qualities of Venus in this sign. This is the story of Aphrodite (Venus), the goddess of love, and her son Eros, the mischievous god of desire, as they faced a terrifying threat in the form of Typhon.
Typhon’s Rampage
Typhon was no ordinary foe. Towering so high his head brushed the stars, with legs formed of coiled snakes and a voice that roared like a storm, Typhon was the most fearsome monster to emerge from the depths of Greek mythology. His assault on Mount Olympus sent the gods into a frenzy. Even the mightiest deities found themselves scrambling to escape his wrath.
Amid this chaos, Aphrodite and Eros fled together, their bond as mother and son unshakable in the face of danger. Fear gripped their hearts as Typhon’s monstrous form closed in, his roars shaking the heavens. They reached the banks of the Euphrates River, their path blocked by the powerful currents and Typhon’s ominous presence looming ever closer.
Transformation in the Euphrates
Here, their story diverges into three versions, each imbued with its own layer of symbolism and magic, mirroring the mutable, multifaceted nature of Pisces.
The Fish Transformation: In one telling, Aphrodite and Eros transformed themselves into fish, slipping into the river’s depths to evade Typhon’s grasp.
Divine Rescue: Another version credits Zeus with their transformation, stepping in to save them by turning them into fish.
Rescue by Sacred Fish: A third version describes two large fish appearing to carry Aphrodite and Eros to safety, guided by divine will.
No matter the version, one detail remains constant: the fish’s tails were tied together with a cord. This act symbolized the inseparable bond between mother and child, ensuring they would not be separated even as the river’s currents raged around them.
Pisces in the Night Sky
To commemorate this tale of love and courage, Zeus immortalized Aphrodite and Eros in the heavens as the constellation Pisces. The two fish, their tails eternally bound by a silver cord called Al Risha ("the cord" in Arabic), swim in different directions while remaining connected—one fish pointing north toward the celestial pole, the other westward toward the horizon.
Venus’ Exaltation in Pisces
To me, this myth encapsulates the essence of Venus’ exaltation in Pisces, illustrating how her energy transcends the mundane to embrace compassion, selflessness, and spiritual unity.
It invites us to reflect on how we, too, can embody these qualities in our own lives—through acts of kindness, cultivating inner peace, and connecting with the boundless love within ourselves.
Pisces, as a mutable water sign, invites Venus to dream, dissolve boundaries, and merge into the infinite. It is a love that is forgiving, imaginative, and universal, echoing the bond between Aphrodite and Eros as they faced Typhon together.
Then, on January 3rd, 2025, the Moon enters Pisces and conjuncts Venus, while Venus forms a trine to the asteroid goddess Vesta, and the Sun conjuncts the asteroid goddess Pallas.
All these goddess energies speak to me of self-care and self-love, weaving together the celestial alignments with the archetypes of Aphrodite and Inanna.
Both are forms of Venus, reflecting themes of beauty, empowerment, and the transformative power of love in astrology and mythology.
Aphrodite and Inanna: Mirrors of Self-Love
Aphrodite and Inanna, two powerful goddesses from different mythologies. They share a common trait of self-love and self-admiration, reflecting the exalted, compassionate energy Venus embodies in Pisces.
While their stories and cultural contexts differ, both embody themes of beauty, sensuality, and self-confidence that reflect a deep appreciation for their own divine nature.
Aphrodite’s Self-Love
Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, is renowned for her self-admiration:
Embodiment of Self-Love: Aphrodite's essence lies at the core of self-love and acceptance. Her mythology teaches the importance of embracing one's imperfections and recognizing inner beauty.
Divine Beauty: As the personification of beauty itself, Aphrodite naturally admired her own appearance. Her legendary allure was not just for others to appreciate, but also for herself to revel in.
Confidence and Power: Aphrodite's self-love manifested in her confidence and ability to influence both gods and mortals. Her unwavering belief in her own worth and power was a key aspect of her character.
