What Your Venus Sign Says About Your Romantic Attractions

If you were born with Venus in assertive Aries, you are a fiery and passionate lover who won’t settle for less than an all-encompassing attraction. Love at first sight is all too real for you—and you’ve probably fallen head over heels in a nanosecond more than once. If the click is there, you’ll jump right in, ready to race off on a romantic escape…or to the Vegas chapel! But wait…who IS that person with whom you’re so smitten? Pacing yourself is an art form to learn.

Alas, patience is NOT a virtue for those with Venus in Aries. You want to know NOW: Are you into me or not? A lover who drags out the courtship process will likely get a taste of your extreme ghosting powers. They may cry with a clairvoyant or burn a Love Drawing candle, but it’s unlikely you’ll return. Nope, you’ll be off with an adventurous playmate exploring new positions and locations. While your book of love may be filled with steamy and half-finished chapters, at least it won’t be boring! Just try not to write people off SO quickly that they don’t have a fair shake.

The planet of love and beauty is literally at home (domicile) in decadent Taurus, one of the two zodiac signs Venus rules. (Libra is the other.) If you were born with this Venus placement, consider yourself lucky! You’re one of Cupid’s darlings and, whether you care to admit it or not, a hopeless romantic to the core. Let the slow jams pipe softly through your speakers and the vintage Pinot breathe alongside a pair of glasses on your counter. You woo at a prolonged pace and don’t want to miss out on a single courtship ritual. That said, you don’t wait TOO long for a home visit. You need to see how the object of your affections will jive with your everyday environment—and how much they’ll appreciate your gourmet-level kitchen skills, your elegant décor, and your collection of tasteful films.

You’ve got game! If you were born with Venus in curious, communicative Gemini, you’re a pro-level flirt who needs tons of variety to stay interested. The perfect partner for you must be a multidimensional "renaissance romantic" who has major range and interests outside the relationship. By the same token, your S.O. must be available for frequent texting and emoji-laced responses to your social media posts. Digital connections are still plenty strong for you—and because of this, a long-distance relationship could actually work out just fine. With dualistic Gemini directing your love jones, your feelings run hot and cold—and can fluctuate by the second. Even when you find your "twin flame," you may have moments of repulsion to match the extreme magnetic pull. Settling down ain’t easy for you—not necessarily because you’re a player but simply because you can find something fascinating to adore (and explore) in just about everyone you meet.

Can you say, "Hot mama"? With Venus in nurturing Cancer, you’re equal parts caretaker and coquette. When a prospective lover shows interest, you might demure or throw up a tough outer shell. This is simply a self-protective measure because once you open your heart, you go "all in." If you had your preference, you’d mate for life, and many a Venus in Cancer weds early, even to a childhood sweetheart. With your tender underbelly, it can take you years to get over a breakup or so-called rejection. But here’s something that’s especially important to remember: Finding true love also requires you to risk heartbreak. And it may be hard to believe, but playing it safe can even prevent you from finding your soul mate. Everything changes for the better once you see the dating game as a learning process instead of something you’re supposed to nail on the first try.

Curtains up! Love is like a theatrical performance for those born with Venus in dramatic Leo. If you’re not working the room like a Hollywood head-turner on the red carpet, you’re probably writing a cinematic narrative in your head about all the ups and downs of your romantic life. Hey, if it’s not a page-turner, it’s probably not for you! Naturally creative, you’re fine going "off-script," too; in fact, some of your most heart-opening moments may be the ones that you ad-lib when you throw caution to the wind. Venus in fiery, flamboyant Leo makes you a passionate soul. You’ll take your sentiments supersized, thanks. What starts as a Tinder, "Let’s meet up for drinks" thing could evolve into a 24-hour date that takes you from karaoke to after-hours bars to the bedroom to brunch—and maybe a burlesque show in between. PDA? Yes, please, and plenty of it.

Save the red roses and the red carpets: If you were born with Venus in practical Virgo—the sign of selfless service—a pure heart and noble character are your true turn-ons. A discerning dater (and sometimes perfectionist), you’d rather have no one than the wrong one. You need a hero who will have your back through life’s ups and downs. Being fussed over is so NOT your thing (unless bae is bringing you chicken soup when you have the flu). You’d rather hold hands while you walk under the stars and talk about all the dreams you have for making the world a better place. Expensive gifts won’t necessarily woo you, but you’ll go giddy for something thoughtfully chosen, like your favorite book in a leather-bound hardcover or a consciously sourced treasure handmade by women in a developing country.

If you were born with Venus in harmonious Libra, romance is your raison d’être! Since the planet of love and beauty reigns supreme here, this placement blesses you with extra luck in the love department. You’ll revel in every season of relationships, from the courtship dance to planning the wedding (obsessed!) to picking out the perfect warm-weather retirement community for your sunset years. Although you can take your time to commit, you believe in love at first sight. The chemistry’s gotta be bubbling like a freshly corked Veuve! During the dating phase, you require all the traditional trappings: long-stemmed roses, Rumi poems, picnics in the park. A fairy tale beginning to your lifelong romance is a must; something you can reminisce over during the slower spells. Of course, you’ll do everything in your power to prevent the "old married couple" vibe from kicking in, showering your partner with gifts, strutting around in sexy (matching) lingerie, booking exciting vacations, and keeping up with fitness and beauty regimens. It might take years before you’ll share a bathroom with your S.O., if you ever do at all. Your shelves are likely to be lined with haute cleansers and creams—and you won’t leave the house until every hair and lash is in place.

