Astrology with Alice: Venus Star Points are Astrology’s Next Big Thing
Retrograde is so last month, it's star points' time to shine!
Words by Alice Smith
Astrology with Alice: Welcome to Astrology with Alice, a monthly astrology column aimed at helping readers understand the vibes of the month ahead in plain English. As a Taiwanese immigrant who grew up in Los Angeles, I specialize in combining western astrology with eastern philosophy. I’ve taught modern astrology through the lens of Buddhism and Taoism, and I also draw from the principles of traditional Chinese medicine. Knowing the movements of the planets can help us make decisions around our careers, relationships, family. As the planets move around in the sky, they shift the energetic vibes we experience on Earth, and I believe in flowing with energy instead of fighting it—to work smarter, not harder. So join me on our monthly planetary lowdowns and learn how you, too, can ride the cosmic waves!
Astrology goes through trends. Just a decade ago, most people had never heard of Mercury retrograde, but now it’s a pop culture reference (even if not everyone knows what it means).
I believe that Venus Star Point (VSP) signs will be the next “it” thing in astrology. It’s something that’s established among serious astrologers—so we’re not making up something new—plus we get to look up new star signs for ourselves. And who doesn’t love that?!
Last month, we talked about Venus going retrograde on July 22. Serious astro-nerds know that whenever Venus goes retrograde, it will soon meet the sun in a conjunction—the sun and Venus will basically line up together from our perspective here on Earth. And when that happens, the VSP sign will change. This month, the VSP sign will change to Leo when Venus and the sun align on Aug. 13 in the sign of Leo.
(If you’re wondering what the VSP entering Leo means for you, think back to the summers of 2015, 2007, and 1999. Those were years when the VSP landed in Leo. Think about what was going on for you, and see if you can suss out a theme. For me, those years coincided with major career changes.)
What’s a Venus Star Point?
Well, when we talk about the Venus star, we’re referring to the shape of a star (and not referring to any actual star or planet). I’ll spare you the technical details, but the basic gist is this: If you track Venus’ location every time it forms a conjunction with the sun (see above illustrations), you will form the points of a pentagram—the five-pointed star. Hence, the name “Venus Star Points.” (Imagine that Venus has a smartphone and it drops its location each time it forms a conjunction with the sun. Each location drop is one point of the star shape.)
The Venus Star Point will form in Leo on Aug. 13, 2023. The next one will form in Gemini in 2024, then Aries in 2025.
Image courtesy of Alice Smith
The five zodiac signs activated by this “Venus star” determine cultural trends and values, themes in art, and our philosophical outlook as a society. And because the VSPs take more than 100 years to cycle through a sign, the same five signs are activated for decades before one of the star points changes signs. And when it does, it’s a special event that heralds a shift in social values. In fact, we just had the first Libra VSP in nearly 150 years last October!
On the other hand, the VSP that preceded our birth—our personal VSP sign—affects us similarly, but on a personal level.
Because the VSPs take more than 100 years to cycle through a sign, the same five signs are activated for decades before one of the star points changes signs. And when it does, it’s a special event that heralds a shift in social values. In fact, we just had the first Libra VSP in nearly 150 years last October!
Your VSP doesn’t replace any of your signs. It just adds another layer of information about you and your approach to love, life, and fulfillment. For example, Leo superstar Madonna is an Aquarius VSP, which makes so much sense once you consider that Aquarius is nonconforming, rebellious, progressive, and enjoys shock value. Her Leo qualities tell us that she likes attention, and her Aquarius VSP tells us how she goes about getting that attention.
(Also, your VSP sign is likely different from the Venus sign in your birth chart! I have Venus in Pisces in my birth chart, but I’m a Gemini VSP!)
How can a planet like Venus wield so much influence over us?
We’ve lost appreciation for Venus in today’s world. While the planet gets its name from the Roman goddess of love and beauty and rules over money, relationships, and pleasure in Western astrology, Venus was astrologically significant throughout the world for so much more. For many cultures, Venus wasn’t just about fun and lovemaking. It represented all sides of femininity—including the fierce. So revered was this planet that the Mayans looked to Venus before deciding if they would go to war! (For the Geminis who need to know: The Mayans only went to war if Venus rose before the sun in the eastern horizon.)
What’s the difference between my Venus sign and my Venus Star Point sign?
Your Venus sign is determined by Venus’ position in your birth chart. (Don’t know your Venus sign? You can get a free birth chart here.) Your Venus sign tells what you like when it comes to relationships, money, and pleasure. These preferences can be passive—what you like, but not necessarily what you do. For example, someone with Venus in Libra has an appreciation for art, likes romance, and enjoys harmonious interactions and beautiful surroundings. Maybe they could become an art critic.
A person’s VSP sign also tells us something about their sense of purpose in life—their raison d’etre.
The VSP, on the other hand, tells us something about the natural gifts and talents that someone brings into the world. A Libra VSP doesn’t just appreciate beauty—they have a knack for it. They might possess an instinctual feel for the golden ratio that they can’t explain. While they would still have to train in the arts to become successful, there is something innate about their understanding of beauty that cannot be learned. Instead of merely appreciating beauty, a Libra VSP is an artiste who creates it.
A person’s VSP sign also tells us something about their sense of purpose in life—their raison d’etre. An Aries VSP, for example, finds meaning and fulfillment in rising to challenges in a way that the rest of us might not.
What is your Venus Star Point sign and what does it mean for you?
Okay. Are you ready to find out what your VSP sign is? Follow these steps:
- Visit this page.
