Planets: Venus—ray 5 (sacred)

Ray 5 triangle

D Ray 5 (sacred planet)

Method: Refinement of the mind, appreciation of intelligent division

Rulerships: Orthodox: Taurus Libra Esoteric: Gemini Hierarchical: Capricorn
Dignities: Exaltation: Pisces Fall: Virgo Detriment: Aries Scorpio
Symbol: D An circle above an equal-armed cross.
Venus triangles:

Venus: general information

Venus exemplifies one of the major shifts in Esoteric Astrology from the familiar. While embodying the principle of love-wisdom as originating in Ray 2, the planet also transmits the intelligent division and “science” of Ray 5 (see the fifth ray triangle). The best way of understanding this is symbolised by the well-known geometry of the golden section or golden proportion, where the smaller part is to the greater as the greater is to the whole; a ratio approximated in the Fibonacci sequence (in which each number is the sum of the two preceding ones). This proportion appears throughout nature as the way in which matter can be arranged in an optimum yet beautiful way, symbolising the real “scientific beauty” that Venus embodies.

Venus also represents the individual soul which, in the theosophically-derived system followed in Esoteric Astrology, is the root of the real self “behind” the personality, carrying the essential systemic principle of love-wisdom (embodied in the sun of our solar system) during the process of conscious evolution or the “path of discipleship”. In the inner psychology of the subtle bodies that make up human existence the soul or “causal body” exists between the abstract higher mind and the rational self, and is held to preserve and process the knowledge gained from the experience of each incarnation, retaining the resulting wisdom between each. This human-level role is derived from the idea that, for humanity, Venus in this solar system is the soul to the Earth as personality.

The rulerships of Venus follow the rather mysterious role of the planet in esoteric astrology, from the personal in Taurus and Libra, through the esoteric in Gemini and the hierarchical and universal in Capricorn. Once the esoteric psychological and cosmic schemes are grasped, the complex role of Venus becomes easier to work with.

Venus: Rulerships

Orthodox: Taurus

To follow

Orthodox: Libra

To follow

Esoteric: Gemini

Details to follow: the objective mind in the field of personal bonds, the intelligent application of dispassionate connection.

Hierarchical: Capricorn

Details to follow: Venus as hierarchical ruler of Capricorn: the need of the abstract and formless for form, the processing of experience in the redemption of matter; Makara—the cryptic “secret of the crocodiles” and spiritual element of humanity to refine and elevate matter. See the 5th hierarchy (EA 37, 45-49).


Venus decanates

In conventional astrology, decanates simply follow the rulerships of each elemental triad, but the information in Esoteric Astrology is inconsistent. For more information, see notes about the decanates, and the “decans” tab under each sign.

Venus Dignities

Exaltation in Pisces

To follow

Fall in Virgo

To follow

Detriment in Aries

To follow

Detriment in Scorpio

To follow