Venus-Mars aspects, especially the conjunction, are arguably one of the most powerful alignments we will ever encounter.

Together, Venus and Mars generate enormous stores of creative energy. This is confirmed by the integral relationship between their associated metals, copper (Venus) and iron (Mars). Together they interact to create magnetism and electricity and drive our manufactured machines. In fact, everything about the relationship of copper and iron mirrors their interplay as planets and as symbols. As feminine and masculine principles, Venus and Mars fuel the love and passion that creates life on Earth.

There is no pattern to consecutive Venus-Mars conjunctions. In order to understand their rhythmic dance, you have to look to their 32 year cycle to glimpse its beauty and significance. In my 2012 book, The Sacred Dance of Venus and Mars, I examine the 32-year cycle of the celestial lovers as they step along the zodiac.

When I first undertook this research in 2008, I was fascinated to discover the amazing scope and pattern that Venus and Mars create as they rendezvous every 32 years as it stretches through time over thousands of years.

Each Venus-Mars conjunction is part of a series of conjunctions that step along the zodiac by degree increments. Similar to the Saros cycle, these cycles have a start, a middle and an end. Some conjunctions dance through the zodiac in direct motion, and others travel retrograde.

Appropriately, when a new series of conjunctions is born, they emerge in pairs. Two conjunctions are spaced a few weeks apart. New cycles commence when Venus and Mars unite shortly after Venus stations direct in the morning sky. In fact, her station direct is her signal for a new relationship with Mars to commence. In the middle of a series there is a Venus-Mars-Sun conjunction. The last conjunction in a series happens just before Venus stations retrograde when she is the evening star. At every stage of every 32 year cycle, Venus is calling the shots.

Venus represents our values and personal preferences which are the basis of our relationships. What do we have in common with others? How much are we willing to compromise? Venus informs many of our key decisions. In a wider context, the 32 year cycle of Venus and Mars speaks to our social values and the collective actions that arise from them.

Significantly, in early 2022 we will witness the birth of a new series of Venus-Mars conjunctions. This is the fourth pairing of new cycles in the current group of five which spans the years 1964-2034.

The first pair of new conjunctions in our modern era happened in July and August 1964. The short interval between these conjunctions, without a conjunction having taken place 32 years prior to either of them at a similar zodiac degree, is how we know that a new series has commenced.

The sixties saw a huge surge in creativity and rapid social change. Of course this was a revolutionary time due to the conjunction of Uranus and Pluto in 1966, but Venus and Mars also played a key role. The 60s were not just a time of political revolution, but society was being transformed by a groundswell of social change and an outpouring of creativity. These two conjunctions were in Gemini and Cancer. People suddenly felt free to communicate their sexual preferences. Topics that were previously taboo, were now spoken about openly. The contraceptive pill changed the role of women, who no longer felt their place was only in the home. Relationships took on a new freedom.

It’s worth noting that the Sabian symbols for the degree of the initial Venus-Mars conjunction in 1964 seem significant. The July 1964 conjunction happened at precisely 21GE00 activating both 21 and 22 Gemini, ‘A Tumultuous Labor Demonstration’, and ‘Dancing Couples at a Harvest Festival’, which perfectly describe the energy of the 1960s.

The second pair of new conjunctions happened in 1977 in Aries and Taurus. Once again we witnessed a rapid escalation of social change. The sexual revolution was in full swing and the counter-culture of the 60s took on new energy. New music styles ‘disco’, ‘punk’ and ‘heavy metal’ swept the world.

In 1983 the third pair of new conjunctions ramped up the speed of social change once again with growing impact of computer technology in the workplace. The sexually transmitted disease AIDS was identified and the first clinic to treat the disease was established in San Francisco. These two conjunctions were in Leo and Virgo. Notably, Australia won the America’s Cup in September 1983 just as the new Leo cycle began on 19 September. This was the first time any country besides the US had won. It was a euphoric time of celebration. Australia II won the last three races on 21, 22 and 26 September to claim victory. There was a dramatic energy shift.

Since that time, no new cycles have been born, but the fourth new pair of conjunctions in the current group of five, commences in early 2022.

The first of these conjunctions takes place on 17 February 2022 at 16CP55. We can expect a major shift in role that government plays in society, particular where there still exists inequality and gender bias. This is just one possible area where a groundswell of public opinion may bring about social change.

A few weeks later the second conjunction of Venus and Mars will take place. This happens on 6 March 2022 at precisely 00AQ01, at the very gateway to Aquarius.

The start of Aquarius is where the 2020 conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn occurred, foreshadowing the social and political restructuring that will likely unfold over the coming 20 years. As future technologies emerge they will alter our collective trajectory.  The influx of Aquarian energy will also shift our collective thinking. Humanity may recognise that we are all part of a global community. As we face the impacts of climate change the survival of life on our planet will be determined by our collective actions.

Before we know it, Pluto will cross into Aquarius (2023-4). New scientific discoveries (Aquarius) that revolutionise powerful institutions and economic systems (Pluto) are set to transform our world. Widespread social change generally comes about due to ‘people power’. These new conjunctions of Venus-Mars in Capricorn and Aquarius are likely to do just that.

It seems we are about to open a portal of Aquarian influence that will infuse us personally and collectively with a potent and progressive agenda. Coming just twelve months before Pluto shifts into Aquarius, and with Saturn also in the sign of the water-bearer, this surge of Aquarian energy is set to transform the social order.

These new cycles of Venus-Mars are the voice of the people who know it’s time for dramatic and comprehensive change. Aquarius, with its progressive attitudes and humanitarian themes is focused on the future.

After having weathered the past two years of COVID, these new cycles of Venus and Mars herald a positive surge in creative output and offer us significant opportunities as we face the challenges ahead.

© Michele Finey 2021

See also Michele’s author page.