

What Your Venus Sign Says About How You Love
Your Venus sign in Astrology is your guide to matters of the heart. When it comes to Astrology and love, the first thing you want to look at when determining what is in the stars for you and your love life is your Venus sign. Your Venus sign represents how you love, your taste and aesthetics, how you express yourself when in love, and what you look for in a romantic partner. Understanding your patterns, habits, likes, dislikes, and interests in relationships can help you better align with what resonates and works for you.
Whatever Venus is doing in your birth chart is going to show you what energy you are moving through in love in this lifetime, how to understand yourself better emotionally, and how to work with your strengths and weaknesses here. Learning more about your Venus sign can help you dive deeper into your relationships, and also how to better understand your love language. Everyone has a Venus sign, and everyone has a certain area of the birth chart where Venus resides. However, with Venus going retrograde every 18 months, there are some people who are born with Venus retrograde in their birth charts, making matters of the heart a different experience for them.
If Venus was retrograde at the time you were born, it may take more time for you to develop an emotional understanding of what you want and need in love, and you could experience some challenges when it comes to your relationships in life. It can be hard to trust and to open up with this energy, and the best thing to do if you have Venus retrograde in the birth chart is to understand the emotional patterning in your life and to work from within. Going even further, checking the compatibility of your Venus sign and your partner’s Venus sign can show you how your two love languages come together and what you are both bringing to the table here.
Compatible Venus signs are a green light for relationships, and if someone’s Venus sign aligns with your partner’s Mars or Moon sign as well, this is another good indicator of a harmonious relationship. A Venus in Aries native will want the sparks flying and will be concerned with the passion and excitement in the relationship. Venus in Capricorn however, wants to make sure the relationship is being built on solid ground and is less about the flashy and more about the sustainable. A Venus in Scorpio wants to experience a transcendent love and prefers nothing short of intimate devotion. Venus sings a different tune in each birth chart, and diving deep into the planet of love is essential to the relationships you form in life.
What Your Venus Sign Says About Your Love Life
VENUS IN ARIES
Having your Venus in a fire sign obviously brings passion to your love life. You are typically one step ahead in this area of your life, and you tend to take the lead here. Love for you is all about purpose, freedom, and the thrill of it all. You are independent in love and value a partner with their values and goals as well. The beginning phase of love, the courtship, the spark, the meeting, is definitely one of your favorite parts of a romantic relationship, and you never forget what initiated the love between you and another. In love, you are someone who loves to plan dates and outings, and your adventurous and dominant traits come out here in life. You are the type of lover who is a fierce protector over their partner, and you also keep the passion ignited.
VENUS IN TAURUS
Venus loves being in the sign of Taurus as it’s the planetary ruler of this beloved Earth Sign, giving you an extra boost of good juju in matters of the heart. With your Venus in Taurus, you prefer to walk on stable and solid ground in love, and you don’t mind taking your time with things here until you are completely sure about someone. You love to be in love and when you feel safe in a relationship, you are truly thriving and radiating. You are looking for a partner who makes you feel safe, and that can also provide or contribute to a comfortable life. You tend to live lavishly with your Venus in Taurus, and you love the finer things in life. A partner who dresses well, has good taste, and loves to spoil you is your cup of tea. You attract love to you through your solid and loving nature, and you value loyalty in your partnerships.
VENUS IN GEMINI
Venus in Gemini is the wildcard in love. Your vision and ideals in love continuously change over time, and you are someone with a curious heart. Love for you is about exploring, learning, and understanding another. Your energy is that of a sapiosexual. The mind is what attracts you to another, and a partner who can keep your interests peaked and teach you something new is everything for you. You need conversation and feedback here, and a partner who doesn’t return texts or calls, or keeps up with the communication channels between you two is a no-go for you. With Venus in a mutable sign here, your love life is often fluctuating, and you tend to be pretty flexible and open-minded. Your life partners find you fun and intriguing, and love for you is all about a meeting of the minds.
VENUS IN CANCER
Venus in Cancer is the romanticizer, the one who feels it all, and often the caretaker. In love, your nurturing, compassionate, and intuitive nature takes the forefront. You tend to attract individuals who you feel you can help or “mother” in some way with this energy and often find yourself in these caretaker roles in your relationships. In this lifetime you are learning the importance of grounding your energy in love and living with an open heart, but also with your two feet planted on the ground seeing reality for what it is. Love for you is a deep and intimate experience, and you are a little more private in this area of your life. Family is very important to you as well and you will build this sense of support, tradition, nourishment, and safety with you in your love life and partnerships.
