Venus-Jupiter, Mars in Leo: Loosen up, have courage, enjoy

Venus in Libra squares Jupiter in Cancer today, and Mars enters Leo (at 10:05 pm EDT). Both events combine into a great astrological development for the kind of creative expression being fostered by the Sun and Neptune right now (see yesterday’s Daily Astrology post; those two are providing the main theme this week). Today the message coming through is, “Have the courage to hang a little looser and enjoy yourself.”

Simplified chart section showing Venus (blue 'female' symbol) in Libra square Jupiter (orange '4') in Cancer, and Mars (red 'male' symbol) in the first degree of Leo. The red and purple lines in the center of the circle indicate a loose cardinal grand square completed by Pluto and Uranus.
Simplified chart section showing Venus (blue ‘female’ symbol) in Libra square Jupiter (orange ‘4’) in Cancer, and Mars (red ‘male’ symbol) in the first degree of Leo. The red and purple lines in the center of the circle indicate a loose cardinal grand square completed by Pluto and Uranus.

It’s amazing how quickly some people can experience a backlash of guilt or fear the moment pleasure enters their experience. One reason could be economic: many people in many parts of the world don’t feel like they can afford to play creatively. Even college students barely get the chance to explore their passions before the chilling specter of crushing educational debt pressures them to major in something ‘sensible’.

The guilt reaction feels older, though (as in multi-generational). In the U.S. (especially in the Northeast), we have our so-called ‘Protestant work ethic’ sternly looking over our shoulders. For some, it’s a Depression-era survival mindset that has been passed on from a previous generation, or the socio-economic imperative that comes with being a recent immigrant.

And for many, the pleasure-guilt boomerang is even more deeply and subtly related to many centuries’ worth of sexual repression at the hands of religious institutions. Sex feels good; sex is (pro)creative; sexual pleasure does not depend on being married, or ‘pure’ or obedient. It’s a little rebellious — as is much great art and, apparently, anything truly creative these days.

So, back to the astrology: Venus is still effectively talking to Uranus, letting the spontaneous sparks of innovation guide the dance. This applies to the creative process as well as the act of co-creating relationships.

Jupiter is now co-opting those unexpected moves from Venus’ eccentric dance partner. He wants to ride the waves of endorphins, get lost in the swells of rhythmic music, and really let loose. He wants it all, dancing all night in romantic bliss and wine and roses. And Venus, as much as she says she wants balance in Libra, has an inner hedonist. That side of her is usually closer to the surface in Taurus than in Libra. Libra brings out her inner aesthete and lover of harmony — at least, until Jupiter comes along.


Jupiter has the potential to push things into overindulgence — and that might be exactly what you need. It also might scare the crap out of you, if you’re used to being in control. But creativity isn’t about maintaining control, and neither is erotic surrender or getting lost in music or even just simply feeling with all of your senses.

Enter Mars in Leo, lighting a fire under your proverbial ass. Wherever Leo is in your chart, that’s where you’re being called to show up visibly and lead, to create and take action. Mars in Leo is asking you to take charge — but with a sense of equanimity, humanity and playfulness (Leo represents children). It is asking you to take your dance of art and craft and bring it out into the world — to offer it boldly and not be afraid of stirring things up when you do, or of enjoying the hell out of it.

The word ‘courage’ comes from the root meaning ‘heart’. Take heart, loosen up and let it happen — whatever ‘it’ may be for you.

6 thoughts on “Venus-Jupiter, Mars in Leo: Loosen up, have courage, enjoy”

  2. You Virgo gals make the world a better place. Happy Birthday to ya! xxx
    Karena – love the idea of the fairy tale, really inspiring! As is the place you’re at now. Well done.

  4. I am living this …yesterday was my birthday and it was just such a luxury to be out of that pleasure/guilt loop. I feel like my life has opened up this summer…I’m dancing in a new landscape and I feel like I am really at home in my own creative spark and jubilant in a sense of acceptance and celebration of my place in the universe. I shed a lot of religious crap I still had hanging around even though I thought I had let go of it all,years ago. No more guilt….no more death -cult residue. I feel ALIVE and fully engaged beyond anything I have ever felt before. The aquarius new moon was a shifting point. The buck stopped there. The caretaking vs caregiver thing woke me up and shook me loose of a misery I was bristling against, but could not put my finger on. It was a major multi-generational pattern busted right then, right there. I have a sense of courage and lightness and hanging loose that I have faked but never finessed wholely because of guilt that threaded it’s way into wierd places in my life. It’s great to be free 🙂

    Lizzy, your dream is like a fairy tale. It resonates strongly with my experience. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  6. I so love this piece, Amanda! (and so many of your wonderful pieces these last weeks). I dreamed I went to tip tap dance school last night, and there was a whole wonderful bit about getting ones shoes turned into tip tap shoes by a specialist cobbler. This joy, lightness versus guilt theme has been very apparent for me this summer. Though have had a lot of the joy knocked out of me these days, while I’m looking after my folks. Feels like swimming against very strong currents, and I often go under. But then I had this dream and read your lovely piece. I can do it! Thank you.

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