If you were born with Venus in secretive Scorpio, your approach to love is seductive, soulful, and intense. Casual dating is so NOT your jam. You prefer to plunge into the depths of intimacy and find out every one of your lover’s secrets. Sharing your own, however, may take years. Deeply private and mysterious, you hate to feel vulnerable or exposed. Since trust does not come easily when you have Venus in Scorpio, you might choose a partner who is an open book and knows how to create a safe, nonjudgmental space for you to bare your soul.

Venus is "in detriment" in Scorpio, which is a somewhat challenging position because it falls opposite to Taurus, the sign that the love planet rules. As such, you may have to sift through a few more twists and turns than most before you master Cupid’s game. While you search for your "twin flame," you’re sure to have your share of wild and dramatic affairs, some that would make a sex worker blush! Although you tend to be "all or nothing" when it comes to commitment, erotic encounters are a different story. Your libido has a mind of its own—especially in a darkened bar, hot tub (or any body of water), or when you’re far from home and can maintain more of an anonymous profile. A powerful attraction can literally overtake your common sense, and you can get lost in a heady space during sex. Your secrets may stay locked in the vault forever, not even to be shared with your Sex and the City brunch crew…which might be for the best. Warning: With Venus in this playing-for-keeps position, you may be guilty of trying to turn a hookup into a husband (or wife), projecting soul mate qualities onto someone you’ve only just met. But when you feel deeply connected to a partner, you will give and share everything you have. Scorpio is the sign of joint ventures and merging resources, so expect a magical melding of bank accounts and living spaces.

With Venus in broad-spectrum Sagittarius, you love without limits. This can make you wildly adventurous (read: generally nonmonogamous) or endlessly devoted to your mate. A relationship must feel like a growth opportunity in order for you to sign on. Can the two of you build something world-changing together? Expand, evolve, and learn into your sunset years? If you sense endless possibilities from a merger, you’ll cliff-dive right in—even if you have no tangible proof of concept (and have known each other for like, a week). Hope springs eternal for those born with Venus in Sagittarius; you’re a gambler in the game of love. With this lucky sign shielding your heart, you understand that fortune favors the bold.

Single years will certainly be storied for Venus-in-Sagittarius people, with a few tales that could make a sex worker blush. With the worldly sign directing your love jones, you’ll have a diverse portfolio of dates and mates. You might even prefer to date cross-culturally. Regardless, your ideal mate will have a global sensibility, and you’ll enjoy traveling together at every opportunity. Laughter is the key to your heart. A killer sense of humor is more likely to win you over than dashing good looks. What you cannot tolerate, however, is feeling restricted or possessed. A relationship of two whole individuals is your ideal, not losing your identity in some claustrophobic couple bubble. Some Venus-in Sagittarius-people might be comfortable in a polyamorous arrangement or a relationship that is open under certain circumstances—e.g., hooking up while traveling solo or kissing other people but not removing clothes.

If you were born with Venus in sensible Capricorn, you play the long game in love. Relationships are an investment, as far as you’re concerned. You’re looking for a partner who wants to build something stable and fruitful together—and that doesn’t come along every day. As such, your vetting process is strict and thorough. You’ll wait patiently as your potential S.O. reveals their every dimension—including their invariable shadow side. Hey, you’re as much a realist as you are a romantic. While you know that there’s no such thing as perfection, you aren’t looking to play psychologist to the tragically flawed. You’d rather be skiing the Black Diamond together or creating a family of overachieving kids that you can brag about at family dinners. Once the object of your affections passes your tests, you’re all in, shopping for housewares at Crate and Barrel, pinning iconic engagements rings, scouting out hillside mansions for your wedding ceremony, and figuring out which grandparent you’ll name the first kid after. Although you might not admit it out loud, you’re a sucker for status. An accomplished mate is a must—and if they have the money to show for it, no complaints from you. That said, Venus in Capricorn gives you a strong "provider" instinct. If you’re the breadwinner, you’ll share generously with your mate. With career-driven Capricorn directing your love jones, you might even be married to your job for periods of time—so much so that marriage springs from an office romance. Some Venus-in-Capricorn people might actually swoon at the notion of co-creating a business. What could be more satisfying than being able to sit back with your S.O. and witness all that you’ve built together?

Throw away that rulebook! If you were born with Venus in iconoclastic Aquarius, your approach to relationships is unconventional, if not outright rebellious. Pleasing parents falls pretty low on your list of priorities; in fact, shock value can be an aphrodisiac! You may purposely scout out partners who are "different" and enjoy leaving jaws on the ground with your no-limits brand of loving. Ultimately, you’re a sapiosexual, turned on by a beautiful mind. The person who can hold a fascinating conversation and inspire you to think outside the box could be the one who lures you into a permanent domestic partnership. Marriage might not be your ideal with ultramodern Aquarius ruling your heart. Under this liberated Venus influence you chafe at the idea of anyone "owning" you. That said, you don’t mind exclusivity! Your emotionally cool sign finds it a relief to plant into a relationship instead of playing all those aggravating head games of the courtship phase. The nonnegotiable? Your mate must be a strong individual with a lush life outside of the relationship.

Move over, Rumi. If you were born with Venus in fantasy-fueled Pisces, you see the poetry in basically everything. Romance is your raison d’etre, and you’ll take it with all the trappings: long-stemmed roses, picnics in the park, candlelight dining, and moonlit walks. Connecting over a shared love of art and music along with similar spiritual pursuits is also a must. This enchanting Venus placement makes you a master of seduction, as you artfully weave your gifts of empathy with your intuitive understanding of what turns people on. One soulfully sexy gaze from you might be all it takes for clothes to go a-flinging.