Venus and Mercury are traditionally considered “positive” planets — Venus associated with inner and outer relationships, balance, harmony; Mercury with curiosity and data collection. But when you really look at their rulerships, they each carry inherent archetypal tension:
Venus rules both Taurus and Libra, which are quincunx (150°) by sign. Taurus is about self-reliance and internal value; Libra is about attunement to others and external harmony. These signs don’t share element, modality, or polarity. So Venus herself contains a built-in dissonance between self-containment and relational balancing.
Mercury rules both Gemini and Virgo, which are square (90°) to each other. Gemini gathers information freely and stays open-ended; Virgo wants to self analyze and apply order . So Mercury also carries an internal square between modes of thinking.
Given this, I’m wondering:
Why are Venus and Mercury so often described as “positive” when they carry this tension of a quincunx and a square naturally
Should we instead be viewing these planets as reflectors or activators of these tensions — and their transits as opportunities to integrate the contradiction rather than expect them to feel “easy”?
And could the reason a Venus or Mercury transit feels “negative” sometimes be because that internal archetypal tension is being highlighted — especially if the transit is in a difficult house/sign or forms hard aspects?
Would it make sense to start looking at what a healed quincunx or healed square looks like, rather than expect Venus and Mercury to always express harmoniously?
I’m curious how others here see this — especially from an evolutionary lens.
Thank you in advance!
Hi Dominikas,
To me your understanding of the Venus and Mercury archetypes by way of how you explained the natural square dynamic in Mercury and the inconjunct in Venus, is 100% on point. And thus you have already answered all four of your questions.
I'll add that JWG never taught that these planets are "positive". He never taught in those terms of "positive or negative" in regards to anything, and so it's not necessary to try to reconcile with those notions here.
I'll also add that in transit, it always depends on context. It's never about the transiting planet itself, by itself, - i.e. that Venus will be "easy" or not. But rather depends on the context of the transiting planet relative to the natal chart it is transiting and where that person is at relative to their soul program. A Venus transit can be bring up uncomfortable feelings just as much as it can feel delightful. The best way to know this is to simply observe it in action and trust your own intuitive insight/ direct seeing.
Thank you so much!