Sun and Venus: aspect cards

Sun conjunct Venus joins the need to be yourself with the need to be loved, so the two pull in one direction. You have a soft charm, enjoy beauty and a relaxed atmosphere, and show your affection quite openly. On the other side, when a difference of opinion might upset someone, you often go quiet or give way first, so you sometimes never say what you really want.

• You get along with people easily and warm up the room
• You have a clear sense of taste and an eye for beauty

• You use other people's praise to measure your own worth
• You avoid conflict so much that you do not say what you want

Your friends pick a restaurant that is very loud. You smile and say, "Sure," though you would rather go somewhere quieter. Next time you say, "I would like a place where we can hear each other." Your friends agree at once and say they never knew you had a particular preference.

Say what you want plainly in small matters, and your relationships balance giving with receiving.

When the Sun is on good terms with Venus, being yourself and being loved go together easily. You warm to new people fast, give off an ease that makes others comfortable, and build friendships without much effort. Work in beauty, music, client care or design suits you. The thing to watch is that you may pick whatever pleases everyone and never stand up for what you believe.

• You build good relationships without forcing it
• You pay attention to beauty and to how your co-workers feel

• You choose what everyone accepts first, even when you do not believe in it
• You put off confrontations because you want to keep the mood pleasant

You are helping a friend design a poster for an event. Everyone likes your first version, but you know the other one communicates better. This time you do not let it slide. You set both side by side and explain why. The team picks the second one, the result is better, and nobody feels overlooked.

Use your charm to push for what you truly believe, not only to keep everyone happy.

When the Sun challenges Venus, the need to be yourself and the wish to be accepted tug at each other gently. You may be so considerate that you never show your real self, or feel you must choose between a relationship and what you want to do. At times you give comfort and pretty things more time than you should. You are very sensitive to other people's feelings, which is both a strength and the thing that makes you hesitate.

• You read other people's feelings in fine detail
• You value relationships, so you do not wreck them lightly

• You are so considerate that you do not say what you need
• You feel you must choose between being liked and following your goal

Your close friend invites you on a trip on the same day your important work is due. You want to go and fear letting her down, so you cannot say no, and only get stressed near the date. This time you say at the start, "I am tied up with work that day. Can we go next week?" She understands and still invites you.

Say small needs clearly at the start, and the bond survives even when you do not always give in.