Venus and Mars: aspect cards

Venus conjunct Mars puts what you like and what you go after in the same place. When you are drawn to someone you know at once, and you tend to move toward them without waiting for the other person to open the door. Your warmth always has some heat in it, so closeness feels lively. The same speed shows in your taste: you like work that looks good and actually gets finished. This pair says what it wants plainly and is not good at waiting.

• You show interest openly, so the people you like know where they stand.
• Warmth and drive arrive together, which gives your relationships energy.
• You put real effort into things that must look good and get done, such as a design or a room.

• A strong pull can be read as a bond before you know the person well.
• Interest may cool as fast as it rose once the novelty is gone.

You meet someone at a friend's party and ask for their number before the night ends. The first two weeks are great. Then a quiet Tuesday arrives, the spark seems to dip and you wonder if it was real. Try suggesting you cook together and talk about what each of you wants. Plain evenings like that show you whether there is more than the excitement.

Attraction tells you who to get to know; time tells you whether it can last.

When Venus is in harmony with Mars, what you like and what you act on point the same way. You know what you want from a relationship and can say it without awkwardness, while still hearing what the other person wants. Warmth and physical interest support each other without effort, so your charm comes across as easy. The thing to watch is that good chemistry can let you skip the hard conversations.

• You can state your wants directly and still listen to the other person.
• Your charm is not forced, and people around you feel at ease.
• You move smoothly into creative or performing work.

• When things fit, you may keep postponing the difficult talk.
• Smoothness can hide that the other person has something unsaid.

You and your partner talk easily and have fun together, so you rarely bring up things that bother you, like wanting the housework shared more fairly. One evening you pick a moment after dinner when you are both in a good mood and say it lightly but clearly. They listen and suggest a plan. Your good chemistry turns a hard topic into an ordinary conversation.

Good chemistry can carry honesty too, not only the sweet moments.

When Venus challenges Mars, what you like and what you want do not always match. One part of you wants to be gentle and give, another wants to get and to win. You may be drawn to someone who does not fit what you need, or swing between pleasing and holding your ground. Early interest runs hot and cools fast. This pair has to practise letting its two wants talk to each other.

• You feel strongly and are lively, so your relationships are not dull.
• You notice quickly when giving and receiving are out of balance.
• Your wanting pushes you to act instead of waiting.

• You may be drawn to someone exciting who does not fit your daily life.
• Giving and winning can alternate so fast that the other person cannot follow.
• The early fire may cool before the relationship has found its footing.

You agree to a weekend trip with a close friend, and the day before they say they want to change the whole plan. You give in at first to avoid a scene, then stay irritated all week. Next time, say what you want at that moment and ask what they want. If your plans differ, split the choices so each of you picks half of the trip.

Say what you want at the start, and the relationship will not depend on guesswork.