When we think of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and sensuality, it’s easy to imagine her as a radiant, ethereal figure. She’s often linked to soft, light feminine energy—romance, attraction, and harmony. But Venus is a goddess with much deeper layers, embodying both light and dark aspects of the feminine.

In this post, we’ll explore some common misconceptions about Venus and shed light on her powerful, complex nature that many witches overlook. To truly honor Venus, we must embrace her as the full embodiment of divine feminine energy—both light and dark.

Misconception 1: Venus is Only About Love and Romance

While Venus is undoubtedly associated with love, it’s important to remember that her influence extends beyond the romantic. She governs self-love, self-worth, and personal power. Venus teaches us how to receive pleasure and to value ourselves, which can be empowering when fully embraced.

Working with Venus in your witchcraft practice can help you cultivate confidence, attract abundance, and establish healthy boundaries. This is far from the narrow view of Venus as simply a goddess of romantic love—she helps you manifest your desires, whether they be material, emotional, or spiritual.

Misconception 2: Venus Represents Only "Light" Feminine Energy

Many witches believe Venus embodies only soft, nurturing, and gentle qualities, but she is much more than that. She also embodies the dark feminine, a force of power, transformation, and even destruction when necessary. Just as the light feminine focuses on love, compassion, and creation, the dark feminine represents mystery, the unknown, and even chaos.

The dark feminine energy of Venus can be seen in her connection to desire and seduction, but it also manifests in her fierce independence. Venus doesn’t shy away from using her charm and influence to get what she wants, making her an ideal goddess to work with when you need to assert your power or navigate shadow work. She reminds us that darkness is not something to fear, but a source of strength and transformation.

One of my favorite ways to tap into this darker side of Venus is by using the tarot cards: Goddess of Love Tarot. This tarot deck, created by the wonderful Gabriela Herstik, comes with an insightful guide book that not only helps you understand each card but also gives you great suggestions for release rituals, shadow work, sex magic and so much more.

Misconception 3: Venus Always Represents Harmony and Peace

Venus is often depicted as a symbol of peace and harmony, but she is also a goddess of passion and intensity. In mythology, Venus (Aphrodite in Greek mythology) was known for stirring emotions and inspiring both love and war. She possesses a fiery side, a reminder that sometimes passion leads to conflict and that it’s natural to feel intense emotions as part of the human experience.

When working with Venus, don’t be afraid to tap into this passionate, fierce side. She can help you break free from stagnation, encourage you to pursue what sets your soul on fire, and empower you to stand up for your needs.

Misconception 4: Venus is a Distant, Unapproachable Goddess

Another common misconception is that Venus, being a goddess of beauty and desire, is too distant or ethereal to approach in witchcraft practice. In reality, Venus is deeply connected to the Earth, ruling over the material pleasures of life—food, sensuality, art, and nature. She is a goddess you can approach for everyday guidance in matters of beauty, relationships, self-care, and self-expression.

Venus invites you to experience life fully, to indulge in the pleasures of the senses, and to explore both the heights and depths of your emotions. She encourages you to embody your divine feminine energy in all its forms—both the nurturing and the fierce, the loving and the powerful.

Misconception 5: Venus Only Works with Women

Venus is often associated with feminine energy, which leads many to believe she only works with women. This couldn't be further from the truth. Venus embodies divine feminine energy, which exists in all beings, regardless of gender. Anyone, regardless of how they identify, can connect with Venus to enhance their relationships, creativity, and personal expression. Her energy is about balance and unity, bringing harmony between masculine and feminine aspects within ourselves and the world around us.

Misconception 6: Venus is Shallow or Vain

Another misconception is that Venus only represents surface-level beauty and vanity. This shallow interpretation ignores the depth of what Venus symbolizes. Her influence goes beyond physical attractiveness; she governs the arts, creativity, and all forms of beauty, including inner beauty. Venus encourages us to find beauty in imperfection and to seek balance and harmony in all aspects of life. Working with Venus can help you embrace your authentic self and find the confidence to express it fully.

How to Embrace Venus's Dual Nature in Your Practice

If you want to fully honor Venus in your witchcraft, it’s important to work with both her light and dark aspects. Here are some ways you can do this:

• Light Venus Rituals: Focus on self-love, beauty rituals, or attracting harmony into your relationships. Create altars with roses, honey, and pink candles to invoke her gentle energy.

• Dark Venus Rituals: Delve into shadow work, uncover hidden desires, or call upon Venus for empowerment in difficult situations. Use darker colors like black or deep red on your altar, and incorporate symbols of transformation like mirrors to reflect her darker aspects.

For more ideas on creating an altar to Venus and starting to work with her, check out the previous post on How to Work With Venus.

Venus as the Full Embodiment of Feminine Power

Venus is far more than a goddess of love and light—she is the full embodiment of divine feminine energy, both light and dark. She represents pleasure and power, beauty and intensity, creation and destruction. By embracing all facets of Venus, we can better understand the complexity of the feminine experience and empower ourselves to live fully and authentically. So, next time you call upon Venus, don’t shy away from her dark side. It is there, in the shadows, where some of her greatest lessons reside.

Have you worked with Venus in your practice? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below!