VENUS IN LEO
Venus in Leo energy is like watching your favorite rom-com. Venus in Leo is dramatic, loving, generous, loyal, and bold. Love for you is all about the joy, the excitement, and about appreciating the gifts of the heart. You tend to grab the attention of others effortlessly, making love not the most difficult for you to find. With Leo also being the sign of confidence and self-assuredness, this is the energy you bring forth in your partnerships as well. You don’t doubt why someone loves you or why you love someone else, which makes for a positive foundation for your relationships. It’s very important to you to be admired and adored by your partner, however, and no matter how good you know you look- you want a partner who will never stop telling you that. Venus in Leo is romantic, and this loving, confident, and outgoing side of you comes out in love.
VENUS IN VIRGO
Venus in Virgo is the perfectionist in love. Virgo is known for their high standards and this energy doesn’t go missed when it’s aligned with Venus. You are someone who wants the best for yourself and from another, as this is what you're willing to give in love as well. When in love you are sincerely devoted, and you never miss the details. You are the type of partner to remember the little things, to know every important date, and to have everything planned out ahead of time. Venus manifests in different ways depending on what sign it resides, and Venus happens to be debilitated in Virgo, which explains the growth spurts and changing behavior in love. It may take you some time to find “the one” as you aren’t one to settle, however, when you do you form partnerships that last a lifetime and you are a giver in love.
VENUS IN LIBRA
Venus is the planetary ruler of Taurus and Libra, and loves being at home in these signs. With your Venus in Libra, you have a special knack for love that keeps your love moving and full of romance and inspiration. You tend to fall in love easily, and you are quite the charmer. Love for you is about romance, the partnership, the connection, and how two people come together as one. You want something for the books and someone that fits your ideal version of love. You’ve had your vision of partnership since a young age and are the type to believe in a fairy tale. With your Venus in an air sign, communication is also largely important to you in a relationship and you want someone who is going to tell you sweet things. With your Venus in Libra, you prefer a partner who is fair, balanced, loving, and intelligent.
VENUS IN SCORPIO
Venus in Scorpio is all about the emotional intensity of love. You want to go deep with a partner, and commitment and loyalty are everything for you in this area of life. You are somewhat of an investigator in love and you are someone who does their research before getting involved with someone. You are interested in those who are unique, different, and a little taboo. Intimacy is where you shine in love, and you know how to connect with a partner on many different levels. Your relationships are never superficial as you wouldn’t bother to spend energy on someone who doesn’t excite you or make you feel something. Emotions do run high for you here as Scorpio is a water sign, however, you are focused on channeling your energies into positive transformation. You live many different lifetimes in your love life and evolve through each experience here.
VENUS IN SAGITTARIUS
Venus in Sagittarius is all about the adventure of love. You aren’t one to settle down quickly, and you deeply love your independence and freedom. In love, you can be somewhat difficult to keep up with and tie down. However, you are very generous and loving. You want to be able to live life on your own terms and do your own thing, which can sometimes get in the way of the partnerships you form. Your energy is typically up in the air, but you make for a fun and exciting partner to be with, as life with you is never boring. You are the type to enjoy getaways and vacations with your partner, and you want someone who you can stay up all night with talking about life and also someone who can be the life of the party with you. You see love as an exciting adventure and you want to get the most out of life here.
VENUS IN CAPRICORN
With your Venus in Capricorn, slow and steady wins the race for you in love. It takes some time for you to open up emotionally and you deeply value patience and stability in love. Venus in Capricorn tends to go for the older, wealthier, and high-achieving lovers. You want someone who is going to bring something to the table as you are already bringing a lot. Living a good life both emotionally and financially is equally important to you and you take these matters into account when forming a partnership with someone. However, you are the type to stick with your partner through the good and even the difficult, and once you are in a relationship, you are in it. You are a steady force of groundedness in your relationships and you are someone your partner can rely on and trust. You are definitely someone who is marriage material.
VENUS IN AQUARIUS
Venus in Aquarius is the free spirit in love. You have an open mindset when it comes to matters of the heart, and your relationships tend to be quite progressive. You don’t like boxes or labels and will do whatever you can to maintain your sense of freedom and authenticity. You make your partner feel seen and unique, and you bring out some of the best qualities in your partner. You deeply value a friendship with your partner, and you often fall in love with people who were at first just a friend. You live in this space of transparency and openness that makes others feel eager and inspired to join in on this world you have created for yourself. Your relationships tend to be unconventional and rebellious in some way. Although you need a lot of emotional space to nourish within, you also value community and coming together with another in love.
VENUS IN PISCES
With your Venus in Pisces, you are all about the fantasy aspect of love. You tend to romanticize your relationships and it’s hard to take off your rose-colored glasses. However, Venus is exalted in Pisces, meaning that you get Venus in its high-vibe state. You go through some pretty miraculous experiences in love and you could probably write a book or a movie about your love life. You are all about going deep with another and being vulnerable in this space. You want an open and honest relationship and a relationship where spirituality is at the center. With your high emotions and intuition, you intuitively know what your partner needs in love and vice versa, and you are typically on point with doing the right things to make a relationship work. You are the lover and the dreamer and deeply care about the partnerships you form in life.
