Venus is the Roman goddess of love, beauty, sex, pleasure, prosperity, fertility and victory, her Greek counterpart is Aphrodite and they share many qualities, symbols and myths including their origin story. Venus was said to be born of sea foam after Saturn ( Greek Cronus) castrated his father Uranus ( Ouranus) and his blood fell in the sea. She was such an important goddess that Julius Caesar claimed to be descended from her and introduced a cult dedicated to her.
Venus had many lovers, both gods and mortals, her husband was Vulcan, the god of fire and the forge, he was said to be extremely ugly, but he loved her so much he created a golden carriage for her that was drawn by doves. She had no children with Vulcan, but many with her lovers including Cupid the god of love and desire who's father was the god of war, Mars.
On April 1st a festival was held in honour of Venus called Veneralia, when her followers would wash her statues and crown them with myrtle. As her popularity increased she was given two new festivals on August 12th and October 9th. Venus has inspired many poets and artists throughout history, the most famous works include the ancient Greek statue 'Venus de Milo' that was created sometime between 130 and 100 BC and the painting ' The Birth of Venus' by Italian artist Sandro Botticelli in the mid 1480's.
The goddess Venus was so important to the ancient Romans that they named a planet after her, she is the only goddess to have that honour. The planet Venus is one of the brightest objects in the sky and known as the Morning star and Evening star. It is closer to the Sun than Earth and rises in the East just before dawn, setting in the West just after dusk. It is the 2nd planet from the Sun and the closest to Earth after the moon.
The earliest recorded observations of the planet Venus were made by the ancient Sumerians, who associated it with Innana, the goddess of love, sensuality, fertility, procreation and war. The ancient Greeks initially believed Venus to be two separate planets: Phosphorus, the Morning star and Hesperus, the Evening star. Pliny the elder credited the discovery that they were one planet to Pythagoras in the 6th century BC. The Romans recognised Venus as a single planet but named the morning aspect Lucifer the 'Light Bringer' and the evening aspect as Vesper. Like its namesake goddess, the planet Venus has inspired many poets throughout the ages, including: Ovid, Virgil, William Blake, William Wordsworth and Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
In astrology the planet Venus is associated with pleasure, love romance, prosperity and harmony, it brings happiness and teaches us to love and appreciate art and beauty in all its forms. This planet is also associated with the pleasure we derive from the finer things in life like luxuries and material possessions.
Call on Venus to work magic for love, beauty, happiness,fertility, prosperity and victory.
Burn rose incense on a Friday to bring the influence of Venus to your spell work.
Drink lemon balm tea to bring happiness into your life.
Add dried rose or geranium petals to spells to bring love into your life.
Carry a rose quartz crystal on you for self-love.
Use a jade crystal in spell work for peace and harmony.
Correspondences:
Day: Friday
Colour: Pink or Green
Element: Earth and Water
Deities: Aphrodite, Astarte, Hathor, Inanna, Ishtar, Lucifer, Venus.
Metal: Copper
Numbers: 7, 49, 343, 777
Gemstones: Celestite, Chrysocolla, Chrysoprase, Goldstone, Jade, Jasper (green), Kyanite (blue and pink), Lapis lazuli, Malachite, Quartz (rose), Rhodonite, Selenite, Sodalite, Tourmaline, Turquoise, Unakite.
Herbs & Plants: African violet, Angelica, Aster, Benzoin, Bleeding heart, Burdock, Cardamon, Catnip, Coltsfoot, Columbine (Aquilegia), Cornflower (Batchelor's buttons), Cowslip, Crocus, Cyclamen, Daffodil, Daisy, Datura, Delphinium, Dittany of Crete, Echinacea, Feverfew, Flax, Foxglove, Geranium, Golden rod, Heather, Hyacinth, Iris, Jasmine, Lady's mantle, Lemon balm, Lilac, Mallow, Mint, Mugwort, Myrtle, Orchid, Pansy, Passion flower, Pennyroyal, Periwinkle, Plantain, Poppy, Primrose, Rose, Sandalwood (red), Self heal, Sea holly, Sorrel, Sweetgrass, Sweetpea, Tansy, Thyme, Tulip, Valerian, Vervain, Violet, Yarrow.
Trees: Birch, Hawthorn, Magnolia
Incense: Benzoin, Red Sandalwood, dried Rose petals, dried Geranium petals, Dried Jasmine flowers.
Food: Apple, Apricot, Avocado, Barley, Blackberry, Brazil nut, Cardamon, Cherry, Liquorice, Mint, Nectarine, Oats, Passion fruit, Peach, Pear, Peas, Plum, Raspberry, Rhubarb, Rye, Strawberry, Sugar, Sweet potato, Thyme, Tomato, Vanilla, Wheat.
Symbol:
Influences: Attraction, Art, Beauty, Culture, Emotions, Fertility, Grace, Happiness, Harmony, Inspiration, Jealousy, Love, Lust, Passion, Pleasure, Prosperity, Relationships, Self-confidence, Sensuality, Sexuality, Victory.
Animals: Dove, Dolphin, Cat, Swan
Astrological signs: Libra and Taurus
Tarot cards: The Lovers, Two of cups.
Venus candle spell to attract love into your life
There are many different types of love, this spell can also be used for self-love and friendship too. It is best performed on a Friday.
You will need:
A pink or green candle, candle holder and lighter or matches
Herbs and crystals from the list above or those you are drawn to use, I used Lavender, Rose petals, Rose quartz, Rhodonite and Jade crystals
Paper and pen
Rose or lavender oil ( if you have it)
A heatproof bowl/ cauldron
Carve the symbol of Venus into your candle and dress it with your oil, then place in the holder. Surround the candle with your chosen herbs and crystals.
Light the candle and think about the type of love you want to attract into your life.
On the paper write down specifying the type of love you want and a list of qualities you want either for yourself, or the friend/lover to have.
Chant 3 times:
'As my candle shines so bright
Venus bless me with love and light
Lady Venus bring love to me
As I will so mote it be'
Carefully light your paper in the candle and drop it into your container/cauldron to burn. Leave your candle to burn down only if you can keep an eye on it, if not snuff it out and re-light it when you have more time.
