Venus (Shukra)

Venus is called Shukra in Sanskrit. Shukra literally means “semen”, but more generally means “refined things”. Venus rules over all types of refined things that are desirable such as art, music, flowers, love, beauty, etc. A well placed Venus in a chart that is well disposed towards Venus will grant to the person a life full of “the good things” such as those things mentioned above.

The Vedic way of understanding of life, and the process of elevation, is such that addiction to material gratifications are known to be often “an-arthas” or “unnecessary”. Too much stress is laid upon material gratifications in ungodly societies. So, Venus is loved and followed when the person or society is of the materialistic type. For Westerners, a good Venus is considered a good thing, because it helps in bringing in material wealth, sense gratifications, and all types of material fortunes. Famous, rich and beautiful people often have strong Venus, as these blessings are highly desirable to the materialistic masses, who love to worship such “achievements” in life. People in general are much more interested in the “Lives of the Rich and Famous” than they are in the “Lives of the Intelligent and Devoted”.

While Jupiter tends to give advice leading to surrender to higher principles, Venus gives advice which works for us in the here and now. Jupiter is more about dharma, or religion for higher principles, whereas Venus is more about a-dharma, or self serving ways. The entire Vedic principle is to surrender to the greater laws of God, whereas Venus teaches us to maximize things as they are now, for ourselves. But it is not that one is bad and one is good— it’s that priority has been established correctly. It is not wrong to have material quality in our lives, or pleasures and enjoyments, but they should not direct us and dictate our actions when higher principles of goodness are at stake.

Venus represents the enjoyment, taste, sexuality and relationships of the individual. It can give a person a great sense of aesthetics and very pleasant personality, or sensual and tasteless, depending on how well it is placed in the chart. Venus is best placed in Meena (Pisces) where is called exalted. Opposite from there, in Kanya (Virgo) it is least auspicious and called debilitated. Venus is lord of the sign Vrisha (Taurus) and also of Tula (Libra) and of the houses where these signs are located.

Venus signifies: The feminine spirit, beauty, grace, charm, refinement, luxuries, wealth, sensuality, vanity, charisma, glamour, good taste, sexual attraction, elegance, comforts, arts, music, theatre, love, wife in a male’s chart (female friend in a female’s chart), pleasure of the senses, sugar, affections, conveyances, flowers.