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Tayler Barakat is a Mystic who has studied Astrology for over a decade. She does intuitive astrology and tarot readings for people all over the world, and her work focuses on healing and empowering individuals. Follow her on Instagram @taylerbarakat_ and check out her website www.listentothevirgo.com.
Exclusive: Gabrielle Union On Radical Transparency, Being Diagnosed With Perimenopause And Embracing What’s Next
Whenever Gabrielle Union graces the movie screen, she immediately commands attention. From her unforgettable scenes in films like Bring It On and Two Can Play That Game to her most recent film, in which she stars and produces Netflix’s The Perfect Find, there’s no denying that she is that girl.
Off-screen, she uses that power for good by sharing her trials and tribulations with other women in hopes of helping those who may be going through the same things or preventing them from experiencing them altogether. Recently, the Flawless by Gabrielle Union founder partnered with Clearblue to speak at the launch of their Menopause Stage Indicator, where she also shared her experience with being perimenopausal.
In a xoNecoleexclusive, the iconic actress opens up about embracing this season of her life, new projects, and overall being a “bad motherfucker.” Gabrielle reveals that she was 37 years old when she was diagnosed with perimenopause and is still going through it at 51 years old. Mayo Clinic says perimenopause “refers to the time during which your body makes the natural transition to menopause, marking the end of the reproductive years.”
“I haven't crossed over the next phase just yet, but I think part of it is when you hear any form of menopause, you automatically think of your mother or grandmother. It feels like an old-person thing, but for me, I was 37 and like not understanding what that really meant for me. And I don't think we focus so much on the word menopause without understanding that perimenopause is just the time before menopause,” she tells us.
Gabrielle Union
Photo by Brian Thomas
"But you can experience a lot of the same things during that period that people talk about, that they experienced during menopause. So you could get a hot flash, you could get the weight gain, the hair loss, depression, anxiety, like all of it, mental health challenges, all of that can come, you know, at any stage of the menopausal journey and like for me, I've been in perimenopause like 13, 14 years. When you know, most doctors are like, ‘Oh, but it's usually about ten years, and I'm like, ‘Uhh, I’m still going (laughs).’”
Conversations about perimenopause, fibroids, and all the things that are associated with women’s bodies have often been considered taboo and thus not discussed publicly. However, times are changing, and thanks to the Gabrielle’s and the Tia Mowry’s, more women are having an authentic discourse about women’s health. These open discussions lead to the creation of more safe spaces and support for one another.
“I want to be in community with folks. I don't ever want to feel like I'm on an island about anything. So, if I can help create community where we are lacking, I want to be a part of that,” she says. “So, it's like there's no harm in talking about it. You know what I mean? Like, I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change. I'm just getting better and stronger and more intelligent, more wise, more patient, more compassionate, more empathetic. All of that is very, very welcomed, and none of it should be scary.”
The Being Mary Jane star hasn’t been shy about her stance on therapy. If you don’t know, here’s a hint: she’s all for it, and she encourages others to try it as well. She likens therapy to dating by suggesting that you keep looking for the right therapist to match your needs. Two other essential keys to her growth are radical transparency and radical acceptance (though she admits she is still working on the latter).
"I was a bad motherfucker before perimenopause. I’m a bad motherfucker now, and I'll be a bad motherfucker after menopause. Know what I’m saying? None of that has to change. How I’m a bad motherfucker, I welcome that part of the change."
Gabrielle Union and Kaavia Union-Wade
Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images
“I hope that a.) you recognize that you're not alone. Seek out help and know that it's okay to be honest about what the hell is happening in your life. That's the only way that you know you can get help, and that's also the only other way that people know that you are in need if there's something going on,” she says, “because we have all these big, very wild, high expectations of people, but if they don't know what they're actually dealing with, they're always going to be failing, and you will always be disappointed. So how about just tell the truth, be transparent, and let people know where you are. So they can be of service, they can be compassionate.”
Gabrielle’s transparency is what makes her so relatable, and has so many people root for her. Whether through her TV and film projects, her memoirs, or her social media, the actress has a knack for making you feel like she’s your homegirl. Scrolling through her Instagram, you see the special moments with her family, exciting new business ventures, and jaw-dropping fashion moments. Throughout her life and career, we’ve seen her evolve in a multitude of ways. From producing films to starting a haircare line to marriage and motherhood, her journey is a story of courage and triumph. And right now, in this season, she’s asking, “What’s next?”
