The planet associated with this week’s card, The Empress, is Venus! Venus is the Planet of love and pleasure. The planetary ruler of both Taurus and Libra, Venus offers insight into the ways we express affection and experience beauty, as well as the ways we choose to spend our money. Venus very much influences personal style, from home décor and personal style to gift-giving and favourite cuisines! Venus also rules a person’s allure and desirability, the way sex appeal is communicated, and how sociable a person is.

Image via Ancient History Encyclopedia

Venus, known in Greek Mythology as Aphrodite was the goddess of love, emotion, and seduction. She is the most beautiful of all the gods, but she is also self-centered and majorly moody! Aphrodite deals with the inactive, internal side of love: the initial attraction, flirtation, and measures taken to solidify a relationship before any “action” is taken!

Image via NASA

The planet Venus orbits the Earth once every 224-225 days. It has an Earth-like crust, but this was only recently discovered as Venus’ atmosphere is made up of thick, swirling clouds. These clouds mean that at different times of year, Venus appears as a bright morning or evening star. The planet was named after the goddess of beauty for a reason!

Venus reminds us that our personal passions are what make us interesting, and being able to find the beauty in any moment will ensure a life of pleasure!

Astrological Oracle Cards. LWB: Lunea Weatherstone. Artwork: Antonella Castelli. Torino, Italy: Lo Scarabeo, 2012. © Lo Scarabeo Italy.

Tarot Mucha. LWB: Lunea Weatherstone. Artwork: Giulia F. Massaglia. Torino, Italy: Lo Scarabeo, 2014. © Lo Scarabeo Italy.

Woolfolk, Joanna Martine Woolfolk. The Only Astrology Book You’ll Ever Need. Lanham, MD: Scarborough House, 1990.