- Important: Ignore the colored bars–they’re irrelevant for our purposes.
- Find the date listed before your birth.
- Once you’ve found the date preceding your birth, follow that line and the sign listed in print is your VSP sign. (Ar=aries, Ta=Taurus, Ge=Gemini, Cn=Cancer, Le=Leo, Vi=Virgo, Li=Libra, Sc=Scorpio, Sg=Sagittarius, Cp=Capricorn, Aq=Aquarius, Pi=Pisces.)
- Come back here and scroll down to find your sign below. Read the brief description of what it means to be that VSP!
(In the chart linked above, there is a D or R after your sign, which tells you if you’re a morning star [R] or evening star [D]. We will go into morning versus evening star Venuses another time, but the Cliff’s Notes version is that morning stars tend to meet life’s challenges head on while evening star Venuses need to ruminate and internalize experiences first.)
Aries: Aries is a hunter, a pioneer. Aries hones its figurative blade on adversity and challenge. Therefore, the secret to happiness and love for an Aries VSP is to meet life with bravery and a pioneering spirit—and, most importantly, to believe in themselves. Their gift is courage.
Taurus: Since the last time a VSP formed in Taurus was 1933, there aren’t many Taurus VSPs around today. But if you’re lucky enough to know one, they’re earthy, pragmatic people who have a great appreciation for luxury. There’s something sensual about them. They also possess a talent for helping things grow—plants and dreams alike. Their gift is steadiness.
Gemini: Gemini VSPs are curious and communicative. Their realm is one of words and ideas. They are our information sharers, idea germinators, and thought provokers. Many of them are storytellers or writers. And, with Gemini being symbolized by the celestial twins, they are often part of famous sibling pairs. (Prince Harry and Venus Williams are Gemini VSPs.) Their gift is their stories and ideas.
Cancer: This VSP sign is all about a connection to family, the bonds of kinship, and nurturing people. They find their place by providing care for others. These people are emotionally sensitive, value connections, and are nurturers who put people at ease. With Cancer’s connection to family, some of them may also be called to uphold a family legacy. Their gift is the safe harbor that they provide.
Leo: These VSPs, like the sun that rules the sign of Leo, are warm and bright. They inspire us and encourage us to live passionately and creatively. I actually laughed out loud when I realized that the first Leo VSP happened in 1987—during the era of loud colors and big hair, which are both things that Leo loves! Leo VSPs are here to thaw our hearts and help us experience joy. You can’t ask for more enthusiastic cheerleaders. Their gift is inspiration.
Virgo: Virgos are here to serve and benefit the world, so they find meaning in being useful. Virgo VSPs are natural editors and organizers, and they’re incredibly useful folks to have around when you’re trying to get something done well and efficiently! When facing a project, Virgo VSPs can assess exactly what needs to be done, in what order, and by whom very quickly. However, some Virgo VSPs may find it difficult to apply this superpower to themselves as they sometimes do better when helping others. Their gift is their service.
Libra: VSP signs happen in cycles with a beginning and an end, and the first Libra VSP in memory actually happened last October. As the Libra cycle has just started, we don’t have any Libra VSP adults yet—they’re all wee babes right now! What I anticipate is with this new Libra cycle is that, on a global level, we are shifting towards placing higher value on fairness, justice, aesthetic beauty, and harmony, and our little Libra VSPs are going to be our future artists and diplomats. Their gift will be peace.
Scorpio: Scorpio VSPs are the ride-or-dies. They want access to the inner sanctum in all areas of life. They are compelled to search for deep meaning, even if they need to reach into proverbial darkness to do it. They’re resilient and bounce back, and they have razor-sharp instincts. They’re also resourceful people. Their gift is their tenacity.
Sagittarius: The last Sagittarius VSP cycle happened in 1922, so there are very few Sagittarius star points left. If you’re lucky enough to know these remaining centenarians, you’ll find people who possess the heart of an adventurer. They are always keen to learn about and explore new horizons—both figurative and literal. Their gift is wisdom gained from experience.
Capricorn: Capricorn VSPs are fixers, achievers, and leaders who play the long game. They have high standards and are capable of diligence. Their aesthetic tastes lean toward the dignified and the refined. They are comfortable inhabiting the role of teachers and leaders and understand how to navigate institutions. Capricorn VSPs hold themselves and others to high standards. Therefore, their gift is responsibility.
Aquarius: Aquarius VSPs are forward-thinking, humanitarian, and often progressive (or at least more progressive than their peers). They are eager to shed tradition for innovation, as they aren’t attached to their roots. They care about the world as a whole and are passionate about egalitarianism. Their gift is their vision.
Pisces: Pisces VSPs are dreamy, compassionate, spiritual, and have an affinity for music. They are non-linear visionaries who are sensitive to vibes. But don’t be fooled into thinking that Pisces is only about poetry and music! Because Pisces isn’t limited by boundaries, these VSPs are capable of great innovations. (Alexander Graham Bell and Albert Einstein were Pisces VSPs!) They often boast strong intuition and many prefer to live near the sea. Their gift is their imagination.
Published on July 31, 2023
Words by Alice Smith
Alice Smith has loved astrology ever since she read her first horoscope as a kid. She’s a certified, professional astrologer who reads birth charts for clients all over the world and has spoken at events throughout the Pacific Northwest. Alice learned to write horoscopes from her mentor Rebecca Gordon who was herself mentored by the grande dame of horoscope writing, Susan Miller. Alice has a degree in sociology from the University of Washington and is (too) obsessed with her “Furgo” (furry Virgo) cat, whose birth chart she often interprets on social media.