Inanna’s Self-Admiration
Inanna, the Sumerian goddess of love, fertility, and war, also exhibited strong traits of self-love:
Queen of Heaven and Earth: Inanna's titles reflect her elevated status and self-importance. As the Queen of Heaven and Earth, she embodied divine authority and self-assurance.
Unapologetic Self-Expression: Modern interpretations of Inanna highlight her fierce independence and refusal to conform to traditional roles. Her story encourages us to embrace our individuality and assert our desires unapologetically, reminding us that true self-love often involves defying expectations and forging our unique paths.
Multifaceted Nature: Inanna's diverse attributes as a goddess of love, war, and fertility showcase her complex personality. Her ability to embody seemingly contradictory aspects reflects a deep self-awareness and appreciation for her own multifaceted nature.
Similarities in Self-Admiration
Both Aphrodite and Inanna share common themes in their self-love.
In Inanna's story, she stands before a mirror admiring herself, particularly celebrating the beauty of her body, expressing joyful appreciation for her physical form.
Similarly, Aphrodite's self-admiration is captured in this scene:
"Aphrodite stood before her golden mirror, her divine beauty radiating throughout her chambers. She gazed at her reflection, a smile playing on her lips as she admired her flawless features. With graceful movements, she adorned herself with shimmering pearls and fragrant roses, symbols of her unparalleled allure. As she ran her fingers through her lustrous hair, she reveled in the knowledge that her beauty was unmatched among gods and mortals alike."
Celebrating the Divine Within
As Venus moves through Pisces, this is the perfect time to connect with your own divine feminine energy.
Begin by locating Venus in your natal chart—which house and sign does she occupy? This placement tells a unique story about how you express and receive love, what you value, and your relationship with beauty and pleasure.
Take a moment to reflect on these questions:
How do the themes of unconditional love and compassion manifest in your life?
In what ways do you honor your own capacity for transformation?
Where do you feel most connected to your inner goddess energy?
Remember, just as Aphrodite and Inanna celebrated their divine nature, you too carry this sacred essence within. Let Venus in Pisces inspire you to embrace your own divine beauty, both inner and outer.
Sacred Mirror Ritual for Self-Love
Choose a quiet time when you won't be disturbed, ideally during Venus day (Friday), on Venus hours. Venus day and hours are considered auspicious for activities related to love, beauty, and self-care, as they amplify the Venus’ energy and enhance the ritual’s intention. Create a sacred space with soft lighting, perhaps some rose quartz crystals, and gentle background music.
Preparation:
Place a mirror in a comfortable position where you can sit or stand.
Light a candle (pink or white for self-love).
Have fresh flowers or essential oils nearby (rose, jasmine, or lavender).
Opening the Ritual:
Take three deep, cleansing breaths.
Ground yourself by feeling your connection to the earth.
Set an intention for self-love and acceptance.
Mirror Gazing Practice:
Begin with a soft, gentle gaze at your reflection.
Allow your vision to soften until you see a subtle glow around your image.
Visualize your reflection as your double.
Divine Dialogue:
Speak to your reflection as if addressing your own divine essence.
Express gratitude for specific qualities you appreciate about yourself—how you love and admire yourself, what makes you proud, and anything else that comes to mind.
If self-critical thoughts arise, tell them that you understand, you forgive, and it’s okay.
Closing:
Place your hand over your heart and feel the warmth of self-love.
Thank your double for this sacred moment of connection.
Close with three more deep breaths.
Every word of love you speak to your reflection is a blessing returning to you. Remember, everything you say to your double, your double is saying back to you.
Share Your Journey
As you explore these rituals and reflections, I’d love to hear how Venus in Pisces inspires your self-love journey and how you’ve reflected on your natal Venus placements.
Have you discovered new ways to honor your inner beauty or connect with the themes of unconditional love and compassion?
Share your thoughts, experiences, or questions in the comments or message me directly. Your insights may inspire others on their own paths to self-discovery.
Book a Personalized Astrology Session
Take your self-discovery deeper with a personalized astrology session. Together, we can explore your unique Venus placement, uncover insights into your relationships and self-worth, and align your path with cosmic wisdom.
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