“This is a season of discovery and change. In a billion ways,” says the NAACP Image Award winner. “The notion of like, ‘Oh, so and so changed. They got brand new.’ I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
"I want you to be brand new. I want me to be brand new. I want us to be always constantly growing, evolving. Having more clarity, moving with different purpose, like, and all of that is for me very, very welcomed."
She continues, “So I'm just trying to figure out what's next. You know what I mean? I'm jumping into what's next. I'm excited going into what's next and new. I'm just sort of embracing all of what life has to offer.”
Look out for Gabrielle in the upcoming indie film Riff Raff, which is a crime comedy starring her and Jennifer Coolidge, and she will also produce The Idea of You, which stars Anne Hathaway.
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Here's How To Host Your First Dinner Party, According To TikTok's Viral Dinner Host
If you haven’t scrolled upon Olivia McDowell's TikTok famous dinner parties, you may need to reconfigure your "For You Page."
What began as a passion for hosting aesthetically themed meals for her closest friends has quickly become a viral sensation. With an astonishing 12 million viewers, women describe Olivia’s picturesque dinner parties as the “dream girls' night,” complete with classy cocktails, beautiful table settings, elegant outfits, and, most importantly, food plated to perfection.
Seemingly reigniting the feminine urge to host fancy dinner parties, Olivia has perfected the finer details. Overlooking the skyline in her beautiful NYC apartment, she never fails to make her signature handmade pasta dishes while simultaneously looking effortlessly chic in the wardrobe of dreams while doing so.
@oliviaamcdowell Replying to @nara0630 what should the theme of my next dinner party be? #minivlog #nycliving #dinnerpartyideas #caviarinnewyork
What I love most about hosting intimate dinners for close friends are the connections and relationships that form over food. They don't require a caviar budget with a high-rise apartment, it just takes determination and a little creativity. Watching Olivia’s journey inspires viewers to be a part of a community of positive and uplifting women who share common interests and tastes in food, fashion, and decor. Simply stated, she’s raising the bar of friendship goals.
If you’re aspiring to host a holiday-themed dinner party this season, check out the four tips that will guide you along the way.
Choose Your Theme
@oliviaamcdowell Replying to @emz.life.tsv what was your fav part? 🤍 hope this gives you some inspiration to host a fancy friendsgiving too! #hostingtip #dinnerparty #pastamaking
Set the ambiance with a thoughtful theme, which will indeed be your guiding light for less stress during the planning process. Establishing a theme sets the tone for everything else to fall in place, such as menus, table design, and presentation. For example, a holiday-inspired dinner party is a perfect occasion for elegant all-white decor paired with draped table cloths, pillar candles lit atop luxe holders, floating floral arrangements, and, for a personal touch, handwritten place settings.
Utilizing free resources such as Canva for menu templates and creating a “Dinner Party” moodboard via Pinterest is perfect for gathering dinner inspiration for themes, decor, and recipes for the special occasion.
Simplify the Menu
@oliviaamcdowell How to host your own pasta making dinner party — part 1: pasta making from scratch 🤍 Hosting dinner parties has become my favorite thing to do this year. More goes into it than you expect, the prep, planning, guestlist, tablescape, etc. but it’s always worth it in the end. What do you guys want to see next? #hostingtips #dinnerparty #pastamaking
Don’t overcomplicate the menu. A simple dinner party formula to use as your guide to making sure your guests leave full of food and joy is appetizers, salads, entrees, sides, desserts, and beverages. As a starter, assemble an aesthetic spread that your guest can nibble on while awaiting the main course with starters such as bread, cheese, jam, nuts, and fruit. A simple salad will do, complete with a light dressing right before your entree. For a main dish, pasta recipes always go a long way and also allows your guests to interact with one another, which leads to McDowell's third dinner party hosting tip.
Include an Interactive Element
@oliviaamcdowell Replying to @itstai.tv 🥹🖤 #girlhood
To break the ice and encourage guests to get to know one another, introduce interactive elements to the evening. Moments of interaction allow everyone to connect, like capturing content for social media or memorializing the essence of the night through fun Polaroids. Olivia also encourages her guests to participate in the pasta-making dinner process as a group, or if hosting a brunch, her friends indulge in building their own coffee bar as an opportunity for forming connections and conversation starters. Group board or card games are also great for laughs and healthy competition to help get the vibes flowing.
Don’t Forget the Dress code
@oliviaamcdowell Replying to @samantha_mendiz when all of your friends are the main character 🖤🥂 #dinnerparty #nycfashion
Tis’ the season for glamour and sparkles, so why not go all out with a super chic dress code? You can’t have a picture-perfect holiday dinner party without the coordinating attire to match. When planning, make sure to make the required attire specific yet broad enough for a range of personalities and preferences to comfortably partake while looking stunning doing so.
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