The Month of Love
by Alice DeVille

What true romantic would dream of ignoring the emotional overtures of the love planets, Venus and Mars, in Cupid’s month? When this star-struck duo teams up each February, unique love symphonies unfold. Have you ever read the romantic postings in your newspaper on Valentine’s Day? That’s Mars and Venus expressing devotion in graphic harmony, aided by Mercury’s way with words. Even love seekers without partners rekindle the longing for romance under the attraction-generating influence of these planetary lovebirds.
Romantics take their cues from the inspiring fabled legends of Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella or the touching story of real-life lovers Elizabeth Barrett, a Pisces, and Robert Browning, a Taurus. You have only to read the letters of Aquarian former president, Ronald Reagan to his cherished Cancer wife, Nancy, in the book I Love You, Ronnie, to know that modern day soul mates do exist. Who among you has not dreamt of being swept off your feet (by dashing Mars), falling in love at first sight (with the goddess Venus) or finding your soul mate across a crowded room (Venus and Mars in an eye lock)? Cherished “oneness” is possible when this exhilarating twosome makes provocative moves toward a love connection.
The Love Team: Venus and Mars
Venus manages your social life. She desires a harmonious partner and shared commitment. Her place in your chart describes the power of your love, the way you express it, and how you wish to be adored by loved ones. A fire sign Venus wants passion and excitement (Aries, Leo and Sagittarius). Water signs crave understanding and security (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces). Earth Venuses feel balanced with affection and creature comforts (Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn), while the air Venus enjoys your tender words and steamy love notes (Gemini, Libra and Aquarius). Venus in a man’s chart describes women that attract him. A compatible relationship with Mars in a woman’s chart often leads to romance.
Mars regulates initiative, drive and passion and represents the masculine influence in your chart. A woman’s Mars describes the men that attract her. How much she wants those men to pursue her is indicated by the connections between their planets. A fire Mars is impulsive and moves quickly in the love game, while a water Mars paces the relationship until the emotions are convinced there is something going on. An earth Mars wants expressions of reassurance, a gentle touch and a little jealousy. The communication-oriented air Mars uses intellectual determination and the gift of gab to win a partner.
Valentine’s Day 2001
Although our article focuses on the Venus and Mars pairing, it is important to point out that the Sun and Moon, and all the other planets, play a part in the relationship game as well. On Valentine’s Day 2001, the planets’ aspects (the angles between them) show a passionate mating dance forming between our love planets, Venus and Mars, in fire signs. In addition, the Moon (emotions) in the focused and intense water sign, Scorpio, and a stellium of planets in airy Aquarius will highlight the planetary lineup for the day.
A stellium is a group of three or more planets in the same sign. In this case, we have Neptune (romantic bliss), Uranus (the love-at-first-sight factor), Mercury (conversations of the heart) and the Sun (power of expression) in friendly and unconventional Aquarius. This unpredictable combination often sets up love-in-the-fast-lane scenarios and whirlwind courtships, especially with Venus and Mars on the dance floor.
What special effects will the Valentine’s Day planets have on your astrology chart? In previous articles I mentioned that if nothing is going on in your chart (no natal planets stimulated by transiting planets), there is little you can do to attract lasting romance. You owe it to yourself to plot your own romantic course by examining your chart. What type of lovers do you attract? Are your relationships fulfilling? What can you expect in the love game with the current lineup of planets?
If you have personal planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus and/or Mars) in the fire signs, your love life could take exciting turns over the next several months. Impulsive Venus is in Aries right now, and she is ready to flirt with Mars, who makes a mad dash into adventure-seeking Sagittarius just as your Valentine Day activities get underway.
Those of you with Venus or Mars in the fire signs (Aries, Leo or Sagittarius) could have the time of your life. Why? Venus will occupy the sign Aries until early June while Mars stays in Sagittarius through early September, favorably affecting those with fire sign love placements in their birth charts. Normally, Venus travels through a sign in approximately one month and Mars in about six weeks, but both of these planets will experience retrograde periods soon (a condition that slows down the planets’ motion so that they appear to travel backward for a time before turning around and moving forward again), making for a longer than usual stay in their respective signs.
Martian energy is sensual and open to a good chase, while Venus needs a little persuasion to demonstrate her everlasting love. For some couples, this extended stay in the fire element would be long enough to meet, court, get engaged and marry. A few may elope after the first date while established couples grow closer and strengthen their love. At any rate, it offers a passionate and romantic period. Sound inviting? What are you waiting for? Buy those bubbles and bake those cakes. Don’t be afraid to wear your heart on your sleeve—just spoil your sweetheart with TLC. Cupid is watching over you. Happy Valentine’s Day!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alice DeVille has been an astrologer, workshop presenter, and writer for over 25 years. Her expertise in romance and relationships attracts a diverse client base in the U.S. and abroad. She developed a series of workshops on finding your Soul Mate and other romantic themes. Alice combines a variety of consulting skills in her astrological practice, including business, financial and change management, real estate, and intuitive insight. Her writing appears in Llewellyn’s Sun Sign Book and Moon Sign Book.Send an email to the author.For more information about Alice DeVille, click here.
Other StarIQ articles by Alice DeVille:
Let’s Talk Business
8/13/2001
Runaway Love
4/12/2001
The Love Assessment
9/29/2000
Is There a Promotion in Your Future?
9/13/2000
Romancing with the Moon
8/25/2000
Is There a Moving Van in Your Future?
6/28/2000
Let’s Talk Business
6/14/2000
Home Sweet Home
5/10/2000
Soul Mate Zone
4/21/2000
Walking the Green Mile with Tom Hanks
2/11/2000
Interview with the Messenger
1/26/2000